Nepal is a fascinating land. A country of towering mountains, ancient history and culture, medieval palaces, sparkling white Buddhist stupas, pagoda-roofed temples, brave Gurkha soldiers, welcoming locals, and the ubiquitous Dal-Bhat that powers you 24 hours a day Yes, Nepal is a destination worth exploring.
A tiny landlocked country wedged between India and China, Nepal has emerged as one of the best vacation destinations in Asia after the country opened for tourism in the mid-1970s. Home to eight of the 14 highest mountains in the world, Nepal is known as the go-to destination for mountain adventures like hiking, trekking, and mountaineering. Sagarmatha, or Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, is the pride of this tiny nation.
Nepal’s rich culture and history also make it one of the most fascinating destinations for cultural tours. The dense tropical jungles of its Terai plains are exciting spots for endangered wildlife sightings and jeep safaris. With a diverse topography (hills and mountains in the north and flat plains in the southern part of the country) and 142 ethnic communities inhabiting its land, exploring this Himalayan country never gets boring.
Kathmandu, the city that is home to the Woodapple Hotel and Spa
Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is a vibrant city filled with urban hubs and traditional Newari localities. The city is made up of three ancient kingdoms: Kathmandu, Lalitpur, or Patan, and Bhaktapur. Kathmandu is the economic as well as the political center of the country. The city is home to six UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and Changunarayan Temple.
Kathmandu is also home to Tribhuvan International Airport, the first international airport in the country. While international airports in other countries are located far away from the city, the Tribhuvan International Airport sits in central Kathmandu. It's easier to commute to and from the airport to the major hubs in the city. Transportation is not an issue, as private taxis and public buses are easily available from the airport itself.
Getting to the Woodapple Hotel and Spa from the Tribhuvan International Airport
Woodapple Hotel and Spa is situated in a quiet nook just a stone's throw away from Thamel's busy streets. Thamel is a lively tourist district in central Kathmandu.
The hotel lies a little more than 7 kilometers from the airport. It takes around 20–25 minutes to drive from the airport to the hotel. It may take more time if the traffic is heavy.
Transportation
You can request an airport pick-up service if you want us to pick you up from the airport. You will have to send in your arrival details to the hotel via email to avail of this service. Please note that the airport pick-up service comes at an additional cost.
Local taxis are also readily available at the airport. If you don't want to bargain or haggle over the fare with the cab drivers, you can download one of the local ride-hailing apps like Pathao or Tootle and order a taxi or a motorbike to take you to the hotel. You will need a local SIM card (which you can easily purchase at the airport) to use the ride-hailing apps. You can choose a motorbike cab if you are traveling lightly. The motorbike cab will be cheaper than a four-wheeler taxi and much faster.
You can also enter Kathmandu by road. Nepal shares its borders with India and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, and you can use any of the entry points at the border to enter the country. Kathmandu is well connected with all the border towns and cities, and you can easily get transportation to the capital city.
Woodapple Hotel and Spa: A serene oasis in chaotic Kathmandu
Woodapple Hotel and Spa is located on Kaldhara Marg, on the periphery of Thamel. While it is close to Thamel, the hotel's location is secluded and hidden from the busier and noisier streets of the tourist hub. You can enjoy a serene and tranquil stay at the hotel.
To get to the hotel from central Thamel, head to Paknajol and take the road leading to Kaldhara Marg. Follow a gentle up-and-down road and arrive at the hotel. If you feel lost, you can always rely on Google Maps to guide you in the right direction.
Woodapple Hotel Spa offers you one of the most comfortable accommodations in the city. The hotel lies close to all the major landmarks and markets in the city. The hotel has 35 well-appointed rooms, which include standard deluxe rooms as well as luxurious suites. The hotel has an in-house restaurant, bar, spa, and wellness center.
Swoyambhunath, or Monkey Temple, lies pretty close to the hotel and can be viewed from the south-facing rooms and the rooftop restaurant. A 360-degree view of the whole city as well as the snow-covered Ganesh Himal Range (in winter), can be viewed from the hotel's rooftop. Restaurants, pubs, supermarkets, and shopping malls also lie within walking distance from the hotel.