Thagu Chhen Boutique Hotel – Bhaktapur, Nepal

We were dead tired after three days of wandering around Bhaktapur and needed something exciting to perk up our last two days. And so we decided to check out a boutique hotel right outside the Durbar Square to feel a little lavishness. And then we spent the next 24 hours doing nothing and at the same time experienced everything that Bhaktapur has to offer.

After a great three-day stay at Shiva Guesthouse inside Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square, we packed our stuff and strolled a good hundred meters to our next happy place.

The Thagu Chhen Boutique Hotel is located right outside the main gate of the Durbar Square. This hotel is unique for it combines the luxury and comfort of a boutique hotel and the cultural legacy of the Newar people of Nepal as shown in its architectural and interior design. The name of the hotel was derived from the local Newa dialect; Thagu means “Thy own” while Chhen means “Home”. And true to its name, we were finally at home.

Thagu Chhen Boutique Hotel Bhaktapur Nepal

Very earthy feel

The hotel was built with reclaimed handmade bricks and woodworks that echoed the traditional houses of the Nepali people. You could feel the rich culture of Bhaktapur on the artifacts scattered around the hotel. The local craftsmanship and artistry are revealed from the lobby to the hallways and the suites.

Checking in was trouble-free. We were assisted by the staff and immediately confirmed our reservations. After which, we were treated like royalties and placed upon us this traditional Nepali silk shawl and some cold drinks. We were then ushered to our suite and were surprised upon knowing that we practically own the whole floor.

Thagu Chhen Boutique Hotel has only five floors and four serviced apartment suites (three Thagu suites and one Comfort studio). Our Thagu suite was at the second level and we owned the whole floor (check here for discounted hotel rates).

We were out of words when we opened the doors leading to our room. Our 1,000 sq. ft. apartment was huge beyond words; it was too big for me and my buddy. I immediately ran to a huge glass door that opens up to our own balcony. The view from there is really amazing. We’re on a hilly area so you could just imagine the picturesque scene from Nepali villages around. I sat into one of the lounge chairs and savored the moment for a while.

Leave.Me.Here.

I immediately remembered that there are more things to discover in our home (for two days) that I needed to check out. I went to the spacious living area that has a daybed. I keep telling my buddy that I could just stay there forever. We had no T.V., just a living room with some books about Nepal, some cool board games, snacks and other knickknacks.

The whole room has this cozy feel in it mainly because of the use of bricks and wood. It also has no air-conditioned facilities, well, you won’t be needing that if you’re in Nepal where the chilly weather makes you yearn for warmth and coziness. The earthy feel surrounded the place.

No T.V. but...

I then went to the kitchen that is fully functional. It has a gas stove, electric kettle, dinnerware, and other stuff that you’d probably need if you wanna put your culinary skills into test. We abused this kitchen by preparing our dinner, snacks and for making some coffee for those chilly times at the balcony.

The toilet and bathroom has its own character. The whole place is eco-friendly for they use some solar panels to generate power including the heater in the shower. Toiletries are complimentary and you could always ask for replenishment anytime you need it.

And then the bedroom. The moment I stepped into the room I was totally stunned for like ten seconds. It was as if I was in a different world. The warm lighting makes you wanna slumber right away. And the huge bed with the magnificent brick wall as headboard was over the top. The refurbished windows are ornately designed by local artisans. There are straw mats with pillows on the floor that gives you that space when you need to meditate or do some reading. And the bed. I love the quality of the mattress and the linens. I dozed off immediately that night after resting my body into it.

Just wow!

Ganesh on one of the shelves

After the amazing tour of our own apartment, we went to the topmost floor of the hotel to check out the view from that point. And as expected, it was stunning. The Himalayas on the north and the lush hills on the south are the perfect backdrop to the community of brick wall houses of Bhaktapur. It was truly amazing.

The stunning view from the roofdeck

We went back to our apartment and did nothing but enjoy the view from our place. We spent most of the time on the balcony and daybed on the living area. The free wi-fi connection helped us plot our not-so-sleek itineraries. I snoozed for a while and realized that we needed something for dinner. We went out and shopped for some stuff (beers and chow meins) and spent the whole night inside our cozy apartment boozing up.

I woke up with a heavy heart, not because I didn’t sleep that well but because we’re leaving in a few hours. I heated up some coffee and went to my favorite spot, the balcony, and experienced a great sunrise. It was serene and peaceful. Just me, my coffee and the sunrise happening over the Himalayas. And when I looked over the villages around, I saw some old folks doing some morning yoga exercises. And then I was smiling and thanked the heavens for this privilege I am experiencing. It was way beyond words.

Kalma

Breakfast in Thagu Chhen Hotel is complimentary. We were handed out a form the day before to check out the breakfast options. We had some assortment of breads, scrambled eggs, buff sausages, muesli, yoghurt, fresh fruits, coffee and juice. It was overwhelming. The breakfast nook was filled with simple yet satisfying breakfast fares.

Me: The food is so fun!
My buddy: No, it's not.

Thagu Chhen Boutique hotel is far more than a hotel; it’s an experience in itself. It makes you realize that you don’t always have to go outside the comforts of your hotel room (or in our case, the whole apartment) just to experience Bhaktapur. You can lounge on the balcony and live vicariously through the everyday life of the Nepali. And we did just right that.