Gokarna Forest Resort is situated on 470 acres of protected land, once the private hunting grounds of Nepal’s royalty. Today, guests can mingle with the deer and monkey that wander freely on the grounds of the resort between the centuries-old trees and inspired buildings. Using architectural elements from the Malla period’s royal palaces, the lodges that hold the 65 rooms of the hotel all evoke a sense of regal, rustic luxury. Room interiors reflect this atmosphere with modern furnishings, fixtures and ample space in both the living area and en suite bath. The stunning architectural achievements of the resort extend to the Hunter’s Lodge, the main building with a bar and restaurant. Formerly the accommodations of the hunters who traveled with the royal family, this 150-year-old building has been completely restored and converted into the resort’s signature restaurant. Dine on traditional Himalayan cuisine and grilled game in an atmosphere that exudes royalty and reflects the elegant history of the area. The Durbar Restaurant is also available for all-day dining in a more casual setting. At the center of the resort find a spectacular par 72 golf course, designed by Scottish course architect David McLay Kidd. The golf club with a restaurant, pro shop and locker rooms offers everything needed for an effortless outing on the greens. Tee off towards the Himalayas amidst the centuries-old trees in the Gokarna Forest Reserve. Ayuveda-inspired spa treatments are administered in the serene Harmony Spa, with a sauna, Jacuzzi, indoor swimming pool and a full-service beauty center among the relaxing facilities. Venture into the valleys and jungles for trekking, hiking, rock climbing and a variety of outdoor adventures. Discover Kathmandu’s nightlife or take a quiet, reflective tour of local museums, countless temples and seven UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Gokarna lies to the east of the Nepalese capital, about 30 minutes’ drive from the international airport. The resort is surrounded by more than 400 acres of protected woodland, home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, and an abundance of peace and quiet.
Gleneagles’ design team put together the 6,755-yard, par-72, 18-hole course (green fees from US$29/£22) and it’s well run and maintained. The resort is spread out, with a mix of ex-royal mansions and more recent construction. A spa and swimming pool provide some indoor entertainment, while a stroll (or a horse ride) around the grounds rarely fails to include encounters with monkeys and spotted deer.
Paintballing and bird watching are conducted in distinctly separate locations. Staff revel in Gokana’s unique attributes, and can hold forth at length on the latest triumphs of Pratima Sherpa, Nepal’s celeb teen golf sensation.
The resort has just 100 rooms. First choice should be the Cottage rooms, which enjoy the most immediate forest views. There’s just a handful of suites, but all the accommodation tends toward lofty beamed ceilings, large windows and highly polished floors so there’s a palatial sense of space and the small-ish television screen doesn’t intrude in the least.
The bathrooms feature a tub (a tiled rectangular pool, rather than something made from enamelled cast iron) as well as a shower, and plenty of slatherable organic soap and herbal shampoo.
There are three restaurants – Hunter's Lodge (Nepali), Clubhouse (Thai and Chinese), which is primarily aimed at the golfing fraternity, and Durbar, which is the resort’s all-day diner. Breakfast at the latter is more than filling, with an especially good pastry section, as well as a lot of fresh fruit.
Both these restaurants are perfectly respectable – besides, there’s nowhere else to eat in the immediate vicinity. But Gokarna’s best eatery/drinkery is the 8848 Mt Bar & Patio, named for the world’s highest peak. Live music, snooker, cane chairs in the courtyard with views of the gardens, comfort food like spinach and walnut pie, and a raft of rum-based cocktails all add up to more than a little temptation to kick back and reflect if the royals ever had quite so much fun here.
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Getaway Nepal Adventure (P.) Ltd.
Thamel Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977 98510 38 908
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