Our Story
Built for the Mountains
Since 2018
A retreat that grew from the land
Himalayan Retreat was conceived not as a hotel, but as a response to a place. The founders — a Nepali architect and a Swiss hotelier — spent two years walking the ridge above Phewa Lake before placing a single stone.
The result is a property that feels discovered rather than built. Terraced into the hillside, each of the 24 rooms orients toward a specific view — the glacial peak of Machhapuchhre, the shimmer of the lake at dawn, the terraced rice fields below.
We opened in 2018 with twelve rooms and a commitment to serving the valley we occupy. Everything since has grown from that intention.
Elevation
1,400 m
What We Stand For
Four guiding principles
Rooted in Place
Every design decision was made in deference to the landscape. The architecture doesn't compete with the Himalayas — it disappears into them.
Sustainably Built
Solar-heated water, a rooftop garden supplying our kitchen, and a zero-plastic policy throughout the property. Luxury and responsibility are not opposites.
Handcrafted Hospitality
Our team of 32 staff is drawn entirely from Pokhara and the surrounding villages. Their warmth and knowledge of the land are irreplaceable.
Intentional Stillness
No TVs in rooms. No lobby noise. Just the sound of the wind above Phewa Lake and the Annapurna skyline at every window.
The Team
People behind the retreat
Priya Sharma
General Manager
15 years in luxury hospitality across Kathmandu, Singapore, and Zurich. Returned to Nepal to build something honest.
Bikram Thapa
Head of Experiences
Former trekking guide turned concierge. If there's a trail or a view worth finding, Bikram knows it.
Anita Gurung
Executive Chef
Trained in Kathmandu and Lyon. Her menu bridges Nepali tradition and modern technique with produce grown on-site.
Timeline
How we got here
Land acquired above Phewa Lake
Architecture designed with local stone and timber
Himalayan Retreat opens with 12 rooms
Solar grid and rooftop garden installed
Expanded to 24 rooms; spa wing added
Recognised by Condé Nast Traveller Asia Pacific