While on a recent trip to Nepal, I needed some time away from the bustling city of Pokhara to relax. Normally I am an avid hiker and would’ve escaped to the mountains to do some trekking, but that was not in the cards this time. Instead, I decided to book a few nights at the Pavilions Himalayas, a short distance from the city center of Pokhara.
The hotel prides itself on being an eco-conscious resort that gives back to the community. Located between rice paddies and wilderness, this hotel was the perfect place for me to rest and recharge for the rest of my trip to Nepal. Here is my honest Pavilions Himalayas review, and what you can expect if you visit.
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Location & Getting to The Pavilions Himalayas
It is important to note that near Pokhara, The Pavilions Himalayas has two locations: the Farm and the Lakeview. For my trip I decided to stay at the Farm. The Pavilions Himalayas Farm is part of the Mr & Mrs Smith collection, while the Lakeview location is not. Thanks to the recent partnership between Hyatt and Mr & Mrs Smith, this property is bookable with World of Hyatt points as well as cash.
The Pavilions Himalayas Farm is located only about 25 minutes from the city center of Pokhara. I know I said I was trying to escape the busy city and this seems close, but I promise you it is in a secluded area. The hotel offers transportation at $23 USD each way, so I decided to just take a taxi instead.
I recommend using the taxi app InDrive when visiting Nepal. It’s a great app that works around the country and is affordable, and you don’t need a Nepalese phone number to use it. The app quoted me 300 NPR, but most of the drivers who accepted asked for more since it was outside the city center. I ended up paying 800 NPR, about $6 USD at the time.
The roads are not well maintained, so expect a bumpy ride, though if you’ve already been traveling around Nepal this won’t be a surprise.
Booking The Pavilions Himalayas: What I PaiD
When it comes to booking the hotel, there are a few options. At the time of my booking, there was a promotion by Mr & Mrs Smith to get $50 USD off a night’s stay. I chose to book the Pavilions Chalet, a two split-level room. The price started at $189 USD, but it was reduced to $139 USD after the $50 deduction. This was too good of a deal for me and not worth a points booking instead.
Be sure to check what’s included in each room, since not all rooms have air conditioning. I know this is a game-changer for some visitors, especially at a luxury resort. The Pavilions Chalet did include air conditioning, though I ended up never using it.
It’s also worth noting that booking through Mr & Mrs Smith usually comes with some sort of benefit. For this booking, I received a free dinner on my first night.
Check-In & First Impressions
When I arrived, a friendly security officer greeted us and personally guided me to the check-in location. The resort was completely empty during my stay, though it consists of only 14 rooms total, so that wasn’t entirely surprising.
Upon arriving, I was given a welcome drink and handed over my passport so they could make a copy. Shortly after, someone directed me to my room, the Pavilions Chalet.
The Pavilions Chalet
Room type: Pavilions Chalet | Layout: Split-level, two floors
Walking to the room, I was handed an old-style key used for the door lock. Upon entering, I was amazed by its beauty. On the right-hand side was a small kitchenette with a sink and kitchen appliances such as a kettle and a mini refrigerator. To reduce plastic waste, they offered two glass bottles of fresh spring water that guests could refill.
Next was the living room, which had a large seating area with a fireplace — I can imagine this being nice in the winter months when it’s a bit chillier. My favorite part of the room was the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the garden in front of the living room.
As I mentioned, the chalet is split-level, so upstairs there was a full king-size bed and the bathroom. The bathroom is large and has a his-and-hers vanity. I do have to say I wasn’t a fan of the glass door to the toilet, which made me look straight into the mirror.
There was some minor wear and tear in the room that could be noticed, but it didn’t change my experience at all. Turndown service was a nice touch, since it seems to be becoming less and less common at luxury hotels these days.
Restaurants & Dining
There is only one restaurant at the Pavilions Himalayas, located in the center of the villas. While I never ended up eating lunch here, I did have breakfast both mornings. They source most of the ingredients locally, either from their own farm or nearby, ensuring freshness throughout. The breakfast menu offers a variety of options and changes by season, so you can enjoy different choices even during a short stay. I particularly enjoyed the freshly made apple juice — sounds silly, I know, but I’m honestly not sure I’d ever had truly fresh apple juice before.
For dinner both nights, I had a four-course Nepalese dinner. The first night this was included as my Mr & Mrs Smith benefit, and it was so good that I knew I had to have it again on the second night.
There’s also pool service, from the same restaurant since they’re near each other. The drinks were delicious, and they provided freshly made tortilla chips that I could’ve eaten all night — crisp, with just the right amount of salt.
Pool & Wellness
The Pavilions Himalayas has a small pool with an attached hot tub that overlooks the Annapurna mountain range. During my visit in late spring, haze obscured nearly everything, so a clear day is necessary for optimal visibility — just something to prepare for if you plan on visiting.
The hotel does not have a gym, but it does offer yoga at an additional cost, and arrangements must be made the day before — my assumption is that they bring someone in from off-site to lead it. Similarly, they offer a spa with treatments, though it also requires advance notice.
Final Thoughts: Would I Stay at The Pavilions Himalayas Again?
I would return to the Pavilions Himalayas in a heartbeat. To me, it’s the perfect getaway to nature for a few days from the busy city, or a perfect spot to relax after trekking in Pokhara. The staff were always so helpful, and while there was some small wear and tear in the room, it didn’t affect my experience at all. When I return to Pokhara to do some trekking, I know exactly where I plan to stay afterward.
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