Maya Boutique Hotel

The accommodation in Thamel offers excellent value, friendly staff, and clean, spacious rooms with amenities. It provides a peaceful environment amidst the bustling city, but some may find it too affordable.

This was one of the best hotel experiences I’ve had, and it was because of the staff — namely, a young man named Rabin at the front desk. He provided a really welcoming feeling to the place — so much so that I thought he was the owner, because the sort of hospitality he provided usually only comes from those who own a hotel and have a vested interest in making sure the guests have a pleasant stay. I’m not sure if that guy ever goes home. I saw him there at 7 in the morning, I saw him there at 10 at night. It seemed like he pretty much did everything at the hotel, from answering phones to checking in guests to serving breakfast. And more than anything else, I really appreciated his willingness to just have a chat about the city and the country. Coming to a new place can be a bit confusing, and he was more than happy to help explain things or talk about what life is like for people in Nepal. It didn’t feel like one of those generic corporate hotels where the staff is coldly friendly in the sense of “Yes sir, whatever you want, sir.” It felt like he treated guests like actual family members. I saw him walking around and chatting with everyone at breakfast and doing whatever he could to make sure their time in Nepal was great. You didn’t have to approach him to ask a question, either. He’d ask if you had plans for the day, how your day went, and so on. As for the property itself, it was nice — and absolutely spotless. I saw two women cleaning the place constantly. I even watched one of them dusting the leaves on a plant in the lobby. My room had no dust and no dirt whatsoever. Yes, the hotel has no elevator, but that wasn’t an issue at all. There are people around who are very experienced at carrying luggage up and down the steps — and yes I tipped, though it’s worth noting that the guy who carried my bag to my room started to leave before I gave him one, as though he wasn’t expecting it. The breakfast is good, and cooked to order in a little kitchen next to the lobby. It’s not a buffet or a “continental breakfast”: you tell them what you want, and they make it! The location is nice as well — it’s right in the Thamel area, which is the main tourist section of Kathmandu. Everything you’ll want from shops to restaurants to grocery stores are within walking distance, and there’s taxis parked around the streets nearby. The street the hotel is on is also pretty quiet, as it’s a couple of blocks from the busier road. But I’m sure many hotels in the area are comparable. The difference with this one is Rabin, and I can’t thank him enough. Like I said, you typically only find this degree of hospitality from owners of hotels, and he’s the reason I’m giving this place such a positive review.