Heritage Hotels in Nepal: Myth or reality
Published in Nepal Travel Trade Reporter in 2002
The rich Nepalese civilisation, evolving over many hundreds of years through countless manifestations revolves around the Kathmandu Valley. This is a source of great pride for Nepalese in the culture, tradition and heritage of their country. This heritage, common to all Nepalese, is one of the cornerstones of the concept of a Nepalese national identity differentiating Nepalese from the rest of world.
The Kathmandu valley is considered to be the cultural cauldron of Nepal with amalgamation of Hindu and Buddhist religion. The unique architectural design of temples and houses has fascinated not only the modern tourists but also made an everlasting impression to seventh century Chinese scholar Hsuan Tsang who crossed this valley after journeying throughout nearly all of South Asia. He was fascinated with the beauty and grandeur of the Kathmandu Valley and its temples built in pagoda style with its multiple tiered roofs, fleshed in brick and wood. Taking consideration the Nepalese architectural boon, Kathmandu itself has become a living museum with ever smiling people embracing age-old tradition till today through their daily rituals. Though Kathmandu is endowed with so many cultural heritage sites within a short periphery, some of heritage sites and culturally rich buildings are in endangered list due to utmost negligence of both the government and people. On the one hand, architectures appear to be getting more on to make heritage hotels and on the others, the existing houses near heritage sites are slowly turning into concert jungles and are on the verge of extinction.
Nepalese tourism began with the arrival of adventure tourists. Edmund Hillary, Bill Tillman Bill Tillman (British) who got the permission from Rana Prime Minister in 1949 is the first trekker in Nepal who explored many trekking paths, Everest, Annapurna, Langtang including really challenging high passes, such as Ganjala and over Tilicho lake and Reinhold Messner, the first person to climb all 14 8000 metre high peaks to name a few, have made Nepal a favourite tourist destination. But it was the high yield cultural tourists who spent much money in their stay.
The cities like Milan and Venice have brought more tourists to Italy than whole South Asia because of preservation effort. But the situation is getting reverse in Kathmandu as tourists are tying to escape Kathmandu while coming to Nepal for adventure, thanks to pollution and garbage around the heritage sites. Heritage hotels are only the means, not the end to make them stay in Kathmandu. So effort has to be given to overall heritage conservation. The Heritage Hotel model combines effective preservation with commercial viability. This trend is not a gimmick or a cheap slogan. It represents meticulous preservation, restoration and maintenance. This industry in India has had a tradition of high standards of service and accommodation, drawing on the management tradition of the imperial era and the Indian tradition of service and hospitality which in the end is believed widely to be divinely sanctioned.
Rambagh Palace in Jaipur and Shiv Niwas Palace, Udaipur are the finest example of heritage hotels targeted for high yield tourists. Development of heritage hotels should be go hand in hand with local vicinity. Five criteria should be adopted while designing the heritage hotels:
1. It should reflect the local culture, tradition and must not hurt the local sentiment.
2. Its facilities should be of international standard with all modern amenities.
3. It should be spacious so that upmarket tourists wont feel suffocating and boring inside.
4. Customer's preference should be taken into account.
5. Market trend should be followed to keep pace with international heritage hotel.
As architectures play vital role in building infrastructure for a city, they should always be vigilant to keep cultural heritage intact while developing the blueprint of a house near the heritage site or building business complex near the site. It's not possible to keep old building at it was but it looks odd to see an ugly concrete building facing the cultural site like District Police Office in Hanumandokha. Architect must know the need of person who builds the hotel whether it’s targeted for adventure tourists or upmarket luxury tourists. Assessment of client’s requirement is necessary for building heritage hotels aiming at bringing tourists. Even in Japan and so many European cities, cultural heritage sites are kept away from booming economic market. People in Ason and other places are dismantling their houses and converting them into business complex. But if they are offered good architectural advice to convert their houses into business complex without hurting the heritage sentiment, they would be happy to do so. There should be some economic benefit involved in resorting to old type of house. At this age, economic benefit is very important factor to motivate people. There are many houses above hundred years slowly manifesting themselves into concrete buildings.
Case Study:
Hyatt Regency Kathmandu
Being a premier hotel, the reason behind embracing heritage concept is that it has to have unique things to attract tourists. It is blended with Hindu and Buddhist theme providing opportunity to the visitors to enjoy both the culture. Having been close to Boudhnath, visitors can actually witness the Buddhist prayers and rituals going around the Stupa walking down fifteen minutes from the hotel. It's also not far from Pashupatinath.
Dwarika's Hotel
Located near Pasupathinath, Dwarika's is a museum of vanishing art and architectures of the Kathmandu Valley. Made up of old wooden pillar with pictures engraved, its modern facilities are upto mark. Designed like a Baha or Bahal style with a narrow entrance leading to spacious courtyard, it's finest one from the preservation point of view. The biggest plus point it has is that it pioneers the concept of heritage hotel in Nepal taking big risk.
Babar Mahal Revisited
The Baber Mahal Revisited is a classic example of how old buildings can be restored or replicated and old style of architecture be revived for commercial purpose. The first courtyard at the Baber Mahal Revisited is a copy of the Thapathali Durbar, built by Jung Bahadur, the first Rana Prime Minister. The two other courtyards are based on the concept of the Newari Chowk which explores the hybrid Nepali-European architecture once abundant in Patan. It has now become a Mecca for every tourist wishing to see real Nepalese architecture. Baber Mahal Revisited is a juxtaposition of commerce and preservation of traditional architecture which till now seems going on well.
These two hotels are not heritage hotels in the true sense as applied in India and other countries. But they have risked making their hotel heritage look alike providing all modern amenities. If the government provides incentive to convert old Rana's palaces lying in deteriorating stage into heritage hotels, it would preserve the vanishing heritage of yore as well as attract tourists.
The rich Nepalese civilisation, evolving over many hundreds of years through countless manifestations revolves around the Kathmandu Valley. This is a source of great pride for Nepalese in the culture, tradition and heritage of their country. This heritage, common to all Nepalese, is one of the cornerstones of the concept of a Nepalese national identity differentiating Nepalese from the rest of world.
The Kathmandu valley is considered to be the cultural cauldron of Nepal with amalgamation of Hindu and Buddhist religion. The unique architectural design of temples and houses has fascinated not only the modern tourists but also made an everlasting impression to seventh century Chinese scholar Hsuan Tsang who crossed this valley after journeying throughout nearly all of South Asia. He was fascinated with the beauty and grandeur of the Kathmandu Valley and its temples built in pagoda style with its multiple tiered roofs, fleshed in brick and wood. Taking consideration the Nepalese architectural boon, Kathmandu itself has become a living museum with ever smiling people embracing age-old tradition till today through their daily rituals. Though Kathmandu is endowed with so many cultural heritage sites within a short periphery, some of heritage sites and culturally rich buildings are in endangered list due to utmost negligence of both the government and people. On the one hand, architectures appear to be getting more on to make heritage hotels and on the others, the existing houses near heritage sites are slowly turning into concert jungles and are on the verge of extinction.
Nepalese tourism began with the arrival of adventure tourists. Edmund Hillary, Bill Tillman Bill Tillman (British) who got the permission from Rana Prime Minister in 1949 is the first trekker in Nepal who explored many trekking paths, Everest, Annapurna, Langtang including really challenging high passes, such as Ganjala and over Tilicho lake and Reinhold Messner, the first person to climb all 14 8000 metre high peaks to name a few, have made Nepal a favourite tourist destination. But it was the high yield cultural tourists who spent much money in their stay.
The cities like Milan and Venice have brought more tourists to Italy than whole South Asia because of preservation effort. But the situation is getting reverse in Kathmandu as tourists are tying to escape Kathmandu while coming to Nepal for adventure, thanks to pollution and garbage around the heritage sites. Heritage hotels are only the means, not the end to make them stay in Kathmandu. So effort has to be given to overall heritage conservation. The Heritage Hotel model combines effective preservation with commercial viability. This trend is not a gimmick or a cheap slogan. It represents meticulous preservation, restoration and maintenance. This industry in India has had a tradition of high standards of service and accommodation, drawing on the management tradition of the imperial era and the Indian tradition of service and hospitality which in the end is believed widely to be divinely sanctioned.
Rambagh Palace in Jaipur and Shiv Niwas Palace, Udaipur are the finest example of heritage hotels targeted for high yield tourists. Development of heritage hotels should be go hand in hand with local vicinity. Five criteria should be adopted while designing the heritage hotels:
1. It should reflect the local culture, tradition and must not hurt the local sentiment.
2. Its facilities should be of international standard with all modern amenities.
3. It should be spacious so that upmarket tourists wont feel suffocating and boring inside.
4. Customer's preference should be taken into account.
5. Market trend should be followed to keep pace with international heritage hotel.
As architectures play vital role in building infrastructure for a city, they should always be vigilant to keep cultural heritage intact while developing the blueprint of a house near the heritage site or building business complex near the site. It's not possible to keep old building at it was but it looks odd to see an ugly concrete building facing the cultural site like District Police Office in Hanumandokha. Architect must know the need of person who builds the hotel whether it’s targeted for adventure tourists or upmarket luxury tourists. Assessment of client’s requirement is necessary for building heritage hotels aiming at bringing tourists. Even in Japan and so many European cities, cultural heritage sites are kept away from booming economic market. People in Ason and other places are dismantling their houses and converting them into business complex. But if they are offered good architectural advice to convert their houses into business complex without hurting the heritage sentiment, they would be happy to do so. There should be some economic benefit involved in resorting to old type of house. At this age, economic benefit is very important factor to motivate people. There are many houses above hundred years slowly manifesting themselves into concrete buildings.
Case Study:
Hyatt Regency Kathmandu
Being a premier hotel, the reason behind embracing heritage concept is that it has to have unique things to attract tourists. It is blended with Hindu and Buddhist theme providing opportunity to the visitors to enjoy both the culture. Having been close to Boudhnath, visitors can actually witness the Buddhist prayers and rituals going around the Stupa walking down fifteen minutes from the hotel. It's also not far from Pashupatinath.
Dwarika's Hotel
Located near Pasupathinath, Dwarika's is a museum of vanishing art and architectures of the Kathmandu Valley. Made up of old wooden pillar with pictures engraved, its modern facilities are upto mark. Designed like a Baha or Bahal style with a narrow entrance leading to spacious courtyard, it's finest one from the preservation point of view. The biggest plus point it has is that it pioneers the concept of heritage hotel in Nepal taking big risk.
Babar Mahal Revisited
The Baber Mahal Revisited is a classic example of how old buildings can be restored or replicated and old style of architecture be revived for commercial purpose. The first courtyard at the Baber Mahal Revisited is a copy of the Thapathali Durbar, built by Jung Bahadur, the first Rana Prime Minister. The two other courtyards are based on the concept of the Newari Chowk which explores the hybrid Nepali-European architecture once abundant in Patan. It has now become a Mecca for every tourist wishing to see real Nepalese architecture. Baber Mahal Revisited is a juxtaposition of commerce and preservation of traditional architecture which till now seems going on well.
These two hotels are not heritage hotels in the true sense as applied in India and other countries. But they have risked making their hotel heritage look alike providing all modern amenities. If the government provides incentive to convert old Rana's palaces lying in deteriorating stage into heritage hotels, it would preserve the vanishing heritage of yore as well as attract tourists.
posted by Sarad @ 5:12 AM
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