Ruined for Life: Phoenix Edition

I stuck it out for two nights at the Thamel International Hostel where it was cold at night and electricity was erratic. The furnishing in the room was uncomfortable and there was no common area to socialize. Thus they lacked one of the main draws of a hostel.

Since I wanted light and warmth and I had points with the Crowne Plaza rewards program, I reserved a room there.

My stay was delightful. The staff was so solicitous. The room featured local tapestries and cable TV so I could catch up on the news. Sometimes the electricity would go out, but soon the hotel generator would kick in so I could read.

Club Lounge

I was on the club floor so I could partake of evening drinks and appetizers and meet other guests including an interesting American man and his Thai wife, who filled me in on her views of Thai politics.

The bathroom was so nice. Now it wasn’t as up to date as rooms at the Le Meridian in Thailand, but it was considerably better than the horrid bathroom with its dwarf-sized fixtures and erratic hot water back at my KNUE apartment.

Breakfast

The Crowne Plaza was quite a distance from Thamel or the sights of the market square, but I enjoyed the neighborhood. I felt safe walking around and could get a glimpse of the residential side of Kathmandu.

Nepal isn’t as cheap as other Asian cities. The dreary room I paid $30/night for at the Kathmandu Guest House was dark and cold. So if do advise anyone who can afford to break their piggy bank to do so when they stay in Kathmandu.