Surrounded by incredible views, Hotel Country Villa is a perfect place for a business retreat or a weekend away with friends and family. 

--BY  AASHIYANA ADHIKARI

Nestled amidst the serenity and dense greenery of Nagarkot, Hotel Country Villa has the perfect mixture of modern luxury and healing comfort. This three-star premium hotel offers a rare blend of nature and modern amenities and has become synonymous with Nagarkot which sits atop the hill 32 km east of Kathmandu. Each room at the hotel opens to a private balcony, where one can view the most splendid sunrise and sunsets. The interior is traditional and simple, yet stylish and elegant. Country Villa’s comfortable accommodation, cozy ambiance, delicious food and the welcoming and gracious staff create a true comfort above the clouds experience. 

Covering an area of 2.51 acres, Country Villa is situated 7,200 feet above sea level where you can see mesmerising sunrises and sunsets upclose. This hotel was established in 1996 with 8 rooms, one restaurant and a bar. “It indeed had a very humble beginning; yet it marked the genesis of a proud and ambitious establishment,” says Ramesh Panta, Resident Manager of Country Villa. Over the last two decades, the hotel has become one of the major retreat centres in Nagarkot providing high-end hospitality to both foreign and Nepali guests. 

Due to its location on the valley’s most dramatic bluff, it should not come as a surprise that the property offers unobstructed, phenomenal views in all directions.Overlooking the capital valley, guests will enjoy the best amenities and services on nature's lap. Country Villa offers a perfect blend of luxurious pampered service where guests are also able to get closer to nature through nature walks, hiking and other outdoor activities.

The lobby of the hotel epitomises ultimate class, offering an out-of-the-world panoramic landscape from all points through its floor-to-ceiling windows. Adding to it is the immaculate detailing done to perfection to suit every taste. 

Hotel Country Villa has a big spacious garden where you can lounge and enjoy the view with your family and friends. “We have been nurturing and building our garden for the last 20 years,” says Niroj Shilpakar, front office supervisor at Country Villa. The hotel has four levels of gardens, lush landscaping and plentiful lounge chairs and canopied daybed sat stylish and comfortable areas to relax and soak the day away. 

Rooms for Luxury Stay
With an expansive area, Hotel Country Villa is carefully structured and generously outfitted with convenient modern amenities to ensure maximum comfort and luxury.Currently there are two premium deluxe rooms equipped with king sized beds, and 50 deluxe rooms equipped with two twin beds each. The deluxe rooms are small in size but the layout is very well done.

Also, there are two suites located on the top floor with high ceilingsand large balconies offering queen sized beds with triple sheeting that makes your pleasant stay very remarkable. Every room consists ofa coffee table, air conditioning and heating, television and telephone service, attached bathroom with continuoushot water supply and private balcony. 

The design aesthetic combines restored turn-of-the-last-century tile work with stainless-steel modernism and quirky vintage oil portraits. 

Drink and Dine at its Best
Country Villa’s Himalayan Restaurant which is located just below the lobby of the hotel serves delicious Chinese, Continental, Indian, Nepali and Thai cuisines. Having a seating capacity for 120 people, this restaurant also has an open terrace area where you can satiate your appetite with some of the finest cuisines enjoying eye soaking lively views. Also, thebreakfast buffet served is an amazing and lavish display of cold and hot items.

The aesthetic design of the restaurant was created by the celebrated interior designer Siddharth Gopalan. The indoor plants, the wood (in various forms) and stone slabs, for instance,have been positioned and utilised strategically in and around the hotel to give the perfect impression of working in harmony with nature.

The hotel also has the Indreni Bar which stocks a wide variety of both local and international beverages. The bar has been decorated according to the view theme of the hotel and is a cozy place where you can either unwind with friends or seek enjoyment in your own company. 

Service Excellence
As one may expect from a hotel of this calibre, the service that its guests receive from the minute they arrive at the property until they leave is unrivalled. All 55 staff working at Country Villa are dedicated, well-trained and generous, and they make sure that allthe needs of the guests are carefully met. This hotel ticks every box in terms of friendliness, efficiency and service. 

Other Features 
Conference Hall 
The two halls of Hotel Country Villa named after Gaurishankhar and Langtang peaks, can accommodate 30 and 60 people respectively. From meetings, seminars to special occasion celebrations, the halls are spacious and well-equipped with all modern technical supports includingfree high-speed wireless internet, audio system,flip chart board, TV and video conferencing.

Health Club 
Apart from enjoying the view and breathing in fresh air while taking nature walks, Country Villa also provides other activities to keep the guests entertained and engaged. If you are taking a break from the outdoors, relax your mind and body in a hot Jacuzzi, family size sauna and different types of therapeutic massages here. The spa boutique also offers you body, facial and leg treatments.

Special Packages 
Hotel Country Villa has a special package for newlywed couples. The hotel also has an arrangement where friends and families can gift the newlyweds with honeymoon packages. They also have special tariff packages for groups and expats who tend to stay for longer. “We are also planning to announce occasional schemes and discounts on special occasions to attract more guests,” saysShilpakar. 

Best Time to visit 
The best month to visit Nagarkot is from October to April so that you can have a clear view of the mountain peaks. You will be rewarded with clear mornings with the most stunning views of Himalayas at sunrise. Also, to experience chilly winter nights with your loved ones, the period from September to December is also considered as one of the best seasons to visit Nagarkot. 

Challenges and Future Plans 
Lack of proper road infrastructure has been a major challenge for the development of tourism in Nagarkot. The completion of the ongoing widening and upgrading of the Nagarkot-Bhaktapur road section is expected to address problems in transportation. Panta believes that with the construction of the road, the hotel will be able to attract more guests. The unavailability of a market nearby is another major problem for hospitality centres like Country Villa. “We have to reach Bhaktapur to purchase daily supplies,” mentions Panta.

The hotel is also planning new upgrades to move ahead with the times. According to Shilpakar, the hotel is constructing new residential buildings for staff and tourist guides.