A heritage boutique hotel, The Nanee, located in Nepal’s medieval city of Bhaktapur, gets many up-ticked boxes for the eco-friendly luxury traveller. Awarded the 2024 Travellers' Choice Award by TripAdvisor, ranking it among the top 10% of hotels globally, The Nanee is your place to be on a jaunt through the erstwhile Himalayan kingdom of Nepal.
It was recently in the limelight for its Sithi Nakha Festival, which involves a hands-on celebration of water conservation and community involvement. The Newar community, indigenous to the Kathmandu Valley, has long been associated with this ancestral outlook of life and living, which is deeply embedded in its cultural history. The festival is the most celebratory occasion for the lifestyle ethic of Nepal’s world-renowned ethnic community.
The importance of shared responsibility and collective action when it comes to a community connection and water conservation was very much in evidence at the event held on the sixth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Jeth (MAY/JUN). Sithi Nakha also heralds the beginning of the rainy season after a punishing summer.
The preservation of the environment has always been a key driver for the health and facilitation of everyday living for the Newars. The cleaning of all water sources, including boreholes, wells, ponds, tanks, stone spouts etc, which are considered as the home of the Naag or Snake Gods (who are away at this time), and prescribed rituals and prayers to purify and consecrate water, were very much part of the ceremonies that accompany the day’s celebratory proceedings. Also intrinsic to the festivities are servings of traditional Newari dishes such as Bara (a dish made of lentils) and Chatamari (a dish made of rice flour), which are also offered to the ancestral deities. There’s a scientific reasoning behind the consumption of these two dishes— the two delicacies are high in carbohydrates, protein, and iron, which ramp up the body’s immunity against the ills of the rainy season. This day is also dedicated to Lord Kumar Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Looking to submerge yourself in the fresh prospects of the cuisine, architecture, crafts, spirituality and festivals in one of the oldest living cities in the world? The medieval city of Bhaktapur, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was a centric hub for the winds of trade and cross-cultural and spiritual connectivity.
Envisioned as an experiential property The Nanee, a family owned set up, was positioned to responsibly contribute to the preservation and development of the cultural heritage of Bhaktapur. A stay at The Nanee offers a deep connection with Bhaktapur’s past and present. The bespoke hotel serves as a compelling window and excellent base for the city’s many touristy allurements.
Its architectural accents, as driven by a visionary daughter-in-law in the family, are defined by the deep influences of traditional Newari architecture. Built along the lines of traditional courtyard (nanee) Newari mansions, it has beautifully appointed guest rooms (there are 18 of them, including suites). Marked by handmade bricks, recycled timber, polished concrete floors and polished hardwood doors, The Nanee’s rooms also reflect the riches of Newari woodwork, textile and stone crafting traditions.
The Nanee offers an incredible opportunity to sample some of the finest culinary offerings in Nepal. Newari banquets are now the stuff of legend for their sumptuous delights. An authentic Newari dining experience at The Nanee is bound to become one of your most memorable experiences of community culture. The thrust on seasonal fare is also aligned with an aim to reduce the carbon footprint, as is a very conscious effort to support local farmers and vendors for produce and other supplies.
A special treat is the High Mountain-certified organic tea that is exported all over the world. Coffee drinkers can look forward to a unique experience with the aroma and distinctive flavour of coffee grown in Nepal.
Looking for a more interactive culinary special? Go for the uncrowded, limited-guests edition, Chef's Table Experience, at the Rooftop where you attend a cooking class with the chefs and savour live-cooked items while the chef narrates the story behind each dish.
What’s interesting also is that guests at The Nanee have another cultural experience in the offing at the in-house amphitheatre. Small the setting may be, but it’s very big on an exceptional centuries-old community artform—story telling — the Newari way, of history and culture that have survived the march of time to this day.
If you are looking for a more meaningful, responsible, eco-friendly exploration of Bhaktapur, The Nanee makes every effort to ensure guests enjoy a deeply consummate experience of historic Bhaktapur. There are opportunities galore to connect with the locals, the artisanal communities and the splendid archival aspects of the medieval city.