Lonely Planet Review
Yak & Yeti Hotel is probably the best-known hotel in Nepal, due to its connections with the legendary Boris Lissanevitch. Boris was its original owner and the father of Nepal's tourism industry. Everyone from dusty long-distance cyclists to UNDP workers and the tiara set stay here.
The oldest section of the hotel is part of the Lal Durbar, a former Rana palace dating from the 1890s that retains an overblown but spectacular Rana-baroque decor. The hotel's famous Chimney Restaurant, art gallery and 24-hour casino are worth a visit. The lobby is disappointingly modern but is always bustling with everyone from royal delegations to visiting Hungarian table tennis teams. The actual rooms are in two modern wings; the Newari Wing is the older of the two and the rooms incorporate elements of carved wood and local textiles without being kitsch. Businesspeople will find an executive floor and a well-equipped business centre. There's also a beautiful garden, with two swimming pools, tennis courts and even a temple dedicated to Kumari. All in all, a great choice.
Review by author
Bradley Mayhew