Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara opens in Kaskikot, Marking entry of first Thai luxury brand

KATHMANDU: Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, part of The Centara Collection, officially opened on Thursday in Kaskikot, introducing Pokhara’s first Thai luxury hospitality brand and expanding premium tourism offerings beyond the city’s traditional Lakeside area.

The resort was inaugurated at a ceremony attended by senior tourism and hospitality leaders, industry stakeholders, business partners and media representatives. Speaking at the event, resort owner Robert Kee and Centara Hotels, Resorts Chief Operating Officer Michael Henssler and Gandaki Province Chief, Nepal Tourism Board, Mr. Mai Raj Lamichhanne highlighted Nepal’s growing appeal as a high value international destination and the increasing demand for experiential and wellness focused travel in the Himalayan region.

Located about 35 minutes from central Pokhara, the resort is positioned on the hills of Kaskikot, offering panoramic views of the Annapurna range, Machhapuchhre and surrounding valleys. The development reflects a shift toward destination diversification in Pokhara, with tourism entrepreneurs and investors exploring quieter, nature based locations outside established urban clusters.

According to Centara executives, the property combines Nepali architectural character with Thai inspired hospitality, aligning with the group’s strategy to expand its boutique and lifestyle portfolio in emerging destinations. The opening also marks Centara Collection’s entry into western Nepal, strengthening the brand’s presence in South Asia.

The resort features 42 rooms, suites and villas designed to integrate contemporary comfort with local materials and craftsmanship. Facilities include multiple dining venues serving Nepali and international cuisine, a bar and lounge, outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre and wellness services under Cense by Spa Cenvaree, offering Thai inspired therapies, yoga and holistic treatments. Guests are also offered curated outdoor and cultural experiences, including village walks, hiking trails, paragliding over Phewa Lake and access to trekking routes such as the Annapurna Base Camp trail.

Addressing the ceremony, Kee said the project was developed with the vision of creating a retreat that balances luxury with cultural authenticity and community engagement. He said the resort aimed to contribute to the local economy while introducing a new hospitality benchmark in the Pokhara region.

Henssler said Nepal continued to show strong potential for premium tourism growth, particularly in experiential travel, wellness tourism and nature based retreats. He said the group saw opportunities to work with local partners to support sustainable tourism practices while delivering international service standards.

Tourism officials and industry stakeholders attending the event said the opening of the resort was expected to strengthen Pokhara’s positioning as a year round destination and diversify its visitor profile beyond adventure and budget travel segments. Pokhara, Nepal’s second most visited tourist city, has seen increasing interest from investors in boutique resorts, wellness lodges and eco tourism developments in surrounding hill districts.

Mr. Lamichhanne expressed that developments such as Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara could help distribute tourism benefits more evenly across the region, encouraging longer stays and higher per visitor spending while easing pressure on heavily visited urban areas. Kaskikot, historically known for its cultural heritage and scenic views, has in recent years attracted interest for destination development due to improved road access and proximity to Pokhara’s domestic airport and tourism infrastructure.

The inauguration ceremony also featured traditional Nepali cultural performances, highlighting local heritage alongside Centara’s Thai inspired service ethos. Organisers said the programme was designed to reflect the blend of regional culture and international hospitality positioning that the resort aims to deliver to guests.

The resort has adopted a social enterprise approach, with management stating that priority has been given to local employment, sourcing from nearby communities and partnerships with regional suppliers. According to the company, these initiatives are part of a broader sustainability framework focused on community engagement, environmental responsibility and long term economic contribution to the destination.

Tourism analysts say Nepal’s hospitality sector is gradually shifting toward higher yield tourism, with increased emphasis on quality infrastructure, wellness offerings and immersive cultural experiences. The entry of international hospitality brands in secondary destinations such as Pokhara is seen as a signal of growing investor confidence in Nepal’s tourism recovery and long term market outlook.

With direct connectivity improving through Pokhara International Airport and increasing regional air access, hospitality operators are positioning the city as a gateway to the Annapurna region and western Nepal’s cultural and natural attractions. Industry leaders say premium resorts outside the city core can play a role in expanding destination appeal while preserving the character of urban tourism hubs.

Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara is part of The Centara Collection, Centara Hotels and Resorts’ portfolio of distinctive, character driven properties. The group operates hotels and resorts across Asia, the Middle East and Europe, with a growing focus on boutique luxury, wellness travel and experiential stays.

Management said bookings have opened for both domestic and international guests, targeting leisure travellers, wellness seekers, honeymooners and small groups seeking secluded mountain retreats with access to adventure tourism and cultural experiences.

With its opening, Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara is expected to contribute to Pokhara’s evolving hospitality landscape, reinforcing the city’s role as a premium Himalayan destination while supporting local livelihoods and sustainable tourism development in the surrounding hill communities.