Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection, Nepal, will open its doors to visitors from 1st March 2023. The all-inclusive 29 Suite luxury mountain lodge will be the first Shinta Mani Hotels property outside Cambodia.
The hotel will be located in an area known as ‘The Forbidden Kingdom; the gateway to Tibet’, with dramatic snow-capped landscapes, including the majestic Mount Nilgiri and many spiritual Buddhist monasteries, providing guests with a bespoke luxury cultural experience of a lifetime.
Suites measure 45 square metres (2,484 square feet), modelled in the style of a traditional Tibetan home with an open-plan bedroom combined with a living area and a separate bathroom. Features and furnishings will complement the rich tones of the surroundings, as floor-to-ceiling windows entice the arresting Himalayan views.
Dining options include the 60-seat Nilgiri Restaurant and a large outdoor dining patio, where guests can enjoy modern Nepalese and western cuisine using locally sourced and foraged produce. The Aara Bar draws its name from an exotic Tibetan and Sherpa liquor.
The Wellness Centre offers two treatment suites, with each including a plunge pool, steam room, sauna, shower, massage beds and seductive floor-to-ceiling mountain views. A local 11th-generation Tibetan Amchi Doctor will provide a Tibetan wellness programme using traditional herbal medicines. A versatile activity room will be available for meetings, presentations, yoga and exercise classes.
Experienced Bensley Adventure Guides will provide guests with a highly personalised and guided activity programme with a different activity available every day for up to two weeks. These include trekking and hiking along rarely visited trails, rock climbing, horse riding, cycling, archery and helicopter tours.
Shinta Mani co-owner and architect/designer Bill Bensley, oversees the design, incorporating warm-coloured fabrics and upcycled materials to create unique new furniture. Each area inside will display the artwork of the late artist Robert Powell, while outside on the terrace, huge fire pits will keep guests warm at night as they lounge beneath a sea of stars.
Scheduled flights operate directly to Kathmandu or via Pokhara to Jomson, the closest regional airport, from which the lodge is reached by car.
