Gokarna Forest Resort

I recently had the pleasure of spending a night at Gokarna Forest Resort, and it was an absolutely delightful experience! From the moment I arrived, the serene ambiance and warm hospitality made me feel welcomed. The room was spacious, well-maintained, and offered a peaceful retreat amidst nature. The heated swimming pool was definitely a highlight—it added an extra touch of relaxation to my stay. The resort's lush green surroundings, coupled with the excellent service, made the experience even more enjoyable. Whether you're looking for a relaxing getaway or a luxurious escape in nature, Gokarna Forest Resort is the perfect choice. Highly recommended, and I can't wait to visit again! 😊🏡✨

Upon arrival at the hotel, I was initially offered a room that bore no resemblance to what I had booked, which left me rather disappointed. However, within minutes, Mr. Rupesh personally approached me, offered a cup of coffee, and reassured me by saying, “Don’t worry, I will resolve this for you.” True to his word, less than ten minutes later he arranged an exceptional room, and I could not have been happier with the outcome. At my request, he also organized a private guide for a visit to the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites—an absolute must for any visitor. The guide spoke fluent English and demonstrated remarkable knowledge of all four sites we explored. Our conversations extended far beyond the tours, covering Nepal’s history, economy, elections, and politics, making the experience both enriching and memorable. As a solo female traveler, I felt this was truly a must-try experience. Throughout my stay, the entire staff were consistently warm, professional, and attentive, making me feel safe, respected, and genuinely well cared for. Special mention goes to Anup and Rajendra Karki from the MT Bar, who were absolute stars. From recommending outstanding Nepali and international delicacies to engaging in heartfelt conversations about life, work, and family, they truly made me feel at home. I stayed at Gokarna Forest Resort for six nights, and every moment was a pleasure. The Harmony Spa is exceptional and not to be missed. While I have experienced many massage treatments before, the Himalayan Stone Therapy stood out as particularly rejuvenating and deeply relaxing. Overall, I spent the most peaceful and restorative New Year holiday at this hotel, surrounded by nature and supported by an outstanding team. It was exactly the escape I had hoped for on my trip to Nepal.

We really enjoyed our stay at Gorkana. It's a peaceful, quiet, green haven on the outskirts of Kathmandu and was the perfect place to recuperate after a gruelling 3 week trek. The staff were lovely and very keen to meet our needs. The food was also great. Our room was very large and comfortable. It's not 5 star standard, however, as some of the facilities such as the swimming pool need an upgrade and the service at times (mainly for drinks) was very slow. When you're paying essentially Australian prices (very expensive for Nepal), you hope for an equivalent level of service and amenities, which wasn't really the case. That said, it's an intriguing place to stay, a former royal palace with the most extensive remnant forest area in the Kathmandu valley. The buildings are lovely and we really enjoyed having forest sounds around us. Unfortunately, you aren't allowed to walk through the forest areas without a guide ( for which you pay), and our guide (usually a golf caddy on their 18 hole golf course) gave us way too much information about the golf course, and not so much about the forest and wildlife! Anyway, if you aren't fussed about actual 5 star standard (3.5 to 4 overall in reality) and want a lovely break from the noise and bustle of Kathmandu or recuperation post-trek, it's a great place to stay and we would go back.