Club Himalaya, Nagarkot

Club Himalaya is Nagarkot's best-known resort, set high on the ridge where the Himalayan panorama opens up. It's the property most travellers picture when they think of a comfortable sunrise stay above Kathmandu, with the views, space and facilities to match.

Who it suits

Choose Club Himalaya if you want a full-service resort with a pool, spa and reliable dining, and you'd rather watch sunrise from the comfort of the grounds than head out before dawn. It suits couples, families and anyone treating Nagarkot as a relaxed overnight escape rather than a hiking base. If you're travelling with children, or simply don't fancy standing in the cold at first light, having breakfast, warmth and a viewpoint all in one place is the main draw.

Backpackers and early-rising trekkers who plan to be out on the trails at dawn may prefer a simpler guesthouse closer to the trailheads. But for a treat-yourself night with the mountains framed from your window, this is the classic choice.

The setting

Nagarkot sits on a ridge over 2,000 metres up, roughly 30 kilometres east of Kathmandu, and Club Himalaya occupies one of the higher points along it. That elevation is the whole point: on a clear morning the eastern sky lights up over a long sweep of Himalayan peaks, and the east-facing rooms and dining terraces are angled to make the most of it. Cloud can roll in at any time of year, though, so treat a crisp, clear sunrise as a bonus rather than a guarantee — the best time to visit leans towards the drier, clearer months of autumn and spring.

Getting there

Most visitors arrive by private car or taxi from Kathmandu, a climb of roughly an hour and a half to two hours depending on how bad the traffic is leaving the valley. The road winds up through terraced hillsides and small settlements before reaching the ridge. Public buses run from the city too, but they're slower and less direct. For the full breakdown of routes and options, see how to get to Nagarkot.

What's nearby

Beyond the grounds, Nagarkot rewards a wander. The view tower is the standard spot for a 360-degree look along the ridge, and there are gentle walks and longer hikes threading through the forest and farmland below — the best things to do in Nagarkot rounds up the full list. Downhill you can walk to the ancient hilltop temple of Changu Narayan, or carry on to the old town of Bhaktapur, one of the Kathmandu Valley's three great durbar squares and an easy add-on to a Nagarkot trip.

Good to know

• Book an east-facing room to catch sunrise without leaving your bed.
• Nagarkot is noticeably cooler than Kathmandu, especially at dawn — pack a warm layer whatever the season.
• Weekends and holidays draw plenty of visitors up from the city, so book ahead if your dates are fixed.
• For a quieter, lower-key alternative nearby, compare it with Hotel Country Villa.