The Best Hotels in Pokhara

Pokhara's accommodation clusters along Lakeside, the strip running beside Phewa Lake. The further north you go, the quieter it gets; the central section has the most cafes and nightlife. Here are our picks, each with its own detailed page.

At a glance

Tap a pick below for the full review and location notes.

How to choose where to stay

Almost everyone bases themselves in Lakeside (Baidam), the tourist strip along the eastern shore of Phewa Lake. It is walkable end to end and puts cafes, restaurants, boat hires and the evening street market on your doorstep. The central section is the liveliest and best if you want everything close by; head north and the strip thins into a calmer, leafier stretch that is still an easy walk from the action. At the southern end near the dam, Damside is quieter and more local in feel. To weigh up the neighbourhoods in detail, see our where to stay in Pokhara guide.

Choosing by budget

Pokhara covers every price point, and the gap between tiers is clear:

Budget travellers do well on the side streets set back from the lake, where family-run guesthouses are cheap and friendly. Mid-range hotels give you the best balance of comfort and value. For a splurge, the lakefront resorts reward you with direct views across Phewa Lake toward the Annapurnas.

The two picks

Temple Tree Resort & Spa is a full resort-and-spa stay in Lakeside — the choice if you want a garden, a pool and a bit of pampering as a reward after a trek. Hotel Barahi sits right on the water in central Lakeside, so you are steps from the promenade, the boats and the restaurants, with lake views to match. Tap through to either page for the full review.

Lakefront or a street back?

Lakefront rooms cost more but reward you with direct views and quick access to the promenade and boats. Rooms a block or two back are cheaper and quieter while still within a few minutes' walk of everything. In the central strip a lakefront room can be a touch noisier at night, so ask for a higher floor or a room facing away from the street.

When to book

Pokhara is busiest either side of the autumn (October–November) and spring trekking seasons, when travellers pour in and out of the Annapurna region and the best-value rooms sell out first. Book ahead for those months, and around major Nepali festivals. In the quieter monsoon months you will find lower rates and easier availability, though hazier mountain views — our best time to visit Pokhara guide helps you plan around the weather.

A few practical tips

• Many hotels quote in US dollars but accept Nepali rupees; card payments can carry a small surcharge, so keep some cash on hand.
• Ask for a rooftop or upper-floor room where you can — the Annapurna skyline is the whole point.
• If you are trekking, book a comfortable base for a rest day on either side of the trail; Lakeside has the gear shops and agencies you will want anyway.

Once you have a bed sorted, line up the rest of your trip with our guide to the best things to do in Pokhara and the wider Pokhara hub. Heading on to the capital next? See where to stay in Kathmandu.