It does not matter which of the Kathmandu Guest House's 115 rooms you are in or what rate you are paying - top whack is a mere US$60 - it is a bargain. Smack in the heart of backpacker Thamel, it is not in the least downmarket, and a stone's throw from a good number of eateries, travel agents, suvenir shops and bookshops. The clean, comfortable rooms may only rate three star, but the service deserves five. Kathmandu Guest House also acts as a magnet for mountaineers, pop stars, actors, troubadours and eccentric characters, while more than a few couple have met and later honeymooned here. Both garden and roof terrace are welcome lungs ub wat us a pretty grubby surrounding city - and the entire hotel is an extremely sociable place where you can find a trekking partner, swap travel tips or simply shoot the breeze.

Twenty years ago when travellers first abandoned Freak Street to its crater-eyed junkies and moved northwards to the Thamel area, it was always the Kathmandu Guest House that filled up first.

Thamel's first hotel (opened in 1968), in historic Rana palace, is still our choice after dozens of visits. Restaurant, full banking services, Internet, cable TV, even a new movie theater. Free airport pickup.

the inn's popularity can be ascribed in equal parts to its location and its prices-from $ 2 a night to $ 20 and even if wants tastes run towards five star hotel with cable television, it is worth a visit to witness such entrepreneurship in action

No listing of accomodations would be complete without the legendary

It also serves as the central landmark-everything is 'near the Kathmandu Guest House, 5 minutes from Kathmandu Guest House' or whatever... One of the most popular hotel in town this budget travel in the deluxe category

The most popular budget hotel outside Europe and North America