Nepal's Hidden Gem: OYO 123 Hotel Prince Plaza - Unbelievable Luxury!
OYO 123 Hotel Prince Plaza: My Nepal Escape (and Why You NEED to Book!) - A REAL Review, Dust Bunnies and All!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to take you on a wild ride through the (sometimes slightly wonky) world of Kathmandu's OYO 123 Hotel Prince Plaza. Forget those perfectly-posed Instagram shots – this is the REAL deal. I'm talking about a place that's got more layers than a Nepali onion, and honestly? I loved it.
The Good, the Great, and the "Oh, That's Adorable"
First off: "Unbelievable Luxury!" Yeah, the tagline sets the bar HIGH, like, Mount Everest high. Did Prince Plaza completely live up to that hyperbole? Well, depends what you define as "unbelievable." But let me tell you, for the price, the value is absolutely insane. It’s a definite hidden gem.
Accessibility? Let's dive in there first. Accessibility is always a big deal for me. The website is a little vague, but I’d shoot them a direct email to be sure. They do have an elevator – a Godsend after a day of trekking (or, let’s be honest, navigating the chaotic streets). I didn't see specifically labeled accessible rooms but given facilities for disabled guests on the list, I do suggest confirming with the hotel. They seem to try! The main public areas were easy to navigate.
Room Vibes: My Personal Oasis
Okay, so hitting up those available in all rooms features! 💯. I was particularly obsessed with my room. The air conditioning was an absolute lifesaver (especially after a sweaty afternoon exploring). Seriously, I'd walked through the sweltering heat and come back to a crisp, cool oasis. Blackout curtains? Perfection. Slept like a baby. Not a literal baby, obviously, I’m too old for that business. But you know, the peaceful kind.
They’ve got Wi-Fi [free] in the rooms which is essential for me. And the bonus point? Internet access – wireless . Works like a dream. Most of the time. There was a brief, slightly panicked moment one night when my Zoom meeting froze, but that’s life, right? The occasional tech hiccup. The desk and laptop workspace were great if you need to get some of your work done, and I did. Complimentary tea and Coffee/tea maker were a lifesaver when I had to pull those all-nighters.
And the bathroom?! The slippers and bathrobes were a nice touch, because, let's be honest, who doesn't love a good robe? I will admit that the hot water took a minute to get going the first morning, but hey, that’s part of the adventure, right? It came eventually though, and the separate shower/bathtub combo was luxurious.
Food, Glorious Food!
Right, let’s talk about the most important thing: food! The food scene at Prince Plaza is actually pretty impressive. They have Restaurants, a Coffee shop, a Poolside bar, and a Snack bar. I had a fantastic Asian breakfast one morning, and the coffee/tea in restaurant was consistently good. Shoutout to the guys at the bar; they whip up a mean cocktail. I didn't try them all, but there was lots of variety!
Dining, drinking, and snacking options are seemingly endless with A la carte in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, and Western cuisine in restaurant.
The Pampering Factor: Spa Days and Poolside Bliss
Okay, so, Pool with view? Check! The outdoor pool is gorgeous, and what a view. I spent a glorious afternoon there reading, sipping a cocktail (thanks, poolside bar!), and feeling my stresses melt away. I didn’t get around to the Fitness center or Gym/fitness, but I did make it to the Spa. Oooooh, the spa. The massage was divine. I'm talking "melting into a puddle of pure happiness" divine. They also have a Sauna and Spa/sauna and a Steamroom. The thought of getting a Body scrub or Body wrap was tempting but I was too busy enjoying the view.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Covid Reality
Here's where Prince Plaza really shines. They're taking Cleanliness and safety seriously. I saw Hand sanitizer everywhere, and everyone was masked up. They have Staff trained in safety protocol, and Rooms sanitized between stays. I felt incredibly safe. You want to mention the Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. They also offer and Room sanitization opt-out available. They also have Cashless payment service, and lots of staff are ready to help. They have Doctor/nurse on call if anything should arise.
More Amenities Than You Can Shake a Stick At
Right, let’s rattle through the rest. They've got a Concierge, Currency exchange, Laundry service, and a Luggage storage. There's a Gift/souvenir shop. They have Facilities for disabled guests (as mentioned earlier). and Business facilities. I didn’t use them, but it's great to know they're there. They also have Meeting/banquet facilities and a Meeting stationery. I saw a couple of groups having meetings, but they didn't seem to be getting in the way.
The Quirks (Because Nothing's Perfect)
Alright, for the sake of honesty, a couple of things that weren't quite flawless. The décor is a touch…eclectic. Think a bit of the “Grand Budapest Hotel” meets Kathmandu. It’s charming though, and you can’t help but love it.
Also, the internet, while generally good, did have its moments. Once or twice, during peak hours, it got a little…slow. Fine for browsing, less ideal for streaming HD movies while you're cocooned in your robe.
The Verdict: Book It!
Look, if you’re after a luxurious, well-located, and well-priced hotel in Kathmandu, book the OYO 123 Hotel Prince Plaza. It's not perfect, but that’s what makes it real. It's got charm, it's got comfort, it's got phenomenal staff, and it's got a pool with a killer view. It's a fantastic base from which to explore this incredible city.
Final Thoughts: The Vibe
The overall vibe is friendly, welcoming, and safe. The staff are EXCEPTIONAL. They go above and beyond to make you feel welcome. From the front desk to the housekeeping staff, everyone was smiling and eager to help. They also have Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Non-smoking rooms, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms and Soundproof rooms.
My Final Plea (Yes, I’m Begging You to Book!)
Listen, I’ve been traveling for years. I’ve seen some amazing places, and some…less amazing ones. But the OYO 123 Hotel Prince Plaza? It's a winner. It combines comfort, convenience, and affordability in a way that's hard to beat in Kathmandu. Go. Experience it. Fall in love. And then come back here and tell me I was right. You won't regret it.
SEO Keywords (Because, You Know, The Internet):
- OYO 123 Hotel Prince Plaza
- Kathmandu Hotels
- Nepal Hotels
- Luxury Hotel Kathmandu
- Hotel Review Kathmandu
- Best Hotels Kathmandu
- Hotel with Pool Kathmandu
- Kathmandu Spa Hotel
- Accessible Hotel Kathmandu
- Free Wi-Fi Kathmandu
- Hotel with Restaurant Nepal
- Hotel Near Thamel Kathmandu
- Hotel offers Nepal
Kathmandu Chaos: A Messy Itinerary from the OYO 123 Hotel Prince Plaza
(Disclaimer: This is not a perfectly optimized trip. It's a real-life, probably-slightly-screwed-up-but-hopefully-still-enjoyable-for-you itinerary based on my own, unpredictable, and slightly chaotic travel style. Buckle up.)
Hotel Basecamp: OYO 123 Hotel Prince Plaza, Thamel – Hey, it’s clean enough, the AC works sometimes, and who needs a view when you’re just collapsing after a day of dodging rickshaws? Plus, the little breakfast nook has that wonderfully cheap coffee that somehow manages to taste… like adventure? Okay, maybe not. But close enough.
Day 1: Arrival & Thamel Tantrums (er, Tourism)
- Morning (9:00 AM Kathmandu Time - which, let's be honest, is more of a suggestion): Landed at Tribhuvan International Airport. The air was THIS THICK with exhaust fumes. Immigration was a blur of passport stamps and bewildered glances. And finding a taxi? Forget about it. It was a free-for-all, a negotiation battle royale. Ended up paying way too much (like, embarrassingly so) to get to the hotel. Lesson learned: NEVER look like you actually want a taxi.
- 10:30 AM - Noon: Check-In & Recovery: Found OYO 123. It's not the Ritz, but the bed looks promising. Needed a shower. Needed a nap. Needed to stop sweating so profusely. Success on all three fronts. Felt human again.
- Noon - 2:00 PM: Thamel Reconnaissance: Stepped out into Thamel. HOLY COW. It's a sensory overload. Incense, honking horns, mountains of pashmina shawls, enough trekking gear to outfit a small army…and that darn persistent "helpful" shopkeeper trying to sell me a Buddha statue. I swear, they can smell a tourist a mile away. Found a decent, albeit slightly spicy, momo place. Actually a good start.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Cultural Exploration? More Like "Lost Tourist" Mode: Attempting to find Durbar Square. Got utterly, delightfully lost. Stumbled through a labyrinth of tiny alleyways. Saw a cow casually blocking traffic (again). Considered just embracing the chaos and buying everything and nothing. Eventually, finally reached Durbar Square. It's… beautiful. But also, a bit overwhelming. So many temples! I really should have brushed up on Nepali history. Or maybe I'll just take some pictures and stare at the pretty building.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Thamel Round Two, The Shopping Spree: Back in Thamel. Had to get a pashmina, had to. It was a moment of weakness. Bargained, maybe a little too enthusiastically? Ended up with a bright orange one that clashes horribly with my best hiking shirt. Worth it.
- Evening: Dinner at Fire and Ice Pizza (because sometimes you just NEED a pizza): Yes, I know, I flew to Nepal to eat pizza. Comfort food in a chaotic land. It hit the spot. The beer (Everest) was cold. The wifi was spotty. Life was good, kinda. Fell asleep early, dreaming of yak butter tea and a clean toilet.
Day 2: Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and a Near-Death Experience (Maybe Not):
- Morning (8:00 AM): Woke up to the sounds of Kathmandu. Dogs barking. Crows cawing. The faint scent of…something burning (probably incense). Coffee, again. It's growing on me.
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Pashupatinath Temple – A Sensory Feast: Took a taxi to Pashupatinath Temple. Okay, wow. This place is incredible. Witnessing the cremation ceremonies was…intense. Respectful. Very, very moving. The air is thick with smoke and…something else. The smells. Oh god, the smells. But also, the color, the energy, the absolute raw-ness of life and death… it’s humbling. I also ended up accidentally getting way too close to a group of screaming toddlers.
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Boudhanath Stupa – Om Mani Padme Hum and Instant Calm: Walked over to Boudhanath Stupa. Wow, what a contrast! The peaceful ambience was a welcome antidote to Pashupatinath's intensity. The spinning prayer wheels, the chanting, the sheer scale of the stupa… it was almost meditative. Spent an hour just wandering around, trying to absorb the place. Almost felt… zen. Almost. Got distracted by a shop selling Tibetan trinkets. More souvenirs. What is wrong with me?
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch Time for a Non-Expert Eater: Enjoyed a proper lunch at a Tibetan Restaurant. I ordered something with noodle, it was amazing! The spice level was on point.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Back to Thamel: It was time to back to Thamel for my remaining time and enjoy the rest of the day.
- Evening: A Street Food Adventure (or, "Did I Just Eat Something That Will Kill Me?"): Heard about street food in Thamel. Debating everything. Some things might look extremely questionable. "Worth it?" I asked myself. Probably not. But the aroma was too tempting, and the fried momos were amazing.
- My Stomach's Reaction: (TBD, still alive)
- Night: (Maybe.)
Day 3: (Plans, But Real Life Is Messy)
- Morning: Attempting to organize a day trip to somewhere. Possibly Bhaktapur. Possibly just sleeping in.
- Afternoon: Probably more souvenir hunting. And definitely more momos.
- Evening: Considering a cooking class to learn how to make momos. Or maybe just eating more momos.
- Night: See Day 2, but with less fear of food poisoning.
(Ongoing/Future Ramblings):
- Food: I am addicted to momos. And the chai. And the Everest beer. I will probably gain five pounds. I don't regret anything.
- Transportation: Riding in taxis is a competitive sport. Rickshaws are a death trap, but kind of awesome.
- People: The Nepali people are incredibly friendly and helpful. Even when they're trying to sell you something.
- Feelings: A mix of awe, exhaustion, and sheer bewilderment. And a strange sense of peace, despite the chaos. Nepal is… a lot. But in a good way. (I think.)
- Overall: This trip is less about ticking boxes and more about embracing the unexpected. And desperately trying to remember where I put my sunglasses.
Stay tuned for further updates. (Assuming I survive.)
Escape to Japan's Hidden Gem: Tsugaike Kogen's Yamabiko Chalet Awaits!OYO 123 Hotel Prince Plaza: Unbelievable Luxury? (Prepare Yourself...)
What's the *actual* deal with Prince Plaza? Is it REALLY "unbelievable luxury" like the ads say?
Okay, buckle up buttercups. "Unbelievable Luxury"? That's… ambitious. Let's just say my expectations were shattered, like a poorly-made teacup on a bumpy Kathmandu road. It's *nice*, okay? The lobby does have a certain glitz, a faint whiff of potential. The room? Well, the bed *looked* plushy and inviting in the pictures. Reality? Let’s just say I spent the first 20 minutes digging for a rogue lump in the mattress. The sheets, though clean, weren’t exactly Egyptian cotton. More...Nepalese cotton-ish. But, hey, the air conditioning *worked*, which is a win in Kathmandu heat! "Unbelievable"? Nah. "Passable, with potential for improvement"? Yeah, that's the vibe.
How's the location? Is it actually convenient for sightseeing?
Location, location, location! This is where Prince Plaza actually *shines*. It's surprisingly well-placed. You’re close to a lot of the touristy stuff – yes, yes, that includes the Thamel craziness, which can be a blessing and a curse depending on your tolerance for persistent rickshaw drivers. I got hustled for a ride that cost a week’s worth of dal bhat once. But on the bright side, early morning walks to the Garden of Dreams felt… dreamy! So, yeah, location is good. Definitely a bonus.
Is the staff friendly and helpful? I've heard some horror stories...
Okay, LISTEN UP. This is important. The *staff* at Prince Plaza are, for the most part, absolutely lovely. Think of them as the shining stars in the… well, let’s call it the *operational galaxy*. They try really, *really* hard. I had a mix-up with my laundry (a whole *week* of underwear… gone into the void!), and they bent over backward to help. Eventually, the missing laundry reappeared… mostly, anyway. Lost a sock, but hey, you win some, you lose some, right? So, yes, friendly. Yes, helpful. Yes, they deserve all the tips in the world. Just pack extra underwear.
What about the food? Is the included breakfast worth waking up for?
Breakfast… Ah, the breakfast. This is where we veer into… *interesting* territory. The "included breakfast" is definitely there. It's not a Michelin star experience, mind you. Think… a buffet. A buffet with options that fluctuate wildly in quality. The bread and coffee were reliably *okay*, which is a win. The "eggs"? Prepare for a gamble. Some days they were passable; other days… well, let’s just say I learned to appreciate instant noodles. They kept the buffet area pretty tidy, bless their hearts. My advice? Lower expectations. Bring your own emergency energy bars. And definitely try the Nepalese breakfast if it’s offered, which, when it *is* offered, is fantastic (but don't bank on it every morning).
Okay, be honest: what's the biggest *flaw* about this place?
Hmm… the biggest flaw? That's tough, because... well, this is Nepal, things just *happen*. Maybe it's the occasional questionable plumbing situation (I'll spare you the details, but you've been warned). Or perhaps the sometimes unpredictable WiFi that may or may not cooperate with your Zoom calls. But you know what? It's not the flaws that stick with you, right? It’s the character. The slightly wonky elevator that occasionally seems to forget which floor you're on. The friendly staff who make you feel like you're family, even if you're losing socks. Frankly, it's… *charming* in its imperfections. Seriously. If you go expecting flawless, you’ll be disappointed. If you go with a sense of adventure and a healthy dose of humor, you'll come away with some stories. That’s the real takeaway. The stories.
Anything else I should know before booking? Any unexpected details?
Ah, yes. Things you absolutely *must* know. First: Earplugs. Pack 'em. The street noise can be… persistent. And the birds. Kathmandu birds have *opinions*. Second: Be prepared for power outages. They happen. Embrace the adventure! Third: Pack a universal adapter. Fourth: negotiate everything - prices are flexible. And finally… don't be afraid to ask for help. The staff are generally happy to (and sometimes desperately want to) assist. Oh, and one more thing: The view from the roof terrace, when the smog isn’t too thick, is incredible. Absolutely stunning. Go at sunset. Take pictures. You'll thank me later.
What’s the single *most* memorable thing about staying there? Spill the tea!
Okay, fine. The *most* memorable? Without a doubt, it was the day a stray cat decided my balcony was its personal lounging spot. It wasn't just *any* cat, either. This cat was fluffy, regal, and apparently, utterly unimpressed by my attempts to shoo it away. I mean, I’m talking full-on cat-yoga poses, sunbathing in the most luxurious way possible, like it owned the place. I eventually gave up and just shared my balcony with Sir Fluffington III (or whatever his name was). He'd follow me around, rubbing against my legs, begging for food. Honestly, that cat probably had more "luxury" than the actual hotel. It was the most "Nepal" experience ever: unexpected, a bit messy, and utterly, completely, delightful. I miss that cat. And that's not something you usually say about a hotel. So, yeah, Prince Plaza: Cat Approved (with caveats about the plumbing).
