How one luxury hotel is preserving Newari architecture in Nepal

In 1952, Dwarika Das Shrestha was stunned when he noticed carpenters sawing off a carved portion of an intricately engraved wooden pillar.

That wooden pillar was crafted by the Newari people — Indigenous inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal — and had been part of an old building which was being torn down to make room for a modern structure.

It was at that moment that Shrestha became determined to find a way to preserve Newari architecture and the cultural heritage of Kathmandu Valley.

Over the next 20 years, he began collecting Newari artifacts and worked with local craftsmen to restore the pieces – which are now displayed in and around The Dwarika’s Hotel.

“1952 was his first piece that he bought. 1972 was when the hotel was registered. And we started with five rooms, using these traditional Newari woodwork for the facade of the buildings that at that point he designed and had constructed,” said René Vijay Shrestha Einhaus, owner and CEO of Dwarika’s Hotel.

Fast forward to today, the hotel is a five-star sanctuary — offering travellers a rare and historic window into Nepal — that is also now being offered as a luxury stay on National Geographic Signature with G Adventures trips.

Einhaus — who is also Shrestha’s grandson — moved to Nepal 15 years ago to join the family business, taking over for his mother who continued the work after his grandfather’s passing.

“We're trying to keep the culture alive, keep the identity alive that makes Kathmandu Valley, Kathmandu Valley,” said Einhaus.

“Reminding people that our history is something to be proud of, it is something that is, at this point, universally interesting, and that is also architecturally beautiful.”

From a wooden door carved with Buddhist symbols that dates back to the 13th century, to pillars in the courtyard featuring Hindu gods and goddesses, there is no shortage of architectural heritage at The Dwarika’s Hotel.

“The highlight in the hotel are the courtyards because you’re surrounded by these century-old pieces that have been restored. And it has a very special atmosphere,” he explained.

Einhaus says everything from the flooring, to the interior designs of the hotel rooms, pay homage to the communities of Kathmandu Valley, pointing to the use of local textiles and terracotta floors, as some of many examples.

As the owner and CEO, Einhaus also takes pride in leading guests through the hotel’s workshop to help them better understand their restoration and preservation process.

“My grandfather established the restoration workshop in the 1960s … and we're still restoring today,” he said.

“So you can imagine the amount of pieces that we bought. And it's a lot of work to restore these pieces and also depends on how intricate they are carved, but it takes some time, because all this restoration work is all done by hand.”

When travellers stay at Dwarika’s, Einhaus says he hopes they are able to take away the depth and uniqueness of Kathmandu Valley.

“It's one of the most interesting cities that are there now in Asia, because a lot of cities now have lost their identity. A lot of Asian cities now have become high-rise and very modern, whereas this still really has its traditional character,” he said.

Reflecting on the notable work and legacy his grandfather and family have built through Dwarika’s, Einhaus says he hopes they can continue to stand as an example of what’s possible for Nepali communities.

“We can do stuff together, focusing on our traditions, focusing on our culture, focusing on the heritage. And this is something worthwhile protecting, worthwhile keeping alive,” said Einhaus.

“And we can be proud, as a Nepali, about what we are and what we are defined as. And I think that creating that sense – I find that very fulfilling. So I hope that's something that Nepalis can do and continue doing in the future.”

Travel to Nepal with National Geographic Signature with G Adventures:

Himalayan Kingdoms of Nepal & Bhutan

Nepal’s Himalayan Peaks, Kathmandu & Chitwan