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History

For many centuries, Nepal was cut off from the outside world. Initially it was ruled by the Mallas but dynastic squabbles allowed Prithivi Narayan Shah to establish his Kingdom in Kathmandu. However during the tenure of the Shah dynasty, a young army general, Jung Bahadur Rana usurped power from the monarchy and established himself as the Prime Minister with powers over the monarchy. He made the prime ministerial office hereditary - passing through brothers and sons - ruthlessly suppressing all opposition, while keeping the king under his thumb. After travelling to Europe and aping the Victorian fashions of the day, Jung Bahadur launched an architectural vogue of neo-classical, Italianate palaces.

The Rana regime lasted for 104 years (1846-1951) and contributed to the country's ornate neo-classical palaces replete with a grandeur lifestyle accumulated during Jung Bahadur's travels abroad. At the turn of the 19th century, Juddha Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana, one of the most distinguished of the powerful Rana Maharajas and a renowned builder and musician, built the most elegant palace in Kathmandu for his son, Agni Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana. The discreet boxes set in a fantasy of Nepalese neo-romantic plastic work, gilt mirrors, red velvet and marble were imported from Italy and transported on porters' back from India. The sunburst chandeliers were constructed locally from long abandoned crates of imported crystal.

Kathmandu retains its architectural reminders of the Rana period scattered throughout the city. One of them is the The Shanker Hotel, situated in the heart of the city, minutes walk from Thamel and Durbar Marg. The Shanker Hotel was founded by one of the most visionary entrepreneurs of the day, Late Mr. Ram Shanker Shrestha in the year 1964. Initially operations were started with 23 rooms with the property being on rent and eventually the entire property was purchased bit by bit from the Rana family thus making Shanker a fully functional hotel with international standards.

With the historic character of the hotel and the new and upgraded facilities, the Shanker will continue to be the city's leading luxury hotel. Traditional Nepali architectural features have been preserved. Some of the display carved windows are more than 200 years old. It captures the old charm and style of Kathmandu, while providing the international quality standards of accommodation and dining facilities. Clearly, The Shanker is the only place to stay if your priorities are comfort, tradition, taste and authenticity.

Namaste!

As you walk into the lobby of Kathmandu's palatial Shanker Hotel, you enter an entirely new exciting and exotic world, the old world elegance only found in a few 'great' hotels around the world characterized by exquisite and authentic objects d'art. A former palace of the ruling elite of Nepal maintains and cherishes its position as a grand beauty of unmistakable class. Take advantage of our majestic venues to give your events a royal touch. On your vacation or business trip, savor the essence of our city from this luxurious 100 year old palace hotel. Come and stroll in the luxury of our vast Nepali gardens, swim in our beautiful outdoor swimming pool or pamper yourself with a long massage. Relax and enjoy your visit to Nepal in the lap of a typically Nepali Maharaja's Palace.