Name: Raniban Retreat
Address: Near World Peace Pagoda, Pokhara, NP

10/10

Exceptional

01 Apr 2026

Will

Raniban retreat is a beautiful place to stay. Everything was so clean and well organised. The view from the room was incredible. The food was delicious and healthy.

The staff delivered unbelievable service, from organising room decoration and a birthday cake for my partner, to accommodating allergies.

10/10

Exceptional

17 Feb 2026

chris

Everything was amazing best place ever!

10/10

Exceptional

17 Feb 2026

chris

One of my favorite places I have ever stayed! Amazing location, views, staff, food, and I could go on and on. Best hotel experience I could imagine and can’t wait to go back

10/10

Exceptional

17 Nov 2025

Janet

We enjoyed this little retreat. We were lucky on the weather and the mountains were SPECTACULAR for our 2 day visit. But, we also enjoyed the lovely gardens around Raniban. We did have them arrange transportation back and forth to the hotel because of the bumpy last bit of road.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 May 2025

Jeffrey

Bliss

Too many words to write. Just perfect to unwind.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

28 Mar 2025

STEVEN

What a find! Please understand, this hotel is NOT close to the lake or shopping, at the top of the mountain on a windy climb up, then on another very rough road which you would never even notice...which is what makes it so incredible! Fantastic staff, impeccably clean, unbelievable views of the Annapurna and the MachuPuchre ranges from the mezanine, rooftop and my hot tub suite (especially at sunrise, you simply HAVE to get up to witness this). There was no better choice to decompress after a six day trek! Will never stay anywhere else on my next visit. Five stars!

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

17 Feb 2025

Nandini

Access to the property was unpaved bumpy road for part of the way. Property is away from main town of Pokhara which is nice if looking for a quiet place although some of the guests were rather noisy.

10/10

Exceptional

06 Dec 2024

Jotika

A place made in heaven. My friend and i were greeted by a smiling face welcoming us to the resort as soon as we got there from the airport. He grabbed our luggage and directed us towards the reception area. You have to climb the stairs while you see the beautiful himalayas, the greenery the beauty of nepal. The reception area was nice and cozy and we were welcomed with so much love and affection in the voices of the staff. I asked for the best view room and they gave me the best. Room was very spacious, clean, hot/cold water with rainshower in the bathrooom. Bed was comfy and the balcony had seating with the view of shiv mandir and phewa lake. The hospitality of this resort is something you wont forget. The chef who made breakfast and all our meals was so amazing. We enjoyed every minute of our stay. My luggage was lost by the airline so the hotel staff helped me by taking me shopping to find clothes and basic essentials. I am so grateful for every staff member there because they guided me through my adventures in pokhra and even went with us at times making sure im safe. Helped take pics and showed me around on ky request. The walk around the resort is magical. You will forget all your stress and lifes issues while sipping masala chai from any place around the reaort while overlooking the beautiful nepal. Friendly people who go above and beyond for their guests. I will definitely go again. Inwas there for a week and loved mg stay. I will never forget the hospitality. Thank u

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Aug 2024

Rocky

Wonderful place with amazing staff. View of the mountains was amazing and the infinity pool made for great photography. Totally recommend this place.

10/10

Exceptional

08 Aug 2024

Tek Raj

Quiet, nice place, good view and very helpful staff.

Business_and_leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

19 May 2024

Maria

The most incredible place with great views and amazing staff. The food is also delicious.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 May 2024

David

Beautiful lake view from the mountains

This place is very beautiful. Situated on top of the hill next to a cool Buddhist stupa and a big Shiva statue on the top of the mountain. The jacuzzi on the balcony is wonderful! Amazing location. Great staff. Good food. View not too great because of the smoke covering all of Nepal right now.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

22 Apr 2024

Lucille

I loved this property and in the right season it would have the most amazing views. Unfortunately we were there during the wildfires, so we only were able to see the lake. Still beuatiful and reasonably priced with delicious food and service.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 Apr 2024

Mohammad

Improve wifi please. I couldnt even contact my family members.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Mar 2024

David

Amazing views.

This hotel has the most amazing views. Its well worth waking early to see the sun light up the Annapurna mountains. And the night view of Pokhara and the lake is pretty nice. All the staff were lovely.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Aug 2023

Aldo

Amazing views, incredible hospitality from staff

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

23 Nov 2019

Hussain

Ask Raniban to pick you up.

Great place, but the road is difficult to get through. Ask Raniban to pick you up or drop off, as local taxis can't go to the place itself.

It's a little remote, but the morning view is amazing.the $12 fee makes sense for the trip, they aren't ripping you off.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

06 Oct 2019

Karla&Tamas

A must stay ! You have such a beautiful view, its breath taking. You have an enjoyable hike up and its very much worth it. The staff is so friendly, the food is great, and its the best place to relax and take in the beauty of Pokhara and Annapurna.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Sep 2019

Verified traveler

Raniban really is such a special place. It’s away from all the hustle and bustle of Pokhara and is so high up, perfect for viewing the mountains! Food is great and not too overpriced. The room and bathroom was lovely and comfortable however all rooms are exactly the same, you only pay more for the rooms with the best views...but you can easily look at the views from the communal garden. Beware if the roads are bad you have to walk up a lot of steps to get here! There’s not much to do up here in the day, but I think they are building a pool soon! Amazing time we had here.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

17 Jun 2019

Ishtiaque

Picturesque Raniban

If I was aware that it is located so isolated, I wouldn’t have chosen this for a family vacation. The views are extraordinary. Sunrise view was breathtaking. Food is average. Rooms are so so. It is an ideal place for complete leisure. Commuting to the township is expensive and uncomfortable.

Family

8/10

Excellent

14 Apr 2019

Abby

Wonderful hotel in an amazing location

After several days trekking, we stayed at the Raniban Retreat. We chose Raniban because we preferred staying in a quiet location (compared to the busy Lakeside area which is very touristy). Getting to the Raniban is quite an experience and we would suggest an SUV type taxi due to the road condition. Our room was wonderful - simple but nice and clean. We chose a room with a mountain view and there is a nice garden area to sit outside the room as well. There is a restaurant with beautiful views but the food is very average. We were only staying for one night so it was fine. You could take a taxi to the Lakeside area for more dining options. We hiked to the World Peace Pagoda. It is an easy 25 minute hike and well worth going. There are some other hikes you can take as well. The staff is excellent - very friendly, helpful and attentive. We highly recommend a stay at the Raniban when in Pokhara.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Feb 2019

Verified traveler

Amazing place, the best view of pokhara! You definitely need to stay at this place!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

16 Oct 2018

Kirsty

Perfect place to relax

Raniban was the perfect place to do nothing but take in the amazing view of Fewa Lake, the Annapurna range and Pokhara. There are 514 steps to climb once the taxi bounces you up a steep mountain road but staff will help with your bags. The food was great so we didn't feel the need to go elsewhere. It is quite remote but we walked down to the world peace pagoda and then the lake to take a boat into Pokhara one Day and caught a taxi back. A stunningly beautiful place to rest after our Everest Base Camp Trek with friendly, helpful staff who organised an in room massage and airport transfers. I will return.

Friends

8/10

Excellent

30 Sep 2018

Shefaque

Good location and very quiet but approach road to the hotel is not in good conditions. No intercoms systems in place. Average food qualities and varieties.

10/10

Exceptional

03 Dec 2017

Laura

Beautiful views and super relaxing

My husband and I spent one night here while in Nepal for our honeymoon. The staff were super friendly and when out of their way to make our stay wonderful. They decorated our room with flowers and set up the cutest dinner table outside for us. In the morning we watched the sunrise and then hiked back down through the forest. Great place! Highly recommended for anyone who wants a relaxing time away from Lakeside.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

05 Sep 2017

Marwan

Unrivaled view of the mountains and lake

The tranquility that one experiences when staying at Raniban Retreat is difficult to describe. It is so peaceful and serene that I immediately forgot about any stress I had. There was little reason to leave the hotel especially since the food is fresh and delicious. The staff are very cheery and always there to help. The only constructive criticism that I would provide is that the rooms need a bit of an uplift. I know it is meant to be rustic but some repairs and renovations would certainly help. Also, getting there was very difficult but the new road should help.

2/10

Poor

29 May 2017

Verified traveler

not at all recommended....

not at all recommended...no facilities..no access...almost 30 minutes..hike to reach the hotel..with no service..we checked out next day itself...still awaiting 1 day hotel stay refund...

6/10

Pleasant

01 Nov 2016

Michael

Over priced

Nothing wrong with Raniban - reasonable food an amenities, comfortable rooms and magnificent views. But it is way over priced (by Nepal standards) for what you get. The nearby Peace Dragon Hotel further down the same ridge is just as good but about a third the price, although Raniban is more secluded and private than Peace Dragon if that's what you want . Both involve a ten minute walk from nearest vehicle drop-off area but the drive to Raniban is a lot longer and on a very rough track, and with the subsequent walk to Raniban being much steeper and more physically demanding.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Feb 2016

Verified traveler

I normally don't write or rate but for this place Im going to express. Pokhara doesn't have much culture, it's just trekking and some other activities. This place has the best view, room and staff. Don't event hesitate!!!!

10/10

Exceptional

28 Feb 2015

ROCKIE

Nice view...good stay

Nice view

Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 Nov 2014

alessandro

Best Choice in Pokhara

Astonishing view. Great service. Beautiful rooms. Even the 506 steps to get tho the hotel are a pleasant way to get fit....... Very bad road from the \"highway\" to the beginning of the walkway.
Restaurant not top choice in particular considering that you have no other options: it would be difficult to get back to hotel at dark.
Price reasonable. We strongly suggest to go to Raniban Retreat if you are not scared by the steps

Family

6/10

Pleasant

10 Nov 2014

Michael

Magnificent views/average service

Clean, comfortable rooms and food okay. Most dissapointing aspect was amount of visible rubbish on and around the walking track leading up to the hotel and the rubbish at rear of main complex visible to those exploring the grounds. Most outstanding feature are the magnificent views. The overall standard is marginally better than other hotels/guesthouses along the same ridge, but those others are less than half the price of Raniban and offer the same views.

Family

8/10

Excellent

05 Nov 2014

Verified traveler

Hotel with amazing view and nice hotel staff

The hotel has only about 10 rooms and the staff there are really nice and friendly. The staff have helped to decorate one of their customer room based on request and also held a small party which we were also invited. I've stayed for only one night but it was really an enjoyable time spent there.

4/10

Poor

01 Nov 2014

Verified traveler

Beautiful setting. Facilities are a disaster.

The view from Raniban is spectacular.
The facilities are 1 star - similar to camping. Doors did not lock. Toilet did not flush. Spiders everywhere.
Hotel run by a few teenagers who speak only a few words of English or Nepali ... if you speak Hindi, you might be in luck. They were very pleasant, however.
Most of the rooms are being renovated now - but can't even venture to guess what level of quality will be achieved. We got the best rooms available (after changing from an even worse room) - and they were 1 star.
In addition to 500 stairs, we had to hike more than a mile uphill with our luggage in order to get to Raniban since the road had been wiped out by an avalanche.
Neither the hotel nor Expedia contacted us in advance to let us know about this or offer to help us with other accommodations.

2/10

Poor

02 May 2014

Pat

Spectacular Views But Rundown, Mismanaged Property

Beautiful location, even with the 500 steps and !,000 NR taxi ride one way to/from town. Sadly, management and staff lack training and follow through on basic requests is absent. Over our three day stay, the fan and door were left broken after repeated promises to repair and we could not get anyone to freshen linens or provide room straightening. Lots of friendly smiles and a birthday cake to honor my husband were unexpected surprises. They mean well - just not trained in service and execution.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Dec 2013

Verified traveler

Amazing View

If you visit Pokhara for the mountain views, this is the place to stay. Staffs were friendly and accommodating at all times. Recommended.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

11 Dec 2013

Campbell

nice quiet retreat overlooking pokhara lakeside. peaceful with friendly staff and great views to the annapurna massif.
A nice place to chill out for a few days and get away from the hustle of the cities.

10/10

Exceptional

25 Nov 2013

Vetofunk

The Views

You go here for the views. It takes a while to get here via a cab plus you have to hike up 500 steps. The service is amazing when you get there though. The gentleman from the Netherlands that manges it is awesome.

Downsides is that it is far from the main action. But if you want hiking, views and peace, this is the place!

10/10

Exceptional

05 Nov 2013

Kathie

Wonderful retreat in the clouds

The retreat was amazing, getting up at sunrise and having breakfast and coffee outside watching the mountains and the World Peace Pagoda appear out of the clouds, then watching the sun set after a long hike in the area looking down at the lake and the city lights. Food and staff are exceptional. I couldn't give a perfect score because of the steps it takes to get there, which are part of the journey, especially if you start way down the mountain. We took a cheap room in Pokhara for four days and left our luggage there, carrying only a day pack for our two night stay so as not to ask their staff to carry our luggage up and down the 500 steps from the available car park. A memorable stay.

Family

8/10

Excellent

01 Jun 2013

Tumash

Quiet place but far from city

The hotel is situated on the top of the mount and has an excellent view to Pokhara. The view is the biggest advantage of the hotel. As well it is isolated from the city - thst's why it can be a nice place for retreat.

Minuses is that the way from the city or from airport will take much time. You cannot go there on feet - only by taxi which will cost you around $10-15. My advice is to choose this hotel if you are looking for a long quiet stay, if you don't need to see Pokhara.

And I will not advice to stay here if Pokhara for you is just a hub for a further tracking route - better stay at Lake Side area.

10/10

Exceptional

10 Feb 2013

Verified traveler

Magical affair

Raniban was truly magical ! Nepal is definitely underrated !!! We had an awesome time !!!!! :-)

6/10

Pleasant

07 Jan 2013

Verified traveler

Nice view

The hotel is very nice and offers a great view of Pokhara.
The issues are mostly related to the 500 steps that one needs to climb every time you have to go back to the hotel.
The lack of hot water is a big problem; the water is warm at best, but with the weather outside and with the lack of heating in the rooms, warm is just not good enough.

The staff is very friendly and the food is good.

8/10

Excellent

13 Dec 2012

Chris

Serenity. Unbeatable views.

Never mind if you have to climb a couple of hundred steps to get to the retreat. The journey and its end are worth it! Even if you have to rest during the climb up, there is the gorgeous view to admire. The porters met us where the taxi had dropped us off and carried our backpacks. We knew we would be slower than them by a mile and told them to go on up but they just smiled and politely waited for us when we stopped to rest (I know, we are so out of shape!).

My booking said 'luxury tent' but I was given room 102 and had a great view of the valley Fewa Lake below. I am not sure if it could be considered a 'tent' because we had four walls. No cloth ceiling either. Maybe we were upgraded, I don't know. But we didn't complain because we loved the room and the view!

The service is top-notch. My friend fell sick at Raniban and the manager there said to call him any time if we needed medicine or a doctor.

No words can describe the view. Best you see it for yourself!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Feb 2024

takeru

とても眺めが良く素敵なところでした

10/10

Exceptional

01 Feb 2024

Satoshi

部屋からの眺めが最高です。湖の向こう側にヒマラヤが大きく見えます。スタッフも親切で気が利いています。レストランは、野菜カレーがおいしかった。

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

25 Nov 2023

Pascale

The view and the confort are perfect.

Business_and_leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Mar 2019

YEEMIN

파노라마 히말라야뷰

캐리어 땜에 우려했던 525 계단은 걱정없이 택시로 돌아갈수 있었습니다. 525계단은 평화의탑 산책갈때만 오르내렸습니다.
오스트레일리안 캠프보다 더 파노라마 히말라야 전경을 볼수 있어 좋았습니다
숙박은 반드시 마운틴뷰룸을 추천합니다

Family

10/10

Exceptional

13 Apr 2018

종현

시내에서 접근하는데 어려움이 있었지만
훌륭한 전망에 깨끗한 개실과 시설이 마음에 들었다.
직원들의 친절한 서비스도 마음에 들었다.

8/10

Excellent

04 Jan 2018

Verified traveler

景色を楽しむホテル

景色を楽しむ事をメインとすれば満足できる。5つ星ホテルを期待してはいけない。
タクシー降りて階段を昇らないといけないが、私はたまたまタクシーの運転手が、狭い道をぐるっと回ってくれた。すると殆ど階段はなかった。
料理は他に食べにいけないので、ホテルで食べるがやや高いが山の上を考えれは納得。

10/10

Exceptional

30 Nov 2016

Naoko

Great Himalaya view

ゆっくりヒマラヤを眺めたいなら、是非おすすめします。
部屋から、レストランから、屋上から、素晴らしいヒマラヤビューです！
ホテルはお花に囲まれて綺麗、高台にあるのでとても静かです。
スタッフもとても親切でタクシー、ガイドのアレンジもしてくれました。
難点は、Wi-Fiが部屋では使えなかったことと、ホテルまでに500段の階段を登ることかな。まあ、でも眺めが良いそういうことかなと。
私はもしポカラ再訪の機会があれば、またここに泊まりたいです。