great exterior, not impressed with interior
(Family, kids ages 2, 4, and 11.) Our experienced was mixed, but in general I would give a negative review, particularly in terms of value. The staff was very friendly and hospitable (as was the case everywhere we stayed in Nepal). They didn't mind if we ate breakfast in the courtyard in the morning instead of the restaurant, for example (the courtyard is nice). And the night we were there, they didn't mind setting up a table on the rooftop (which was closed for the season maybe?) and bringing us a couple of drinks while we played cards.
The place is not particularly geared for families, which we understood when booking. However, I thought it was odd that we were put on the fourth (five levels up) floor with small children to lug up and down. And the "family room" we booked actually meant kind of a low-quality double room with an extra single bed squeezed in (and $40 tacked on).
The building itself is beautiful, which seems to be the main attraction, especially the exterior. Carved woodwork and dark brick and nice decorative courtyard and such give a cool atmosphere. The most direct way toward Thamel goes through a kind of garbage dump, though the walk is short. Walking into the old town and Durbar Square would not have been far in the other direction.
Our main complaint was the room itself, and the poor value it represented. With a building and exterior so beautiful, you would think more attention would be put into the rooms themselves. I can only speak for our room, but it really was more along the lines of a low midrange hotel in Nepal, I would gather. With taxes and fees, our room came to $130 per night, which got us wonderful 3-bed rooms at Gokarna Forest and Club Himalaya (Nagarkot). Instead, Kantipur's had a dingy feel, doorknobs and fixtures were faulty, etc. No T.V., which I understand might be for a classy feel, but at that price, throw a small flatscreen in a carved cabinet in case the guest wants. A beautiful building, but wouldn't recommend for price.
