Weddings and conferences for up to 1,200 guests, and meetings or parties for up to 200 in a palace hall, can be organised at The Shanker Hotel, a former Rana palace in Lazimpat, Kathmandu, run as a hotel since 1964. Groups can stay in the 94 rooms and suites on site.
Seminars and company events
Two event areas serve business groups. The Durbar Hall, about 1,811 square feet and decorated in the manner of a Rana court hall, takes up to 200 people for conferences, meetings and parties. The One Eyed Hall next to it, about 894 square feet, works for a smaller session or a break-out. For larger conferences, the renovated Kailash-Mansarovar halls offer 12,558 square feet indoors and connect to the front lawns, and the hotel quotes up to 1,200 people for halls and lawn together. Parking for more than 200 cars helps with large groups. The hotel does not publish capacities by layout, so seating plans are agreed with the events team through the event inquiry form.
Weddings and receptions
The hotel has a dedicated weddings offer and presents the Kailash-Mansarovar halls with the front lawn as its setting for large weddings. Indoor halls and lawn can be used together, so a reception can move between the two. Smaller family celebrations and parties fit the Durbar Hall, which keeps the decor of the original palace.
Rooms and capacities
The Kailash-Mansarovar halls and front lawn hold up to 1,200 guests in total, with 12,558 square feet of indoor space. The Durbar Hall takes up to 200 in about 1,811 square feet, and the adjoining One Eyed Hall adds about 894 square feet. The property covers 4.4 acres of landscaped grounds and more than 12,000 square feet of indoor space.
Accommodation
The hotel lists 94 rooms and suites. Categories run from Deluxe Single, Deluxe Double and Deluxe Twin rooms to Heritage Family rooms, Heritage Suites and a Royal Suite. When the hotel opened in 1964 it had 23 rooms. Delegates of a multi-day conference and wedding guests can therefore all stay at the venue.
Catering
The hotel runs three restaurants and bars. The Cosy Kailash, a multi-cuisine restaurant, is known for its traditional carved wood interior. Food for events is provided by the hotel, and menus are set with the events team.
History and setting
The palace was commissioned by General Jit Shumsher Rana, designed by Kumar Narsingh Rana and completed in 1894. Gilt mirrors, velvet, marble and sunburst chandeliers were imported from Europe, and the facade is neo-classical. After Jit Shumsher died in 1913, the palace passed to General Agni Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana, and his granddaughters Queen Aishwarya, Queen Komal and Princess Prekshya were born here. In 1964 Ram Shanker Shrestha turned the palace into a hotel.
Getting there
The hotel stands in Lazimpat, north of central Kathmandu, close to Thamel and Durbar Marg. Tribhuvan International Airport serves the city.
