Hotel Everest View

The very famous Hotel Everest View, neatly nestled above the village of Khumjung, has a prime piece of property for enjoying luxurious accommodation's among a stunning panorama or the valley leading up to Mt. Everest. The elevation of the hotel is listed at 13,000 feet by the Guiness Book or World Records, and is recorded as the world's highest altitude hotel. The idea for a luxury hotel in the Himalayas originated in the late 1960's by a Japanese tour company, and in 1973 the hotel opened up to guests. They capitalized on the nearby Shyangboche airstrip as an entryway to the Khumbu region for wealthy travelers. The guests could fly in on an airplane or helicopter and follow a trail to the hilltop. This was a popular attraction, but many guests found that the sudden shift in elevation gave them problems with nausea and headaches. The hotel offered oxygen in each room to alleviate the condition, but still there were too many cases of the high altitude sickness. The airstrip was shut down, leaving access to the hotel only for those willing to fly into Lukla and hike for 2 to 3 days to get in, which turned off many of the normal clientele.

The hotel doesn't have quite the business it used to, but it is still a standard attraction for the hikers passing through the area. The hotel has a deck open to the public to stop and enjoy lunch from an amazing menu for low prices. The rooms, priced at over US $250 per night, are still an indulgence, but it still adds class and opportunity to the area. The hotel employs local Sherpa people as its staff, and the hallways and rooms are fitted with meaningful Sherpa effects. Coming from either Namche or Khumjung, the two nearby villages, it is a good hiking workout, but the beautiful view, the relaxing resort atmosphere, the delicious food, and the friendly staff make it a precious respite from the somewhat harsh environment of the trails. It's a chance to clean up, eat well, and enjoy some refinements in-between plodding along the dust trails.