If you’re looking for an unforgettable luxury experience in the heart of the Himalayas, look no further than Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection.
This 29-suite all-inclusive resort, operated by Shinta Mani Hotels in partnership with the Sherpa Hospitality Group, is set to open on August 1, 2023, and promises to be one of the most unique and unforgettable luxury resorts in the world.
Location
Located in Jomsom, in the Lower Mustang area, Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection is situated at an elevation of 2,800 meters (9,186 feet).
This magical and spiritual destination is hidden in the Kali Gandaki valley between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mountain ranges and is the perfect base for trekking and adventures in the surrounding area.
The resort is just a stone’s throw away from the gateway to Upper Mustang, once the Forbidden Kingdom of Nepal.
Accommodations
Each of the 29 suites measures 45 square meters (2,484 square feet) and is designed in the style of a traditional local home with an open-plan bedroom combined with a living area and a separate bathroom.
The floor-to-ceiling windows offer majestic views of the Nilgiri mountain, providing an unforgettable experience for guests.
Facilities
Culinary options at Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection will include the 60-seat Nilgiri Restaurant, which offers modern Nepalese and western cuisine using locally sourced and foraged produce. Guests can also enjoy drinks at the Aara Bar, which serves exotic local Tibetan/Sherpa liquor.
The resort also features a mixed-use activity room that can be used for meetings, presentations, or yoga and exercise classes.
The Wellness Center has two exquisite treatment suites with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the mountains; each with a hot plunge pool, steam room, sauna, shower, and two massage beds.
The Tibetan wellness program will be developed by a local 11th-generation Tibetan Amchi Doctor, using traditional herbal medicine.
Activities
A highly personalized privately guided guest experience program honours the traditions of local Sherpa hospitality and has been curated exclusively for guests.
A selection of unique excursions enables guests to do a different trip every day for up to two weeks; including trekking, horse riding, rock climbing, cycling, archery, hiking, helicopter tours, wellness, and more.
Led by our experienced Bensley Adventure Guides, guests will be taken on a variety of day trips, hiking along rarely travelled trails with incredible dramatic landscapes and incredible vistas, and dining on Shinta Mani gourmet picnics, made with the freshest farm-to-fork ingredients.
Design and Sustainability
The original hotel structure built in 2017 was designed by Nepalese Architect Prabal Shumsher Thapa, who incorporates sustainable design solutions in all of his projects.
Before its official opening in August, design genius Bill Bensley is adding his creative magic, bringing a unique verve to a location that remains untouched.
The interiors will incorporate warm-coloured fabrics and materials to reflect the rich tones of the surrounding landscape, which can be viewed from every window of the resort.
Huge fire pits on the outdoor terrace will allow guests to admire millions of stars in the night sky in warmth as the temperatures dip. Inside, every area will be complemented by the artwork of the late artist Robert Powell, a friend of Bill’s who drew the region’s vernacular architecture in incredible detail.
In his typical upcycling style and with his sustainable mindset, Bill has used recycled materials that he has repurposed into unique new furniture.
Philanthropy
In keeping with Shinta Mani’s philosophy of giving back to the communities in which they operate, the resort will work closely with the Pasang Lhamu Foundation, which was founded by the owning family in memory of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to blaze a trail to the summit of Mt Everest in 1993.
The Foundation is a non-profit, non-political, non-government organization with the core pillars of Education, Vocation Training, Health, and Immediate Assistance.
Rates
Rates at the all-inclusive Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection start from USD 2000 net per couple per night, with a minimum 5-night consecutive stay.
Inclusions
The rates include suite accommodation, all meals and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), including outside locations during excursions, all private guided excursions and activities in the Lower Mustang area (as per program), a personal Bensley Adventure Guide, spa treatments in the wellness centre, in-room mini-bar replenished daily, laundry service (dry cleaning not available), Wi-Fi throughout the resort, round-trip vehicle transfers to Jomsom airport, and government taxes.
How To Get There
International visitors can reach the resort by taking flights to and from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
Mustang is connected via both road and air. The best way to reach the resort is by flight to Jomsom airport, Heli charter directly to the resort, or driving up to the resort.
International visitors must spend their first night in Kathmandu because it is logistically difficult to reach Jomsom from Kathmandu on the day of arrival.
The changeable nature of mountain weather makes flying conditions complex. Hence the guests are recommended to allow one extra night in Kathmandu prior to the international departure.
The following early morning, guests can fly to Pokhara and board the connecting flight to Jomsom. Currently, there are four domestic airlines that operate multiple flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara and two domestic airlines that fly from Pokhara to Jomsom.
The flight duration for both destinations is 20-25 minutes. Upon arrival at Jomsom airport, a personal Bensley guide will receive the guests and take them to the resort, which is a 5 minute drive away.
Private charter by plane or helicopter can also be arranged from Kathmandu directly or from Pokhara. Flight duration will be 70-80 minutes from Kathmandu and 15-20 minutes from Pokhara to our resort.
There’s an option for a road trip which will take 12-13 hours from Kathmandu and 6 hours from Pokhara. From Pokhara, guests will venture on an expedition to Jomsom in a classy Jeep adventure passing through the ancient villages, stunning waterfalls, marvellous mountains, semi-arid desert of the Himalayas, ancient Buddhist chortens (monuments), monasteries, etc.
Transfers are not included in the rate but can be arranged at an additional cost through our in-house travel company, or alternatively, we can provide the details for guests to make arrangements themselves.
In conclusion, Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection is a unique luxury resort that offers guests an unforgettable experience in one of the most unique and preserved regions in the world.
With its luxurious accommodations, world-class dining, and unforgettable activities, this resort is the perfect destination for anyone looking to explore the Himalayas in style.