Royal Tulip Chitwan comes into operation targeting high-end tourists

Sauraha (Chitwan), Nov. 26: Royal Tulip Chitwan, the first five-star luxury resort in the district, has begun operations, marking a significant milestone in Chitwan’s growing hospitality and tourism landscape.

Located in Ratnanagar Municipality–5, the newly opened luxury property aims to elevate the quality of tourism services in one of Nepal’s most visited destinations, renowned for Chitwan National Park and its diverse wildlife experiences.

Developed by KTM Holding Group under the Royal Tulip Brand of Louvre Hotels Group brings an international standard of hospitality, adding new momentum to the region’s tourism infrastructure.

Louvre Hotels Group ranks among the world’s biggest hotel chains and it operates around 1,750 hotels in about 70 countries.

With the launch of the premium resort in this major tourist destination, Chitwan’s tourism offerings are expected to rise, catering to high-end domestic and international travelers, said Rameshwar Shah, Chairman of KTM Group.

As Chitwan continues to grow as a premier destination for both national and international visitors, the Royal Tulip Resort stands as a symbol of Nepal’s commitment to developing luxury tourism infrastructure to meet the expectations of today’s discerning travelers, he said.

"Our dream to operate such a hotel in Sauraha, adjacent to Chitwan National Park, has finally come true after nearly four-and-a-half years of efforts. This milestone adds a new chapter to promoting Nepal's tourism sector and caters to high-end tourists who want to visit Nepal," said Chairman Shah.

The aim is to bring back the visitors who stopped coming after the closure of the resorts around 2005/2006, he added.

Constructed with an investment of nearly Rs. 1.75 billion, the resort covers around 3 bighas of land and offers 65 upscale rooms and villas, including pool and water villas.

According to him, around Rs. 220 million in land alone to operate the luxury resort. 

Similarly, Rs. 700 million has been invested in the construction of physical infrastructure and Rs. 190 million in furnishing.

He said that local products including stone and wood were used in the construction of the hotel, as far as they were available in various parts of the country.

The hotel has also installed a water bottling plant that produces 500 litres of drinking water it requires daily. “We discourage the use of plastic in the hotel. We have adopted environment-friendly technology for water processing and use glass bottles,” he added. 

World-class experience in offer 

The hotel features Superior, Deluxe, Premium, Pool Villa, Water Villa, and Loft House Queen Suite categories. A stay in the Superior Room costs Rs. 17,000 per night, while the most expensive Loft House Queen Suite costs Rs. 100,000. The three water villas, built over the water, are priced at Rs. 75,000 per night.

The resort includes a world-class spa, fitness centre, swimming pool, holistic wellness services, a kids’ play area, boating and fishing activities, and a 1.8 km nature trail—offering an immersive luxury experience in the heart of Chitwan, Shah said.

Unlike local hotels, the resort introduces global hospitality standards to the region. “This is the first foreign-brand resort in Chitwan, and we’ve invested heavily in creating a world-class experience for our guests,” Shah explained.

The hotel also prioritises wildlife conservation, environmental sustainability, and the promotion of local arts, culture, and community involvement, said Sachin Sharma, general manager, Royal Tulip Chitwan.

As sustainability is the first priority of the hotel, the resort is home to more than 200 species of plants, creating a lush and vibrant natural environment throughout the property.

The rich greenery not only enhances the beauty of the resort but also creates a refreshing, tranquil atmosphere ideal for relaxation, Sharma said. 

Chairman Shah noted that around 204 hotels with roughly 6,000 beds are currently operating in Sauraha, but five or six additional luxury hotels are still needed to cater to high-end domestic and international tourists.

Shah expressed his confidence that the resort's structure and services will attract both foreign and domestic tourists seeking luxury.

Built in a heritage and boutique style, the hotel features the largest assembly hall in the district, a banquet hall with a capacity of more than 500 people, a seminar hall, lobby lounge, all-day dining restaurant, rooftop restaurant, and swimming pool.

Visitors can also enjoy boat rides, water palace accommodation, a health club and spa, children’s park, amphitheatre, lawn tennis court, hiking trail, grill bar, bakery, and restaurant.

Priority to locals 

The hotel emphasises the use of local products. Most construction materials and supplies are Nepali, and most staff members are Nepali, except for a few senior-level positions. 

Shah believes that the resort will help produce necessary skilled manpower locally.

Currently, around 100 people are employed at the resort, and more than 300 jobs are expected as tourist numbers grow. Preparations are also underway to open a casino on the hotel premises. Once operational, it is expected to employ more people than the hotel itself. 

"We have given the first priority to the locals of Sauraha. After that, there is an opportunity for human resources from other parts of Chitwan. As we could not find them there either, we have sought human resources from other districts as well," Shah said.

Similarly, he said that local products will be used to provide local flavour in the food along with luxury.

In addition, cultural programmes with local artistes and community will also be performed to promote local art and culture. 

He believes that this will allow tourists to experience local hospitality and exchange information about local art and culture.

Need to extend tourists' stay

Chairman Shah said that tourism has always been a strong pillar of Nepal’s economy, and the resort is expected to significantly contribute to national revenue by attracting tourists through high-quality services.

He added that the arrival of the Royal Tulip brand under the multinational French group Louvre Hotels—which enjoys global success—will help further promote Nepal’s tourism sector internationally.

According to the latest report, the average stay of tourists in Nepal is only 2.84 days. "If the private sector and government work together to introduce new tourism packages and develop the necessary infrastructure to increase the stay by even one day, hotel occupancy will rise and the country will earn significantly more from tourism," he said.