Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection, one of Asia’s most eagerly anticipated luxury properties, has debuted in Nepal.
The 29-suite resort is the standout accommodation option in Mustang: one of Nepal’s most unique regions.
Mustang is characterized by desert landscapes punctuated by towering peaks like Mount Nilgiri and procession of Buddhist chortens (stupas).
Interiors at the new property incorporate warm coloured fabrics and materials to reflect the rich tones of the surrounding landscape, which can be viewed from every window of the Lodge. Huge fire pits on the outdoor terrace will allow guests to admire millions of stars in the night sky in warmth as the temperatures drop.
Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection will be an all-inclusive experience, with the guests’ journey curated to provide the most remarkable 360-degree, luxury experience in the Himalayas; one of the most unique and preserved regions in the world. “Mustang” or Manthang in Tibetan translates to “Plain of Aspiration” and is bordered by the Tibetan plateau with an elevation that rises from 1,372 to 8,167 meters above sea level.
At an elevation of 2,800 m (9,186 feet), Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection is located in Jomsom, in the Lower Mustang area which is a gateway to Upper Mustang, once the Forbidden Kingdom of Nepal. This magical and spiritual destination with its dramatic landscapes is hidden in the Kali Gandaki valley between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mountain ranges. It is the perfect base for trekking and adventures in the surrounding area, exploring Buddhist monasteries and culture, or just enjoying the awe-inspiring vistas of some of the highest snow-capped peaks in the world, including the formidable Nilgiri Himal.
Each of the 29 suites measuring 45 square meters (2,484 square feet), is designed in the style of a traditional local home with an open-plan bedroom combined with a living area and a separate bathroom. Floor to ceiling windows offers majestic views of the Nilgiri mountain.
Culinary options at Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection will include the 60-seat Nilgiri Restaurant, named after the majestic mountain it looks out onto and a large outdoor dining patio where modern Nepal cuisine and western cuisine will be served, using locally sourced and foraged produce. The Aara Bar is named after an exotic local Tibetan/Sherpa liquor.
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 programme will be developed by a local 11th-generation Tibetan Amchi Doctor, using traditional herbal medicine.
The mixed-use activity room can be used for meetings, presentations or yoga and exercise classes.
A highly personalised privately guided guest experience programme 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 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.
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 magus Bill Bensley added his creative magic, bringing a unique verve to a location that remains untouched.
“This is perhaps one of the most exciting projects we have ever had,” said Bensley. “I have never seen such wildly dramatic landscapes as the mountains and valleys of Mustang, and am thrilled that Shinta Mani can be the first to introduce this mystical land to international adventurers – and all the more so under the special wing of Bensley Collection. This will be their base camp for explorations all around these phenomenal mountains, as always guided by our kind and infinitely knowledgeable Bensley Adventure Guides, for the experience of a lifetime.”