Lonely Planet Review

Hidden in the heart of the old town, in a historic Tibetan stone courtyard house, this is Lhasa's first real boutique hotel. Stylish, intimate and quintessentially Tibetan, this is the perfect antidote to Lhasa's faceless Chinese hotels.

The 10 unique and spacious rooms are decorated in natural wood and stone and accentuated with lovely antique painted Tibetan furniture. Beds raised on a Chinese-style platform continue the traditonal theme. Two of the rooms form their own courtyard and are accessed by a separate stairway, offering a superbly private retreat. Upper-floor rooms are preferable because they get more sun. As with much of the hotel, the witty restaurant menu offers food with a hefty pinch of New Age nonsense. Try the Guru Rinpoche chicken tikka or the Heinrich Harrer schnitzel! The fabulous rooftop terrace is a great place to savour a sunset Lhasa Beer or a 'flaming dakini' (lassi yoghurt, Cointreau and rum set ablaze). Just don't take it all too seriously.