Nepal’s Shinta Mani Mustang Crowned World’s No. 1 Luxury Hotel by Robb Report
28 Jul 2026 3 min to read
Featured image: Shinta Mani Mustang against the Nilgiri mountain range. (Photo: Nepal Tourism Board)
Nepal’s luxury tourism sector is set to witness a significant boom after the high-end resort hotel in the remote Kali Gandaki Valley, Shinta Mani Mustang, made it to the first position in the “50 Greatest Luxury Hotels on Earth 2026”, released recently by Robb Report.
The list of the best luxury accommodations, created annually by the magazine’s 24 expert travel advisors, the Travel Masters, is widely regarded as a benchmark for excellence in high-end hospitality. The Mustang facility has overtaken some of the most exceptionally luxurious hotels around the world, including Rwanda’s Singita Kwitonda (ranked 2nd), Scotland’s Hope Lodge (3rd), and Japan’s Park Hyatt Tokyo (4th).
Designed by a Master, Rooted in Culture
Designed by renowned architect Bill Bensley, Shinta Mani Mustang opened its doors in August 2023 and has since received a steady stream of positive reviews. According to Robb Report, the venue was “another of maximalist designer Bill Bensley’s masterful far-flung palaces of fantasy… breathtaking views in the ultimate retreat for the body, mind and spirit.”
The lodge is constructed from local Baglung stone and arranged so that all rooms have spectacular views of Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri peaks. It offers more than just luxury accommodation. It gives multiple activity options to the guests to immerse in Mustang’s unique culture through horseback riding, archery, and treks through terrain the magazine described as “a landscape so dramatic it barely feels real”. Other options include exploring the 800-year-old Bon Buddhist village of Lubra and getting consultations from an on-site Amchi (Tibetan doctor).
A Defining Moment for Nepal
Namgyal Sherpa, CEO of Sherpa Hospitality Group, called the recognition a milestone not just for the hotel but for the country.
“This recognition is about far more than one hotel,” he said. “For many years, our vision has been to reaffirm Nepal’s place among the world’s leading luxury destinations, not by changing who we are, but by celebrating what makes Nepal truly exceptional. Our culture, our landscapes, our people and our heritage are our greatest assets”.
The Nepal Tourism Board also hailed the award as a recognition of Nepal’s mountains, and a sign that Nepal’s hospitality industry can rival the best international names in the field. The award is seen as an opportunity for Nepal to develop as a destination for world-class luxury & wellness, as well as its traditional adventure tourism offerings.
Source: Based on reporting by The Kathmandu Post and The Himalayan Times.
Updated On: 28 Jul 2026
