The Terraces Resort and Spa

Roofs here hold shallow pools of water, mirroring the sky and the Himalayan range beyond. The Terraces Resort & Spa is a low, stone-toned building set into a hillside above Kathmandu, its form modelled on the dzong, the fortress monasteries of the old Himalayan kingdoms. It took shape slowly: the site was bought in 1994 above a village then reachable without road or power, briefly ran as a tented camp through years of political unrest, and only opened as a resort in 2012. Architect Tim Linkins dug the foundations by hand to spare the existing trees, so the gardens read as native rather than planted. Forty-six suites, including two Terraces Suites, open onto private balconies with floor-to-ceiling glass; wood panelling and freestanding furniture, some from the founder's own home, keep the interiors warm rather than stark. The Presidential Suite adds an outdoor jacuzzi and a bathtub framed by forest mist. You can watch Bhaktapur's lit rooftops from the terrace after dark, with Kathmandu and Patan spread further off. Grounds run to 100 acres of private forest, home to more than 300 recorded bird species. An infinity pool overlooks the valley, and a yoga pavilion, gym, sauna and spa sit within walking distance of the rooms. Two restaurants and a helipad complete the property.