Bandipur, Nepal

Clinging to the hillside above this most picturesque of Newari villages in central Nepal, the Bandipur Mountain Lodge is a small, mid-scale hotel offering a dozen simply furnished rooms, all of them boasting stupendous views.

Reclined on your balcony, you can admire an awesome sweep of Himalayan peaks, ranging from Langtang in the east to Dhaulagiri in the west. The fixtures and furnishings may be a bit more worn than is usual for Europe, but the welcome is warm and location perfect for leisurely ambles in the surrounding hills.