Shinta Mani Mustang has been recognised in the 2026 Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, placing the Nepalese property among the hotels featured in the publication’s “Rest of Asia” selection. The recognition also includes The Dwarika’s Hotel in Kathmandu, making the two properties the Nepali hotels featured in this year’s “Rest of Asia” category. The awards are based on votes from the UK readership of Condé Nast Traveller, with readers drawing on their personal travel experiences to recognise destinations, hotels and travel experiences that have made a lasting impression.
Recognition Based on Readers’ Travel Experiences
Now in its 29th edition, the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards provide a reader-led perspective on the global travel and hospitality industry. The awards highlight properties and experiences that have stood out to travellers through their hospitality, sense of place and overall guest experience.
This year’s recognition comes as travellers increasingly seek experiences connected to local culture, culinary traditions, distinctive hospitality and meaningful interaction with destinations and communities. For Shinta Mani Mustang, the recognition highlights its destination-focused approach to hospitality and its efforts to create an experience that goes beyond conventional accommodation.
Hospitality Rooted in Mustang’s Identity
Located in Mustang, the property has been designed around the character and heritage of the region. Its interiors were created by renowned designer Bill Bensley, incorporating elements inspired by Mustang’s distinctive landscape, traditional architecture and cultural identity. Shinta Mani Mustang positions the destination itself at the centre of the guest experience, offering travellers opportunities to explore Mustang’s landscapes, culture and living traditions.
Namgyal Sherpa, CEO of Sherpa Hospitality Group, said the property’s greatest privilege is introducing guests to Mustang in a way that goes beyond simply visiting a destination. “To be recognised by the readers of Condé Nast Traveller is a wonderful acknowledgement of the people and the experiences that make Shinta Mani Mustang what it is,” Sherpa said. He also highlighted the significance of having two Nepali properties featured in the selection, saying the recognition reflects growing international interest in Nepal as a meaningful travel destination.
Focus on Culture, Wellness and Discovery
The experience at Shinta Mani Mustang is centred on discovery, culture, wellness and connection to place. Guests can participate in curated experiences designed around the region’s landscapes and traditions while exploring Mustang at their own pace. The property follows an all-inclusive approach, allowing experiences to be tailored according to individual interests and preferences.
This approach combines accommodation with opportunities to explore the destination and engage with its cultural and natural environment. Rather than treating the hotel as an isolated luxury property, the hospitality experience is positioned around Mustang itself, with the region’s heritage, communities and landscapes forming an integral part of the stay.
Emphasis on Local Communities
The property’s connection to Mustang also extends beyond the guest experience. Shinta Mani Mustang places emphasis on local employment, partnerships with local suppliers and community participation, with the aim of ensuring that tourism generates benefits for the communities in which the property operates. By working with local people and businesses, the property seeks to integrate tourism more closely with the destination’s economy and social fabric.
Recognition Comes as Nepal Gains International Attention
The latest recognition comes at a time when international travellers are increasingly looking beyond traditional tourism routes for destinations offering distinctive landscapes, cultural experiences, wellness and deeper connections with local communities. For Nepal, such recognition also highlights the growing diversity of its tourism offering beyond established trekking and mountaineering routes.
For Shinta Mani Mustang, the inclusion in the 2026 Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards represents recognition not only for the property but also for the destination it seeks to showcase. By placing Mustang, its people, cultural heritage and landscapes at the centre of its hospitality model, the property is positioning itself as an experience through which international travellers can engage more deeply with one of Nepal’s distinctive tourism regions.
