Five-Star Hilton Kathmandu Hotel Damaged Amid Nepal Anti-Corruption Protests
by Daniel McCarthy
Skyline of Kathmandu. Photo: Shutterstock.com
The five-star Hilton Kathmandu in Nepal’s capital was left a charred mess on Wednesday after it was set on fire amid anti-corruption protests in Kathmandu.
The hotel was one of several buildings burned in Nepal on Wednesday—others included government buildings, the country’s Parliament, and the Prime Minister’s residence—and was reportedly targeted by demonstrators due to its ownership by a leader of the ruling party, the subject of the demonstrations.
#WATCH | Nepal: Hilton Hotel in Kathmandu all charred after it was set on fire during the recent anti-corruption protest. pic.twitter.com/N7AuwVj5Td
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2025
The 172-room hotel opened in 2024 as the tallest hotel in Kathmandu. It was Hilton’s first foray into Nepal, built four kilometers from the country’s Tribhuvan International Airport and not far from major tourist areas like Thamel and Durbar Marg.
TMR has reached out to Hilton for comment, but videos from the scene showed the hotel’s windows blown out and the building torched. The city had been the subject of a growing luxury hotel scene—aside from Hilton, Marriott just recently opened the Soaltee Kathmandu, Autograph Collection, in the city, the first property under the brand in the region and Marriott’s 19th brand in South Asia.
The demonstrations are part of a growing wave of public discontent over the alleged corruption and mismanagement of public funds. Protesters have targeted symbols of government and power. The country’s army has been deployed to try and calm the protests, and government ministers have been evacuated.
Tribhuvan International Airport had been shut down for 24 hours amid the unrest but reopened on Sept. 10. All flights on Sept. 9 had been suspended. Some airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, have canceled flights through at least Sept. 10.
Passengers are still being told to confirm their flights before heading to the airport, and the Nepal Army is still providing security in the area.
