You might know Gokarna Forest Resort as a beautiful 100-room hotel situated within a forest and having its own golf course. Somewhere at the end of a dusty road, passing Boudha Stupa on the way. What you might not know is the Gokarna Protected Forest has been preserved as a kings’ hunting ground for around 500 years. Still home to monkeys and deer, the forest has ancient trees which go back even further than that. Some of these trees appeared (as on location around ancient Lumbini) in Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1994 film Little Buddha, with scenes of Siddhartha’s childhood. And it’s this forest that has always been the appeal for guests, even before there was a resort.

 

The 6,755 yard par 72 golf course, designed by Gleneagles Golf Developments, Scotland (noteworthy!) was officially opened in 1999. Long before there was a hotel, golfers were attracted to this international standard course.

I first visited Gokarna in 2002 when Jazzmandu held an event in what is now the main courtyard, in those days a grassy area between the trees and the half constructed hotel. Accommodation at that time was provided in what they now term ‘the cottages’ but is actually a two storey building situated a little away from today’s main hotel. Next to it was the Hunters Lodge, once an actual lodge for hunters, but in those early days, the hotel reception and restaurant. Next came the fabulous swimming pool and spa in 2003. Followed by the opening of the main wing of the hotel in 2005.

I know these things, not because I have a great memory, but because while visiting the resort recently I realized there were only two or three familiar faces left. One being Deepak Acharya, Gokarna’s golf pro. He has been overseeing the running of the golf club since its conception and remains one of Nepal’s foremost golfers. And has the memory of an elephant! He went on to explain to me that the current owner, Yeti World Nepal, (aka Yeti Airlines) only took over the lease of the resort in 2010.

Another ‘old timer’ of 20 years, Janak Ghimire, Outlet Manager, and I sat overlooking the golf course to reminisce about the time before Yeti owned the property. I had completely forgotten the hotel was once part of the Le Meridien Group. But I do remember when it was part of the Starwood Group as I was the ‘secret guest’ then. By complete chance I was asked to become someone who would appear to be just another guest to the staff but who in fact was reporting back on their efficiency, friendliness, and making recommendations as to what could be improved in the facilities and service. That was a job I loved! Meantime, Ghimire was always a friendly face, based mainly in the Golf Club, my favorite location then, and now.

Over time there has been many changes at Gokarna. The 2015 earthquake took the Hunters Lodge; the hotel grew from its original 16 to 100 rooms, losing some of its feeling of a getaway resort, and sadly, the grass in the main courtyard has been replaced with paving stones, and access to those ‘famous’ trees has been somewhat blocked off. But many things remain constant. The swimming pool and spa is still an oasis (never busy during the week); the forest, deer, and extremely cheeky monkeys remain the same. Having a whole, untouched piece of chocolate cake swiped by an agile primate is a reality!

For those looking for a short break not far from the city, or for those who enjoy golf, Gokarna cannot be recommended highly enough. Yes, it has become more service oriented and less ‘rustic’ over the years, but there are still a few smiling faces like those of Janak Ghimire and Deepak Acharya to remind you of simpler times.