Hilton Kathmandu Remains in Ruins After Gen Z Protest

Once a busy route linking Naxal Bhagwati Temple with Bhat-Bhateni, the Thirbam Road corridor now stands eerily quiet. The usually congested stretch, frequently used by VIPs traveling between Baluwatar and Singha Durbar, fell silent after protesters set fire to the Hilton Kathmandu on September 9 during violent unrest that followed a government crackdown on Gen Z demonstrations.

The 16-story, 175-room hotel—Nepal’s tallest glass-clad property—had been in operation barely a year since its mid-2024 inauguration when an angry crowd attacked it. While nearby residences and shops remain largely intact, the adjacent Hotel Crown Plaza suffered broken windows, burnt rooms, and destroyed vehicles as rioters entered from multiple sides.

On Monday, security guards and a few staff members from the hotel’s owner, Shanker Group and its hospitality arm Jagdamba, were present as crews began draping green mesh around the shattered structure to protect pedestrians. Ten workers climbed the roof to install the covering, a process expected to take several days. The footpath opposite the hotel is still open, drawing onlookers who stop to photograph the wreckage, though vehicle traffic has been barred since Sunday afternoon.

Glass panels blackened or weakened by the blaze continue to drop onto the street. Firefighters from Kathmandu Metropolitan City and Nepal Police struggled for nearly two days before bringing the flames under full control by last Thursday afternoon. Hilton regional officials are expected to inspect the site soon to decide on rebuilding plans.

A hotel security guard recalled no warning before the attack. “We were on routine duty when the crowd surged from the Bhagwati Temple side,” he said. Staff used the public-address system to alert guests as flames consumed the main entrance, evacuating 25 to 30 people through a rear emergency exit. Rumors of helicopter rescues proved false.

From Symbol of Luxury to Charred Landmark
The fire scorched the hotel’s signature façade and destroyed much of the interior, including at least eight cars and several motorbikes in the parking area. Guests’ luggage remains inside, and access is restricted. The blaze also singed the ornamental rubber tree at the entrance, once known for leaves glowing pink under the hotel’s lights.

Hilton Kathmandu marked Shanker Group’s entry into Nepal’s hospitality sector through its subsidiary -- Jagdamba Hospitality. The conglomerate, with interests in cement, automobiles, steel, hydropower, FMCG, agriculture, sports, and insurance, had brought the Hilton brand to the country as a flagship venture. Barely thirteen months after its inauguration by former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, the hotel’s operations have been fully suspended while officials assess the extent of the damage and the path to recovery.