Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu
Often described as a "living museum," this family-run five-star hotel has become a savior of Newari crafts and architecture, dating back to the ancient Malla dynasty (1201-1769), as the Kathmandu valley tears down old buildings in its hurry to modernize.
Today, Dwarika's Hotel claims to boast the world's largest private collection of wooden carvings. The hotel's mission has become newly important since the earthquake, which destroyed countless Newari temples and artworks.
Address: 459 Battisputali, Kathmandu, Nepal
Swotha Traditional Homes, Patan
The old Newari-style homes on the fringes of Patan's Durbar Square are being rapidly replaced by new buildings. In 2011, a group of architect friends founded Swotha Traditional Homes, preserving a 70-year-old traditional building by turning it into a heritage hotel.
Address: Patan 44600, Nepal
The Pavilions Himalaya, Pokhara
This stylish five-star eco resort was opened in November 2015 by Dutch-Scotsman Douglas Maclagan -- who has spent the past 25 years working on social projects in Nepal -- on land once attached to his farmhouse in Pokhara.
The hotel also has an organic farm -- home to buffaloes, goats, chicken and sometimes boars, as well as vegetable patches -- which supplies the hotel restaurant. The majority of employees are from the local village, and 70% of the hotel's profits will fund projects for disadvantaged children.
Address: Ward No. 25, Chisapani, Pokhara 33700, Nepal
Barahi Jungle Lodge, Chitwan
In 2009, the Nepalese government controversially ordered all resorts operating within Chitwan National Park -- home to one of the world's largest Bengal tiger populations, and rare rhinoceros -- to exit the park to assist wildlife conservation efforts. In 2015 it was rated by the Travel Operators for Tigers as "outstanding" in sustainability.
The resort doesn't serve drinking water in plastic bottles, runs outreach programs with the local Tharu tribe and has planted 5,500 indigenous plants, including seasonal fruits which guests are encouraged to pluck and eat.
None of this has come at the expense of luxury.
All 18 huts in the resort's 13 hectares of pristine forest have a view of the Rapti River and national park, as well as a private balcony and access to the biggest swimming pool in Chitwan.
Address: Megauli, 97761, Nepal
Heritage Hotel, Bhaktapur
The vision of owner Prakas Mohan Dhaubhadel, nearly all furniture in this hotel is a salvaged antique -- the 75-year-old carved window frames were pulled from a bonfire while the 400-year-old stone flooring was rescued from the rubble of a destroyed royal palace. The hotel also pays scouts to lookout for discarded antiques.
Address: Bhaktapur Rd, Bhaktapur 21164, Nepal