The Postcard Hotel is preparing to enter Nepal with the opening of The Postcard on the Rapti River, Chitwan, scheduled for November 2026. Located along a scenic bend of the Rapti River, the luxury retreat offers uninterrupted views of the surrounding forests and hills. The 22-room-and-suite property sits adjacent to the buffer zone of Chitwan National Park, one of South Asia’s most prominent wildlife destinations. The launch will mark the brand’s entry into its fourth country, following its presence in India, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.
Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, Chitwan National Park preserves one of Nepal’s last remaining natural landscapes in the Terai region. Its expansive grasslands, dense sal forests, and river ecosystems support diverse wildlife, including the greater one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, leopards, sloth bears, and endangered gharials.
According to Nepal’s 2021 national rhino census, Chitwan and its surrounding areas were home to 694 rhinoceroses, making the region the country’s most important habitat for the species. Furthermore, with more than 525 recorded bird species, the destination attracts birdwatchers from across the region.
The Postcard on the Rapti River aims to integrate the surrounding wilderness into the overall guest experience. Its 22 spacious rooms and suites start at 1,300 sq. ft. and feature private sit-outs overlooking the river or forest. Guests may also spot rhinoceroses and crocodiles along the riverbanks, while sightings of Bengal tigers and sloth bears offer the possibility of more exceptional wildlife encounters. On fortunate occasions, visitors may even observe wildlife from the privacy of their rooms.
The property also features a 5,000 sq. ft. Presidential Suite with two bedrooms, offering additional privacy and a private swimming pool. Guests enter through a Temple Court designed around a stupa, reflecting the hotel’s architectural connection with its surroundings.
The hotel’s dining and recreational offerings also draw inspiration from the destination. Tree Tops, an indoor-outdoor restaurant and bar, sits on an elevated deck overlooking the forest. It also offers The Postcard’s signature anytime breakfast, allowing guests to choose their preferred dining schedule.
Meanwhile, Tribal Circle provides an open-air dining experience where guests can gather around a bonfire for barbecues inspired by the culinary traditions of the indigenous Tharu community. Additional facilities include a swimming pool, spa treatment rooms, a steam room, and a sauna. An elevated viewing deck beside the pool also provides panoramic views of the wilderness and opportunities to observe wildlife.
Beyond the property, guests can explore Chitwan through naturalist-guided jeep safaris, forest walks, canoe excursions along the Rapti River, and birdwatching activities. Moreover, visits to nearby Tharu villages will introduce visitors to the region’s cultural heritage and the communities that have shared its forests and rivers for generations.
Despite its wilderness setting, the property offers convenient connectivity. Bharatpur Airport is approximately 25 minutes away by air from Kathmandu, followed by a 40-minute road journey to the hotel.
Commenting on the launch, Kapil Chopra, Founder and CEO, The Postcard Hotel, said, “At The Postcard, we have always believed that some of the world’s most remarkable destinations are those that remain beyond the usual travel map. Our ambition is to bring these places to life through hotels that are deeply rooted in their surroundings while allowing the destination itself to take centre stage.”
“What drew us to The Postcard on the Rapti River was the conviction Savanna and her father, Suraj, brought to the project. Their desire to showcase Nepal beyond its mountains and to create something that respects the landscape, its wildlife, and its people resonated deeply with our own philosophy. This is precisely the kind of destination we want to introduce to the world — one that offers not just a beautiful place to stay, but a meaningful connection with a part of the world that deserves to be discovered,” Chopra mentions.
Savanna Vaidya Basnyat, Owner of The Postcard on the Rapti River, said, “When people think of Nepal, they often think of our mountains. But Nepal has another extraordinary world in its Terai — its forests, rivers, wildlife, and people. Chitwan is one of the most precious parts of that world, and sharing its beauty with the world is something I feel deeply passionate about,” said Savanna Vaidya Basnyat, Owner of The Postcard on the Rapti River.
“My father, Suraj, and I have spent years bringing The Postcard on the Rapti River to life. From the moment we discovered this beautiful bend in the river, overlooking the forest and the hills beyond, we knew we had found something truly special. We wanted to create a place that belonged to its surroundings, rather than one that simply occupied the landscape. My father has been central to bringing this vision to life, and building something so meaningful together has been an incredibly special journey. For me, this project is about more than hospitality. It is about conservation tourism and finding a way for tourism and nature to coexist in harmony.
The Postcard shared our belief that extraordinary destinations deserve to be experienced in a way that remains true to their spirit. This hotel is deeply personal to me, born from our love for Nepal and our desire to share its extraordinary natural heritage with the world. I hope it inspires people to discover the beauty of the Terai, experience the magic of Chitwan, and recognise that the true value of these landscapes lies not in how many people visit them, but in how well we protect them for generations to come,” mentions Savanna.
The Nepal expansion follows a significant year for The Postcard Hotel. In September 2026, the brand secured 12 honours at the World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony in the Maldives, earning more awards than any other hotel brand in Asia that year. The recognition included the title of Asia’s Leading Boutique Hotel Brand for another consecutive year.
The Postcard on the Rapti River will join The Postcard Gir Wildlife Sanctuary as part of the brand’s expanding portfolio of wildlife-focused destinations. Additionally, the company has planned future hotel developments in Jawai, Kanha, and Pench, further strengthening its presence across some of the Indian subcontinent’s most distinctive natural landscapes.
The Postcard on the Rapti River will offer an immersive luxury wildlife hospitality experience, with rates starting at INR 85,000 per suite. The pricing includes the brand’s signature Anytime Breakfast and Anytime Check-In & Check-Out.
