Kathmandu’s tallest hotel, the Hilton, has been reduced to a shell after violent protests swept through Nepal’s capital earlier this week. The five-star luxury property, located in Naxal and inaugurated in July 2024, was set ablaze by demonstrators on Tuesday and continued to burn for nearly two days. Drone footage captured thick plumes of smoke rising from the charred structure, once considered a landmark of Nepal’s booming hospitality industry. The Hilton had been built with an investment of nearly ₹8 billion and offered 172 luxury rooms, but today it stands as a grim symbol of the unrest.

The wave of protests began after the Nepal government’s announcement of a ban on 26 social media platforms, including Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube. Although the decision was quickly revoked, the demonstrations had already escalated into full-blown violence under the banner of “Gen Z protesters.” Over the course of the clashes, at least 31 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured. Several prominent buildings were targeted, including the federal Parliament, the residence of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and the Hilton hotel, which was regarded as a jewel of Kathmandu’s tourism landscape.

Before its destruction, the Hilton was seen as a modern icon for Nepal, boasting features such as a glass façade with Himalayan views, a rooftop bar, spa, EV charging stations, and world-class amenities designed to attract global travelers. It had been hailed as a milestone in Nepal’s hospitality growth, especially given its proximity to Tribhuvan International Airport and historic attractions like Durbar Square and Pashupatinath Temple. With its sudden downfall, Nepal’s tourism industry faces a severe setback, and the Hilton—once a beacon of investment and global prestige—now lies in ruins, a casualty of the ongoing unrest.