Ok, you will survive. But there are better options for this pricerange. Linnen was not completely spotless (stains), floors in rooms could do with a makeover, bathroom was not comfortable: no hot shower (only a cold shower and one warm tap). You will slide though the shower for at least one day, beacause shower-water runs all over the floor (use sink with shoes on). Staff is very friendly, can't complain. Beds are similar to rocks. Did not have much sleep. Advantage is you won't oversleep and have lots of time to look at the temples in town. And you will be happy to get out of youre bed.

This is an overpriced, badly managed hotel. You pay for internet in the room, but you don't get it, except intermittently and even then the connection speed is pathetic. They blame it on the ISP, but the internet café 20 metres down the street has no problems whatsoever.
You would think that US$40 per night would include electricity round-the-clock. But it doesn't. They only switch the generator on if you beg them to, and they act like they are doing you a big favor.
They don't know what clean is. Everything is full of dust and grit. The elevator breaks down or stops short of the floor you want. The maid left my room unlocked after cleaning it, so it was open to theft all day. If you complain, the manager and the reception staff become rude, verbally aggressive and insulting.
The room rate doesn’t include breakfast, but it does include blaring loud music from the huge discotheque next door. It’s guaranteed to keep you awake until the wee hours.
On top of all that, when I checked out they stung me for using MasterCard, claiming that the Finance Ministry obliges them to convert the dollar rate into local currency. They choose to use the worst possible exchange rate.
Overall, this is the most unpleasant hotel experience I have had during 20 years of living in and travelling around Asia. The Excelsior is appalling value for money. Don't let them put you through what they put me through.

I actually stayed in the Excelsior two times, before and after a 19 day trek.
The hotel is ideally located in the heart of Thamel, convenient to shopping, eating, transportation and tourist attractions.
The staff was outstanding. They allowed me to store my excess luggage while on the trek and saved my room for my return. They followed up promptly on my emails and met me at the airport on arrival.
For less than $50 dollars/day, I consider the Excelsior an excellent value.

I come in Excelsior once a year since last 17 years.
Came here alone, with friends and with my groups as tourleader.
Hotel is in the middle of Thamel, in a small street in front of KC´s restaurant and at the side of bakery Pumpernicle.
Owner Kunsang Dorje Lama is realy reliable and is very helpfull for his customers. His whife has a nice juwelery shop on the ground floor.
The staff is also very helpfull and friendly. You can ask them to organise trips, trekkings, air- or bustickets etcetera.
Rooms are good with TV, AC and attached bathroom. In the morning and in the evening hot water from the geaser and in daytime from the solarpannel system. Excelsior is taking care of its own watersupply and has a big genereator to cope with the daily powercuts in Kathmandu. So the elevator is always working as well as the TV and AC.
The regular guests in Excelsior for years and years proves the value of this hotel. Once a guest, always a guest whenever you"ll be back in KTM.