Luxury Comes to Bhutan: New Luxury Hotels in Bhutan Now Welcomes Guests

Sandwiched between India and China, and situated right in the Himalayas, Bhutan’s charm comes from its lasting culture. It is, after all, the last Mahayana Buddhist kingdom in the region, and there, the philosophy and customs of centuries old religions continue to thrive.

In a nutshell, the whole place will make you feel like you’ve gone back in time to another age altogether. Buildings are still in old-fashioned architectural styles, and the shops and stores are all authentic Bhutanese. Here, the proud people of Bhutan still wear the traditional gho and kira robes; these aren’t just stored away in exhibits like in many other Asian countries.

So if you are looking for someplace new, someplace rare, and someplace serene, then Bhutan is the perfect place to visit.

But where should you stay? Well, for the moment, only two luxury hotels have cropped up to take advantage of Bhutan’s fast-growing tourism.

Amankora

Amankora has opened five luxury hotels in Bhutan, with the most recent located in Bumthang. The Bumthang hotel is very close to nature, offering views of an apple orchard, and pays homage to history, offering a view of the oldest palace in the kingdom called the Wangdicholng Palace. The Bumthang hotel has 16 suites with a native bukhari (wood-burning stove) and expansive biking and hiking trails.

The hotel in Thimpu is the most popular since it is located in Bhutan’s capital city. With a grandiose architecture that brings ancient Bhutanese temples to life, the hotel offers an idyllic experience. Where else can you find white-washed stone buildings that open to a beautiful courtyard and house terrazzo bathrooms with soaking tubs and spacious sleeping areas. A must-try is the traditional hot stone baths the hotel offers, although you would have to book ahead for it.

The most remote hotel is the one in Gangtey, which is located in the Phobjikha Valley near a 16th century monastery. The Gangtey hotel has only eight luxury suites, each one boasting of elegant wood paneling and floor to ceiling windows. Hot stone baths, a spa, and treatment rooms are available. Among all the hotels, the Gangtey is the only one without Internet connection. If you really want a secluded trip to Bhutan, then this is the best hotel for you.

The Amankora Paro hotel is located in the outskirts of the main town. Here you will enjoy majestic views of the snow-capped mountains of Bhutan. The Paro hotel has 24 suites with a more contemporary look. Here you will find a two-level spa complete with glass sauna and yoga rooms.

The last hotel is in Punakha. To get there, you would have to cross a suspension bridge along the Mo Chu River. The eight suites, which offer views of Punakha Valley, go around a Bhutanese farmhouse, which houses the dining room and a tea pavilion where guests can get refreshments. The Punakha hotel has a spa as well, which has a steam room and a meditation area.

Taj Tashi

Aside from the Amankora group of hotels in Bhutan, another luxury hotel has arrived in Bhutan recently. This is the Taj Tashi, which is situated in the kingdom’s Thimphu Valley. The most interesting thing about the Taj Tashi is how it seamlessly blends together the traditional Dzong architecture of Bhutan with modern design. Perhaps all the hand-drawn Buddhist artwork has something to do with this.

Larger than the Amankora hotels, the Taj Tashi has 52 deluxe rooms, 5 luxury rooms, 3 suites, 2 duplex suites, and 4 luxury suites. There is an in-house restaurant that serves authentic Bhutanese cuisine, as well as a tea lounge, a treatment suite offering Indian treatments, a fitness center, and a heated indoor pool.

Now that these luxury hotels have come to Bhutan, this charming little kingdom in Asia now welcomes luxuriant guests.