Bhutan has announced the opening of three new luxury hotels: Zhiwa Ling Heritage, Pemako Punakha and &Beyond Punakha River Lodge.
Zhiwa Ling Heritage is located in Paro Valley, a 15-minute drive from Bhutan’s international airport. The hotel offers 45 suites, an indoor pool, spa, outdoor hot stone bath and a meditation house with a view of Tiger’s Nest. Traditional in design but modern in comfort, the hotel is all about relaxation in the outdoor spaces, cozying around the fireplace in the bar, or enjoying a meal in one of the restaurants. The hotel also houses a Buddhist shrine built of restored timber from a 450-year-old monastery.
Pemako Punakha is nestled in the Punakha Valley near the Punakha Dzong (Palace of Happiness). Situated by the Mo Chhu River, the hotel spans 30 acres and has 21 tented pool villas. Guests can dine at four outlets and intimate picnic venues. The Chef’s Table weaves seasonal Himalayan flavors with selections from local farmers. The spa is rooted in Sowa Rigpa, the ancient Bhutanese art of healing. Every guest is paired with a dedicated guide/butler. As guests embark on a transformative journey, Buddhist monks and resident scholars inspire introspection and balance.
(Photo courtesy of Department of Tourism – Bhutan)
&Beyond Punakha River Lodge is the brand’s first property outside of Africa and South America. Located on the shores of the Mo Chhu River, its architecture combines traditional Bhutanese influences with the signature hospitality of the &Beyond brand. It has opened with six intimate luxury tents, a one-bedroom suite, and a two-bedroom family suite, surrounded by paddy fields and verdant hills. The spa’s location in an orange orchard is ideal for yoga, massage and a dip in the hot stone bath. The locally inspired cuisine presents a farm-to-fork concept, combining Bhutanese, Indian and European flavors. Drinks can be savored at sundown on a suspension bridge lined with prayer flags.
These new five-star hotels add to Bhutan’s luxury hospitality landscape, which also includes Aman, Six Senses, Como, Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, Gangtey Lodge, Pemako Thimphu, Le Meridien and Dusit.
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