Visiting Bhutan is a unique experience; it’s a country unlike any other and travelling here means doing things a little differently. One of the admirable ways Bhutan protects its carbon negative landscape is through careful tourism controls that limit numbers and hotel development, and it’s often the case that essential-standard hotels are allotted just a couple of months before travel. Details differ between hotels, but many are family owned and run, and you can expect a warm and friendly welcome.
Guest rooms vary from cosy twins to spacious rooms with seating areas. Some properties adopt contemporary style, while others are decorated with traditional fabrics and hand-painted murals. In the restaurants, you’re guaranteed a hearty meal of Bhutanese favourites such as red rice, curries and soups with plenty of spice, alongside classic international dishes incorporating fresh local ingredients.
Simple, welcoming guesthouses and hotels in convenient locations throughout Bhutan. Each hotel is well-placed for exploring surrounding highlights, with basic, comfortable facilities throughout.
Homely aesthetic
Simple facilities
Traditional herbal treatments
Local cuisine
Traditional, welcoming and cosy - just what we needed after a long flight.
Discover what to expect from staying at Bhutan First Class Hotels
Paro’s simplest hotels offer a comfortable and welcoming introduction to Bhutan. If you’re flying into Paro, a stay at one of these hotels is ideal for catching your breath and exploring some of the region's iconic sights, including the famed Tiger’s Nest monastery and Rinpung Dzong. Wooden floors and walls create a cosy, log cabin look, and colourful wall motifs, hand-painted against soft, neutral backgrounds, make the spaces feel individual and homely.
Thimphu’s essential hotels range from stately buildings with grand interiors to more modest suburban affairs with echoes of Dzong architecture, all within easy reach of Thimphu’s many sights. Some hotels have onsite spa facilities where you can enjoy a traditional herbal treatment or massage – perfect for unwinding after a busy day – or a small gym where you can work up an appetite. After dinner, relax with a local beer or head out for the evening to experience Thimphu’s nightlife.
Dotted throughout the picturesque Punakha valley, these hotels offer simple accommodation gently set into the picturesque hillside. Each of these properties is a modest, cosy haven where you can rest between explorations of the surrounding area including the famous Punakha Dzong. Making the most of the stunning location is a top priority; many rooms offer private terraces where you can sit and take in the scenery, while others simply bring the view indoors through wide expanses of glass.
Scattered in remote locations throughout the Phobjikha Valley, a selection of traditional hotels provides modest accommodation. Often constructed from traditional wood, stone and compacted earth, these hotels can feel strongly connected to the landscape. They can also be pretty remote, and the electricity supply is sometimes limited, so be prepared for some ‘off-grid’ time during your stay. Wherever possible, maximum effort is made to highlight the views across the surrounding valley.
Sheltered by richly-forested hills in historic Bumthang is a selection of hotels with a warm, homely ambiance. Peppered through the landscape, these simple, low-key properties have an informal edge which feels relaxed and welcoming. The interiors are frequently wood-panelled and decorated in a fashion that has the feel of a homestay. Specialities of the Bumthang region, including putta (buckwheat noodles) and khuli (buckwheat pancakes) often feature on the menus, and are a must try.
Tourism in Bhutan is sustainability-focused on a country-wide level, and they run on a principle of ‘high-value, low-impact’ which ensures that overtourism will never be an issue. It’s mandated in law that 60% of the country be protected forest, there's an emphasis on hydroelectric power and it’s one of the world’s most biodiverse countries. Within that landscape, each hotel plays its small part, and a stay in Bhutan is guaranteed to be one of the most sustainable you’ll ever have.