Tourist accommodation in Bhutan is generally comfortable and characterful but can be fairly basic, especially as you travel further east. Most hotels in the main tourist destinations are of three star standard and have rooms with private bathrooms, hot water (at least at some stage during the day), telephone and electricity. Plumbing is not always up to the standard you may be used to and the standard level hotels don’t have central heating. Heaters of some sort will generally be provided, but you may find yourself making good use of thermal underwear and thick socks!
When deciding on the accommodation to include in your trip, broadly speaking there are three options: standard hotels, luxury hotels and standard hotels with upgrades. Please ask for details of the options available depending on your budget.
If you would like a luxury experience you could treat yourself to a stay at one of the 5-star establishments. These are Uma Paro and Hotel Zhiwaling (in Paro), Taj Tashi in Thimphu, Uma Punakha in Punakha, Gangtey Lodge in Gangtey and Amankora (in Paro, Punakha, Thimphu and Gangtey and Bumthang). Other than Zhiwaling these are overseas owned and they are the result of a recent decision to allow limited foreign investment in Bhutan. All offer something quite different from any local accommodation – but be prepared to pay for the privilege! If you are interested in sampling the delights of these hotels let us know and we can arrange it for you.
At the other end of the spectrum Purely Bhutan can arrange for you to spend a night in a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse. The facilities are very basic and often it will be just a mattress on the floor and the farmhouse may not have an internal bathroom. This is not for everyone, but some of our clients find it an interesting experience and it will give you the opportunity to get an insight into traditional village life and try locally cooked food. Ask us if you want to include this in your itinerary.
