How to get there...
By Air
The national carrier of Bhutan is Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines). Drukair fly regularly to Paro, Bhutan's only airport, from Bangkok via India (daily) and from Delhi via Kathmandu (2-3 x per week). No other airlines currently fly into Bhutan so Drukair is your sole air option.
Drukair operates Airbus A319 jets, offering economy and business class seating. These aircraft are extremely well suited for the alpine environment and your descent in to the Paro Valley will be among the highlights of your visit, particularly if you travel from Delhi via Kathmandu and fly parallel with the Himalayas for much of the journey.
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Uma Paro Resort
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The 5 star resort is uniquely located on a pine covered hillside close to Paro, the countries cultural heart. The 29 room Uma Paro is surrounded by orchards, valleys and terraced mountains. It may lie in a hidden Himalayan kingdom, however when it comes to detail guests used to the highest standards of luxury will feel at home. Built by traditionally trained Bhutanese artisans the hotel is infused with clean lined modernism whilst maintaining the feel of a Bhutanese village melding into the Blue Pine forest on the cliffs above. Watch the moon rise and the sun set and be moved by the uplifting sense of quiet.
The retreat facilities include, 4 spa treatment rooms - the treatments offered are Asian inspired holistic therapies, yoga pavilion, steam rooms, hydro pool, hot stone bath house, gym and indoor pool with outdoor sundeck. Business centre with library and internet service and a conference meeting room for 16 people. The restaurant 'Bukhari" is housed in a circular pavilion set among tall pine trees with floor to ceiling windows and a bukhari fireplace at it's centre and serves traditional Bhutanese & Indian cuisine. Guests can also dine beside the pool or at the bar, and for those wishing total privacy in room dining is available.
The Uma Paro's main building formally the home of a Bhutanese nobleman, form the visual focus of the resort. Peach flowering climbing roses decorate to walls. The materials used within the Uma resort include stone wood and tiles, handcrafted using age old techniques combined with Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Camellias and Hydrangeas giving the resort an organic unstructured sensibility. The Bhutanese style is strongly felt in the timbers darkened by smoke from wood fires, and white walls vividly hand painted by local artists.
Rooms & Rates:
All 20 rooms and 9 villas are built to maximize forest, mountains or valley views. The nine deluxe double rooms are 25sq metres, featuring large, oversized bathrooms and separate showers. The nine superior doubles have the same facilities but are larger in size and six also have private balconies with views up the Paro valley. There are two suites both with separate sitting, dining and study areas, while the eight one-bedroom villa's enjoy a private spa and courtyard. The principal two-bedroom villa occupies 300sq metres, with an open fire, rock tub and courtyard.
Guest rooms are decorated with bedcovers in natural Indian cottons and have been handstitched with striped motifs and Bhutanese colours, the handwoven rugs are sourced from nearby Nepal. In room facilities include 25" flat screen TV's, DVD players, an electric personal safe, yoga mats and mini bars.
The retreat facilities include, 4 spa treatment rooms - the treatments offered are Asian inspired holistic therapies, yoga pavilion, steam rooms, hydro pool, hot stone bath house, gym and indoor pool with outdoor sundeck. Business centre with library and internet service and a conference meeting room for 16 people. The restaurant 'Bukhari" is housed in a circular pavilion set among tall pine trees with floor to ceiling windows and a bukhari fireplace at it's centre and serves traditional Bhutanese & Indian cuisine. Guests can also dine beside the pool or at the bar, and for those wishing total privacy in room dining is available.
The Uma Paro's main building formally the home of a Bhutanese nobleman, form the visual focus of the resort. Peach flowering climbing roses decorate to walls. The materials used within the Uma resort include stone wood and tiles, handcrafted using age old techniques combined with Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Camellias and Hydrangeas giving the resort an organic unstructured sensibility. The Bhutanese style is strongly felt in the timbers darkened by smoke from wood fires, and white walls vividly hand painted by local artists.
Rooms & Rates:
All 20 rooms and 9 villas are built to maximize forest, mountains or valley views. The nine deluxe double rooms are 25sq metres, featuring large, oversized bathrooms and separate showers. The nine superior doubles have the same facilities but are larger in size and six also have private balconies with views up the Paro valley. There are two suites both with separate sitting, dining and study areas, while the eight one-bedroom villa's enjoy a private spa and courtyard. The principal two-bedroom villa occupies 300sq metres, with an open fire, rock tub and courtyard.
Guest rooms are decorated with bedcovers in natural Indian cottons and have been handstitched with striped motifs and Bhutanese colours, the handwoven rugs are sourced from nearby Nepal. In room facilities include 25" flat screen TV's, DVD players, an electric personal safe, yoga mats and mini bars.
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Zhiwa Ling Resort
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The first 5 star resort in the Paro Valley to be owned and operated by a Bhutanese enterprise.
The 45-room Zhiwa Ling combines the sensibilities of a fine Bhutanese guesthouse with the best of 21st Century technology. Envisioned and created by a local Bhutanese company, the hotel's elaborate hand-carved wooden cornices and masterful stonework coexist beautifully with cutting-edge telecommunication systems and Swedish under-floor heating.
The spa offers all the amenities of a modern fitness centre – sauna, steam room, gym – as well as a traditional Bhutanese outdoor hot-stone bath. There is a Business Centre, and a Tea House, two fully-equipped conference rooms and a Meditation House. One restaurant specializes in contemporary international cuisine, the other classic Bhutanese dishes. And everyone gathers at the Mad Monk Bar for after-hours fun.
Honouring the spiritual heritage of this ancient Buddhist kingdom, a temple has been built into the second floor of the hotel, made with 450-year-old timbers from the famous Gangtey Monastery, the crowning glory of this new ten-acre cultural landmark in the quiet Paro Valley where Zhiwa Ling fully lives up to its name: Place of Peace.
Rooms & Rates:
From all 45 suites. There are superlative views over the blue pine forests and mountain ranges. All the Juniper suite rooms have private balconies. The Blue Poppy Suite and Takin Suite feature a separate living room and one bedroom. The Royal Raven Suite has separate living room, two bedrooms and an exclusive shrine.
Guest rooms are appointed with oak floors, hand-knotted rugs and rich furnishings reflecting the heritage of the country, and respect the traditional skills of local craftsmen. All rooms feature satellite television, direct dial telephones and wireless internet connectivity. In-room dining, laundry and the Spa add to the experience of living in the place of peace.
The 45-room Zhiwa Ling combines the sensibilities of a fine Bhutanese guesthouse with the best of 21st Century technology. Envisioned and created by a local Bhutanese company, the hotel's elaborate hand-carved wooden cornices and masterful stonework coexist beautifully with cutting-edge telecommunication systems and Swedish under-floor heating.
The spa offers all the amenities of a modern fitness centre – sauna, steam room, gym – as well as a traditional Bhutanese outdoor hot-stone bath. There is a Business Centre, and a Tea House, two fully-equipped conference rooms and a Meditation House. One restaurant specializes in contemporary international cuisine, the other classic Bhutanese dishes. And everyone gathers at the Mad Monk Bar for after-hours fun.
Honouring the spiritual heritage of this ancient Buddhist kingdom, a temple has been built into the second floor of the hotel, made with 450-year-old timbers from the famous Gangtey Monastery, the crowning glory of this new ten-acre cultural landmark in the quiet Paro Valley where Zhiwa Ling fully lives up to its name: Place of Peace.
Rooms & Rates:
From all 45 suites. There are superlative views over the blue pine forests and mountain ranges. All the Juniper suite rooms have private balconies. The Blue Poppy Suite and Takin Suite feature a separate living room and one bedroom. The Royal Raven Suite has separate living room, two bedrooms and an exclusive shrine.
Guest rooms are appointed with oak floors, hand-knotted rugs and rich furnishings reflecting the heritage of the country, and respect the traditional skills of local craftsmen. All rooms feature satellite television, direct dial telephones and wireless internet connectivity. In-room dining, laundry and the Spa add to the experience of living in the place of peace.
