Dhensa Boutique Resort

Punakha River Lodge, tucked deep in the lush green Punakha Valley and draped on the banks of the Mo Chu river, offers six intimate luxury tents, a one-bedroom suite, and a two-bedroom suite. These are all enveloped by vast expanses of verdant paddy fields and dense clusters of forested hills. Intricately built, the lodge has been created in the traditional Bhutanese architectural style and is in perfect harmony with the surrounding terrain.

The Punakha Six Senses, affectionately known as the Flying Farmhouse sits high on the hillside, the raised building overlooking the valley, pine forests, streams and fluttering prayer flags below. This is a truly beautiful lodge that harnesses a rustic charm, echoing its rural surroundings. The main building of the hotel is built of sandstone, flagstone floors, grey tiled pitched roofs and wooden beams. Inside the contemporary design is simple yet welcoming. Large picture windows bring the outside, inside and the warm tones of the wood panelled walls and wooden furniture give a welcoming feeling. 

Architecturally there are some outstanding features within the lodge, including the elevated restaurant and curved heated swimming pool below, making the lodge standout as somewhere very special. Log burners are situated throughout the property, so although this valley is known for its warm climate, the chill of the night is kept at bay with the roaring of the fires. 

The lodge has 16 suites and 3 large villas, perfect for groups or families. All the rooms have outside terrace areas and the villas come with their own private pool and living spaces.

The communal areas of the lodge include the living room and lounge and the exceptional Ari restaurant that serves up inspired cuisine, influenced by both international and Bhutanese flavours. The restaurant is situated indoors but there’s also an outside dining area where fires burn late into the night so that guests can spend the evenings under the stars. The Six Senses spa and wellness centre is a haven of rejuvenation and relaxation. There are three treatment rooms, a gym, two meditation huts and yoga facilities. The outside heated pool, curved and raised is a wonderful place to relax or enjoy some exercise with stunning views.

The elegant Kunzang Zhing Resort occupies a covetable position in Punakha Valley, standing against a backdrop of misty mountains and blue skies while looking out to atmospheric views of the Puna Tshang Chhu River and its surrounding paddy fields below.

The hotel blends traditional Bhutanese architecture with contemporary modern comforts. Intricately chiselled stone structures adorn the hotel’s exterior, giving way to warm, bright, and modern rooms inside. Each en suite room features flat-screen TVs with satellite channels as well as luxury robes and toiletries.

After a day out exploring the stunning landscapes of Punakha, relax in the on-site bar before enjoying Bhutanese, Continental, Chinese, and Indian delicacies at the KuiZine Restaurant.

Wrapped in lush rice fields and fruit orchards by Mo Chhu River, with views to the seventeenth century Punakha Dzong, is a former traditional Bhutanese farmhouse: the Amankora Punakha hotel.

Intimate and exclusive, this stand-out property provides just eight classically designed suites. Each boasts heaps of space and comfort, plus a traditional wood burning ‘bukhari’ stove for a peek into local life.

Dining, pampering and adventure are all well catered for, from the communal dining room, tea pavilion and alfresco courtyard to the two-story spa and meditation room, to exciting white-water-rafting tours.