Hotel Vara

We spent time chatting with the owner around the campfire, and his life stories kept us there for ages. He was humble, knowledgeable and friendly, and other guests joined in, too. We ended up sharing stories and making good friends. When we asked about stargazing, he showed us where the night sky was least obstructed by light. We stayed out until the cold sent us back inside. The room Wi-Fi had some issues, but they mattered little after those lovely moments outdoors. The setting is wonderful, with a garden full of plants and trees that brings in different birds in the morning. From the property, you can look over the valley and watch the hills emerge through the fog and clouds on early mornings. It felt heavenly. The walls display paintings and pictures about Bhutanese culture and history, and there’s a small area selling local shawls, jewellery and Bhutanese dresses. Our room was very spacious and well kept, though clearly old. It had a large balcony with room for five or six people to sit together. The wood floor was warm enough to walk on barefoot, which was welcome in the cold, and there was a room heater. The complimentary items seemed eco-friendly. I did think the bathroom could be a little better. All the food was vegetarian, and very tasty. There were a few Bhutanese dishes, with Indian food making up most of the menu. The dining room was clean, hygienic and cosy. This was a magical stay, and I’d recommend it to anyone travelling to Punakha.

The balcony looked out toward the mountains and the flowing river. We watched the sunrise, heard birds, and saw clouds and rain. It felt heavenly. We only stayed one day, but I’d suggest spending at least two or three days here for a peaceful break. Thanks so much 😊

We eat vegetarian food, and luckily the other guests weren’t very interested in non-vegetarian dishes, so the hotel prepared food to suit us. The location is lovely, with a river nearby, farms and hills behind them. The building is beautifully put together and decorated with thoughtfully chosen items. There’s a small garden and enough parking, and the property sits right by the road. Rooms and bathrooms were clean, well maintained and a good size. It’s hard to find anything negative to say.

The views and location are great, and we had a really good stay. The staff were amazing and the food was great. The rooms could use better lighting and a bit of improvement in quality.