Zhingkham Resort

The staff were the best part of our stay, warm and humble, and always greeting us with real smiles despite all the stair climbing they had to do. The stairs were a workout for us too, since the resort is built into a steep hill and we went up and down often to reach our room and the restaurant. From our balcony, the view of Punakha Dzong and the winding river was pure magic. We wanted to sit with tea and watch the valley for hours. The rooms have a lovely rustic Bhutanese feel with all the woodwork, though they’re a bit aged. Lighting was dim, cozy but sometimes hard to see by. Brighter lamps and a bit of a modern update would help, but the view and kind staff made this a memorable stay.

The staff were polite, friendly, and welcoming, always smiling and making sure guests were happy. We visited in August, during the off season, so the hotel wasn’t very occupied. The restaurant has plenty of seating, and meals came quickly, hot and fresh, from a menu decided in advance. The hotel is built in steps on a hill, so you need to climb stairs to reach the rooms. If stairs are difficult for you, you may want to look elsewhere. If you’re fit, though, the views of the valley and iconic Punakha Dzong make it a great choice. As far as I could tell, all rooms have balconies facing the valley, and I’d suggest choosing an upper floor for a better view. Our room was a comfortable size, cozy, and had a fan, AC, and heater. The bathroom was clean, and supplies included towels, bath gel, shampoo, hand soap, moisturiser, and a shower cap. There was no dental, shaving, or vanity kit, but that was fine since most travelers bring their own.

The town view is excellent, and the location is very good. Rooms are roomy and well laid out. The downside is the many stairs between the rooms and dining area.

The rooms were excellent and the staff courteous. The resort sits on a hilltop with a great view of Punaka town and Punaka river. I loved the place, though the steps to the restaurant and reception were difficult for our group of senior citizens.