Gakyil

Most of the market is within walking distance, including a convenience store that’s open 24 hours, and the hotel’s location is good. The restaurant also serves good Indian food, which is hard to find from Punakha onwards. The rooms, though, need attention: the furniture is old and creaky, the towels smell, the lighting is dim, and the washrooms aren’t very clean. Even basics like slippers and hangers were missing.

The rooms were large, clean, and had a lovely city view. We also really enjoyed the food and the complimentary breakfast spread. The hotel is right beside the clock tower in the heart of Thimphu. We had booked two nights, October 1st to October 3rd, but a road blockage left us stuck overnight at Tshimasham on October 1st. We asked whether we could get any refund because of the natural disaster, but the hotel didn’t provide one.

The location and cleanliness were the best parts. It’s in the middle of town, handy for shops and hotels, and the room was well maintained with a clean washroom. The view was beautiful too. We got a warm welcome, checked in quickly, and were promptly given a heater for the harsh cold. After that, service went downhill. The staff, especially in the restaurant, seemed untrained and unprofessional, and none of our requests were followed. The food was subpar.

The staff tried hard to make things right after a rough first night. They brought appetizers and wine as an apology, and our tour company sent fruit baskets and wine to our rooms. In the morning they moved me to a better room, and I managed to sleep the second night. The first room was worn and in bad shape, and it was incredibly noisy all night. I called reception for help quieting things down, but no one answered. My shower didn’t work, and the whole hotel was without water for a few hours. Staff brought buckets of hot water, and shower water was back by noon. On the good side, the staff were kind when we arrived, and the chef accommodated my food sensitivities and allergies. That meal was the best of the trip.