Six Senses Bhutan, Thimphu

The setting is remarkably peaceful, day or night. From the hills, the property looks over Bhutan’s capital and the golden Buddha, and its architecture pays tribute to Bhutan and Buddhism. The lobby and dining area face an infinity edge Lagoon that drops toward the valley. With so little light pollution at night, you can see all the stars. The staff clearly care about the guest experience and go above and beyond to make a stay memorable. Our room had comfortable linens, a desk, separate closets, and a private bathroom with a shower and huge bathtub. There were complimentary items in the minibar, a wood-burning stove for extra heat, and centralized air conditioning and heating. Huge Florida ceiling windows look down over the valley from the bed, sitting area, or bathroom. There are two things to keep in mind. The walk up a small hill to the room takes only a few minutes, but at 9000 feet it could be a workout if you haven’t acclimated. The hotel offers golf cart drop-off and pick-up, though if you don’t want to wait and walk up, you might get winded. The other thing is the recent laundry policy change. It seems some people had been taking advantage of the all-inclusive laundry policy. Other properties at this level in the country offer free, unlimited valet laundry, which lets you pack light and leave with clean clothes. That’s how this is advertised on their website, but when we arrived, we were told each person was limited to three articles of clothing per day. We stayed two nights and gave them eight items each; there was no pushback, though we’d been warned they might not be able to do all of it. We had planned laundry at this property as part of a specific rotation during our journey, so that caused some anxiety until we realized our next property included all laundry for free. It became a non-issue, but bear it in mind if you’re packing light.

The guided activities were such a thoughtful touch: sound bowl therapy, yoga, and guided meditation all felt grounding. I especially loved the pools at every lodge, and the sauna and cold plunge at Paro were heavenly. The meals were another highlight. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were unforgettable, beautifully prepared and presented, and each one could have deserved a Michelin star. My husband and I spent seven days in Bhutan for our honeymoon, visiting Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro. Every lodge took our breath away with its views and setting. Our guides, Jigme and Phurpala, were outstanding, and every staff member we met was warm, attentive, and seemed to truly care about making our stay perfect. My only regret is that we didn’t do the full circuit and visit all five lodges. It was the trip of a lifetime, and I can’t wait for my next holiday with Six Senses.

The location is stunning, with views across the valley and of the Buddha. The staff were wonderful, and the food was fabulous, using produce from their own garden and the farmers market. There was a fantastic local entertainment evening with a Bhutanese menu. The spa treatments are superb, and the gym and pool have views just as special as the rest of the hotel. Ask for the Flame of love cocktail, it’s a show too!

The activities were a highlight, especially the Loop Lodge hike. It was invigorating, and it ended with a lovely cocktail on the hill and mesmerizing panoramic views. Six Senses Thimphu is a great place to unwind, reconnect with nature, and enjoy some luxury. Our room was spacious and immaculate, with beautiful design that mixed modern comforts and traditional Bhutanese touches. The views from the resort were breathtaking. The food was exquisite, with a delightful mix of local flavors and international cuisine, and every meal had us looking forward to the next. From arrival, the GEM service was impeccable. The staff anticipated what we needed and took care of every detail, making us feel like royalty and keeping us comfortable throughout. A truly extraordinary stay, and one we can’t recommend highly enough.