It sounds fantastic to stay at a resort that offers holistic pampering in the mountains of the Last Shangri-La. Also, do reservations at this hotel include access to the spa and all meals? Sign up for me.
I experienced renewed energy at the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, from the minute I arrived until long after I departed. While not cheap, this opulent all-inclusive resort fulfills its promises of top-notch cuisine and services for the body, mind, and soul.
The entire time I was there, I looked forward to every meal and spa treatment, wondering what the hotel would come up with to top the meals and activities of the day before. This hotel is a destination in and of itself; throughout my stay, stress and anxiety vanished thanks to its "no plastic" policy and incorporation of traditional Bhutanese medicine and spirituality.
This was the nicest hotel stay I've ever had despite traveling to more than 180 countries and staying at perhaps thousands of hotels. What it's like to stay at the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary is described here.
Quick Take
The Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary first welcomed visitors in 2018, with the goal of establishing a holistic retreat where visitors may get a taste of Bhutanese culture. With a focus on providing guests with holistic treatments, the resort offers a refuge from everyday stress.
The on-site traditional medicine team may address individual physical and spiritual concerns during one-on-one consultations after arrival, and the guest can tailor everything from exercise routines to meal choices and fitness programs.
Each of the hotel's 24 large guest rooms has a view of the valley beyond and receives plenty of natural light throughout the day. While amenities like the front desk, spa, and restaurant are located in the main building in the middle of the property, guest rooms are dispersed over two floors in two wings. The structure is designed with a central courtyard between the external wall and the main entrance, much like a typical temple or monastery.
The restaurant delivers inventive, delectable meals three times per day and cultivates a large portion of its food using organic farming. The spa team offers both conventional and modern therapies, such as massages, fitness classes, guided meditation, and herbal cures. A first-rate, unwinding experience comes through in every way.
How to get there
The drive to the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary from Paro International Airport (PBH) takes about 15 to 20 minutes. It astonished me how close the supposedly tranquil hideaway was to Bhutan's only international airport. However, the property's location at the bottom of a hill isolates it from city sounds.
I received an email from the hotel asking about my itinerary and whether I required pick-up and drop-off services for my flights before I arrived. The hotel insisted that these services were not "included," despite the Hyatt website listing them as so. My Hyatt Concierge and I exchanged a few emails before the hotel agreed to eliminate the $25 transfer fee.
From the airport, a cab can be used to go to the hotel. Due to regulatory restrictions, arriving via public transportation or a rental automobile is not an option.
Booking information
Small Luxury Hotels of the World's Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary is a hotel that may be reserved through World of Hyatt, including for award nights using Hyatt points.
According to World of Hyatt, the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary is a Category 7 hotel, with pricing ranging from 25,000 to 35,000 points per night.
During the busiest travel times, cash rates can range from $500 to $800 each night.
I spent two nights at the hotel and paid 30,000 points per night. This stay would have cost $1,322.40 after taxes, or 2.2 cents each Hyatt point, which is significantly more than our estimate of their value at 1.7 cents each.
On the other hand, this property will downgrade to Category 6 on March 28. As a result, nightly rates will range from 21,000 to 29,000 points.
Standout features
• The resort is truly all-inclusive, offering meals, housekeeping, spa treatments catered to your body's requirements, and more.
• The area is tranquil and soothing, apparently cut off from the outside world and allowing visitors to forget their troubles.
• Based on the smell they select from available samples at check-in, each guest receives a customized stay that includes everything from what they eat to what they do and even the soap used in their rooms.
• To minimize using single-use plastics, glass water bottles are offered and replenished frequently.
Drawbacks
• Accessibility is a problem; this hotel is not recommended for people who have trouble climbing steps.
• Although it is a benefit, twice-daily housekeeping occasionally feels obtrusive.
• There isn't a menu for lunch or dinner because the on-site team of traditional healers and the cook collaborate to create a set cuisine for customers. Picky eaters could struggle with this.
The vibe
The Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary is like a haven for the body and the spirit, a respite from the stresses of everyday life, as its name suggests. There are various ways to accomplish this.
The hotel's design, which was inspired by conventional monasteries in the Himalayas, is the first. Additionally, it is accomplished by thoughtful details like placing the book "The Restful Mind" by Gyalwa Dokhampa in every room to inform visitors of the calming and therapeutic effects of mental stillness.
Two further facets of the hotel's atmosphere are also worth describing. The first is the concept of "family," which extends to both the staff and the guests, who are "welcomed home" upon arrival and given a traditional khata, a white scarf that in Himalayan cultures symbolizes respect and good fortune. Additionally, hotel staff members greet visitors as they enter the building and maintain this family atmosphere by striking up talks with them during their stay.
Before opening the big, golden doors to enter the sanctuary, visitors are encouraged to leave their problems and stresses outside during a brief spiritual cleansing rite that takes place upon arrival.
But the vibe is more than just a way of being. It can be seen in design decisions made throughout the hotel, such as the main building's expansive areas and the well-lit, plain halls that have a vast, distraction-free vibe.
Contemplation is a major element of the hotel, and there is lots of room for it. A conference table with chairs and a small living room-style area with games like tic-tac-toe are located to the right of the reception. A tiny store to the left sells traditional Bhutanese handicrafts, while a small library to the right has plenty of space for visitors to sit and read. Both sides of the walls are lined with traditional pictures of Bhutan's current monarch and prior kings.
Since the hotel avoids using plastic and works to reduce waste, there are no single-use items in the restrooms. Bamboo toothbrushes and chewable toothpaste tablets are substituted for plastic toothbrushes and sample-size toothpaste tubes. Similar to how there are no tiny plastic shampoo or lotion tubes but rather refillable pump bottles.
The room
Only a regular guest room with two double beds was available for the use of points. I had communicated through email with the hotel before my trip that I would be traveling alone, and the staff recognized this and moved me to Room A11, which has a single king-size bed. A half-level lower than the reception area, this space was large and well-lit and located on the upper floor. The spaciousness of the area was increased through the use of neutral colors and lots of natural light.
The motifs on the keychain and the woodwork, which evoked the local culture, quickly caught my attention. To give the cozy king-size bed a more open sense, the wooden slats around it could be pushed to the corners and rested on rolling tracks.
The bed had a variety of pillows, both soft and hard, and the sheets felt lovely on my skin. I had a nice night's sleep in the bed.
Solid-wood nightstands handcrafted by regional artisans surrounded the bed on either side. A lamp and a universal outlet were located on top of each. An air conditioning remote, a glass bottle of water, soft slippers, and a tissue box were all kept on one nightstand.
A light, phone, and hourglass were located on a three-drawer table next to the bed. The phone also had a list of hotel service phone numbers. The king's family was also depicted in a framed photo on the table.
I searched for a clock but found none after observing the hourglass. This is deliberate, according to the staff member who led me to my room, and it fits with the hotel's relaxing and stress-relieving theme. How will I be able to tell what time it is to avoid missing lunch? I queried. You're welcome to eat whenever you'd like, she replied. At the hotel, keeping to a schedule was a worry to avoid.
A big bathroom with a tub was revealed when wooden barn doors opened.
A huge mirror over a sink with plenty of counter space, holding drinking water, toothbrush, and toothpaste tablets, tissues, washcloths, a pump bottle of hand lotion, and the soap I had picked up on arrival, was located to the left of the entrance.
One of the two drawers behind the sink had a hair dryer, while a shelf at knee height housed a bath mat.
A second sink on the right had the same counter and mirror but no further features. The temperature of the heated bathroom floor was managed by a thermostat that was placed next to the sink. (Note that the shower and bathroom spaces were not heated.)
A frosted glass door on the left opened to reveal a roomy shower with both handheld and rainfall choices. The pressure was superb, and the water heated up promptly. Bath items were packaged in pump bottles without branding. Only the body wash's pleasant berry scent could be detected. Unfortunately, the bottles' pumps quickly became jammed, so I found it easier to open the tops and pour what I required.
A toilet with a handheld bidet was accessible through a frosted glass door to the right of the bathtub.
Two stairs past the bed descended to a sitting area with a small table, a love seat made of fabric, and a chair surrounded by floor lamps. On the table were some sweets as a welcome gift, a flower arrangement, and a copy of "The Restful Mind."
A tiny wooden table in the corner housed a Bluetooth speaker, a miniature hourglass, and regional pottery.
Traditional metal incense burners were kept on a shelf underneath the table.
Floor-to-ceiling windows and a patio door leading to a balcony with a view of the valley below were my favorite aspects of the apartment. I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the tiny table and two padded seats on the balcony were. Sunbathing here in the afternoons was wonderful.
The linked rods made it simple to move the blackout curtains, which provided complete light blockage from the windows. Unfortunately, it was a mistake to leave the patio door open for fresh air because the wind broke several things in my room.
The other corner of the room held three shelves of coffee and tea supplies and a battery-operated lantern for use at night on the balcony. I was astonished to see drinks in the minifridge down below.
A hardwood walk-in closet that was located at the edge of the seating area had a wonderful aroma that made me feel as though I was in a forest. The area for hanging clothing on both sides was accompanied by a chest of drawers, while the open shelves above were stocked with mats for meditation.
One chest has a little safe on top of it. On the other hand, the staff member informed me that the little basket contained the soiled clothes that housekeeping would pick up every day and wash for free.
Food and beverage
It's hard to pick just one aspect of my trip as the finest, but the eating experience ranks highly.
The hotel sent me an email asking whether I had any food allergies or dietary restrictions a week before my visit. I let them know that I am vegan and have no allergies. This wouldn't be a problem, the hotel responded in response.
After speaking with the on-site traditional medicine practitioner, each visitor receives additional consultation. Any adjustments required for a specific guest's health plan will be disclosed by the doctor to the kitchen. This can entail staying away from hot foods, for instance.
The restaurant's on-site greenhouse is where a large portion of the produce and seasonings are organically grown. Food wastes are composted on-site and portions are managed in the kitchen to reduce waste.
The only restaurant on the site, which is situated below the reception area in a sizable, open space with views of the valley through two-story windows that flood the dining room with natural light, is where meals are served. You can have your meals outside on the terrace as well.
Through side doors, visitors can enter the dining area without going through reception. There is a full coffee and tea shop nearby where you may get a drink in between meals.
The kitchen not only prepares great foods but also presents them aesthetically.
Small touches in presentation, including color schemes and placing the soup at each meal on top of a cutting board, improved the quality of the meal service. The chef cooked me a wonderful nacho appetizer for dinner on the first night as a compliment to my being from the U.S.
Lunch is a predetermined four-course meal including an appetizer, soup, entrée, and dessert.
Including a salad and an entree, dinner is a six-course feast.
The cuisine was not entirely unexpected, despite the lack of menu options. The staff informed me of the foods I would be given when I sat down and enquired about any dietary restrictions I might have. The only choice I had to make after accepting what they had to offer was which tea flavor to order.
The food was substantial and delectable. Although I would never order six dishes at a restaurant at home, the portion control was excellent. I never had post-meal bloating or discomfort.
Throughout my stay, dishes and ingredients varied, giving me fresh, delicious options every time I ate. It would be tough to pick just one meal from my trip as a favorite. Two very unique pieces, nevertheless, stood out.
As soon as the server mentioned an appetizer of smoked watermelon slices with barbecue sauce, I was fascinated. It was juicy and delicious with a distinct, smokey flavor.
I had never had a dessert like the Turkish roll. This cream-filled, coconut-topped roll of milky dough was served with ice cream and garnished with chocolate and mint. I considered requesting more of this exquisite dish.
Breakfast came with a menu. A pastry basket, fruit, toast, homemade yogurt, cooked-to-order eggs, porridge, pancakes, soup broth, a selection of cheese, and chole bhature—a traditional dish of deep-fried flatbread with chickpea gravy—are among the options available to guests. They are free to select as many items as they like.
I tried several things on this list, and they were all fantastic. The pastries had a light, flaky texture. The porridge was served with brown sugar and granola as side dishes, making it a full breakfast before a challenging walk one day. The pancakes were as light and airy as those served at the greatest American breakfast joints.
Services and amenities
Although services, meals, and facilities may not be available if you arrive during low season (like I did on the first day of my stay), you may find yourself the sole visitor.
Each reservation includes access to the full-service wellness facility located beneath the restaurant. I checked into my accommodation, then went to the spa for my initial appointment with the traditional medicine physician.
Small details throughout the spa, like the lighted entryway and the tinted glass dome over the dining area, helped me to forget about my problems and obligations back home. A large number of jars filled with regional herbs used in local traditional medicine surround the central seating area.
The doctor conducted several tests to determine my health after giving me a brief introduction to conventional medical procedures. Then, he created a wellness schedule for my stay that included services for recovery after a long climb to the Tiger's Nest (more on that below), daily guided meditation, and herbal tea cures.
The spa has numerous massage rooms, separate male and female saunas, and hot stone baths. A very common practice in the area is to heat stones over a fire before putting them in a bathtub to heat the water to a steaming temperature.
Although there are many other types of massages, the doctor suggested a ku nye massage, a regional specialty. The lower back pain relief aspect of this intensive pressure point massage is its main goal.
I found the massage table's headrest to be uncomfortably stiff throughout a prescribed massage, and it caused me to end the otherwise pleasant massage with a sore jaw.
A heated infinity pool with water that is 93 degrees is also part of the wellness facility. The absence of chemical smells, which can quickly overrun a small area like this, is one of the pool's finest features. It was quite soothing to swim laps in the afternoon.
Yoga and calisthenics can be practiced alone or with the help of wellness center staff in a small exercise room that can accommodate both individual and group workouts.
Excellent service was provided by the workers, and I continue to be pleased by how well they communicated with one another.
The fact that I didn't observe any of the housekeeping employees during their twice-daily duties leads me to believe that staff members converse with one another regarding hotel guests' whereabouts and activities. Even though I didn't eat at set times, they always showed up while I was eating. Housekeeping arrived during my meals, cleaned my room, made the bed (or gave nightly turndown service), and left before I got back.
Every staff also welcomed me by name and was able to readily ask about my day's activities. How was this afternoon's swim? or "How was your hike up to the Tiger's Nest?" I did. It demonstrated that staff members were aware of guests' activities and could utilize this information to treat them as members of the family rather than merely as people waiting at a table for meals.
But for some visitors, these services have a downside. I normally post a "do not disturb" notice on my door when I check into a hotel. The twice-daily service could be difficult for people who don't want housekeeping touching their belongings.
I dumped my dirty clothes on the floor when I got back from the hike, took a shower, and then went to lunch. The undershirts that housekeeping had collected and washed were hung up that evening. I found my clean, folded underpants on the bed, which was a little awkward.
Out and about
The hotel employees can plan excursions and offer guidance on where to go in Bhutan. Staff members can also set up cultural lessons in ceramics, cuisine, or archery, which is the national sport.
I set up a tour with a driver and guide to see Paro Taktsang, also known as the Tiger's Nest, the most well-known site in Bhutan. The journey from the hotel takes 45 minutes, and entrance tickets cost 2,000 ngultrums (approximately $25). Expect a round-trip hike of six hours for individuals with average fitness levels. If you have to take pauses because of the altitude, it will take longer. The journey begins at 7,000 feet or so above sea level and climbs to about 10,000 feet.
Visitors can hike through the Neyphug Valley below the hotel and visit the Eutok Goenpa Monastery for a simpler, free option. The monastery, which dates back to the 15th century, is home to more than 50 monks, and its grounds once covered the residence of Guru Rinpoche, one of the most significant individuals in Bhutanese history.
Drive time to the city of Paro is 15 minutes. Visitors can shop, eat, explore, and go to one of the many karaoke bars there. The distance to Thimphu, the capital, is one hour by car. Foreigners can travel independently across Paro and Thimphu, using cabs to get where they need to go.
You must have a guide if you travel outside of these two cities. Bhutan, the only carbon-negative nation in the world, offers visitors a wealth of natural beauty.
There are many homestays, national parks with lots of animals, and treks. When looking for places to witness elephants and tigers, take into account Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park in the center of Bhutan, which is renowned as a haven for birdwatchers, and Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary close to the Indian border.
Accessibility
Unfortunately, there is room for improvement in the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary's accessibility.
The only way to go around the property is by using the stairs. Wheelchair access is available at the front entry and reception area, but after that, the only way to reach the spa or restaurant is via ubiquitous stairs. There are no elevators or chair lifts, and there is no chair lift to enter or exit the pool.
Additionally, I failed not to notice any Braille or hearing induction loops on the property. It could be challenging to visit the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary on your own if you depend on these.
Checking out
Since I had used points to pay for my stay, checking out was swift and easy.
I scheduled my departure for the next morning because I had an early flight, and I also paid my guide's fee and the cost of my entrance tickets to various temples. I inquired about paying with cash or a credit card, and the staff replied either was OK. A 3% credit card surcharge should have been revealed before to my $100 payment, therefore I was surprised to see it on my receipt.
In addition, the kitchen staff made me a meal to eat while I waited at the airport. I declined the hot sandwich but accepted the fruit and nut offer instead.
My stay's conclusion is a striking illustration of the hotel's first-class service: An employee checked my room as I made my way to the car to make sure I hadn't missed anything.
My physical and spiritual requirements were met by this place from beginning to end, and I was ready to come back. Despite not being religious, I felt my mind and spirit were being purified. I pledged to be more patient with people after this encounter, feeling more at ease with the stresses of life.
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