Need to know
Rooms
19, including 16 suites.
Check–Out
Noon, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 2pm.
Also
Alongside a host of eco-friendly commitments, Six Senses has pledged support to various social initiatives, including the training and employment of Bhutanese chefs and the construction of an eco-friendly village for local farmers.
At the hotel
Meditation salas; gym; free WiFi; free laundry. In rooms: flatscreen TV; Bose speaker; Nespresso coffee machine; minibar; tea kit; free bottled water.
Our favourite rooms
In keeping with Punakha’s traditional farmhouses, the rooms are decked in warm woods and feature traditional bukhari stoves, giving them a chalet-esque feel that chimes perfectly with the mountainous landscape. All of the rooms are furnished to the same exacting standards, but it’s worth upgrading to a villa for its valley-facing plunge pool.
Poolside
The views from the crescent-shaped infinity pool stretch for miles in either direction, from the fields on the valley floor to the mossy pines that march towards the clouds. Sunloungers line the back edge, making the most of the views – if you’re supervising little Smiths, you could also settle in an armchair in the cantilevered lounge, which juts over the pool like a vast diving board.
Spa
The spa is laid out like a miniature village, with each treatment room housed in a cosy, pitched-roof hut. The relaxation process begins before you even set foot inside, as your therapist lead you there on a walking meditation. The menu reflects Bhutan’s rich wellness traditions, particularly Ayurvedic medicine, practiced in these mountains for centuries. Alternatively, work up a sweat in the window-walled fitness studio, complete with free weights, yoga mats, a treadmill, elliptical trainer and exercise bike.
Packing tips
Bring kit for yoga, mountain biking and hiking, ensuring you have plenty of layers if you’re visiting outside of summer.
Also
There aren’t any accessible rooms at the lodge, making it unsuitable for wheelchair users.
Children
All ages welcome. A cot (free) can be added to rooms on request, and there’s a list of dedicated children’s activities.
Best for
Over-6s, who’ll be able to make the most of the activities on offer.
Recommended rooms
The Two-bedroom Villas are perfect for families, complete with spacious indoor and outdoor lounge areas, a plunge pool and a dining area that can be staffed by a private chef.
Activities
Staff can arrange various children’s activities, including yoga classes, cooking classes, archery and khuru (darts) tournaments, sand-mandala making, gentle hikes, traditional dress-up and visits to the organic farm.
Swimming pool
The pool is family-friendly but unsupervised.
Meals
The kids' menu is a little different than the average, so encourage them to try something new and local, say Bhutanese red-rice balls, or cheesy momo dumplings. The banana pancakes and ice-cream sandwiches to follow will no doubt be popular.
Sustainability efforts
The hotel work hard to ensure they're contributing positively to the local environment, with strict energy, water and waste management throughout.