Hidden between India and China and high up in the Himalayan region, the Kingdom of Bhutan warmly welcomes visitors. This tiny and remote country draws in adventurers with its profound spirituality, bountiful nature, and vibrant culture. This is the type of place where yaks wander the snow-tipped mountains and monks welcome visitors to learn more about their Buddhist traditions. Few properties allow explorers to immerse themselves as well as Gangtey Lodge – a twelve-suite Bhutanese farmhouse that is refining luxury in the Himalayas to include sustainability, service, and serenity.
As guests arrive, staff members greet them with a welcome song, a traditional silk scarf, and a quick shoulder massage. Guests are then led to their suites, each of which comes with a porcelain bathtub with a stunning view of the Phobjikha Valley. Through the window, visitors can watch clouds lazily roll over the hills and animals blissfully roam through the lush fields. The rooms also have heated floors, a wood-burning fireplace, and a walk-in closet.
In Bhutanese tradition, Gangtey Lodge’s dedication to environmental protection is infused into every aspect of the hotel, including the food. As a part of their sustainability initiatives, each seasonal menu is designed to support local producers, minimize imports, and use produce that they grow on site. The menu offers traditional Bhutanese dishes as well as other, more familiar dishes from around the world.
Guests can dine in the main lodge for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This common area also serves as the lobby and activities center, with two large stone fireplaces and leather sofas. During the morning and afternoon, there is also an outdoor terrace with views of the Phobjikha Valley. For those looking for a more private experience, Gangtey Lodge also has a cozy dining woodshed with a roaring fire and private service.
Outside of their fabulous facilities, Gangtey Lodge is dedicated to creating luxury escapes that enable travelers to connect physically and spiritually with nature, the local community, and themselves. This is why each guest’s stay is modeled on – what Gangtey Lodge has coined – the five keys to wellbeing: nature, spirituality, wellness, dining, and culture.
For this program, the staff works with each guest to build personalized itineraries made up of activities like archery lessons, consultations with local monks, cooking classes, or other cultural delights. Guests are encouraged to get out of their comfort zone and try something they have never done before. This allows guests to get whatever they truly want or need out of their stay, whether it is relaxation, immersion, or quality time in nature.
This program also works because, unlike many luxury resorts, Gangtey Lodge truly feels like a part of the community. 95% of their staff is from Bhutan, and many of them are from the local villages. Additionally, Gangtey Lodge did not lay off a single member of their staff during the pandemic. Instead, they redirected their efforts towards the community’s needs including donating produce and assisting the elderly with home maintenance. This is why the eight-year-old monk students call the head chef by name and local farmers ask the staff to come fix their roofs or wiring.
This also provides guests with the unique opportunity to truly immerse themselves with the local village and monastery. On long hikes, local staff members share stories of how each stupa and winding river got its name. They are also happy to translate any conversations with local community members. Guests are also invited to join evening prayers, adorn traditional dress, and donate robes to the monks. Gangtey Goenpa is one of the few monasteries in the country that allows visitors to record their evening services or take photos of the inside of the building.
Gangtey Lodge’s wellness treatments continue to reflect their sustainable values. Herbal baths use flowers that were picked from Phobjikha Valley itself, and holistic massages only use natural products. They even have their own, elevated spin on the traditional Bhutanese hot-stone bath. This bath is made of local pinewood and it is heated using large boulders from a nearby river and locally foraged herbs. In addition to its intoxicatingly floral scent this is believed to have medicinal properties.
Bhutan travelers who are willing to journey around the world and land in one of the world’s most dangerous airports are looking for something beyond the ordinary. The Kingdom of Bhutan promises adventure and culture shock as visitors seek out cultural immersion and spiritual renewal. Gangtey Lodge delivers on that promise. This is a place that blends Bhutanese culture with true luxury, all of which can be enjoyed from a steamy bath with a glass of champagne.
Top Takeaways
Location: Phobjikha Valley (popularly known as the Gangtey Valley), Bhutan
Rating: Five-star
The vibe: Tranquil and spiritual. Gangtey Lodge is quiet and comfortable, with views of the valley.
Food + drink: The Main Lodge and Terrace offer menus for food and drinks throughout the day.
Guests can also book a private dining woodshed.
Our favorite thing about the hotel: Gangtey Lodge strikes the balance of luxury and sustainable development. Not only have the rooms been thoughtfully designed, but Gangtey goes above and beyond by hiring staff members from local villages and prioritizing cultural preservation in all stays.
What’s nearby: The 17th-century Gangtey Goenpa (monastery) and the Gangtey Village are only a 10-minute walk from Gangtey Lodge. There is also a nature trail just below the lodge that leads to many walks and mountain bike routes. This region is also home of the endangered black-necked cranes, and the best time to watch their migration is from November to February.
Number of Rooms: 12
Pricing: Rooms begin at $600/night
Closest Airport: Paro International Airport, 4.5 hour drive or 25 minute helicopter
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