Amankora

Need to know

Rooms

Each of the five lodges has between eight and 24 suites, with 72 in total.

Rates

$1,050, including all meals and drinks; excludes 15 per cent tax, surcharge of $60 a day, government royalties of $65 a person a day, and a Tourism Development Fund tax of $10 a person. And a $20 visa fee (hey, tourism’s complicated in Bhutan).

Check-out

Midday, although some flexibility is possible depending on Druk Air's departure times.

Facilities

Paro: library, spa with sauna, hot stone baths and yoga area. Thimphu: spa, dining deck. Punakha: tea pavilion, yoga room, steam room. Gangtey: massage rooms. Bumthang: spa, library. In rooms: bukhari wood-burning stove, terrazzo-clad bath.

Children

The Amankora experience is more suited to adventurous couples.

Eco-friendly

Amankora's lodges recycle extensively, including donating organic materials to pig farmers, and processing waste water. There's also a reforestation programme in place, and all power is hydroelectric, where possible.

Also

Guests staying a minimum of seven nights will also receive a free spa treatment, a private car with driver, and long road and monument permits. You don’t have to stay at all five lodges, the hotel will help you put together a bespoke itinerary.

In the know

Our favourite rooms

Amankora’s huge guest suites fall into two types: Paro-style, with a combination of wood and black steel walls creating an air of ultra-modern chic, and Thimphu-style, where all walls, floor and ceiling are lined with warm wooden panels. At Paro, all rooms have equally impressive views, but at Thimphu, we love rooms 14, 15 and 16, which offer guests the most privacy as well as the sounds of the nearby stream to fall asleep to. At Punakha, rooms 5 and 6 boast the best views of the paddy fields. At Gangtey, go for room 4.

Packing tips

Mountain-view-gazing is the number one activity at Amankora, so if you’re into gadget-based entertainment, a portable DVD player and some iPod speakers wouldn’t go amiss. A reading torch will help address the dim light in some bedrooms.

Also

If you’re after a break from mountain trekking and can’t face another hot-stone spa therapy, then make like William Tell and try your hand at Bhutan’s national sport, archery. Amankora can provide tutors who’ll help you hone your bow skills.

Food & drink

Hotel restaurant

Each lodge’s dining room serves a choice of two set menus for every meal, featuring either Bhutanese cuisine, or Western, Indian or Thai. The glass-enclosed space overlooking the valley at Gangtey is the most impressive.

Dress code

Travel attire with a spritz of evening elegance.

Top table

The tables at most of the lodges are large and communal, but, at Paro, ask to sit outside on the patio so you can gawp at the plunging mountain vistas while you eat.

Last orders

Each lodge's restaurant is open between 7am and 11pm, although early risers can ejoy breakfast out-of-hours.

Room service

The full restaurant menus are available in rooms during opening hours.

Hotel bar

Each of Amankora’s outposts has a communal lounge where a selection of drinks is laid out in the evening and Bhutanese musicians sometimes play. Simply take what you fancy or mix yourself a cocktail and sit back to soak in the sunset.

Smith card offer A bottle of champagne on arrival

All members booking through Mr & Mrs Smith are eligible for special privileges at any Smith hotel they stay in, with perks ranging from free champagne on arrival to spa treatments and gourmet dinners. Check the bottom of each hotel page to see what offer is available at that particular hotel and remember to mention your Smith card when booking with us - and don't forget to show your card at front desk when you check in.

Click here to become a Mr & Mrs Smith member

Smith concierge

If you’d prefer to talk to someone, or you’re having trouble booking online, ring our travel team on 0845 034 0700 (+44 20 8987 4312 from outside the UK). We guarantee you’ll get the best available rates, and we don’t charge a booking fee.

Amankora

PO Box 831, Thimphu, Kingdom of Bhutan