Zhiwaling Heritage Hotel

Zhiwaling Heritage Hotel is a luxury hotel near Paro that is unique for 3 reasons:

1. The architecture: It's a modern hotel (built in 2005), but with traditional Bhutanese architecture. Before we arrived at the hotel, our guide told us that we would love it because it would be "like staying in a temple." He was right. Throughout the hotel, there is beautiful, intricate wood carving that is very similar to the carving in Buddhist temples in Bhutan.

2. There is a Buddhist temple on the 2nd floor (what Americans would call the 3rd floor) of the main building. It was built in 2005 when the hotel was built. Some of the materials and objects inside the temple are new, but some of the timber is 450 years old (and was recovered from Gangtey Monastery), with the original carvings. The inside of the temple seemed similar to other temples we had visited in Bhutan, but unlike in other temples, we were allowed to take photos inside this temple.

3. Until recently, it was the only Bhutanese-owned five-star hotel in Bhutan. (Our guide told us that Pemako in Punakha recently opened and is also Bhutanese owned.)

The food was always beautifully presented (see photos) and very good. Service was very good throughout the hotel.

The room was very modern (see photo; a contrast with the traditional wood carvings on the exterior), and had a very comfortable bed, a shower with strong pressure, and excellent wifi.

True 5 star experience. The property is gorgeous. The rooms are well thought out and very comfortable and spacious. We ate at the restaurant and the food was delicious. Staff was helpful throughout our stay. We used the pool which was uncovered just for us. And I had an excellent massage at the spa. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

If you're going to Bhutan, stay here.

We stayed at Zhiwaling Heritage in Paro at the beginning and end of our trip, organized through Yangphel Adventure Travel, and it set the tone for everything that followed. The property is locally owned and operated, and you feel that the moment you walk in. The craftsmanship and architectural detail is extraordinary. Every beam, every surface, every room reflects a deep care for Bhutanese design and tradition. This is not an international chain that dropped a building into the Himalayas. This place belongs here.

The grounds alone could keep you occupied for hours. Nestled at the base of the mountains on the outskirts of Paro, close enough to town and the airport to be convenient, but far enough removed to feel like you're fully in the nature and quiet of Bhutan. There's a tea house, spa, heated pool, steam and dry sauna, gym, and a meditation space that I kept coming back to. We kept discovering new corners of the property every day.

The team goes above and beyond in ways you don't expect. One evening they fired up their pizza oven and created an ema datsi fusion pizza using traditional Bhutanese flavors. It was absolutely incredible and completely unprompted. That kind of creativity tells you everything about the people running this place.

Of course a Six Senses or an Aman would be a spectacular experience, but what Zhiwaling offers that those places can't is a genuine connection to the local community and culture. It feels like Bhutan, not like a luxury hotel that happens to be in Bhutan. And the price is significantly better than the international five-stars, which makes it even more compelling.

The hotel has earned recognition from National Geographic, and I can easily see it landing on Travel + Leisure's luxury lists for Asia. My honest advice: book it before it becomes more widely discovered. Even if it stretches your budget, it's worth at least staying your last few nights here. You'll want to end your trip this way.

Amazing Resort!
Top location, very large room perfectly appointed and the most professional and friendliest staff ever encountered.
Many thanks to Rinzin and her team for the great experience

Stunning property, to experience once in a lifetime.
Aside from high level of comfort and design, I really want to underline the amazing team, from Reception to Restaurant. They have been all amazing!