Amankora Bumthang

Offering 16 wood-panelled luxury suites, Amankora Bumthang can be found overlooking a lovely courtyard amid the apple and pear orchards of the nearby Wangdichholing Palace. The palace is still home to a small community of monks, who can often be seen walking through the pretty gardens. Part of the exclusive Aman luxury hotel chain, the hotel radiates the tranquil serenity Aman properties are famous for and Amankora Bumthang occupies a prime location in Jakar, placing it at the centre of the Choekhor Valley, an area rich in temples, monasteries and Bhutanese culture. 

Each of the 16 suites is stylishly furnished with king-sized bed, window seat for admiring the stunning views, traditional bukhari wood-burning stove, free-standing terrazzo-clad bathtub and twin vanities. The overall style is contemporary, minimal and calming. Room rates include meals, house drinks and laundry. Meals are served in a dining room set with small tables to create a warm and intimate vibe and the kitchen serves a Western a la carte menu, although guests can request a Bhutanese set menu. Pre-dinner drinks can be taken in the lounge, or outside in the courtyard around an informal firepit. 

There is an onsite library with wireless internet access, steam room and spa, which uses traditional herb and plant-based remedies to soothe you to a state of zen and total relaxation. The property is located close to some of Bhutan’s most sacred monasteries and temples, which can be visited on foot, where the history of the stunning 7th century wall paintings and altars can be explored. The area is also full of local cottage industries and organic farms, producing among other things, Bumthang butter, Gouda and Emmental cheese, owing to a local herd of Swiss cows. Bumthang is also the site of Bhutan’s only brewery, brewing Red Panda beer and visits can be arranged.

For those wishing to explore some of Bhutan’s most beautiful monasteries and temples, we think Amankora Bumthang is a stylish sanctuary of its own, full of tranquil calm and exquisite service.

When to go

In the western, central and eastern Bhutan (Bumthang) you will mostly experience cold European-like weather. Winter lasts here from November to March. The Monsoon occurs between June and August when the temperature is normally between 8° and 21°C. October and November are arguably the best months, when the monsoon has passed and the skies are clear. The spring months of March, April and May are best for the flora, but it can be stormy as the monsoon builds up for July-September.