Elite Traveler HRS 2017-2018

Set out on a four-hour hike to the Tiger’s Nest

CONTACT John Reed, country manager, jreed@aman.com, +975 233 1333 STAY Size 560 sq ft Nightly rate $1,550 per suite including all travel, meals, private driver and guide With lodges encompassing between eight and 24 suites, each of Amankora’s sites feels exclusive and intimate. Each of these suites is generous in size with open-plan bedrooms and living space. Within the contemporary interiors, king-size beds, bathrooms wrapped in terrazzo and freestanding bathtubs lie alongside more rustic elements such as traditional bukhari wood burners. Suites vary in the architectural style of the lodge they’re in and the spectacular views. RELAX The spa is integral to the experience at each lodge, with the most extensive facilities at Paro and Punakha, where the wellness space extends across two floors. Facilities range from traditional hot stone baths, saunas and steam rooms to yoga studios and treatment rooms, where spa therapies incorporate Himalayan plants and herbs to provide a distinctly Bhutanese wellness experience. Amankora’s holistic facial uses local products such as homemade yogurt, honey and oranges to repair and nourish skin in combination with pressure-point massage. EXPLORE Hiking, cycling and guided tours of Bhutan’s most revered sites enable you to delve into the landscape and culture here. Each lodge provides tips on what sights and experiences to seek out in the locality, enabling you to tailor your stay accordingly, from setting out on a four-hour hike to the 7th-century mountainside monastery Tiger’s Nest, to visiting the morning market with the lodge’s chef before taking part in a Bhutanese cooking class. DINE Bhutanese, western and Indian cuisine come together in the five lodges’ dining rooms, where each setting is memorable in its own right. In Paro, the dining space spills out onto a terrace overlooking a stream. Gangtey Lodge is distinguished by its communal dining and valley views. In Bumthang, guests dine in the lodge’s courtyard, shaded by fruit trees. Dishes range from traditional yak stew to a barbecue you can enjoy beneath the stars.

Amankora BHUTAN

Defined by the way the Bhutanese government maps out the country’s greatest sites and areas of natural beauty for visitors, almost every traveler who comes here embarks on the same journey. Amankora makes it possible to experience this wonderful journey while staying in lodges that combine the character of their setting with absolute luxury. Made up of five small lodges, Amankora is split between its Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey and Bumthang sites. Each of these lodges sits within wooded landscape, fusing rustic luxe with contemporary design, and reflecting the distinct Aman identity through the use of natural materials and harmonious architectural style. Every element of the stay, from the spa to the cuisine, is designed to give guests an experience that’s entirely unique to this one-of-a-kind nation.

Amankora Paro, Thimphu Punakha, Gangtey Bumthang Kingdom of Bhutan aman.com

AWARDS Best Resort Hotel, TTG Travel Awards, 2012 Gold List, Condé Nast Traveller UK, 2012 Best Boutique Hotel, Travel + Leisure South Asia, 2011 Asia Pacific’s Best Hotels, Travel + Leisure, 2010