We review Six Senses Bhutan, 4 new luxury lodges in the mystical Himalayan Buddhist kingdom – and get a princely taste of the high life
In a land where happiness, well-being and mindfulness are paramount, Six Senses plays its part with spa therapies, meditation and yoga sessions at each lodge
On a predawn flight from Bangkok to Paro, I discovered Bhutan’s Queen Mother (one of four) and a princess were dozing two rows in front of me.
On landing, the red carpet was rolled out for them, and quickly rolled back up again before my commoner’s feet could soil it, but for the next nine days, my partner and I got a princely taste of the high life.
From the moment we were collected by our guide, Jigme, who, along with our driver, Tenzin, accompanied us for the duration of our stay, we were looked after royally – visits to monasteries and private sessions with monks, scenic hikes with picnic lunches, shopping excursions to artisan workshops and plenty of pampering.
It started with refreshing towels, water and snacks as we made our way to the first of four new Six Senses lodges (a fifth, in Bumthang, is due to open this spring), in this isolated, spiritual and mystical Himalayan Buddhist kingdom.
We wound our way past cautionary signs that read: “faster will see disaster”, “be gentle on my curves” or “no worry no hurry” (there are no traffic lights in Bhutan, and seemingly no straight roads, either), to the Thimphu lodge, nestled high above the nation’s capital.
Staff stood ready to welcome us to the fittingly themed Palace in the Sky, the largest of the Six Senses lodges, which boasts a majestic double-height reception lounge and wide-angled mountain panoramas.
A buggy whisked us to our spacious suite, one of 16, which channels Scandi-Bhutanese sauna chic. Think pinewood ceilings, floors and furniture, and a traditional bukhari fireplace, plus stunning views from bed, bath and balcony.
It’s a rustic-luxe style repeated across the lodges to provide continuity, with variations in layout, local touches and motifs setting them apart. More defining are the spectacular surroundings and views of each property, as is the warm hospitality.