Gangtey Lodge

Location: Central Bhutan | Bhutan

Price guide: £££££ £350-£500 per person per night

Gazing out over the breathtaking Phobjikha Valley and the Gangtey monastery, Gangtey Lodge is a sumptuous bucolic retreat. This luxurious lodge has plenty of modern touches yet recalls the charm of Bhutan’s traditional farmhouses with its exposed stone walls and polished wood furnishings.

Perfect forGetting away from it all in the picturesque countryside of Bhutan.

In the knowThe Australian architect Mary Lou Thomson sourced fittings and furnishings from all over the world for the hotel, like bath tubs from Colchester and wood-burning stoves from Switzerland.

Recommended for...

Setting & Views
Cultural Immersion
Off the Beaten Track
History & Heritage

Hotel Overview

Sense of Place

Gangtey Lodge sits in the remote Phobjikha Valley in central Bhutan, close to the 17th-century Gangtey monastery.

Rooms at Gangtey Lodge

There are just 12 rooms at the hotel, all of which are incredibly spacious. They feature exposed stone walls, beamed ceilings, wood-burning stoves and free-standing tubs by the tall windows, which offer sublime views over the countryside. Modern luxuries like underfloor heating combine with earth tones and authentic local handicrafts to create a spectacular haven.

Food & Drink

Guests can enjoy dining in the lounge with the valley as a stunning backdrop. Feast on lip-smacking Bhutanese dishes like slow-cooked pork and wild mushroom stew, otherwise you can opt for Western or Asian dishes.

Facilities

The lodge is peppered with cosy fireplaces, in the lounge or out on the terrace, so you can curl up and gaze out at the staggering scenery around you. Unwind with a blissful spa treatment in the privacy of your suite, a meditation session or a hot stone bath, or 'dotsho', which uses river rocks to heat the water, releasing natural minerals that will soothe all your aches and pains away.

Activities at Gangtey Lodge

The Gangtey monastery, the largest of the Nyingmapa monasteries in Bhutan, is not to be missed. The village encircling it is mostly inhabited by the 140 Gomchens and their families who preserve this sacred site.

Try out Bhutan's national sport - archery - while day trekking is a must and a perfect way to enjoy the scenery of the Phobjikha Valley, or you can also go mountain biking. Birdwatchers, meanwhile, will be thrilled to see the famous black-necked cranes here. You can learn more about these protected birds at the information centre nearby, complete with an observation deck and kitted out with excellent telescopes. Over 10% of the world's bird population spends its winter months here, so this is a haven for bird lovers.