Gangtey Goenpa Lodge

When you arrive at Gangtey Goenpa Lodge, the amazing views really do live up to the billing. It is the perfect way to get a real ‘rural’ feel on a tour of Bhutan. After a little surprise (we don’t want to spoil it for you), you will be sat down with a hot cider and given a shoulder massage as you check in. Luxury is always in the little detail, and Gangtey Goenpa is the master.

The lodge was opened by Brett and Omer Melzer, who are best known for ‘Balloons over Bagan’ and opening the superb Malikha Lodge in Burma. Hopefully, this project will also bring balloon flights to the valley when the famous black-neck cranes aren’t in residence from April to September (so the cranes are there to see from October to March). Gangtey Goenpa Lodge is now widely regarded as the best lodge in Bhutan, and for a good reason.

The lodge is so exceptionally welcoming, with wonderful staff and a touching homely feel. Wood-burning stoves were sourced from the Alps and free-standing bathtubs from the home counties of England. This brings in the sense of luxury so far off-the-beaten-track in a remote corner of Bhutan. What they do so well is blend these creature comforts with traditional Bhutanese design and architecture. Attention to detail is everywhere to be seen. For instance, there is hand-cut stone, underfloor heating and local artwork in abundance.

The rooms all have great views fanning out to the left and right of the main reception area. Furthermore, each room has a free-standing bathtub next to the window overlooking the valley. This means that you can have a post-trek soak and still look out at the views. At night they place hot-water bottles in Irish cable nit sweaters in your bed and light your wood burner.

The main reception area is where you find the dining room and living area. This leads out onto the terrace. Inside, you can kick back on inviting sofas looking out through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Views over the valley are incredible, and outside you can snuggle up under one of their cashmere blankets, tea in hand, possibly as one of the black-neck cranes swoops past your view.  They will even bring over neck-warmers if it is on the chilly side. Gangtey Goenpa Lodge is like a little piece of heaven.