Village Lodge Bumthang

Tucked away in a rural setting in the Bumthang Valley, the Village Lodge allows you to get away from it all. The lodge opens out onto fertile farmland and is an ideal base for exploring this off-the-beaten-track destination either on foot or on a bicycle. The exterior reflects the traditional Bhutanese farmhouses you see all around you with a small terrace that is lovely in the warmer months.

The rooms are furnished to a good standard, and all feature twin beds (no doubles, we are afraid). Wood-panelled floors and blended with local carpets set against exposed beamed ceilings and walls. They have lovely Bhutanese windows that look out over the farmland beyond. The tiled bathrooms are beautiful, featuring slate flooring, heated and a walk-in shower (no bathtubs).

A central dining and relaxation area features a wood-burning stove or Bukhari, known in Bhutan, set against a stone-cut wall. You again find lovely use of black and white timber beams. There is a bar and a selection of attractive sit-down areas where you can kick back on an oversize cushion next to the wood-burner for a few hours of reading. The food is primarily Bhutanese but freshly prepared for guests.

We wouldn’t say that the Village Lodge is by any means luxurious. Still, it is undoubtedly a comfortable base from which you can easily explore the fantastic destination around you.