Six Senses is rolling out a stunning collection of five boutique lodges stretching across the happiest country on earth, Bhutan. The fourth lodge, Six Senses Gangtey, has just opened.
It follows the opening of three lodges in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha earlier this year.
The fourth lodge is set in Bhutan’s Phobjikha Valley, an area characterised by rolling hills, pine forests and grassy marshlands dotted with rural villages.
The lodge is perched 3,000 meters high, offering unobstructed, 180-degree views of the cranes’ nesting grounds and valley below.
The design is inspired by Bhutanese farmhouse architecture and incorporates local stone and hand-hewn timber and uses traditional building techniques to blend with its natural setting.
There are eight suites, each with a valley-facing, panoramic and private outdoor balcony with daybeds and binoculars for bird watching.
There is also a two-bedroom villa with its own private spa
Interiors are subtle with uncluttered lines and a natural palette of earth tones and warm fabrics. Weathered timber floors and textured walls set the backdrop, while comfy leather armchairs and footstools invite guests to unwind after days spent trekking and exploring.
A dedicated spa features two swedana rooms designed for herb-infused steam therapies.
When it comes to culinary offerings, the lodge’s signature restaurant Baa Zam – “bridge” in Dzongkha – features hearty western and locally-influenced dishes.
The area is home to the picturesque 17th-century Gangtey Goempa, a centre for Buddhist learning and meditation and the site of the colourful Black-Necked Crane Festival each November.
There are also numerous nature treks and mountain bike trails winding through pine groves, alongside bubbling trout-filled streams and through fields lined with prayer flags.
Guests may decide to stay at Six Senses Gangtey for their entire visit but those curious about everything that Bhutan has to offer can plan a tailor-made circuit of all four lodges.
Six Senses Bhutan anticipates the opening of its fifth lodge in Bumthang in March 2020.