BC Q
Google
This review is long overdue as our visit was in November 2024 but the memories of this bucket list trip remains fresh as we recall the happy smiling faces and the wonderful hospitality of our hosts at the various Aman lodges we stayed on our 2 week adventure. The 1st stop on our Bhutan sojourn was Thimphu. Arriving at Paro airport, we were met by our guide Tashi and driver Ugyen whom we immediately felt a connection with - warm, smiling and welcoming. Tashi was a wealth of information and over the next 2 weeks, we got to know each other as friends. Presented with a beautiful folder containing all the information, details, map and itinerary of our trip, we knew it was going to be a trip of a lifetime. Amankora Thimphu was most definitely a good place to start; arriving at the lodge, we were met by the host Kinley who ensured that we had everything we needed. Despite being older, Thimphu is an understatement of quiet luxury and everything was beautifully maintained. Meals could be adjusted to whatever you wanted - simple and fresh or full on fine dining. We visited the gardens where we were introduced to the organic farming practised by the gardener who tended to everything with such love and care - no wonder everything tasted so fresh and sweet! We even collected our own freshly laid eggs which we had for breakfast. Rose, the manager was very hands on and made sure we were looked after. The rooms are large, airy and bright when all the blinds are opened up but in the evenings we felt the lighting was a little too subdued and could have been a little brighter but this was a minor issue that did not bother us. The beds are heavenly and the bath tub is filled each evening so you return to the room and can have a nice soak. We spent 2 blissful nights here and mornings included yoga or meditations sessions and after breakfast (choices of local delicacies or the usual breakfast fare of eggs and bacon) days were filled with short hikes and excursions and our evenings were around the fire and on 1 evening, a wonderful cultural dance show put up by the local villages - everything was arranged to be so personal and inclusive. Nothing was ever too much trouble and the hosts and staff were so obliging and made sure your every need is looked after (the little angels from housekeeping keep everything in your room perfectly neat and tidy without you even noticing). What a wonderful start to our trip and we knew it was simply going to get better as we moved on to the other 4 Amankora lodges.Thank you to the team of Amankora Thimphu for a great stay and setting the bar so high. Such a pleasure and only after 2 days, we felt so at home and a little sad to be leaving. Our next stop was Punakha - subject to a separate review.