Bhutan Travel Guide
Where You Stay in Bhutan
The kinds of place to stay, from luxury hotels to farmhouses and trekking camps, and how the choice changes from valley to valley.
Places to stay in Bhutan run, in the Department of Tourism's words, from luxurious five-star hotels to cosy homestays in traditional villages. Visitors may stay only in hotels, homestays and campsites that the Department has approved, so every place we book is on its list.
Hotels
Most hotels are small and built in the Bhutanese style, with a restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner. The larger towns also have international luxury hotels.
Farmhouses and homestays
A night in a farmhouse means a room in a family home, simple washing arrangements and a meal cooked by your hosts. It is the best way to see how most Bhutanese people live.
Camps
On a trek you sleep in two-person tents, with a dining tent, a kitchen tent and a toilet tent, all put up and taken down by the crew. See what is provided on a trek.
Valley by valley
| Where | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Paro, Thimphu and Punakha | The widest choice in the country, at every level |
| Phobjikha | A handful of lodges and farmhouses. Cold at night for much of the year |
| Haa | A few small hotels and homestays |
| Trongsa and Bumthang | Family-run lodges, comfortable but simple |
| Mongar, Trashigang and the east | Fewer and simpler still. Come for the country, not the room |
At busy times
In March, April, October and November, and above all during a festival, the better hotels fill early. If the hotel matters to you, book early.
Booking hotels through us
Hotels are part of every tour we arrange, and you can ask for a particular one. We also book hotels on their own for travellers who are arranging the rest themselves: see our travel services.
Questions
What are the hotels like?
In Paro, Thimphu and Punakha there are hotels of every grade, from simple guesthouses to international luxury names. In Phobjikha, Bumthang and the east the choice is smaller and simpler. On a trek you sleep in tents.
Tell us how you like to travel
A few lines are enough: when, how long, and what draws you to Bhutan. We answer with a suggested route and what it would cost.
We reply ["within 24 hours"].