Looking to read a detailed Zhiwaling Heritage Hotel review before booking your next trip to Bhutan? You’ve come to the right place!
The 5 star luxury hotel is located in Satsam Chorten, a tranquil rural community located a short drive north of downtown Paro.
I spent 3 nights in a luxurious suite at the hotel. My Zhiwaling Heritage review features info on the hotels accommodation options, wellness programs, restaurants and unique on-site amenities.
Book A Luxurious Holiday at Zhiwaling Heritage Hotel in Bhutan
Zhiwa Ling, meaning “Land of Peace,” opened its doors in 2005. It was the first 5-star hotel in Bhutan to be 100% locally owned and operated. It is also the only property in Bhutan to be certified as a unique lodge by National Geographic.
The hotel is set on an expansive garden of flowers and trees in the beautiful valley of Paro on a lush 10-acre property. Nestled beside a picturesque blue pine forest, historically significant as the Royal Ugyen Wangchuck Academy, Zhiwaling offers a tranquil sanctuary for well-heeled travelers.
From its jaw-dropping exterior adorned with intricately carved woodwork and traditional stone work, to an interior embellished with hand-painted murals and traditionally hand carved Bhutanese motifs, Zhiwaling Heritage pays homage to the Kingdoms ancient Dzongs, showcasing the country’s rich and unique architectural heritage.
Zhiwaling Heritage Hotel seamlessly blends traditional architecture with contemporary comfort. The property boasts Swedish underfloor heating and electric golf carts that whisk guests’ luggage to the rooms, which are located in 8 cottages named after each of the ‘Eight Lucky Signs’. Each sign or symbol represents a specific aspect of Buddhist teachings and is believed to bring blessings and good fortune to those who encounter them.
The award-wining luxury hotel in Paro boasts a petite Buddhist temple in the main building, made with 450-year-old timber restored from the Gangtey Monastery. This monastery is perched atop a hill overlooking the scenic valley of Phobjikha that is home to the endangered black-necked cranes migrating from the Tibetan Plateau in the winter.
Upon arrival guests are greeted by a huge bamboo plant, which sprouts out of a giant antique cauldron in the lobby. During the check-in process guests are welcomed with warm towels and signature freshly brewed ginger tea before being led to their room.
Zhiwaling Heritage Hotel Review Highlights
Before booking your trip, here are a list of highlights that make the Zhiwaling Heritage stand out from the rest:
- Zhiwaling Heritage in Paro was the first 5 star hotel in Bhutan to be 100% locally owned and operated.
- The property has just 45 rooms and suites, offering guests an intimate boutique vibe with the service you’d expect from a large 5 star city hotel.
- Upon arrival my jaw literally dropped and I was doing a lot of “oh my gosh” whispering as the architecture and interior design really does take your breath away. It’s the perfect retreat for those who appreciate well executed design, the sort you’d find featured in Architectural Digest.
- Rest and relax at Menlha Spa, offering a variety of soothing massages, facials, and traditional Bhutanese Medicinal Bath.
- Keep fit on holiday at the sun-soaked 24 hour fitness centre, featuring Life fitness brand machines, weights, dumb bells, treadmills, cross-trainer, elliptical and yoga essentials.
- If you’re embarking on a spiritual journey in Bhutan visit the Samden Meditation House to clear your mind.
- The hotel has a indoor heated pool, featuring plenty of comfy loungers to relax as well as outdoor areas to relax in the sun during the hotter summer months.
- Compared to other luxury hotels in Bhutan, Zhiwaling Heritage boasts a spectacular number of immersive cultural experiences, including suja butter tea making ceremony, archery and dart demonstrations, and onsite temple and meditation room.
- The property features a handful of culinary concepts, from cozy Mad Monk Bar to tasting menu at Gawa.
- Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples believed to have been built in the 7th century is a short 5-minute drive from the hotel. The base of “Tiger’s Nest” Taktsang Monastery is a short 10 minute drive.
Accommodation
The most important question you have to ask yourself when reading a Zhiwaling Heritage Hotel review is, “what type of accommodation would I like to book for my holiday?”
The hotel boasts several room categories, from chic Junior Suites to the over-the-top Royal Raven Suite, fit for a Bhutanese King or Queen!
The Royal Raven Suite is the crown jewel of Zhiwaling with an expansive sitting room, a private dining area, two well appointed bedrooms, a balcony with views of the serene Paro valley, and its very own shrine room for a quiet meditative space. It is ideal for couples or family traveling together.
One bedroom suites offer spacious rooms with private balconies, featuring a mix of cool tone tile and carpeted area. Bhutan’s rich weaving heritage appears in all of the hotel’s accommodations, showcasing attractive bedcovers and drapery.
Bathrooms feature a rain shower as well as separate bath tub with a huge window for guests to enjoy natural light and jaw-dropping view. Bath amenities include quality herbal products and Himalayan sea salt, perfect for a hot soak.
My favourite perk can be found at the coffee and tea station where you’ll find complimentary house made spiced mixed nuts, lattice potato chips and a bottle of local Bhutanese whiskey and red wine.
Guests enjoy turndown service daily, which typically include a gift propped on the pillow on your last night featuring a locally made craft.
Menlha Spa
If you’re looking to rest and relax on holiday book a relaxing treatment at Zhiwaling Heritage Hotel’s onsite spa.
Traditional therapists at Menlha Spa offer a heavenly experience where mind, body and spirit can relax and reset.
The hotel’s wellness oasis boasts 5 treatment rooms, fitness centre, sauna, steam room as well as a traditional Bhutanese outdoor hot-stone bath.
Each treatment room is dedicated to one of the aspects of Tara, the radiant goddess. Tara embodies the virtues of compassion, healing, wisdom and fearlessness. She is the most venerated female deity, representing the divine feminine of Buddha. All treatments begin with a therapist invoking the healing energy of Tara, and conclude with the balancing resonance of a Himalayan singing bowl.
The spa menu features a variety of massage options (from traditional Thai to acupressure and hot stone), refreshing facials and the signature Bhutanese Medicinal Bath.
The must-try soaking experience features warm water heated using stones from the Paro River. The hot stones sizzle in the water before attendants sprinkle fresh local herbs and flowers in the tub. It’s a popular activity for those who have spent the day hiking to the nearby Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
Zhiwaling Heritage Restaurants
No Zhiwaling Heritage review is complete until you’ve had an opportunity to wag your finger down the hotel’s marvellous menus.
In October 2024 Zhiwaling Heritage welcomed Chef Ailish Hennessy to reimagine the hotel’s food and beverage program. The Irish chef has a distinguished resume, working at Hayfield Manor and Adare Manor in Ireland, a luxury chalet company as a private chef in Chamonix, France and launching new restaurant concepts in Amsterdam.
“I love to work with fresh local ingredients. When you embrace that creative energy, it feeds into your team’s mindset. It encourages young chefs to want to grow and learn and expand their knowledge, creating such a positive working environment that makes the team truly enjoy their work. It fosters this almost palpable excitement and energy in the kitchen that just recycles itself and is put back into the kitchen through the enthusiasm of our young chefs eagerness for the next thing,” Chef Ailish shared.
Lingka Restaurant
Lingka meaning “merry making” is the hotel’s signature all day dining restaurant, which seats up to 65 guests and offers a range of western and Bhutanese dishes.
The main doors lead to a cantilever bridge where you’ll find an outdoor seating area where guests can enjoy an al fresco breakfast, leisurely lunch, dainty afternoon tea or dinner at sunset. You’ll hear the rumblings of a petite waterfall, which flows into a rambling river under the patio.
Guests gather each morning to have breakfast at Lingka (served from 6-10am), which can be enjoyed indoors or on the sun-soaked terrace.
Breakfast is available both as a buffet and a la carte options. On the buffet you’ll find freshly squeezed juices, cereals, cheese & charcuterie, fresh fruit and pastries like croissants and muffins.
From the a la carte breakfast menu you’ll find Avocado Toast topped with poached egg, Herbed Omelette, Eggs Benedict, Bumthang Buckwheat Pancake and Oatmeal Porridge.
Guests have the option of ordering High Tea in the afternoon, a dainty British culinary tradition typiucally served between 1-4pm.
You’re offered a selection of teas and fresh fruit juices before a 3-tiered service arrives at the table. During my visit the service included classic scones with jam on the top tier.
The middle tier featured savouries like Mushroom Quiche, Goat Cheese & Beet Wrap, Focaccia topped with Chicken Pesto, and Parmesan Tartlets with crispy onion and chives. Sweets included moist banana bread, carrot cake, lemon meringue and chocolate delice.
Bhutanese cuisine is influenced by nearby Chinese, Tibetan and Indian food culture. Don’t be surprised to see the mountains of rice being served, especially Yul Chum Marp, Paro Red Rice.
The daily menu at Zhiwaling Heritage offers a selection of both western dishes and authentic Bhutanese recipes. During our visit we dedicated one of our dinners to enjoying a tasty adventure through Bhutan’s unique culinary landscape.
A parade of spicy dishes danced through the dining room, featuring plenty of Bhutan’s beloved chilli peppers. Must-try dishes include Junbuli (buckwheat noodles with tomato onion gravy, curd and ezay), Jasha Maru (braised chicken with onion tomato gravy), Nosha Paa (braised dried beef with spinach and dried chilli) and Kewa Datshi (potato and cheese curry).
Gawa Restaurant
Gawa meaning “happiness” is the hotel’s fine dining restaurant open for dinner service and also for private functions with seating for up to 40 guests.
The stylish interior features plush u-booth velvet seating, glowing umbrella chandelier and Bhutanese paintings. The automatic glass doors lead to an outdoor seating area connected to a pretty piazza.
When dining at Gawa Restaurant we suggest pairing your meal with local Bhutanese beverages. Oenophiles can sip there way through Bhutan’s best, from Raven’s fruity Cabernet Sauvignon to Zumzin’s Peach Wine.
Craft beer lovers have endless options with a varied list of brews from Bhutan Glory to Dragon Stout, Serbum Honey Wheat and Red Rice Lager.
Chef Ailish has recently reimagined the Gawa concept to focus on a refined tasting menu experience, which can be ordered as 5 or 7 courses.
“I want to bring my European fine dining background and combine it with local dishes. Bhutanese food is incredibly delicious albeit quite humble. One idea, Kewa Datshi (a potato, cheese and chili dish, usually served in a bowl, looking like a curry or stew), I want to take this dish and have it as a course in the menu but change the dish its structure and presentation, while showcasing the flavours of the original. For example, a pomme souffle, filled with a potato and chilli mousse, accompanied with a cheese and chili sauce. Maintaining the components of the dishes flavours but serving it in an innovative and creative way,” said Chef Ailish.
Mad Monk Bar
The hotel’s signature cocktail bar is named after the “Divine Mad Monk”, a legendary figure from the heart of Bhutanese folklore.
Known for his eccentricities, boundless wisdom, and irreverent antics, the Mad Monk was revered as both a saint and a provocateur. He roamed the valleys and mountains, spreading joy, wisdom, and enlightenment through his unconventional ways. With his trusty phallus as a symbol of fertility and protection, he challenged societal norms and inspired all who crossed his path to embrace life’s complexities with laughter and openness.
Visit Mad Monk Bar to celebrate his playful spirit by ordering cocktails that promise to unlock the flavours of the divine and unwind the night in style.
The bar at the hotel features a cozy fireplace made of stone where guests can kick back and relax. I very much has the après ski vibe of a Swiss chalet.
Ritual Bar
Located within a cozy nook off the hotel’s lobby, Ritual Bar serves up a variety of local spirits, wine, beer and cocktails.
In Bhutan there are over 15 different craft beers. The bar manager has selected 7 of the best craft beers so you can sip through the hoppy highlights of the Himalayan kingdom.
The cocktail menu changes throughout the year to reflect the seasons. The mixologist uses local grown fruits, whiskey and vodka for the cocktails. Especially for the spicy margarita, which features local spicy chili.
Tea House
At the onsite Tea House guests can partake in a traditional ‘suja’ or butter tea making ceremony. It is a cherished ritual in Bhutanese culture, symbolizing hospitality and warmth.
The ancient practice involves boiling tea leaves with salt and butter, resulting in a rich, savoury brew, offering a unique and authentic experience for guests seeking to immerse themselves in Bhutanese traditions.
Fun Things To Do In Paro
All foreign visitors to Bhutan must coordinate their itinerary and visas with a local tour operator. Since you can’t rent a car in Bhutan and organize a solo road trip it’s important to do your research and hire a professional company that can create a bespoke itinerary for you based on your unique interests and needs.
Our 2 week trip was organized by MyBhutan, an award-winning boutique luxury tour operator. We highly recommend planning your trip with MyBhutan as they employ knowledgable guides and friendly drivers who know Paro, Thimphu and beyond like the back of their hands.
The experience was seamless as MyBhutan organized airport transfers, day tours, guided hikes and pick up and drop off at each of the hotels we stayed. MyBhutan’s team went the extra mile, providing hiking poles, sustainable water bottles, and portable WIFI so you can share your travel experience live without having to pay for an SIM.
During our stay at Zhiwaling Heritage the MyBhutan team took us to visit these top attractions, which are must-dos when visiting Paro:
- Tiger’s Nest Monastery: also known as Paro Taktsang, is a sacred Vajrayana Himalayan Bhuddist site uniquely located on the cliffside of the upper Paro Valley. It is one of 13 Tiger’s Nest caves in historical Tibet in which Padmasambhava practiced and taught Vajrayana. It is the most photographed attraction in Bhutan and a must-see when visiting The Kingdom.
- Rinpung Dzong: is a large dzong, Buddhist monastery and fortress, of the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school in Paro. It houses the district Monastic Body as well as government administrative offices. Just below the dzong is a traditional Bhutanese covered cantilever bridge.
- Bhutan National Museum: is a cultural museum that was originally established in 1968. The museum houses over 3,000 works of Bhutanese art, covering more than 1,500 years of cultural heritage.
- Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang: is a notable temple as it is in the form of a chorten, which is very rare in Bhutan. It is located on the edge of a hill between the Paro valley and the Dopchari valley.
- Kyichu Lhakhang: is one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples. The main chapel has roots as far back as the 7th century, with additional buildings and a golden roof added in 1839. Elderly pilgrims shuffle around the temple spinning its many prayer wheels, making this one of the most charming spots to visit in the Paro valley.
Zhiwaling Heritage Hotel Contact
Satsam Chorten, 975-8-271-277
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