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Dhensa
- Where:
- Why:A summer escape to the Himalayas
- When:April 2023
- Who:My aunt, cousins, and I
"A zen hideaway in the world's happiest kingdom"
AT A GLANCE: In a land of pristine natural beauty and overall serenity that makes you want to tread ever so lightly, Dhensa takes that philosophy for life and translates it into hospitality. With light wood interiors, clean lines, and simple yet thoughtful, functional touches, arriving at this mountain hotel in Punakha Valley is instantly meditative. Perched in the grassy green of the surrounding hills, with snow-clad mountains in the distance and a serpentine river weaving below, Dhensa is a retreat for the mind, body, and soul. Swipe the images below to discover.
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Hello Dhensa!
The beautiful reception boasting a traditional Bhutanese façade
The rooms are in cottages of four, each with their own private balcony
Simple yet warm interiors
Bedside essential reading — a booklet introducing the hotel and country
Clean, no frills, design details... Swoon
Could not wait to get into that bath
After a day on the road, who knows which road took me to a deep, restorative sleep
It's all about the clean lines at Dhensa
A little balcony filled with morning light
A perfect reading nook to start the day with some poetry
Little old-school quirks. Should we start a petition to bring back physical keys?
Framed views of the surrounding hills everywhere you look
It's time for breakfast!
And the restaurant was as appetizing as the food itself
This little road will take you to the spa
If Bhutan could be summed up in a picture, this would be it
It's actually a mandate that windows in Bhutan be designed the traditional way
Soaking in the warm sun before heading to our next destination
Dhensa, you've been lovely :)
Highs & Lows
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The vibe is pristine, and you can feel it from the moment you step in. I just wanted to drop everything and meditate
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The staff was extremely accommodating and empathetic, making the overall experience comfortable — just what you need after a long day of traveling along windy roads
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The beauty of the room lies in its simplicity. It felt like living in a Japandi log cabin with modern design details
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I wished there was a more consistent supply of hot water, especially to soak the long day away in the very inviting tub
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The food options are pretty limited though sufficient
Important Bits
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Type
Lifestyle hotel
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Vibe
Simple, serene, and meditative
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Location
Perched on a hill just above the town of Punakha
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Rooms
24 rooms, each with its own private balcony, are set in six cottages
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Pre-Arrival & Arrival Experience
Friendly communication before arrival. The staff, especially the manager, Mr. Ashish, was extremely accommodative when we arrived late in the evening
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Future Forward
Much like the rest of Bhutan, a highly eco-conscious country, Dhensa, too, makes an effort to use and conserve the planet's valuable resources mindfully. From electricity and water consumption to changing towels and linens, the hotel is thoughtful in its approach and requests the guests to help them in the process too. They also collaborate with local hosts to curate experiences to enjoy the land through workshops, trails, and other cultural immersions
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Music
Quietness all around
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Year Opened
2014
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Designed By
Built entirely by local Bhutanese artisans
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Health & Wellness
A spa cottage overlooks pine forests and has a steam room, sauna, and an outdoor wood-fired hot tub
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Food
The restaurant is a farm-to-table affair with a proudly uncomplicated menu featuring continental favorites, Asian classics, and Bhutanese specialties. The meals are served buffet-style
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Bar, Events & Nightlife
The restaurant serves liquor. There is also a bonfire set up with cultural dances on some evenings
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Minibar & Retail
A decent minibar with complimentary tea and coffee
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Accessibility
Not ADA-friendly as there are lots of stairs with no alternatives throughout the property
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Pet Friendly
No
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Children
Yes
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Price
$$
- Tel.
- Website
Dhensa
Dhensa Boutique Resort, Punakha, Bhutan
Punakha Dzong
Punakha Dzong སྤུ་ན་ཁ་རྫོང་།, Bhutan
Suspension Bridge
Punakha Suspension Bridge, Punakha, Bhutan
Dochula Pass
Dochula Pass, Dochula, Bhutan
In the Area
Hotel Location Dhensa Boutique Resort, Punakha, Bhutan
Dhensa is located in Punakha, one of Bhutan's iconic valleys, famous for its Dzong and temples. Surrounded by beautiful green hills and terraced paddy farms grown on low-lying slopes, the Punakha River flowing silently below, the area is as breathtaking as restorative.
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