Rare India has expanded its carefully selected portfolio of privately held experiential hospitality assets to include Bhutan’s Zhiwaling. Zhiwaling, in Paro Valley, is the first five-star hotel in Bhutan to be constructed by local businesspeople. It is also the only Bhutanese property to have been designated as a National Geographic Unique Lodge, a recognition that attests to the hotel’s dedication to environmental responsibility, cultural preservation, and all-encompassing hospitality.

The South Asian experience hospitality platform Rare India, which was established by Shoba Rudra in 2003, has recently announced the addition of Zhiwaling in Bhutan to its carefully selected collection of privately held hotels and resorts.

Known as the first Bhutanese luxury hotel, Zhiwaling opened its doors in 2005 and has since built its reputation on preserving Bhutanese tradition, providing genuine Bhutanese workmanship, and providing hospitality experiences with a strong cultural foundation. In recognition of its commitment to sustainability, cultural authenticity, and responsible luxury tourism, the property has also been certified as a National Geographic Unique Lodge, making it the only hotel in Bhutan to do so.

The home, which is situated in the Paro Valley and offers views of the Paro Rinpung Dzong, has been meticulously designed to embody the architectural and spiritual traditions of Bhutan. Craftspeople from the surrounding area used traditional Bhutanese building skills, including as carving woodwork, hand-painting murals, stone masonry, and indigenous motifs, to construct its buildings.

Symbols and ideas from Buddhism inform the design of the property’s apartments and cottages. Each cottage in the Junior Suite is based on one of the “Eight Lucky Signs” from Buddhist teachings; the Royal Raven Suite has its own shrine and room for private meditation, and all of the suites face the valley. There are several types of suites, such as the regionally inspired Blue Poppy and Takin suites, which feature panoramic views.

Through carefully selected cultural and spiritual events based on Bhutanese traditions, Zhiwaling’s experiential programming goes above and beyond the typical high-end hospitality. Traditional entertainment programs, butter tea ceremonies, guided walks to holy locations, ceramics workshops, and meditation sessions are all part of the itinerary. In addition to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, the site features an in-house temple and the Samden meditation home.

Outdoor hot stone baths, spa treatments, wellness rituals, and an indoor heated pool are all part of the resort’s wellness offerings, which are based on Bhutanese healing traditions. Guests can enjoy a variety of restaurants that serve both foreign and Bhutanese dishes prepared using ingredients from the surrounding area.

An important part of the property’s business plan is continuing to prioritise sustainability and community involvement. Instead of focusing on traditional tourist consumption, Zhiwaling aims to create local jobs, use materials produced from the area, run eco-conscious operations, and provide experiences that foster a greater knowledge of different cultures.

Rare India’s mission to promote responsible and experience-driven travel throughout South Asia is in line with the inclusion of Zhiwaling. Independently owned establishments that value regional uniqueness, community participation, and authentic destination experiences form the basis of the platform’s portfolio.

The resort is situated in Paro, one of Bhutan’s primary international gateways, and it also takes advantage of Bhutan’s controlled low-volume tourist strategy, which maintains the country’s status as a top destination for experiencing travel.

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