The Six Senses Bhutan is set to debut in 2017, offering unique lodging experiences across five different satellite resorts. Envisioned as a journey through the Buddhist kingdom, the concept will comprise 82 suites and villas spread over five intimate lodges in Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang, and Paro districts.
In the capital of Thimphu, a culturally oriented sojourn will feature clean, modern lines as well as pervasive wood paneling, whitewashing, and natural stone. Traditional décor, from handcrafted objects to elaborate weavings, will offset to the modern backdrop, while repurposed wood is used for both table and bench tops within the handcrafted brick structures. Bumthang is the next stop on the journey, housing guests in a forest within a forest. Accommodations feature expansive windows that flood the interiors with the woodland ambiance. Recycled wood is used for everything from lamp bases to tables and floors, and patterned timber walls heighten the natural palette.
Six Senses Bhutan at Punakha
The Punakha lodge will recall a traditional rural farmhouse set on the fertile, terraced land. Building on the resorts’ clean lines, the design includes mud brick elements in bathrooms, light fittings crafted from mason jars, woven bamboo wall features, and bamboo and rattan details.
Continuing the natural palette aesthetic, Gangtey’s accommodations are also dressed with weathered timber floors and accented walls. Warm leather details appear throughout in armchairs, footstools, tabletops, and the cords of bottle light fixtures. A birdwatching bridge is also unique to Gangtey, crafted from local stone and surrounded by expansive timber-framed windows.
The fifth and final stop, Paro, is set upon the site of old stone ruins, and channels the location with hewn stone walls and working fireplaces, offset by mid-tone vertical timbers sourced from renewable supplies. The property is also outfitted with community gathering spots for guests to socialize before an open fire.