Ranked amongst Asia 12 top hotels by Condé Nast, the ZhiwaLing Heritage Hotel, just 12 minutes away from Paro International Airport offers a tempting deep dive into Bhutan’s heritage luxury in the upper Paro valley.

From its gorgeous setting amidst four hectares of lavish verdure this family-owned property offers a spectacular view of one of Bhutan’s most iconic sacred places— the Tiger’s Nest or Taktshang Goemba, perched atop a vertiginous cliff.

Ringed by an array of lofty pinnacles this 5-star hotel is marked for its lush grounds and pretty gardens, which act as a beautiful foil to its superb Bhutanese architecture, intricate stone work and handcrafted painterly woodwork. Indoors you are swept into a lap of luxury steeped in the rich atmospherics of custom and traditions and modern-day accoutrements such as cutting-edge telecommunication systems and Swedish under-floor heating.  It’s also well equipped to host MICE events with facilities like spacious, fully equipped conference rooms (including a sound system, projector, and seating arrangement as per requirement, dedicated IT support), a business centre, and a private boardroom and dining room.

The makeover of its amenities and services has added that extra fillip to make a stay here not just unique, but also truly comfortable for its well-heeled guests. If you want to really pamper yourself, go for the twin-bedroomed Royal Raven Suite which comes with a gorgeously decorative private shrine raised to the female trinity, the Namgyelma (Skt. Vijaya), the Tsepame (Skt. Amitayus) and Delma (Skt. White Tara), the deities of longevity, happiness and wealth. The Blue Poppy Suite and the Takin Suite open up on charming views of the valley and hotel grounds. Each comes with a living room with a private balcony and a spacious bedroom and bathroom with Swedish underfloor heating.

The luxury of uncrowded spaces is further heightened by the lavish treatment of space by the architect who has scattered 4-6 rooms across eight separate buildings in the complex. The river-facing rooms are large and airy and come with private balconies. All guestrooms feature classic Bhutanese weaving traditions in the choice of beautiful bedcovers, drapery and hand-knotted rugs.

The opulence of the classic handwork of Bhutanese artisans is a treat in itself at the ZhiwaLing. Stepping into the lobby through the traditional mago (entrance) you are blown away by the intricately wrought vaulting atrium which draws the gaze all the way up to the balcony featuring traditional Bhutanese-style railings. Unmissable too for their superb craftsmanship are the colossal kachhen (pillars) richly hand carved for decorative effect as are the vibrant hand-painted ceilings and walls of the corridors.

At the Lingka Restaurant tuck into classic Bhutanese options and Western favourites created with organic local produce and regional herbs and plants. The Mad Monk Bar offers a popular watering hole for pre-dinner guests.

You’ve heard of the Japanese Tea Ceremony, right? The ZhiwaLing introduces you to the unique Bhutanese tea ceremony at its serene Tea House. You get to take part in the preparation of traditional butter tea using a wooden churner and then savour your personally crafted brew.

Looking for a unique spa experience? Go Bhutanese in the most luxurious mode with a deeply relaxing traditional hot stone bath. The Menlha Spa’s Bhutanese outdoor hot-stone bath is an experience not to be missed.

Another unique experience guests at the ZhiwaLing can enjoy is a ceremonial introduction to Buddhism in the in-house temple located on the second floor of the main building. The shrine has been constructed with 450-year-old timbers, originally part of Gangtey Monastery which dates back to 1613.  The temple features an image of Guru Rinpoche, flanked on the left by Terton Pema Lingpa and Zhabdrug Ngawang Namgyal on the right. The temple arranges many ceremonies including the Lhab Sang Ritual which celebrates new beginnings and special occasions.

The ZhiwaLing provides an exclusive opportunity to learn a new skill from seasoned masters—learning to mould the sacred Buddhist artefact known as Tsa-tsa. These are tiny votive tablets common to Buddhist sacred sites. Tsa-tsa are said to serve as tangible expressions of devotion, an act for accumulating spiritual merit. So, what you are experiencing at this private Tsa-tsa moulding workshop is not only the novelty of a new skill, it holds far deeper meaning of the spiritual kind-- it is a meditative and sacred art.

Sportier guests can try their hand at traditional archery bouts under the guidance of a local expert.

In a nutshell, the ZhiwaLing offers an exceptional introduction to the Bhutanese way of life, empowered by centuries of traditions and customs to which the country continues to protect fiercely despite the march of time.