Go behind the scenes with Dan and Dara during their stay at Bhutan’s Amankora resort.

—————————

Exotic adventures reminiscent of the Roosevelts and Rockefellers still exist, though without the need for porters pitching tents and preparing meals. Aman resorts facilitate luxurious travel while preserving a tangible sense of discovery. From King Sihanouk’s royal guesthouse in Siem Reap, Cambodia to a Maharajah’s former tiger hunting grounds in India’s Aravalli Hills, these foreign oases offer discreet portals to remote destinations. They are unrivaled for guests seeking authentic travel alongside modern conveniences.

 When we traveled to Bhutan in December to source textiles and other exquisitely handmade products for DARA, Dan and I had the pleasure of staying at Amankora, a circuit of boutique lodges set in five different valleys throughout the country. Australian-based Kerry Hill architects designed the lodges to reflect a conscious aesthetic consistency. While the exterior appearance of each residence varied to reflect its respective surroundings, the interiors were nearly identical. As we traveled from village to village, the resort lodges’ cohesive architecture anchored us to a sense of home.

Instead of detracting from Bhutan’s breathtaking natural beauty, Aman’s properties seemed to effortlessly enhance it. Teakwood baths and rammed-earth walls harmonized with sweeping views of blue-pine forestry and Mount Jhomolhari. Our room in Bumthang overlooked the neighboring Wangdichholing Palace.

The resort arranged for an excellent guide to oversee our trip. He went out of his way to show us the authentic side of Bhutan. From attending an exclusive New Year’s festival in Trongsa to glimpsing Gangtey’s famous cranes up close, he made sure our adventures were memorable and one-of-a-kind. While we were in Thimphu, we were able to meet his mother, the only female minister in Bhutan’s Ministry of Works and Human settlement.

The immersive and personalized nature of our Bhutan adventures epitomizes the essence of Aman’s distinctive concept. When Aman founder Adrian Zecha designed the first Aman resort in Phuket, Thailand nearly three decades ago, he wanted to replicate the intimacy of a private residence in an exotic setting while preserving indigenous authenticity.

Now, with properties in 15 different countries, the Amanresorts luxury hotel group is world famous. It even boasts its own assembly of cult followers called “Aman Junkies.” Beyond pioneering the boutique hotel in remote settings, Amanresorts is renowned for respecting native culture and supporting local economies.

“As we traveled from village to village,
the resort lodges’ cohesive architecture
anchored us to a sense of home.”

Bhutan’s Amankora hires most of its staff from neighboring villages and encourages regional artisans to sell their handcrafted goods in the gift shops. The dining rooms serve produce from farmers in the surrounding area and print menus on paper made from Nepalese evergreen shrubs. Amankora also participates in local philanthropic initiatives, assisting with the upkeep of monasteries and arranging English lessons for Bhutanese schoolchildren.

Shop Bhutan For The Home

Photography provided by Aman Resorts