From The Straits Times    |

Nothing spells luxury and warm hospitality like the recently relaunched five-star Taj Tashi Thimphu in Bhutan. A luxurious, exotic haven, it blends Bhutan’s traditional fort-monastery architecture with the ultimate in modern design. And, looking like a golden palace, it sits on an expanse of flowering lawns studded with amazing structures and sculpture. 

Awash in jewelled hues, all of its 66 rooms and other interiors, including the restaurants, cafe and bar, are decorated with hand-painted motifs, Buddhist murals, mystical art and modern interpretations of traditional Bhutanese symbols. They also have stunning views of verdant hills with coloured prayer flags fluttering in the wind, and towering mountains cloaked in clouds.  

Her World Brides model Joo Hyun looks beautiful in a Bhutanese wedding outfit.

Indulge in heavenly treatments
Committed to giving each guest an entirely unique Bhutanese experience for all the senses, the Taj Tashi Thimphu also offers indulgent face and body treatments at its award-winning, all-natural Jiva Spa. Couples will love the heavenly signature treatments, said to be originally provided to Bhutanese and Indian royalty, and healing therapies to help you achieve and maintain the kind of physical, mental as well as spiritual equilibrium the citizens seem to possess naturally.

Relish traditional evenings
Every day before dinner, guests are treated to traditional Bhutanese dancing and singing by a troupe wearing dazzling costumes and masks in the hotel’s stone courtyard. The women belt out time-honoured songs in rich voices that seem to carry through the hotel and fade into the mountains nearby. 

While seated by a bonfire, you are served po cha or butter tea, a beverage made with black tea, milk and salty yak butter, and are encouraged to join in the final dance.

Eat like royalty
Chig-ja-gye – named after the 108 principal temptations in Buddhism, and dramatically adorned with old-style gold-leaf paintings and horn instruments called dhungs – specialises in Bhutanese food that blends spices and flavours to excite the taste buds. The most ordered dish here is Ema Datshi, a chilli stew with locally farmed cheese.

The Thongsel, on the other hand, is an all-day diner with a light, airy ambience. It offers mouth-watering Asian and European dishes. Through its panoramic windows you will be able to see the hotel’s iconic and magnificent prayer wheel set against mountains that seem to climb into the clouds. 

Then there is Ara, the perfect place to unwind with a drink after a day of excursions and folklore. Named after Bhutan’s traditional liquor, it has a seven-stringed Himalayan folk music instrument called a dramneyn. 

Alternatively, recount your day’s adventures as you sip on a salted tea called suja at Rimps, where murals of double dorjes, representing enlightenment and wisdom, make the serene space great for reflection.

Take a trip to town
A few minutes walk away from the hotel is Thimpu Road, Bhutan’s Orchard Road. Here, a long line of shops housed in both traditional Bhutanese buildings and modern edifices sell everything from traditional crafts to groceries and the latest fashions from India. There is also a wide variety of restaurants offering authentic Bhutanese and Western menus.  

But these modern conveniences do nothing to dampen the spiritual ambience of Bhutan. Even in the heart of city, there are stupas, criss-crossing lines of prayer flags and colourful prayers wheels everywhere you turn. 

The Her World Brides team flew to Bhutan courtesy of Druk Air and Taj Tashi Thimphu. Thanks to Ivy and the wonderful staff of Taj Tashi Thimphu, as well as Druk Asia Bhutan Travel Specialists Joni and Cipto, our guide Ugyen and driver Chimi. 

This article was first featured in Her World Brides September – November 2015.