Please note that bookings are not confirmed until the hotel has contacted you personally to arrange your travel itinerary and inform you about the Bhutanese tourism regulations (visa and the Sustainable Development Fee). The only visa waiver exception is for guests holding passports from India, Maldives, or Bangladesh.
The hotel welcomes children of 12 years old and older.
Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary
Discover high-altitude beauty at this exclusive Bhutanese hideaway
In a world where everything seems to have been discovered, there is Bhutan. And high up in Neyphu Valley, against a backdrop of rugged cliff and pine trees, there is the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary. As the name suggests, this unique retreat offers true escape from a frantic world, a place from which to discover Bhutan in all its unique and unspoiled glory.
Inspired by traditional dzong architecture, the hotel takes on the appearance of a mountain fortress from a bygone time. Walk through its grand front door into a peaceful inner courtyard, before taking in the vibrant greens and misty blues of the Neyphu Valley from your balcony. The rooms all share the hotel’s minimalist style, as does the impressive restaurant, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping stone terrace. And to top it all off? The spa. Soak in the infinity pool, wind down with a spot of yoga, or indulge in traditional Bhutanese treatments that draw on the healing power of over 100 natural herbs.
Bhutan is famously high-altitude, so it’s wise to take the first few days slowly. When you’ve adjusted, go for magical hikes in Neyphu Valley. Then let the staff point you towards some of the area’s many (and spectacular) Buddhist monasteries, like Tiger's Nest, a sacred site perched on the cliffside of the upper Paro valley.
Enjoy your stay!
24 Rooms | 2 Floors | 1 Restaurant |
Considerate Collection
Adventure and Activity
Spa
All Inclusive
Considerate Collection
Actively sustainable luxury hotels
Environmentally Conscious
Closely following The Restful Mind philosophy, based on the teachings of His Eminence Gyalwa Dokhampa, the Sanctuary aims to create a lasting positive change in its guests’ daily lives while living in harmony with the surrounding forests and farmland on the remote mountainside. Guests are encouraged to walk, hike and cycle around the Neyphu Valley, and save some space in their suitcases to bring much needed supplies to support local families and animals through the Sanctuary’s partnership with Pack for a Purpose.
Cultural Custodians
Slow living lies at the heart of Bhutanese culture, an ethos reflected in the Sanctuary’s bespoke wellbeing programme created by in-house traditional medicine doctors to honour ancient techniques in meditation, mindfulness, and movement. More than 100 Bhutanese herbs are infused into Himalayan plant-based treatments, while guests can take an herbal walk around the Sanctuary to learn about their healing powers then meet the monks from the Eutok Goenpa monastery opposite the Sanctuary to continue their spiritual journey.
Community Minded
Immersing guests in the local way of life comes naturally to the 70-strong Sanctuary team, almost all of whom are Bhutanese and closely connected to their home communities. Locally made jewellery, clothing, and accessories can be purchased from a boutique store within the Sanctuary, hanging alongside wall paintings by local artists. The Sanctuary’s Social Impact Programme encourages guest participation in several local projects, from supporting the nearby Pelmey Nunnery to sharing a meal with local farming families.
How to Book
To make a reservation, you can either make a booking online via our website or by calling our Reservation Team on +44 203 308 9528. Once the booking has been made, the hotel will put you in touch with Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary’s appointed destination specialist who will create your entire travel itinerary and support you at every stage of your trip.
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
As of the first of September 2023, the mandatory Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) has been reduced from US$200 to US$100 per person per day.
The SDF needs to be paid during the visa application process.
Visa processing can take up to 10 working days.
Travelling to Bhutan and the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary
The destination specialist will create a complete and personal itinerary for you and arrange all mandatory regulations. You can expect every detail to be covered: your reservation at the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, your visa, the short drive from Paro International Airport to the Sanctuary (only 20 minutes), a private car with driver throughout your trip and an English speaking guide who will accompany you on all your excursions.
The destination specialist will be in touch with you directly throughout the process, so you can relax and look forward to an unique and unforgettable adventure in Bhutan.
*The only visa-waiver exception is for guests holding passports of India, Maldives or Bangladesh.
Visa Application
Guests can apply for their visa through the Department for Immigration: https://visit.doi.gov.bt/
The following documents are needed:
Copy of your passport, which must be valid at least six months after your arrival date in Bhutan.
Travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
A recent passport-size photograph.
The visa will cost US$40 per person, and the process will take at least five working days.
Travel Permit
Please note that only Indian passport holders can apply for a travel permit on arrival at the international airport in Paro.
Our Hotel
In the clouds...
Escaping to this untouched corner of the eastern Himalayas is pretty spectacular in itself. But Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary’s elegant spa allows you to connect with the landscape – and yourself – on another level. As the first and only traditional spa-inclusive resort in Bhutan, guests of the Sanctuary can make free use of all spa facilities. Enjoy a bespoke programme of treatments in the hands of the in-house traditional medicine doctors, including moxibustion, herbal compression, and Ku Nye massages. There’s plenty of space to meditate or practise yoga. As for weary muscles, look no further than a long soak in a hot stone herbal bath, or a few lazy lengths in the heated infinity pool.The last (eastern Himalayan) frontier
A trip to the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary is a chance to see a remote and mystical world, full of deep valleys, snow-capped mountains and an ancient way of life. Try your hand at archery or dart – Bhutan’s national sports – in the hotel’s pretty apple orchard. Or your hand(s) at pottery in the art studio. If you’re curious to see Buddhism in action, ask the staff to arrange a visit to the neighbouring monastery. Foodies won’t want to miss traditional Bhutanese cooking classes with the hotel chef, or a trip to the weekend vegetable markets, where colourful produce, including the country’s famous chilli’s, are proudly on display.
Kingdom of Happiness
Thoughtful touches are the order of the day at Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary. On arrival, you’re taken to the “Transformation Room” and given the chance to settle into a restful frame of mind. And whether it’s a little daily gift – like a prayer flag – or the plate of homemade biscuits brought to your room, this is a place that clearly celebrates its setting in the “Kingdom of Happiness.”
Our rooms
Balcony Double
Balcony Twin
Terrace Double
Terrace Twin
SLH Club Reviews
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Key Features
All Hotel Features and Services
- Concierge desk
- Currency exchange
- Doctor on call
- Turndown service
- Laundry service
- Free parking
- Gym
- Pool
- Meeting rooms
Location of your stay
Hotel Address
Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary
Neyphu Valley
Shaba
12001
Bhutan
Check in:
1400
Check out:
1100
What3words location:
fasten.much.letteredWhere is it?
8 kms to airport Paro