Known for its dramatic mountain landscapes and natural beauty, this destination puts its residents’ joy at its focal point.
Nicknamed the ‘Land of Happiness’ for its Gross National Happiness, Bhutan only opened to tourists back in 1974.
Located in south Asia, in the heart of the Himalayas, the landlocked country is now set to get its first TUI Blue hotel.
The TUI Blue Paro Takstang will be located in Paro, in the small picturesque village of Shari, situated west of Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu.
Opening its doors in May, the hotel is set along a tranquil waterfront and framed by majestic mountain scenery.
Guests have the choice from 34 rooms and the resort boasts a restaurant, two bars as well as a ball room and indoor heated swimming pool. There are also spa and gym facilities on site.
The hotel honours Bhutan’s heritage and culture with its décor and style, featuring architecture inspired by traditional Bhutanese design.
In keeping with the country’s vision for sustainable tourism and its focus on the environment, the property uses sustainable building practices and operations.
The first TUI Blue hotel is set to open in Bhutan in May and will be located in Paro
The TUI Blue Paro Takstang boasts 34 rooms as well as plenty of luxurious facilities like a restaurant, two bars and a ball room
First-look photographs of the resort reveal vibrant decorations inside and mountain views surrounding the hotel.
There also appears to be a large outdoor, elevated terrace – perfect for dining or taking in the landscape with a drink by the firepit.
TUI Blue Paro Takstang is nearby some of the country’s major landmarks including the Tiger’s Nest Monastery – one of Bhutan’s most revered spots.
The monastery dates back to the 17th Century and is a sacred Vajrayana Himalayan Buddhist site located in the cliffside of Paro Valley.
Visitors can only access Tiger’s Nest by foot and it can take a couple of hours to hike up from the base of the mountain.
Another ancient spot nearby is the Kyichu Lhakhang Temple, also located in Paro Valley.
Or visitors could head to the Ugyen Pelri Thang Palace which can be found in a secluded spot surrounded by trees near the Rinpung Dzong.
Artur Gerber, CEO TUI Hotels and Resorts, described Bhutan as a ‘truly unique and inspiring destination’.
First-look photographs of the hotel reveal what appears to be an elevated terrace area perfect for dining or drinks
An ancient spot nearby is the Kyichu Lhakhang Temple, also located in Paro Valley
The hotel is located near the Tiger’s Nest Monastery – one of Bhutan’s most revered spots
He explains how the locations ‘aligns perfectly’ with TUI’s ‘vision of meaningful, experience‑driven travel’.
‘Bringing TUI Blue to Bhutan underlines our confidence in the destination’s potential and our commitment to sustainable, culturally respectful hospitality development across Asia Pacific,’ Artur adds.
‘Against this backdrop, our team is currently working on additional hotel projects. We are actively assessing new destinations and development opportunities, including another potential project in Bhutan.’
Bhutan was named Lonely Planet’s ‘best place to visit in 2020,’ beating England which ranked second.
Lonely Planet described the country as a ‘tiny piece of Himalayan paradise’ that has a good claim to being ‘a real-life Shangri-La’.
In its Best In Travel 2020 book, the publication wrote: ‘If you like your mountains snow-capped, your nature untamed and your monasteries humming with the sound of Tibetan horns, look no further than Bhutan.’
Bhutan places a huge emphasis on happiness, and even developed its own index to measure the emotion in 1972
The Gross National Happiness (GNH) was coined by Bhutan’s fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
The country has gone on to continue its pledge to have an economy preserving Bhutan’s culture based on deeper values.
It focusses on the well-being, health, community, education and other factors.
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