Punakha's Zhingkham: "Resort" may be a stretch, but the views are real

Part of a group of high-end local lodges in the five main valleys of Bhutan, the Zhingkham Resort is a spectacular place to stay if you’re looking for magnificent panoramic views of Bhutan’s ancient capital of Punakha.

The rooms are clean and spacious and have well-maintained bathrooms, showers and other modern amenities. Windows and balconies open up to excellent valley views. The restaurant serves a mix of regional, international and Bhutanese fare served pre-fixe every day, three times a day. There’s a small spa area if you’re looking to get a relaxing massage but remember this is a place where the word “spa” is stretched to its widest possible meaning. Even the word “resort” next to its formal name is a stretch as Bhutanese people use the word to flexibly to refer to anything that is a hotel or accommodation that feels “upscale.” Still, all said, this lodge has one of the most spectacular views in the entire country, looking out on to ripening green farmlands in the spring that turn to gold in the fall. The sunsets and sunrises from this ridiculously scenic vantage are beyond describing. A perfect way to end (or begin) a day in this ancient valley is with a beverage of choice in hand standing or sitting—on a comfortable rattan chair—on the upstairs terrace as the sun sets or glints off of the gold cupolas of the monumental, 17th-century Punakha Dzong.