The 29-room Uma Paro, operated by COMO Hotels and Resorts since Fall 2004, has provided a first-hand glimpse into the enduring cultural traditions of the kingdom of Bhutan, nestled on top of the world in the Himalayas. Surrounded by a dramatic landscape of terraced hills and snow-capped peaks, the retreat is known for both its holistic practices (yoga programs, spiritual therapies) and luxurious comforts. Now COMO Hotels and Resorts has announced that it will be opening a second property in pristine Bhutan in September 2012. Called Uma Punakha, the 11-room lodge will be located in the Punakha Valley, one of the most culturally important valleys to the Bhutanese because it’s the setting for the Temple of the Divine Madman and the Punakha Dzong. This valley is a five-hour drive from Paro, home to the country’s only international airport.
Designed by Cheong Yew Kuan, a Singapore-born, Bali-based architect who designed COMO Shambhala Estate and Uma Ubud in Bali, the new lodge will have a COMO Shambhala retreat with two treatment rooms. The opening of COMO’s second outpost in Bhutan will allow guests to experience different parts of the country on cultural and physical adventures (think white-water rafting, trekking, and cycling). For more information, see the website: www.como.bz