Bumthang Mountain Lodge

Built in a traditional Bhutanese style with stone walls and pretty, painted gables, the main areas are charming and comfortable. On chilly evenings, the roaring fire in the lobby beckons enticingly, whilst the restaurant serves meals showcasing Bumthang's local treasures – buckwheat pancakes with honey, fibre-rich puta noodles, and farm-fresh cheese. The bar is well-stocked for evening tipples and the pleasant gardens offer plenty of space to decompress. And don't forget the rooftop hot stone baths – choose open-air soaks to gaze at the valley or indoor options for more privacy.

Split between the Original Wing (14 smaller standard rooms) and the New Wing (24 deluxe rooms), all rooms are heated by traditional wood-burning stoves. The Deluxe rooms are the ones to book, however. With their pine panelling and exposed stonework, they feel like a 'proper' mountain lodge and are far more spacious. The bathrooms are also large and all have rainfall showers and tubs. River rock accents and natural wood keep things grounded, whilst windows frame the vistas beyond – and there are no TVs to distract.

Bumthang's spiritual riches are right on the doorstep of Mountain Lodge - and in fact, Kurjey Lhakhang, the final resting place of Bhutan's first three kings, is practically next door. Seventh-century Jambay Lhakhang hosts vibrant festivals with fire rituals, while the mystical Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake) and Tamshing Lhakhang's ancient murals are a sight to behold. Beyond the temples, hike through buckwheat fields, cycle to Chumey Valley's weaving centres to watch traditional yathra textiles come to life, visit Jakar Dzong and the 19th-century Wangdicholing Palace, or sample Bumthang's famed cheese and honey at the local farms.