Zhiwa Ling Ascent Thimphu Where Tradition Meets Modern Minimalism

Zhiwa Ling Ascent Thimphu is an unpretentious but stylish property inspired by Dzong architecture and traditional Bhutanese design. Of modest size and built over three levels with comfortable open spaces in which to relax and meet other travellers, the Zhiwa Ling Ascent hotel is a celebration of modern minimalism, contemporary building techniques, and intimate connections with Bhutanese tradition and culture. The rooms are spacious and well-furnished with natural wood floors and ceilings, and underfloor heating throughout. Accommodation in this elegant Thimpu hotel is focused on energy efficiency and the large windows are designed to share the wonderful surrounding views with guests and to capture the light and heat from the sun throughout the day. The grounds and gardens of this Thimpu hotel extend for more than 25acres around the hotel and have been planted with sweet-smelling Cyprus trees that are revered in Bhutan for their medicinal properties. The elegant modern architecture of Zhiwa Ling Ascent Hotel creates a calm natural environment, the perfect retreat from the bustle of the nearby city.

Enjoy healthy, seasonal cuisine while perusing an impressive selection of international wines. The simple delicious dishes served in Zhiwa Ling Ascent’s restaurant are crafted from the freshest local produce, often organically grown, including herbs, vegetables, fish, meat, and fruits. On clear evenings guests can head to the open-air attic area for a cocktail and 360-degree views of the Thimphu Valley and the surrounding forest-covered Himalayan peaks. During the day the roof, with its spectacular vistas, is the ideal place to practice a spot of open-air yoga. As one of the best hotel’s in Thimphu Zhiwa Ling Ascent also offers a full range of spa treatments for guests seeking professional pampering, relaxation, and rejuvenation. A stay at this outstanding Thimpu hotel is a taste of a Bhutan that has remained relatively untouched for millennia, but which is emerging into the world as its own nation prepared to welcome visitors from the outside to share in its rich traditions, culture and breathtaking scenery.

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Zhiwa Ling Ascent – Committed to the Community and Sustainable Tourism

Zhiwa Ling Ascent takes the Bhutanese ideas of happiness and sustainability very seriously, both in terms of their guests’ experiences and their staff’s experiences. From recycling rainwater through an innovative drainage system to conserving the sun’s heat with large, double-glazed windows and creating power and hot water through solar panels, Zhiwa Ling Ascent is committed to energy efficiency. As with many of the best places to stay in Thimpu, Zhiwa Ling Ascent takes traditional Bhutanese farmhouse design as its inspiration as well as elements from Bhutanese Dzong architecture, these long established designs work in harmony with the environment. Guests of this spacious Thimpu hotel choose from a choice of 20 rooms including three premier rooms and seventeen deluxe rooms. Each guestroom has been tastefully decorated in neutral tones and is flooded with natural light from the large picture windows. All of the rooms have complimentary Wi-Fi, in-room safe, cable television, complimentary on-arrival minibar, and tea and coffee-making facilities. The Zhiwa Ling Ascent Thimpu is the perfect destination for those seeking a luxury, boutique hideaway on the edge of Bhutan’s vibrant capital city, Thimpu.

Although a collaborative project shared between project planners from Bhutan and Austrian architects, the Hotel Zhiwa Ling stands proudly among the other 5-star hotels in Thimpu as it is wholly Bhutanese-owned and run. As well as a dedicated team of professionals on hand to tend to guests’ every wish, the hotel also gives trainees from the Kingdom’s Royal Institute for Tourism and Hospitality an opportunity to practice their craft, making it one of the best hotels in Thimpu Bhutan in terms of supporting the local community. This commitment is shared by the Zhiwa Ling Ascent Thimpu’s sister hotel the Zhiwa Ling Heritage in Paro. Another luxury boutique hideaway, the Zhiwa Ling Heritage is the perfect addition to an itinerary for those traveling to Bhutan’s second city. Since opening up to international tourism again in 2022, the Kingdom of Bhutan is today easier than ever to enjoy leisure travel, both group and independent travel and the team at Secret Retreats are ready to design the perfect Bhutan travel itinerary for you and your family. By staying in the Zhiwa Ling Heritage, Paro and the Zhiwa Ling Ascent Thimphu you will have access to our dedicated group of local experts at Secret Retreats, and at the hotels, who will be on hand to take care of you during your stay and assist you throughout your stay with all the details of your travel itinerary from airport transfers to trekking, to visits to temples, monasteries, and mountain Dzongs as you discover and enjoy this fascinating Kingdom while staying at the Zhiwa Ling hotels, Heritage and Ascent.

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Unwind in a Day at Zhiwa Ling Ascent Hotel

Celebrate arriving at the Zhiwa Ling Ascent Hotel with a drink at the inviting open-plan bar with its wide selection of in-house cocktails, locally brewed beer, and impressive wine list. The bar, with its underfloor heating, large windows, and soft lighting is the perfect place to relax at any time of the day. Wake to unforgettable views over the valley with its dense forests and mountains beyond through large floor-to-ceiling windows before enjoying a breakfast of tea, coffee, and freshly baked pastries prepared daily in the kitchen. Dining at this standout among the 5 Star hotels in Thimpu can be enjoyed in the spacious and comfortable restaurant or al fresco on the lawn to enjoy panoramic views of the scenery from your table. The menu changes daily and features dishes from local and international cuisines and seasonal organic produce from the hotel’s kitchen garden. In the afternoon relax in the rooftop sauna or lounge on a sofa enjoying a healthy smoothie while luxuriating with a manicure and pedicure while enjoying unbeatable views or pamper yourself in the simple, modern spa therapy room for facials or a foot massage in the serene surroundings. And Zhiwa Ling Ascent’s rooftop also makes for a fairytale setting for an intimate wedding or cozy celebration with a cherished group of friends.

During your stay, take a short drive into town where there is plenty to see and do. The Folk Heritage Museum shares with visitors a glimpse into Bhutanese life and has a traditional Bhutanese working farmhouse. The National Textile Museum, the Folk Heritage Museum, and the Painting School allow visitors to see the incredible artistic elements of Bhutanese culture and a visit to the Weekend Market is a perfect way to meet the locals and immerse oneself in the Bhutanese way of life. And for those who like a bit of local Bhutanese mythology, this Thimpu hotel is situated on the edge of the Motithang Takin Preserve which is home to herds of the Kingdom’s national animal, the Takin of Gnu Goat, a 200kg herbivore that according to mythology was conjured up by the Divine Madman of Tibet in the 15th century after a particularly large lunch from the body of a cow and the head of a goat.

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