COMO Uma Bhutan

We stayed at the Uma Paro for four nights in one of their two suites (room 34) and we were very happy there. The Uma Paro is older than the newer lodges like the various Six Senses and Amans. So if you want something more obviously flash that shouts ‘luxury’, by all means go to those places. In Bhutan, as elsewhere though, location is everything, and in this the Uma Paro is better than any of them. Despite being just a ten minute drive from the airport, it is on the other side of the hill and you cannot hear the planes. Its grounds are awash with pines and immaculate lawns, and there is a hush around them that makes for lovely walks in the mornings and evenings. The elevation also ensures that there are very good views from the suites and the Bukhari restaurant onto the Paro Valley. The service we found to be attentive yet unobtrusive. Everything we wanted, we got, without the unnecessary servility and obsequiousness that you sometimes get elsewhere. The hotel’s decor is also restrained and understated, and in our room, the floors were timber, which creaked when we walked on them. This I found charming, as it accentuated that sense of place, that you are in Bhutan, where timber remains a major construction material. The suite itself was very comfortable and spacious, and more than 900+ sq feet, it had everything you needed, including double sinks, shower and bathtub, a kitchenette and unusually, two toilets, one in the bedroom and one in the living area. The food was generally good and our favourites were the kingfish (very good) and red rice porridge (hearty and with lots of chicken and egg). The lamb is better than the steak. And the view from the Bukhari restaurant is lovely at anytime of day. I would also highly recommend our guide Sangay Ongchuk and driver Namgay. They are wonderful hosts and we were in very good hands throughout. We basically told Sangay our broad interests at the beginning, some specific things we wanted to do and left him to plan the timings, sequence and logistics, which all went without a hitch. Sangay was especially good company during the hike up Tiger’s Nest, and if you’re not sure about your fitness, get a horse ride up. Because even with that, it is still a strenuous hike up the rest of the way. Anyone who tells you it’s easy; they are lying as we saw many tourists give up after just reaching the first viewpoint. We especially recommend the cycling option from the 13,000 foot high Chelela Pass, where we got to cycle downhill on some very scenic mountain switchbacks. The road was very quiet and safe and we passed by only two cars during the 45 minutes we took to get down to about 6-7,000 feet, before we broke for lunch in a small meadow. Everything went smoothly and as long as you’re not too fussy about the minutiae, I can’t imagine you won’t be happy. All in all, we loved our stay at the Uma Paro.

Great property, great service, excellent food, very good spa. they should only invest some money in the shower and wc area of the room, which is a bit charmless.

In away we were spoiled by staying at Uma’s sister property in Punakho, which is smaller scale and a more intimate experience with around ten rooms. Here, the experience was great, and we were in a comfortable and substantial villa (number 17 of 20 rooms or villas). So the scale is bigger (golf buggies available to take you to the villas) and notwithstanding motivated , friendly staff and management, it feels less personal. The central spaces and the villa also felt a little more ‘lived in’. That said a beautiful setting above the town and river. Friendly staff, including the staff member assigned to us as ‘butler’, fun activities like archery, bikes for hire, some great hikes straight out of the property. A good shop on site and interesting cultural activities each night (sand mandala, prayer flag printing. Nice touches in the villa with a nespresso machine and a Bose sound system so you can stream music from your phone. Seriously big bathroom and great shower. The only element that could be improved is the quality and presentation of the food, which was a bit hit and miss - but again we were spoilt by Punakha, which offered a very similar menu, but delivered it better. All in all a good place to stay in a great location.

Service service service!!! Kind and helpful with everything from housekeeping and turn down service, to restaurant staff. From cleaning muddy hiking boots without charge to packing excellent snacks for hiking and checkout to the airport. The property is lovely and the view into the tree tops from my room(30) was beautiful. Coming from the USA I am not accustomed to this kind of service or kindness at any price, sad to say. Thank you COMO UMA Paro

Each time we crossed the gates of COMO Uma Bhutan after our daily adventures this Easter, our four-year-old would joyfully shout, “Hurray, we’re back home!”It was an innocent reaction, but it perfectly captured what this place came to mean to us. From the very first moments, it did not feel like checking into a hotel. It felt like arriving somewhere we truly belonged. There was an immediate sense of something deeply personal: perhaps a certain familiarity, peacefulness, reassurance? The serenity of the surrounding Himalayan landscape certainly played its part, but more than anything, it was the generosity of the people that made “Uma” feel like home. What made our experience truly exceptional began long before arrival. The reservation process, thoughtfully managed by the proficient Dechen Zam, set the tone for the remarkable journey that followed. Despite initial availability challenges, Dechen worked diligently to secure our preferred dates and handled expectations with professionalism and clarity. When unforeseen circumstances arose — first with regional war disruptions affecting our travel plans, and later with delays to our Indian visas — Dechen Zam responded each time with empathy, flexibility, and practical solutions. Her heartfelt support not only reassured us but made us even more eager to experience Bhutan. Dechen also went the extra mile to maintain consistency in our room arrangements whenever possible, which we greatly appreciated. In addition, she ensured the team was aware of our daughter’s birthday. Thanks to her meticulous coordination, the celebration (especially at COMO Uma Punakha) was handled with such care and generosity. It was thoughtful, warm, and deeply memorable — a moment our daughter will always cherish. This reflected seamless communication across properties and a sincere desire to make our stay truly special. During our stay, the strength of the wider team became evident. Our guide, Tshering Dorji (N), combined deep knowledge with patience and attentiveness. He answered our endless questions with detail and insight. He was especially caring about our younger daughter’s motion sickness, adjusted the pace when necessary, and managed our fear of heights with steady reassurance. His thoughtful and considered planning of the itinerary gradually built our confidence, enabling us to complete the Tiger’s Nest hike — a true highlight that felt like a shared achievement built on trust. Our driver, Basant, was consistently kind and a calming presence throughout every journey. At the hotel, our butler Casper was exceptional. His attentiveness, intuition, and ability to anticipate our needs with quiet finesse were remarkable. He was always present when needed: warm, efficient, and genuinely caring. He elevated the experience in ways that felt natural rather than formal. We were warmly and personally welcomed by staff across both Paro and Punakha. A special mention goes to both the friendly restaurant manager and the approachable and cheerful chef Natalie Bolt, who — by happy coincidence — were present at both locations and greeted us each time with warmth and familiarity. We would also like to thank the hotel manager in Punakha, whose efforts ensured our stay felt particularly personal and seamless. While the team truly stood out, the properties themselves are equally remarkable. The luxury here feels purposeful rather than excessive. Both Paro and Punakha offer distinct experiences, each framed by expansive valley views that deepen the sense of retreat. The balance between activity and rest was perfectly calibrated. We especially appreciated the spa, with the hot stone baths providing much-needed recovery after more demanding days. Dining was equally well considered, balancing Bhutanese flavours with international options in a way that felt varied, authentic, and harmonious. In the end, what makes COMO Uma Bhutan exceptional is the natural cohesion between its people, its setting, and its sense of care culture. By the time we left, we realised that “Uma” was not simply the name of a property. It had become something far more personal: a place that welcomed us as family, restored us, and continues to quietly call us back to beautiful Bhutan one day!