Following Bill Bensley-designed Shinta Mani Mustang being named number one in Robb Report’s 50 Greatest Luxury Hotels on Earth 2026, Pemako Punakha offers another opportunity to experience the renowned designer’s vision in the Himalayas.
Conceptually designed by American landscape architect and interior designer Bill Bensley, Pemako Punakha is home to Bhutan’s first luxury tented villas. The property is also the flagship of Pemako, the country’s first Bhutanese-owned and managed luxury hotel group. Nestled within 60 acres of forest along the banks of the Mo Chhu River, the retreat features 21 tented villas thoughtfully woven into the natural landscape. Its design draws on the Himalayan concept of beyul – mystical hidden lands believed to offer spiritual refuge – creating an alternate world grounded in Bhutanese nature, heritage and spirituality.
The sense of discovery begins on arrival, as guests cross a bridge draped in fluttering prayer flags before receiving a traditional blessing from the resident Buddhist monk. From here, the hotel’s interiors provide a rich reflection of Bhutanese culture, incorporating the yellow, white and orange of the national flag, black tones reminiscent of traditional highland tents and furnishings inspired by ancient Dzong architecture – the distinctive fortress-monasteries found throughout the country. Bhutanese motifs, prayer art and thoughtful craftsmanship feature across the property, while a copy of The Bhutanese Guide to Heritage is placed beside every bed. Each tented villa also offers expansive outdoor decking, panoramic views over the Mo Chhu River and a private temperature-controlled pool – a first for Bhutan.
The design provides a backdrop for guests to experience the country’s traditions first-hand. Experiences include prayer-flag-hoisting ceremonies, meditation and evening prayers with the resident monk, traditional folk music and sacred Cham dance performances. Guests can also dress in Bhutanese Gho and Kira, or try the national sports of archery and khuru with guidance from their personal butler. As Bhutan’s only home-grown luxury hospitality brand, Pemako offers a distinctly local interpretation of luxury. Ninety-nine per cent of its employees are local residents, while the hotel works closely with nearby communities and uses locally produced agricultural and farm products wherever possible.
Through Bensley’s conceptual vision, Pemako Punakha feels inseparable from its setting, weaving the surrounding forest, river and mountain landscape together with Bhutanese architecture, craftsmanship and tradition. The result is an immersive expression of place that allows guests to experience both the country’s natural beauty and its rich cultural heritage.
Rates at Pemako Punakha start from $1,800 for a luxury tented villa for 1-person on a half-board basis.
