Amankora Thimphu

Thick walls and enclosed courtyards modeled on dzong architecture give this pine-forest lodge its quiet gravity, and the capital's monasteries and government sites are close enough to fill a day without rushing. Amankora Thimphu is the cultural anchor of Aman's five-lodge Bhutan circuit, a luxury retreat where guided mornings in temples give way to unhurried afternoons, and the service runs to fluent explanations of local customs. Forbes Four Star.