Aman Unveils Major Wellness Upgrades at Two Bhutan Lodges
Luxury hotel group Aman will reopen its Paro and Punakha lodges in Bhutan this September following an extensive renovation centred on wellness, guest comfort and cultural preservation.
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Luxury hospitality brand Aman is preparing to unveil a new chapter for its Bhutan circuit, with two of its signature lodges set to reopen following a significant wellness-focused refurbishment.
The renovations at Amankora Paro and Amankora Punakha mark one of the most substantial upgrades to the collection in recent years, reinforcing Bhutan’s growing appeal as a destination for travellers seeking immersive wellness experiences alongside cultural discovery.
Aman first entered Bhutan more than two decades ago as the country’s first international luxury hospitality brand, establishing a network of lodges across five valleys that has become one of the kingdom’s most exclusive travel experiences.
Among the most notable additions is a new Aman Signature Spa House at Amankora Paro, designed by Kerry Hill Architects and set within the property’s pine forest.
The standalone wellness retreat features a private hammam steam room, treatment rooms, relaxation areas, hot and cold bathing facilities and an outdoor pool designed to create a secluded spa experience for individuals and couples.
The Paro lodge has also introduced a riverside banya sauna inspired by Eastern European and Scandinavian traditions. Surrounded by forest and overlooking the river, the experience combines heat therapy, cold-water immersion and traditional venik massage rituals.
Further wellness enhancements include upgraded treatment rooms, refreshed spa facilities and a new yoga pavilion overlooking the valley landscape.
Guest accommodation has also been comprehensively updated.
All 24 suites at Amankora Paro have undergone refurbishment, including new timber finishes, upgraded climate-control systems, enhanced lighting, and elevated in-room amenities. Communal spaces, including the lounge, dining room and library, have also been redesigned.
In Punakha Valley, Amankora’s lodge, centred around a restored 300-year-old farmhouse, has similarly received extensive upgrades. The property’s 12 suites have been refreshed with new interiors and technology while preserving the building’s historic character.
The spa has been expanded to include hydrotherapy facilities such as a steam room, Jacuzzi, cold plunge, bucket shower and relaxation lounge, alongside upgraded treatment rooms and yoga spaces.
Additional changes include a new private dining room within the historic farmhouse and redesigned communal areas intended to offer greater privacy and a stronger connection to the property’s heritage. The farmhouse’s original altar room remains intact, with a resident monk continuing to perform traditional Buddhist ceremonies and blessings.
The renewed lodges are scheduled to reopen on 15 September 2026, further strengthening Bhutan’s reputation as one of the world’s most sought-after luxury wellness destinations.
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As travellers increasingly seek purpose alongside experience, Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy says its projects have now positively impacted almost 550,000 people across 27 countries.
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Luxury travel has long been associated with extraordinary experiences, remote destinations and exclusive access.
Increasingly, however, it is also being measured by something less visible: the impact it leaves behind.
New figures released by Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy (AKP), the charitable arm of luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent, reveal the organisation raised a record $3.3 million in 2025, supporting 80 projects across 27 countries and reaching almost 550,000 beneficiaries since its inception.
The result marks the philanthropy group’s largest year to date and reflects a broader shift within the luxury travel sector towards community development, conservation and long-term local partnerships.
Keith Sproule, Executive Director of A&K Philanthropy, said the organisation’s focus remained on creating lasting change within communities visited by travellers.
“From feeding thousands of students each day to expanding access to clean water, healthcare and economic opportunity, 2025 was a landmark year for A&K Philanthropy,” he said.
A changing definition of luxury
The growing focus on social impact comes as affluent travellers increasingly seek deeper connections with the destinations they visit.
Across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America, AKP’s projects span education, healthcare, conservation and enterprise development, often in remote regions where tourism can provide an important economic lifeline.
Among the year’s milestones was the delivery of approximately $800,000 worth of medical equipment to healthcare facilities in Uganda and Zambia, while more than 6,400 students gained access to clean drinking water through school-based initiatives.
The organisation also expanded school feeding programs in Kenya, Namibia, Uganda and Zambia, providing daily meals to more than 7,200 children.
Investing in communities
Several projects highlighted in the report focus on helping communities generate sustainable income rather than relying solely on aid.
In the Peruvian Amazon, AKP partnered with the Nueva Arica community to develop businesses centred on punga fibre, aguaje fruit and honey production, creating economic opportunities while supporting environmental conservation in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions.
Elsewhere, near Petra in Jordan, 40 young women completed a vocational mosaic-training program designed to help participants establish businesses and generate independent income.
Education also remained a priority, with a new library opening at Pusanki Primary School in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. The project included the delivery of more than 1,100 books for 440 students living near important wildlife conservation areas.
Tourism’s broader legacy
While luxury travel remains centred on exceptional experiences, reports such as AKP’s highlight the growing expectation that tourism should deliver benefits beyond the visitor experience alone.
The organisation now employs 17 Impact Managers who work directly within local communities, helping oversee projects and maintain long-term partnerships in some of the world’s most isolated regions.
As travellers become increasingly conscious of where their money flows, the concept of luxury is continuing to evolve, with many high-end operators placing greater emphasis on the legacy their journeys leave behind.
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