COMO Uma Paro is the best all-round base for a honeymoon in Bhutan's Paro Valley: a calm, spa-led hotel on a pine-covered hill above Paro town, ten minutes from the airport and a short drive from the trailhead to Tiger's Nest. It pairs traditional Bhutanese craftsmanship with clean, contemporary design and it has one of the most respected kitchens and spas in the country.
The hotel offers rooms, a suite and freestanding villas. For couples, the One-bedroom Villas are the pick, with a living room warmed by a traditional bukhari stove, a freestanding bathtub and a private treatment room where spa therapists come to you. Valley Rooms are the value choice, with views across the rice fields and the valley.
Bukhari, the restaurant, uses produce from an organic kitchen garden worked with local farmers and it is popular with Bhutan's royal family. The COMO Shambhala spa offers massages, holistic therapies, yoga and an indoor pool, which matters after the steep climb to Taktsang. Couples who want the most minimalist Himalayan design might prefer Amankora Paro. Those looking for a warm, well-run hotel with excellent food and serious wellness will feel very much at home here. As with all Bhutan travel, you book through a licensed tour operator, who arranges your guide and driver.
Highlights at a glance
- Pine-forest setting above Paro, 10 minutes from the airport
- One-bedroom Villas with private treatment rooms
- Bukhari restaurant with produce from an organic garden
- COMO Shambhala spa with indoor pool
- Easy access to the Tiger's Nest hike
Why Couples Love COMO Uma Paro
The setting is gentle and private. The hotel sits in pine forest on a hill above Paro, far enough from town to feel quiet but close enough to pop down for a stroll along the main street. Mornings start with mist over the valley and the smell of wood smoke.
The second reason is balance. Bhutan itineraries can be busy, with dzongs, temples and long drives and COMO Uma Paro is built for recovery. The spa, yoga classes and indoor pool give you a soft landing after a day of hiking.
The third is food. Many travelers say the meals here were among the best of their trip, with dishes drawing on local ingredients alongside international options. It is a place where two people with different tastes, one keen to hike and one keen to rest, will both find a good day.
Rooms and Villas to Book
COMO Uma Paro has five categories.
- Forest Rooms, at 25 square meters, face the pine forest and have walk-in showers. They are compact and best for short stays.
- Valley Rooms, at 32 square meters, look over the Paro Valley and have a bathtub and separate shower, with Juliet balconies in selected rooms. This is the value pick for couples.
- The COMO Suite, 95 square meters, has a separate living room, a kitchenette and 180-degree valley views.
- One-bedroom Villas, 92 square meters, are freestanding with a living room, a bukhari stove, a freestanding bathtub, an outdoor seating area and a private treatment room. This is the honeymoon choice.
- The COMO Villa, at 300 square meters, has two bedrooms, a private spa area and a courtyard with a fire pit.
Some villas come with butler service.
Food, Drink and the Spa
Bukhari, named after the traditional wood stove, is the hotel's restaurant. Much of its produce comes from an organic kitchen garden run with Paro Valley farmers and the menu mixes Bhutanese dishes with international cooking. Try ema datshi, the national dish of chilies in cheese, along with red rice and buckwheat noodles. The hotel also offers a Bhutanese whisky and cocktail experience.
The COMO Shambhala spa is the heart of the property. It offers massages, holistic therapies and wellness programs, with an indoor heated pool and a gym. Group yoga classes run on a schedule and are included and each room has a yoga mat and meditation videos.
Ask the hotel or your tour operator about a traditional hot stone bath at a farmhouse in the valley, a Bhutanese ritual of soaking in water heated by river stones.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do in Paro
The hike to Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest monastery, is the highlight of almost every Bhutan trip. It takes most couples four to six hours round trip, with a café halfway that offers a good view and a break. The hotel provides walking sticks and snacks for hikes.
In the valley, Rinpung Dzong is reached by a traditional cantilever bridge and the National Museum sits above it in an old watchtower. Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, is a peaceful place to light butter lamps and the hotel can arrange a butter lamp lighting ceremony.
For views, drive up to Chele La pass, at around 12,000 feet, for prayer flags and, on clear days, Himalayan peaks. COMO also offers archery and darts lessons, Bhutan's national sports, which make for a fun, competitive afternoon.
Getting There
Paro International Airport (PBH) is Bhutan's only international airport, about ten minutes by car from the hotel. Flights connect Paro with hubs such as Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu and Singapore and the approach between the mountains is famously dramatic. Ask for a left-side seat on flights from Kathmandu for Himalayan views.
All travel in Bhutan is arranged through a licensed tour operator, who books your hotels, guide and driver. Your guide will meet you at the airport and stay with you throughout your trip. Your operator's quote will include Bhutan's government charges as well as the lodge, so ask for an all-in price.
Entry and visa rules depend on your citizenship and can change at short notice, so check the official government website before you book.
Is It Worth It?
COMO Uma Paro offers a high level of comfort and service at a lower price than Aman, especially in the Valley Rooms. The spa and food are strong, the location is convenient and the villas are among the most romantic rooms in Paro.
It is not for everyone. Couples who want the most minimalist design, or the full Aman circuit across Bhutan, might prefer Amankora. Those on a tighter budget could choose a mid-range hotel and save their money for a splurge elsewhere.
Paro sits at about 7,500 feet, so take it easy on your first day, drink plenty of water and go slowly on the Tiger's Nest climb. Spring and autumn bring the clearest skies. Pack warm layers year round, since nights in the valley are cold, especially from November to February.
Insider tips
- Book a One-bedroom Villa so therapists can treat you in your own private treatment room.
- Schedule the Tiger's Nest hike for your second or third day, once you have acclimatized.
- Ask for a farmhouse hot stone bath outing in the valley.
- Try the archery lesson; it is a big part of Bhutanese culture.
