Hotels Near Indo Bhutan Freindship Bazaar in Takchu

I was in Bhutan for 10 days and wanted to finish the trip with a better hotel near the Tigers Nest and that is why I selected the Naksel. This was my choice rather than the suggested hotel from the guide. I’m not quite sure how it gets its 4* star rating or what quite qualifies it to call itself luxury and boutique. It reminds me of 1970s ski lodges with a lot of pine and it does have that old-fashioned feel about it. We were greeted with a lukewarm drink upon arrival and I was disappointed to find that the security lock to the bedroom was broken and that the room safe opened with a standard default number. That means anyone could open your safe if they had access to your room. The double bed in the bedroom was very small despite having adequate room for a larger one. The toiletries in the bathroom were of a budget quality and certainly didn’t reflect what the hotel was trying to achieve. The pillows on the bed were of a cheap foam and not particularly comfortable. There was only one toilet roll in the bathroom which ran out. The bar area was pleasant with a nice terrace outside with good views, however there were no cushions or blankets on any of the chairs. You would struggle to sit out there in the cool weather. There was also a nice room on the terrace with a log burner but it was hopeless trying to use it as the fire was never lit. There also no fresh flowers anywhere or complementary fruit etc which is unusual for a hotel that calls its self 4* star and luxury. The nuts that were served with my apéritif prior to dinner were the standard that you would probably feed your hamster. This was the only place in my 10 day trip where all the prices were quoted in US dollars which is strange for a country that wants to maintain its own identity. It was also adds another 10% service and 10% tax to all bills. It called itself a spa but the spa was slightly away from the hotel and nothing was included in the room rate. Usually a steam room or sauna would be included in your price. The restaurant was alright but unfortunately breakfast finished by 9 am . There was also no fresh fruit on one of the days and the jams available were the cheapest catering ones you could ever find. It would be so easy to improve this place but until then I would say somewhere else on my next trip.

One of best and most comfortable stays. It was completely worth every penny. The host was responsive and helpful even before we entered Bhutan by informing us the rules and requirements of a driver and guide. The check in was quick and easy. We were welcomed with a welcome drink which was much needed as it was a cold day. The chef(Mr Icha Ram Adhikari ) and the other staff ( Aita Maya) were kind and helpful. The food was amazing and the chef even made pancakes for us on our check out day. Everything was well organised, room was spacious and clean , all amenities were provided and everything was functional. The lodge is fairly close to both the tiger nest( must visit in Bhutan) and the paro market( amazing for shopping and eateries). We ended up extending our stay by a day and would recommended this place to everyone.