Amankora and its royal luxury

Given the country's notoriously stringent policies on tourism, luxury hotels in Bhutan are few and far between. But the Himalayan kingdom received a large dose of style in 2004, when Aman resorts opened the first of its lodges. Amankora has since expanded to include five distinct lodges - Paro, Thimpu, Gangtey, Punakha and Bumthang - dotted around the country's central and western regions, each one set against a spectacular backdrop of plunging valleys and lush rice paddies. And, as you'd expect from Amanresorts, each combines contemporary design with traditional features, and has an indulgent spa and impeccable dining.