TUI is opening its very first hotel in Bhutan next month.
Called TUI Blue Paro Taktsang, it will be nestled in the Himalayas and in a small village in Paro which is found west of the country’s capital, Thimphu.
Inside the hotel will be 32 suites, a restaurant, two bars, a ballroom, indoor swimming pool, spa and gym – all decorated with traditionally Bhutanese design.
Rooms will have incredible views of the mountains and nearby waterfront.
The first-look images also reveal a huge outdoor dining terrace.
The landlocked country between India and China is known for pretty temples, Himalayan mountains and being a very happy place to live.
The hotel is near some major landmarks like Tiger’s Nest Monastery, whose official name is Paro Taktsang.
It’s a sacred Buddhist site which is perched 900metres high on a clifftop.
For any keen visitors, it’s only accessible by foot and a round-trip hike takes between five to six hours.
Another nearby site is the Kyichu Lhakhang Temple, which is the oldest temple in Bhutan; its main chapel has roots as far back as the 7th century.
It’s also considered one of the most beautiful temples in the country.
Nearby is Ugyen Pelri Thang Palace, which is the private residence and often used by the Queen Mother.
Tourists can’t go inside, but visitors can still take in its incredible architecture and gardens from the outside.
Check out our favourite holiday offers from On the Beach…
*If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue
Bellevue Club, Majorca
There are more pools than days of the week at the Bellevue Club in Alcudia. With 11 swimming pools, a 24-hour bar and a garden theatre offering evening entertainment, you’ll hardly want to leave this resort once you arrive. Nearby, there’s the family-friendly Alcudia Beach as well as the historic old town and promenade of Port D’Alcudia to explore.
Catty Cats Garden Hotel, Side, Turkey
This fun hotel has three swimming pools and several water slides to entertain the whole family. If zipping down slides wasn’t enough to tire out the children, they can enjoy the kids club and mini discos, whilst adults can unwind in the Turkish bath. Plus, the family rooms here feel more like an apartment, as they come with a handy kitchenette too – great for cooking up cheaper meal options.
Htop Olympic, Costa Brava, Spain
This Calella hotel is the perfect base for a cheap and cheerful sun holiday, with comfy air-conditioned rooms just a few minutes’ walk from the bustling bars of Costa Brava. Make use of the hotel buffet stocked with plenty of family favourites like fresh salads, grilled meats and chips.
Corona Roja Aparthotel, Gran Canaria
The Corona Roja Aparthotel sits on Gran Canaria‘s Playa del Ingles, one of the most popular beach resorts among Brits – and for good reason. Whether you’re the type to set off parasailing or prefer a sunset catamaran trip, there’s plenty on offer in this lively resort town.
Bhutan itself is considered the ‘Land of Happiness’, but it won’t appear on any of the official Happiness Index.
Instead, Bhutan has goes by its own “Gross National Happiness Index” which focuses on factors like psychological well-being, health, education, good governance, ecology, time use, community vitality, culture and living standards.
The philosophy was introduced in the 1970s to focus on wellbeing and environmental conservation which is valued more highly than things like economic growth.
Just last year, Bhutan revealed plans for its new international airport at Gelephu complete with forests and yoga lounges.
Its initial design plans reveal a building that represents a mountain range with huge gardens and an open-air forest splitting the terminal in half.
One side will operate domestic flights, the other, international.
Across the four zones will be yoga spaces, outdoor lounges and even meditation and sound bath areas.
The hope is that it will open in 2029.
The best time to visit Bhutan is between March and May or September to December when the weather is at its most mild, which can be up to highs of 25C.
The best time of the year to avoid is June to August as this marks monsoon season when it’s humid with high rainfall.
Currently there are no direct flights between the UK and Bhutan with the average journey length taking around 15 hours with at least one stop.
For more on Asia, here’s an often-forgotten country named the world’s cheapest place to travel this year with £5 hotels and 80p beers.
And, one of the world’s cheapest holiday destinations with new Wizz Air flights has scrapped expensive entry rules.