COMO Hotels and Resorts
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Vital Statistics: COMO Uma Paro and COMO Uma Punakha
Address: COMO Uma Bhutan
P.O. Box 222,
Paro, Bhutan
Tel: +975 8 271597
Email: [email protected]
uma.punakha@comohotels,com
Website: comohotels.com/umaparo
comohotels.com/umapunakha
Opening Date:
COMO Uma Paro: November 2004
COMO Uma Punakha: September 2012
General Manager: James Low
Interior Designer:
Architect: Lighting
Designer:
Landscaper:
Executive Chef:
Kathryn Kng
Cheong Yew Kwan
Isometrix, London
Trevor Hillier
Siam Kaewcheerat
Location:
The airport at Paro is a 10-minute drive from COMO Uma Paro
and around five hours by car from COMO Uma Punakha.
Transport
between the resorts is by car, and arranged by COMO Uma
Bhutan staff. It is not possible to hire cars for private use in
Bhutan.
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Getting there:
Druk Air (drukair.com.bt) connects Bhutan with Bangkok,
Kolkata, Delhi, Kathmandu and Singapore, with additional
routes provided by Bhutan Airlines (bhutanairlines.bt) between
Bhutan, Kolkata and Bangkok.
Accommodations:
COMO Uma Paro:
9 Forest View Rooms (25sq m/ 269sq ft): These comfortable
double rooms overlook the pine forests and feature a king-sized
bed or two twin beds, hand-painted traditional Bhutanese wall
designs and a well-appointed bathroom with combined shower-
bathtub. (25sq m/269sq ft)
9 Valley View Rooms (32sq m/ 344sq ft): Larger than COMO
Uma Paro’s Superior Rooms, COMO Uma Paro’s Deluxe
Rooms provide breathtaking views of the Paro Valley. Rooms
feature either a king-sized bed or two twin beds and a generous
bathroom with bathtub and separate shower stall.
2 COMO Suites (95sq m/ 1,022sq ft): The oversized COMO
Suites have separate dining, sitting and study areas as well as
a kitchenette. The sunshine-filled bedroom features 180-degree
views of the Paro Valley. COMO Suites can be interconnected
with a twin bedded Deluxe Room to form a two-bedroom suite
perfect for families.
8 One-bedroom Villas (92sq m/ 990sq ft): These spacious
freestanding villas feature an intimate living and dining area with
traditional Bukhari wood-burning stove , a large master
bedroom with King bed, a very generous bathroom and
dressing area with claw foot tub and separate shower, as well
as a private spa treatment area. All villas come with personal
butler services.
1 COMO Villa (330sq m/ 3,299sq ft): The stately COMO Villa
features a ‘double master’ design with one king-sized bedroom
and bath and one twin bedroom and bath, a large living and
dining area with panoramic views of the Paro Valley, an open-
air courtyard with bonfire pit, and a private spa treatment area
with its own outdoor hot stone bath. The COMO Villa comes
with personal butler services.
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COMO Uma Punakha:
8 Valley View Rooms (27-34sq m/ 291-360sq ft): These
glass- walled rooms overlooking the Punakha Valley – some
with outdoor terraces – feature king-sized or twin beds,
Sheesham (Indian Rosewood) wood furniture and bright wall
paintings by local artisans. There is a cosy lounge area, deep
bathtub and a separate shower stall.
1 One Bedroom Villa (51sq m/ 549sq ft, outdoor terrace:
18sq m/ 194sq ft): This spacious freestanding villa features a
large living area, spacious terrace offering expansive views of
the Punakha Valley and surrounding hills, and a comfortable
master bedroom and large bath with soaking tub and shower.
Outside, the villa has its own glade, where rhododendrons and
hydrangeas grow.
1 COMO Villa (90sq m/ 969sq ft, outdoor terrace: 40sq m/
431sq ft): The headline two-bedroom COMO Villa has a large
living and dining area that opens onto a private 40ft terrace
providing stunning views of Punakha Valley and the snow-
covered Himalayan peaks in the distance. Two double
bedrooms, one with a King bed and one with two twin beds,
flank each side and feature Bhutanese design details, luxurious
Indian cotton bedcovers and hand-knotted rugs from Nepal.
The COMO Villa sits within its own glade planted with azaleas,
rhododendrons, camellias and hydrangeas.
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Room Facilities:
Both COMO Uma Bhutan properties feature the following in-room
facilities:
•
Egyptian cotton linen
•
Individually controlled air conditioning
•
Flat screen LED Satellite TV
•
DVD Player (COMO Uma Paro only)
•
Electronic personal safe
•
Private bar (COMO Uma Punakha villas only)
•
Complimentary coffee/tea-making facilities
•
Umbrellas
•
Yoga mat
•
Hairdryer
•
COMO Shambhala bathroom amenities
•
Wi-Fi
Guest Services: Both COMO Uma Bhutan properties feature the following range
of guest services:
•
Fully licensed as a travel agency and ground handler in
Bhutan providing full tour services with professional English
speaking guides
•
Comprehensive trekking services, including guides
•
Concierge
•
Villa butler service (COMO Uma Paro only)
•
Foreign exchange
•
Multilingual hotel staff
•
Library with Business Centre (COMO Uma Paro only)
•
Wi-Fi
•
Babysitting (on request, with 24 hours’ notice)
•
Private cars and drivers
•
Boutique (COMO Uma Paro only)
Restaurant:
The Bukhari restaurants at COMO Uma Paro and COMO Uma
Punakha serve modern international cuisine featuring Western,
Bhutanese and Indian dishes, all made from locally sourced,
organic produce. Guests can also enjoy COMO’s healthful and
revitalising COMO Shambhala meals and fresh fruit and
vegetable
juices and extracts. In-room dining is available for all meals.
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Bar:
At COMO Uma Paro, the relaxed Uma Bar provides all-day
dining and refreshments from 11am and serves morning coffee
or tea, cocktails and wines. The bar also offers non-alcoholic
smoothies and fresh juices. An all-day dining menu, incorporating
healthful COMO Shambhala Cuisine, is also available. The Uma
Bar can be booked out for a private gathering of up to 20 people
with a VIP set dinner menu.
Executive Chef:
Siam Kaewcheerat
Dining Options:
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Bukhari and Uma Bar (COMO
Uma Paro only)
All-day healthful COMO Shambhala menu In-room dining from
6.30am to 10.30pm
Private dining can be arranged at a number of locations at both
properties
Meeting Facilities: COMO Uma Paro has a meeting room for 12 people, with
dedicated staff
Guest Wellbeing:
Both resorts feature a COMO Shambhala Retreat, offering a
range of holistic Asian-inspired treatments including facials and
signature massages. At COMO Uma Paro, there is yoga and
meditation available. The COMO Shambhala Retreat at COMO
Uma Punakha is more intimate with a focus on massage and
body treatments.
Treatments:
The spa offers Asian-inspired holistic therapies developed by
COMO Shambhala, including reflexology, Ayurveda, massage,
facials and hot stone baths.
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Retreat
facilities:
COMO Shambhala Retreat at COMO Uma Paro offers the
following facilities:
Four treatment rooms
Yoga studio
Separate male/female changing rooms and steam rooms
Two private traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath house
treatment rooms (90sq m)
Gym (67sq m)
Temperature controlled indoor pool (46sq m) with outdoor
sundeck
Yoga weeks led by internationally renowned teachers
COMO Shambhala Retreat at COMO Uma Punakha offers the
following facilities:
2 treatment rooms (a double for couples and a single room
featuring a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath)
Outdoor
Activities:
Overnight camping treks Guided day/half-day walks Mountain
biking and sightseeing by bike
Archery and dart lessons
Custom-designed cultural/special interest tours
Museum, monastery and temple tours Textile shopping and
excursions Cultural activities
Visits to schools for Buddhist monks and nuns Personal one-
on-one talks with Buddhist lamas Visits to traditional
Bhutanese farmhouses Treks to visit Himalayan tribes
Single
Destination
Itineraries:
Himalayan Discovery (3, 5 or 7 nights)
A cultural itinerary based at COMO Uma Paro, this package of
either three, five or seven nights gives a comprehensive insight
into this fascinating Himalayan kingdom.
Himalayan Discovery with Bumdra Camp (5 nights)
This includes four nights at COMO Uma Paro and also a night
at the remote Bumdra Camp in the high Himalayas.
Himalayan Wellness Discovery (6 nights)
Our Himalayan Discovery package with the addition of a full
exploration into the fundamentals of yoga.
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Dual Destination
Itineraries:
Himalayan Explorer (5, 6, 7, 9 or 10 nights)
These longer itineraries feature both COMO Uma Paro and
COMO Uma Punakha, allowing guests to fully immerse
themselves in Bhutan.
Himalayan Explorer with Bumdra Camp (7 or 9 nights)
This itinerary includes nights at COMO Uma Paro and COMO
Uma Punakha and also a night at the remote Bumdra Camp
high in the Himalayas
Bhutan Through a Lens (7 nights)
This itinerary has been developed for photographers of all
levels and interests. An experienced photographer will
accompany the group and give guidance where needed.
Two Kingdoms One Journey (12 nights)
This 12-night itinerary includes stays at COMO Metropolitan
Bangkok, COMO Uma Paro, COMO Uma Punakha and COMO
Point Yamu in Phuket.
Scenic Heli-Adventure (6 nights)
This six-night trip takes you to the heart of the Himalayan
Kingdom of Bhutan with two privately guided helicopter flights.
Direct Reservations:
T. +975 8 279 999
W. comohotels.com/umaparo and
comohotels.com/umapunakha
GDS Access Codes:
Private label chain CV
Sabre 70691 Amadeus PBH696
Apollo/Galileo 81081 Worldspan 4696
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INTRODUCTION: COMO Uma Bhutan
COMO Uma Bhutan comprises two properties from COMO Hotels and Resorts. The first to
open was COMO Uma Paro in the Paro Valley, close to many of Bhutan’s great cultural
landmarks. The second to open was COMO Uma Punakha, a five-hour drive away in the
picturesque Punakha Valley.
COMO Uma Paro is the larger of the two, with nine private villas and 20 rooms. COMO Uma
Punakha is more intimate, with just eight rooms and two villas, including an exclusive two-
bedroom COMO Villa. At both resorts, accommodation provides a deeply comfortable and
luxurious retreat, to be enjoyed after a day’s cultural activities and adventure pursuits, from
Himalayan trekking to archery and white-water rafting.
As a fully-licensed tour operator with English-speaking guides, COMO Uma Bhutan offers a
seamless, hassle-free travel service that takes care of visas, flights and guides. Dual-centre
packages such as ‘Himalayan Explorer’ offer a choice of carefully constructed itineraries that
allow guests to experience both Uma properties during a single visit.
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RESORT SYPNOPSIS: COMO Uma Paro and COMO Uma Punakha
COMO Uma Paro
COMO Uma Paro first opened in 2004. This inland mountain retreat, located on a 38-acre site
atop a gently sloping blue pine tree-clad hill, overlooks the town of Paro in the valley below.
Paro town is one of the main cultural centres of Bhutan, situated towards its western border. It
is also where the nation’s only airport is located. Thimphu is the capital and a one-hour drive
away.
Paro derives its name from ‘Pardhu.’ ‘Par’ means ‘handful’ and ‘Dhu’ means ‘dragon.’ The town
is flanked by rice paddies, wheat fields, trout-filled streams and scattered settlements.
At COMO Uma Paro, there are 20 rooms and nine villas (including one two-bedroom COMO
Villa), fashioned by traditionally-trained Bhutanese artisans alongside Cheong Yew Kwan,
architect of COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali. Cheong’s respect for indigenous styles accounts
for the resort’s references to a local Bhutanese village. The landscaping is soft, with orchards,
lawns and ramped pathways preserving the original contours of this rugged land. Each villa is
loosely placed at different levels, in glades and clearings planted with azaleas, rhododendrons,
camellias and hydrangeas, giving the resort an organic, unstructured sensibility. Materials
include stone, wood and tiles – handcrafted, using age-old techniques. The main building,
formerly the home of a Bhutanese nobleman, forms the visual focus of the resort. Peach-
flowering climbing roses decorate walls, and there are glorious magnolias.
COMO Uma Paro is committed to developing wildflower meadows, organic gardens and more
mixed species woodland, using oak, hemlock, fir and maple saplings. These measures are
attracting an even greater number of birds than the existing blue pine forest.
COMO Uma Punakha
COMO Uma Punakha opened in September 2012, The 11-room resort lodge, located in the
heart of Bhutan, is set into the hillside overlooking a bend in the Mo Chhu Chu river, with bird’s-
eye views across the bright green terraced rice and vegetable fields below. COMO Uma
Punakha is a five-hour drive from COMO’s Paro resort (where Bhutan’s major international
airport is also located).
The historic Punakha Valley is one of the most beautiful and important in Bhutan; Punakha was
the capital of Bhutan until 1955, before the seat of government was moved to Thimphu. Today
Punakha Valley is one of the country’s most productive districts, thanks to its year-round mild
climate, suitable for fruit growing. The valley is home to many beautiful monasteries as well as
the majestic Punakha Dzong–the fortress-like monasteries found all over Bhutan–located at the
scenic confluence of the Mo (mother) and Po (father) Chhu rivers. This area is also a popular
location for rafting, showcasing the many prayer flags along the river banks and the temple at
Nyezergang.
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At COMO Uma Punakha, there are eight valley view rooms and two deluxe Villas (a One-
bedroom Villa and a Two-bedroom COMO Villa), all fashioned in similar style to COMO Uma
Paro, by architect Cheong Yew Kwan. Every room makes the most of the views across the
valley, with natural light flooding the simple, pared-back interiors. As at Paro, Bhutanese
artisanship is found in the handcrafted furniture in Sheesham woods, stone and ceramics.
Also like COMO Uma Paro, COMO Uma Punakha is committed to sustainability and is
developing its own organic gardens and mixed species woodland.
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DESTINATION OVERVIEW: Bhutan
The Kingdom of Bhutan lies landlocked within the folds of the mighty Himalayas. This has given
rise to names for Bhutan such as ‘hidden treasure’ or ‘the last Shangri-La’.
Bhutan’s unique topography has also ensured that large parts of the landscape remain
untouched. Much of the country is protected by law. Snow and high winds dominate in the
mountainous north, while rivers and broadleaf forests define Bhutan’s valleys. The sub-tropical
strip in the south has tropical vegetation and plains where rice is grown.
It is thought that the region was inhabited as early as 1500 BC. Buddhism was introduced in the
7th century, and remains the state religion in Bhutan, with every household in Bhutan containing
a ‘choeshum’ (a shrine room devoted to prayers and offerings). Many of the country’s sightseeing
highlights are found in its religious architecture - temples and ‘dzongs’ which also function as
administrational centres.
Interlaced with its religion are Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage, folklore and history. People still wear
traditional national dress: men wear ‘gho’, a heavy knee-length robe tied with a belt, whilst women
wear ‘kira’, which is an ankle-length dress worn over a blouse and tied up with a brooch. Spirits,
manifestations, medicine men, yetis and reincarnation are all aspects of daily life here.
Unsurprisingly, tourism came late to Bhutan, with the borders opening to foreign visitors as
recently as 1974. Even now Bhutan only sees around 35,000 visitors each year. The government
strives to balance openness while protecting the natural environment with a daily tourist tax
(currently US$65 per day), which is paid in order to offset any environmental impact.
Popular activities in Bhutan include walking, trekking, mountain-biking and whitewater rafting with
terrain ranging from pine-clad hillsides to rocky outcrops, and trails incorporating traditional
villages, monasteries and striking views. The national sport of archery is practised all over the
country, with high-spirited, colourful contests. The archery fields are known as ‘Bha Cho’.
Shopping in Bhutan is centred around handicrafts such as carpets, jewellery, bamboo bowls,
masks, silver, wooden products, textiles and handmade paper. Bhutan is also famous for its
stamps. Beautiful stamp collections (presented in books) make fantastic souvenirs.
Eating out in Bhutan is erratic and often there will be no formal menu. The national dish ‘ema
daste’ consists of large chillies, served in a cheese sauce. Another favourite is ‘phak sha
laphu’— stewed pork served with radishes. Although Bhutan is a Buddhist country it is not
vegetarian. Traditional snacks, with a Tibetan influence, are ‘momos’. These are small dumplings
filled with meat or cheese. It is also common to find noodle dishes. Buckwheat, a dish favoured
in the Bumthang Valley, is a staple and the locally grown red rice, favoured by the Bhutanese
people, has a pleasant nutty flavor.
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KEY BIOGRAPHIES: COMO Uma Bhutan
James Low, General Manager: After training in Malaysia and the United Kingdom, James
Low’s 30-year career in hospitality has taken him to many parts of Asia, including Malaysia,
Singapore, and Thailand. James joins COMO Uma Bhutan after serving as General Manager
of COMO Metropolitan Bangkok and COMO Point Yamu in Phuket, Thailand.
Jesse Tibert, Lodge Manager: COMO Uma Punakha: Jesse joined the COMO family in
2011 when he took on the position of Staff Welfare Manager at COMO Parrot Cay. In March
2013 he moved to New York City to work at The Avalon. It was in June 2014 when Jesse
returned to Bhutan to take on the role of the Front Office Manager at COMO Uma Paro, after
his first stint from 2010-2011 at the Nak-Sel Boutique Hotel & Spa.
Tshering Yangki, Assistant Activity and Tours Manager: Tshering Yangki, from the
central Bhutan town of Bumthang, started her career with COMO Uma Bhutan in 2005 as a
Tour Guide. She manages a team of 10 guides, comprising some of the most experienced
guides in Bhutan. Yangki makes sure her guides are kept up-to-date with the latest tourism
developments and attractions in the kingdom.
Cheong Yew Kwan, Architect and Interior Designer: Cheong divides his time between
Bali and Singapore. His past projects for COMO Hotels and Resorts include COMO
Shambhala Estate in Ubud, Bali, COMO Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos, and COMO
Cocoa Island in the Maldives. He has also worked on a number of high profile private houses.
Formerly with Kerry Hill Architects in Singapore, his style is defined by a keen awareness of
indigenous traditions, creating satisfying, sensitive volumes for modern living.
Kathryn Kng, Interior Architect: Kat Kng, of KathrynKng interior design practice, is based
in Singapore where she has a long-standing reputation for innovative, clean-lined aesthetics.
This is evidenced in past work for the city’s fashion stores, including Issey Miyake, Christian
Dior and Emporio Armani. In the hospitality sector, Kng has worked on the interior conversion
of the Four Seasons Island Explorer, a boutique-style diveboat launched 2002 in the
Maldives, COMO Cocoa Island in the Maldives, and COMO Metropolitan Bangkok.
Trevor Hillier, Landscape Architect: Currently working out of Bali, Hillier is a Southeast
Asian tropical landscape specialist, with a strong conservationist leaning. His work shows a
keen sensitivity to architecture and context, his designs incorporating agriculture into the
landscape wherever possible. In the resort sector, he has been responsible for extensions of
both Four Seasons Hotels in Bali, as well as the landscaping of COMO Parrot Cay in the
Turks and Caicos and COMO Uma Ubud in Bali.
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ABOUT THE COMO GROUP AND COMO HOTELS AND RESORTS
COMO Hotels and Resorts, part of the Como Group, is a multi-award-winning, family-owned
business with 15 hotels and resorts worldwide — each one different to the other but sharing
the same core values: a deep commitment to holistic wellness, exceptional nutrition-rich
cuisine, and inspiring destinations that honour the spirit of place.
Our city hotels include COMO Metropolitan London and COMO The Halkin in London, COMO
The Treasury in Perth, Australia, and COMO Metropolitan Bangkok in Thailand. Our country
resorts include COMO Uma Paro and COMO Uma Punakha in Bhutan, COMO Uma Ubud
and COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali, and COMO Castello Del Nero in Tuscany. COMO's
beach and island portfolio encompasses COMO Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos, COMO
Cocoa Island and COMO Maalifushi in the Maldives, COMO Point Yamu in Phuket, and
COMO Uma Canggu on the Bali shore. COMO Laucala Island is the Group’s newest addition:
a private island resort in Fiji.
The Singapore-based COMO Group of lifestyle companies is home to businesses that seek
to make a meaningful difference to customers' lives with products and services focused on
quality and authenticity. Founded by Mrs Christina Ong, the COMO Group encompasses the
international luxury fashion retailer Club 21, the award-winning wellness brand COMO
Shambhala, our food concepts, COMO Cuisine and COMO Dempsey, the philanthropic
COMO Foundation, and COMO Club. This new initiative for 2022 is a one-stop digital platform
that connects customers to the different experiences in the COMO Group, as well as partner
brands who share our values.
For more information on COMO Hotels and Resorts, visit our website comohotels.com,
follow our adventures on Instagram @comohotels, or chat to us on our Facebook page.
COMO Hotels and Resorts
