You’re dreaming at…
PEMAKO PUNAKHA
Bhutan
A sensuous sanctuary in the Himalayan lowlands where rivers kiss rice fields
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WILDLY PLACED: Punakha Valley – at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers, surrounded by rice paddies, farmhouses, and temple bells.
EDITORIAL VIBE: Loro Piana muse meets Himalayan priestess.
CORE PILLARS: Feminine energy, sacred architecture, slow ceremonial living.
MUSE MOOD: She soaks in turmeric, walks barefoot through paddies, and dreams under silk mosquito nets.
BEST TIME TO GO: October to May – cool mornings, golden rice fields, and sun-warmed rituals.
THE LOOK: Adobe walls, fluted archways, polished stone, and woven gold light.
WHO’S IT FOR: Design pilgrims, slow sensualists, sacred travellers.
INDULGENCE SPECTRUM: From USD$1,000 per night – includes full board, spa access, and stillness.
Some places ground you. Pemako seduces.
Tucked into the lower folds of Punakha Valley, Pemako is both new and ancient: a reimagining of Bhutanese hospitality through a deeply feminine lens. Inspired by the sacred geography of the hidden “Pemako” region - a Buddhist prophesied land of transformation - this boutique sanctuary carries that same spiritual weight.
Architecture is elemental and devotional: curves replace corners, ochre adobe walls mirror the valley earth, and arched windows frame rice fields and river light. The name itself means “Lotus Array,” and the resort unfurls like one, intimate, sensual, complete.
Suites are sanctuaries. Woven textiles, raw silk, and handcrafted ceramics meet rain showers, stone tubs, and private terraces. You don’t just rest here, you exhale into yourself.
Mornings at Pemako begin with sun salutations on the lawn or tea poured with intention. Days unfold gently: a guided temple walk with a female monk, a soak in turmeric-infused bath water, a long lunch prepared from the garden’s seasonal harvest.
The food is sensual and grounding: red rice risotto, wild mushrooms with smoked butter, garden greens tossed in citrus oil, and Bhutanese stews served by candlelight in clay bowls. Every meal feels like a ceremony - quiet, precise, nourishing.
What sets Pemako apart is its stillness. It doesn’t try to entertain or overwhelm. Instead, it opens. Softly. Sacredly. And within it, guests remember a version of rest that feels ancestral. Like coming home to a place you didn’t know you needed.
PEMAKO PUNAKHA’S BEATING HEART
Designed as a vessel for divine feminine energy, Pemako is where architecture meets ritual. The land holds silence like a vow, and the lodge itself feels whispered - like a story passed between generations, finally ready to be heard.
The SLOJOURN spark
FIRST. Your arrival isn’t by grand lobby - it’s across a swaying suspension bridge, flanked by prayer flags and mist. It feels like entering a lost temple (fused with a cute outfit)
SECOND. At the spa, Bhutan’s ancient hot stone bathing ritual is reimagined with pink clay, turmeric, and river-warmed stones - all drawn into a petal-strewn copper tub under open sky. It’s less treatment, more post-expedition revival.
THIRD. Morning hikes to sacred temples like Chimi Lhakhang take you past rice paddies and carved phalluses, with your guide weaving legends of the Divine Madman as cranes pass overhead. It’s part pilgrimage, part surrealist folktale - all heart.
Where you dwell
LOVED UP COUPLES or LONE RANGERS
Luxury Tented Pool Villa
Your villa is a warm embrace carved from coconut husk and memory. Sleep over the sea in an Overwater Bure with glass-floor lagoon views, or retreat to the Beachfront Bure where carved timber swings and private plunge pools await. Every corner is kissed by the Pacific and cooled by tradition.
DON’T SLEEP ON THESE ROOMS (BUT DO SLEEP IN THEM)
GROUPS OF FRIENDS
2 Bedroom Tented Villa
LA FAMILIA
Presidential Villa
The art of living
Begin the day with movement and oil-pulled silence. Follow with a plant-dyed body wrap, a river meditation, or a walk through nearby monasteries. At Pemako, life slows to the pace of breath — the slow pour of tea, the press of incense ash, the weight of stone warmed by sun.
The forever lens
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WATER: Pemako Punakha employs sustainable water management practices, including the use of low-flow fixtures and rainwater harvesting systems, to conserve water resources and support long-term sustainability.
WASTE: The resort implements responsible waste management strategies, such as composting organic waste and recycling, to minimize its environmental footprint and promote eco-tourism. ARCHITECTURE: Designed by renowned landscape architect Bill Bensley, Pemako Punakha seamlessly blends traditional Bhutanese architecture with modern comforts. The use of locally sourced materials and vernacular design elements ensures harmony with the natural surroundings. ENERGY: Energy conservation is integral to the resort's operations, with initiatives such as passive solar design, energy-efficient lighting, and the use of renewable energy sources to reduce carbon emissions.
The together lens
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Pemako Punakha is deeply committed to community engagement and cultural preservation. The resort partners with local artisans and farmers to source ingredients and materials, supporting the regional economy and promoting sustainable practices.
Guests are encouraged to immerse themselves in Bhutanese culture through curated experiences such as guided hikes to sacred sites like Chimi Lhakhang, interactions with local communities, and participation in traditional ceremonies. These activities foster a deeper understanding of the country's rich heritage and spiritual traditions.
The take it with you
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A renewed sense of tranquility from the serene landscapes and mindful practices experienced during your stay.
Insights into sustainable living and the importance of community engagement in preserving cultural heritage.
Memories of immersive experiences, from traditional hot stone baths to guided hikes through the Punakha Valley.
A deeper appreciation for Bhutanese architecture and the seamless integration of tradition and modernity.
Tangibly, a beautiful prayer flag and script on mindfulness.
WE SLOJOURNED HERE
“Pemako felt like the softest exhale. A welcome retreat into slow, grounded luxury designed by a Bhutanese brand that truly honours the spirit of its homeland. From the river breeze to the turmeric baths, every moment whispered reverence. It was modern Bhutan, held in local hands.”
The ways you can move.
SLOJOURN is a members-only platform for the new vanguard of conscious travellers. That’s you.
In that vein, we support a multitude of ways to book your travel.
Book directly with SLOJOURN’S travel team (we just don’t book flights, friend).
Book via our preferred travel partners that we can connect you with.
Use this as your guide and DIY your way through the world (love that for you, just take note of the destinations that prohibit this such as Bhutan, Socotra… etc.)