The collection of boutique lodges, with just over 80 rooms in total, is one of Asia's most anticipated openings and spa facilities at each site create a special wellbeing circuit.
Guests can travel to each location to experience a unique taste of wellness based on Bhutan's gross national happiness (GNH) index. The Buddhist country uses GNH, focusing on the wellness of its people, as a measure of development instead of gross national product.
The spas at each lodge focus on a different domain of GNH. Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, has the largest lodge with the most comprehensive spa which takes its lead from the GNH strand of physical and mental health. It offers Six Senses' Integrative Wellness Screening to measure biomarkers and pay close attention to mental health. Breathwork and visualisation is also incorporated into each treatment.
In the low-lying valley of Punakha, the spa is based on the 'time use' domain and the balance between work and rest, which is where Six Senses sleep programme comes in. Treatments include medicinal Bhutanese aromatherapy, grounding massages and vedic eye therapy.
Education is the theme behind the spa at Paro, the last location in the circuit, where intentions for the future are written on Bhutanese flag prayers.
When they open, the spas in Gangtey and Bhumtang will focus on psychological wellbeing and culture.
Overall, standout therapies such as traditional Bhutanese hot stone baths, swedana sweat treatments, meditating in a pyramid prayer pavilion and having a massage overlooking ancient stone ruins, have been woven into the offering.
"We take guests on an educational and experiential journey of happiness," Anna Bjurstam, Six Senses' VP spa and wellness, tells Spa Business. "Bhutan has a special, magical energy – the spirit of the land, the culture and people, the beautiful nature and the preservation of the country's values – which leaves no one untouched. Our aim is to not only give guests an outside-in journey with all they can explore, but also an inside-out journey working on mindfulness, happiness and brain health."
