Featured Mr and Mrs Smith Hotel + Giveaway + June's Winner

Congratulations to the June winner of Mr and Mrs Smith / Folie à Deux giveaway: Erica Johansson of Travel Blissful!

Today, I am featuring a hotel in the kingdom of Bhutan: Amankora from the Aman Group. The unique quality of Amankora lies in the geographical embodiment of its five lodges. According to Aman Resorts' website, "Amankora has created a series of lodges, all creatively unique and sympathetically balanced to their environment, in order to discover and comprehend the extraordinary wonders above and beneath this treasured land."

Five lodges comprise Amankora, all strategically created so that guests can engage in a circular pilgrimage around the breathtaking valleys of Central and Western Bhutan.

Each of the five lodges - Paro (main lodge), Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, and Bumthang - offers an exceptional opportunity to stay in a boutique bolthole while exploring Bhutan's countryside. Most guests would start at either Paro, a mere 30 minutes away from the country's only airport, or Thimphu, minutes outside of Bhutan's capital. The three remaining lodges are quite a distance from the two main lodges, and thus, would require a land transfer. But all locations provide a glimpse of the spectacular setting of all five lodges amidst Himalayan mountains, valleys, and gorges.

So, leave your blackberry and laptop at home. I heard the spa and yoga areas are sublime, and so is the food (highlighting Bhutanese, Indian, Thai, and Western cuisine).



This place will guarantee bragging rights: a world-famous resort in an exotic, off-the-beaten-path destination - a truly one-of-a-kind experience!

If you would like to win a $50 US Mr and Mrs Smith gift certificate and European Coast & Country guidebook, please enter a comment on this post, telling us where you'd like to spend your Smith dollars at. Pick from any hotels here.

{all hotel images via Mr and Mrs Smith}