About this hotel
General information
COMO Uma Paro is an intimate mountain retreat set on a gently sloping hill of blue pine above the town of Paro. Its buildings are made of handcrafted stone, wood and tile; local artists painted the furniture with flowers, Indian cotton bedcovers carry hand-stitched patterns in the colours of Bhutan’s Buddhist culture, and the hand-knotted rugs come from neighbouring Nepal. The craftwork sits within the clean, pared-back design the brand is known for.
The emphasis is on exploring the country: English-speaking guides lead walks, monastery visits and village outings, and the lodge plans detailed trekking itineraries for longer stays. Much of the kitchen’s produce is grown in an organic garden kept with farmers from the Paro valley. Around the grounds are a library, a courtyard with fire pits, an archery field, the COMO The Shop boutique and spaces for private events.
Location
The lodge stands on a wooded slope in the Paro valley in western Bhutan, looking over the town, about a 10-minute drive from Paro airport. Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest monastery, and the valley’s old dzongs are close by. Journeys between valleys are made by car and arranged by the lodge team; COMO Uma Punakha is roughly five hours’ drive away, and the brand’s two Bhutan addresses are often combined in a single trip.
Spa
The COMO Shambhala Retreat has four treatment rooms, two private bathhouses for Bhutanese hot-stone baths, steam rooms, a sauna, a gym with a yoga studio and a heated indoor pool. Its signature is the hot-stone bath, in which heated river stones crack and release steam into the water, followed by the COMO Shambhala Massage. Massages, facials, body treatments, Ayurvedic and Bhutanese herbal therapies and detox or rejuvenation programmes complete the menu. The spa opens from 9.00 to 21.00, and every villa has a treatment room of its own.
Sports & leisure
Some activities are complimentary for guests; the activity desk arranges the rest:
- scheduled group yoga (except Sundays), plus an in-room yoga mat with meditation videos
- archery or darts lessons on the lodge’s own field
- walking sticks and trail snacks for hikes and treks
- a day hike up to the Taktsang monastery on its cliff above the valley
- a bike ride down from the Chele La pass through blue pine and rhododendron forest, with views of Jomolhari (7,314 m)
- a half-day of rural crafts and customs, a butter-lamp lighting ceremony and live sand-mandala demonstrations
- Bhutanese whisky flights and house cocktails
- guided itineraries of various lengths, including the seven-night Jewels of Bhutan and the ten-night Tradition and Thunder Trek
For children
Babysitting can be arranged on request, at an extra charge.
Restaurants & bars
Bukhari, the main restaurant, occupies a circular pavilion built around a traditional Bhutanese fireplace, from which it takes its name; its seasonal menu offers modern takes on Bhutanese and Western dishes using produce from the kitchen garden. Uma Bar serves an all-day menu that includes COMO Shambhala Kitchen dishes, with ample vegetarian and vegan choices, and can be reserved for private gatherings. In-room dining runs from 6.30 to 22.30.
Swimming
The heated indoor pool at the COMO Shambhala Retreat opens onto an outdoor sundeck facing the mountains.
Rooms
Rooms, suites and villas pair hand-painted Bhutanese motifs and artisan detail with crisp contemporary lines. Both villa types come with the services of a private COMO butler.
Every room has air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, a private bar with tea and coffee, a safe, a hairdryer, COMO Shambhala bath products and a yoga mat, with twice-daily housekeeping and evening turndown.
Forest Room
A snug room on the main floor close to the lobby, looking onto the pine forest, with hand-painted walls and a walk-in shower. One king or two twin beds; for two guests.
Valley Room
A larger room facing the Paro valley, some with a Juliet balcony, and a bathroom with a tub and separate shower. One king or two twin beds; a rollaway bed can be added on request.
COMO Suite
A generous suite with a separate bedroom and living room with wet bar, dining and study areas, a fully equipped kitchenette and a freestanding tub, all with 180-degree views of the Paro valley. Sleeps three and can connect to a Valley Room on request.
One-bedroom Villa
A freestanding villa among the pines with a bedroom, living room, kitchen, wood-burning bukhari stove, verandah and its own massage room. King bed, sleeps three, with a butler and a complimentary archery session.
COMO Villa
A two-bedroom villa — one king room and one twin — with a living room overlooking the valley, dining for eight, a bukhari fireplace, a private spa treatment area and an open-air courtyard with a fire pit. Sleeps four, with a private butler.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.