My partner and I are traveling to Bhutan in late April for eight nights. We've run into confusion regarding payment for better-quality hotels than those included in the basic daily tariff. Specifically, we're interested in staying in the Umo properties in Paro and Punakha.
Does the amount we're paying to the Umo hotels for the nights we stay include the daily tarif/royalties, or is this money in addition to the $280 we're already paying each day? Our travel agent has been unable or unwilling to clear this up for us.
Any clarification you could offer is appreciated. Thanks.
Bhutan - Hotel Supplements
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Usually it's in addition to the daily rate.
You will see the rack rates of the hotels on the COMO website. The price your agent is offering you is in addition to your daily rate, but should be less than the rack rates as they should be subtracting the amount that they spend on standard accommodation and any meals you are taking at Uma Paro.
Hope this helps! Kath, Panoramic Journeys
No wonder the people of Bhutan are considered the happiest in the world...what a great source of income from tourists!
Your payment of $280 is inclusive of the royalties and daily tariff. If you choose to stay in hotels like Uma which is a 5 Star hotel, you have to bear the hotel cost separately.
However the rate works out, staying in the Uma properties is worth it. The included properties can be ok but (from what I saw and experienced) they are pretty basic. Staying in a really comfortable place with a good restaurant, lots of heat and hot water, make our trip a lot more pleasant. There are long car rides over difficult roads and a lovely hotel at the end of the day was delightful. Plus, the Uma in Paro has a heated indoor swimming pool.
The Taj in Thimpu is a world-class hotel.
For the people who say that staying in the included hotels means you experience the real Bhutan...the Bhutanese do not stay in any of the hotels, tourist class or Uma.
The daily tariff per person per night is US$250 and the FIT Surcharge is US$30 per person per night. In this tariff, only standard 3 star hotel room is included. For 5 star hotel, the room rate will be in addition to this tariff.
There is only one 5 star hotel in Punakha i.e. AmanKora.