Aman Group signs an agreement for Gelephu, the mindfulness city spanning 10% of Bhutan

On 1 November 2026, in Gelephu, Aman signed a memorandum of understanding to support the “mindfulness city” envisioned by the King of Bhutan. The hotel group is joining forces with investor Patience Capital Group and GDL-Raven to attract long-term real estate investment. No hotel has been announced yet, but the Aman name now sits at the heart of the kingdom’s flagship project.

☰Contents

1. A memorandum of understanding signed in Gelephu
2. Who are Patience Capital and GDL-Raven?
3. 108 stupas, 15 metres tall, raised in one day
4. 4,046 km², or 10% of Bhutan
5. Amankora, five lodges across five valleys
6. How to stay with Aman in Bhutan

A memorandum of understanding signed in Gelephu

According to the joint statement, each partner brings its own speciality: Aman its hospitality expertise and lifestyle know-how, PCG its experience in fund management and real estate, and GDL-Raven its role in developing the city. Together, the three signatories aim to attract long-term real estate investment guided by Gross National Happiness, the Bhutanese measure that puts the wellbeing of the population ahead of growth alone.

The agreement is framed as the start of a joint effort: the details of the proposed fund and the partnership arrangements remain subject to further discussion and approval, and more announcements will follow. “Bhutan has held a deeply special place in Aman Group’s legacy as the first global luxury brand in the Kingdom over twenty years ago,” says Vladislav Doronin, Chairman and CEO of Aman Group. “It is a great honour to work alongside His Majesty The King on Gelephu Mindfulness City, an extraordinary vision for the future of Bhutan and its hospitality.”

Who are Patience Capital and GDL-Raven?

Founded in 2019, Patience Capital Group is headquartered in Singapore and has an office in Tokyo. It manages capital for institutional and private investors, chiefly in hospitality, lifestyle and residential property. It signed the management agreement for the future Six Senses Myoko in Japan with Six Senses, and in April 2026 took over the operation of the InterContinental Yokohama Pier 8. “We hope this collaboration will attract long-term investment, support meaningful development and create new opportunities for Bhutanese people,” says Ken Chan of Patience Capital Group.

GDL-Raven is a subsidiary of Green Digital Limited (GDL), set up to manage funds and assets that serve the city’s economic development. “Aman was the first international hotel brand to come to Bhutan. Over two decades, it has raised the standard for the entire hospitality industry here. That is the kind of partner Gelephu Mindfulness City needs,” says Gelay Jamtsho, Chairman of Green Digital Limited.

108 stupas, 15 metres tall, raised in one day

The signing took place on the day of Project 108, a royal initiative: 108 Jangchub Chortens, the stupas of enlightenment, each 15 metres tall, were built in a single day along the Mao Chhu river. Tens of thousands of volunteers took part, a symbol of the spiritual ambition behind the future city.

4,046 km², or 10% of Bhutan

Created by royal charter in February 2024, Gelephu Mindfulness City is a special administrative region of 4,046 km² on the southern plains, alongside the Indian state of Assam. It has its own executive and legislative powers and an independent judiciary, under the “one country, two systems” principle. The statement describes it as an economic hub for South Asia built on Gross National Happiness: finance, green energy, health and wellness, education, agriculture, and spiritual and cultural heritage.

The city will build Gelephu International Airport, with a runway for long-haul aircraft operating day and night, to connect the country with the major air hubs. On 22 October 2026, Gelephu had already opened an immigration terminal fitted with automated gates.

Amankora, five lodges across five valleys

Aman Group brings together 36 hotels, resorts and branded residences in 21 destinations, as well as the Janu brand, launched in 2020, whose first hotel opened in Tokyo in March 2024. In Bhutan, Amankora has five lodges, in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey and Bumthang. Paro, at 2,250 metres, offers 24 suites of 52 m² in a pine forest, with views of Jomolhari and Drukgyel Dzong, close to the Tiger’s Nest.

Thimphu overlooks the capital with 16 suites. Punakha occupies a 300-year-old farmhouse built by a former chief abbot, with a 29-metre heated pool facing the rice paddies. Gangtey has eight suites in the Phobjikha valley, and Bumthang 16 suites near a royal palace.

How to stay with Aman in Bhutan

Amankora is booked as itineraries of three to fourteen nights, from the Tiger’s Odyssey, which combines two lodges, to the Ultimate Amankora Journey, which takes in all five. A vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide are provided, and most activities are included. No rates are published online, and Bhutan also charges a Sustainable Development Fee of 100 dollars per adult per day until 31 August 2027. Aman also features the kingdom in its private jet expeditions with Remote Lands, and Pemako Punakha has joined The Leading Hotels of the World. Further west, in the Indian Himalayas, take a look at the future Anantara in Darjeeling.