Hotel KC

Hotel KC is one of the largest and newest hotels in Bhutan’s far east district of Trashigang. It’s in the center of Trashigang town, the district capital that has barely more than full-time 2,500 residents and is the terminus point for the country-spanning Lateral Road. Set on a hillside with some rooms offering views into the valley, K.C. appears to strive for basic — almost Spartan — but clean accommodations with little fanfare aside from the marbled floors and columns found throughout the hotel.

The 23 rooms have twin or double beds and unadorned walls painted in solid colors. All rooms have attached baths with modern bathroom fixtures, including low-slung European-style toilets, and a shower attached to the wall with no separating stall. Rooms also come with cable TV, heating (on request), free Wi-Fi, and complimentary bottled water. (Be aware that rooms on the upper floors have fairly low ceilings.) Two of the rooms are suites, and they are large with extra features like a bathtub encased in blue marble, mini fridges, and a sitting area in the main room. Room service is available 24 hours.

Hotel K.C serves a variety of other beverages as well. Sharing space with the bar is a restaurant serving Bhutanese, Indian, and Continental options either buffet style or a la carte. The hotel gift shop stocks some imported goods, and K.C. also has a business center and conference facilities.

Nearby is imposing Trashigang Dzong, a fortress built in 1659 to defend against invading Tibetans and now site of the masked dance festival held every December during the 7th to 11th days of the tenth month of the Bhutanese calendar. Trashigang town is the main market for (and a great place to spot) the semi-nomadic Brokpas people of Merak and Sakteng with their distinctive red tunics and yak hair hats, and, as the gateway to the east, Trashigang is also on the way to Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary and Kaling Wildlife Sanctuary.

Some Key Facts:

• This modern, marbley place is comfortable but uninspiring, with a range of rooms, a few of which take advantage of the wonderful valley views. Best are the huge suites with kettle and fridge.
• Standard rooftop rooms are a bit claustrophobic because of the low ceilings.