About Swiss Guest House
Nestled in the heart of Bumthang, Swiss Guest House stands among Bhutan’s oldest and most cherished lodges. Blending the charm of traditional Bhutanese hospitality with a touch of Swiss comfort, it has welcomed travelers for generations.
Guests can savor authentic home-made Swiss cuisine and local delicacies, all served in a serene, garden-view setting. With its timeless warmth, fine dining, and peaceful atmosphere, Swiss Guest House remains a haven for those seeking rest, flavor, and a sense of home in the mountains.
Our Story
For generations, Swiss Guest House has been a place of rest and connection — welcoming travelers, trekkers, and families to unwind in the heart of Bumthang. What began as a humble, family-run lodge has grown with care and consistency, rooted in community, good food, and genuine Bhutanese–Swiss hospitality.
Whether you’re here to explore sacred monasteries, wander through pine forests, or simply slow down and breathe in the mountain air, our team is here to make your stay warm, easy, and memorable.
Our History
The Swiss Guest House Bhutan stands as one of the oldest and most enduring classic Bhutanese lodges in Bumthang. Blending traditional Bhutanese charm with Swiss warmth, it offers fine dining featuring home-made Swiss cuisine in a refreshing, tranquil setting. For decades, it has carried forward its long-honored traditions of hospitality, offering peace and comfort to all who visit.
Located in Karsumphe, a historic site once home to Karsumphe Angye—the elder sister of Bhutan’s first King—the guest house began as a small traditional farmhouse. In the 1970s, the house served as the headquarters for the Dairy and Forestry Project, where Swiss professionals working on the initiative often gathered. Over time, the name “Karsumphe Guesthouse” naturally evolved into the now-beloved Swiss Guest House.
In its early years, “guest house” was a modest term—there were only a few travelers to eastern Bhutan who stopped by for rest, a warm meal, and a much-needed shower after long, dusty journeys on the old, unpaved road. Listening to stories from those days, one can almost hear the nostalgic tune of the “Old House of Rocky Tocky.”
With the gradual rise of tourism, a new guest house was built, and parts of the old farmhouse were lovingly reused in the construction. Some of those original walls still stand today on the terrace, preserving the spirit of the past. The new main building houses the restaurant and kitchen on the ground floor, while two additional wings were later added towards the old apple orchard—the last one completed in autumn 2009.
True to its Swiss roots, the guest house is run by Daughter of Fritz Maurer, professionally trained in Switzerland, and naturally features specialties such asFondue, Raclette, Bratwurst, Rösti, and Züri Gschnätzlets, alongside authentic Bhutanese cuisine. Whether you crave a taste of home or a local delicacy, the Swiss Guest House offers a comforting experience that feels both familiar and timeless.
What we value
Nature & calm
Quiet spaces, mountain air, and rooms designed to help you unwind.
Warm hospitality
Simple, genuine service—like welcoming a friend back home.
Simple, good food
Homemade meals crafted with local ingredients and care.
Managed by the Maurer family, the guest house is built on friendship and shared stories — a meeting place for travelers from around the world.