Jan 24, 2015, 9:27 am
Last edit by: lcpteck
The pre-opening thread can be found at Reload this Page Le Méridien Thimphu, Bhutan - First Starwood Hotel in Bhutan - Opening Dec 2014
Tourist Tariff on Applicable Reservations
For New Reservations
Per government law set by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB), a tourist tariff will be levied on guests from all countries except India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. This tariff, which is not included in the hotel’s room rates, is valid throughout the year.
This mandatory tourist tariff can be arranged through the hotel’s partnered travel agency at the following discounted rates:
In addition, a one-time visa fee of 40 USD per person will also be levied.
The tourist tariff offered includes the following services and charges, which are handled by the hotel’s partnered travel agency:
For Cancelling an Existing Reservation with a Paid Tourist Tariff
If a guest cancels a reservation after paying the hotel’s partnered travel agency for the tourist tariff, the agency will impose a cancellation penalty based on laws set by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB). This penalty amount is based on the tourist tariff rate set by the TCB—250 USD per day from March to May and from September to November, and 200 USD per day from June to August and from December to February—as the agency would need to deposit the prerequisite amount directly to the government body.
Per TCB laws, the following penalties are based on how much advance notice is given for a cancellation:
For more information or assistance regarding this tariff, please contact the hotel’s reservations team at lemeridien.thimphu at lemeridien.com or at (975)(2) 337833.
Credit/Debit Card Policy
At or before check-in, the entire amount for a guest’s stay—including room rates and all applicable taxes—will be charged to the credit card that has been provided to guarantee the reservation. Per national policy, once an amount has been charged to a credit card, partial or full refunds cannot be charged back.
If an amount needs to be refunded, it will be transferred to the guest’s or company’s savings account via a real-time gross settlement (RTGS) transfer, which requires the following details:
Account name
Account number
Bank name
Bank branch address
SWIFT / IFSC code
Smoking Policy
As mandated by the laws of the Kingdom of Bhutan, all guest rooms and public spaces are 100% non-smoking.
Temporary Pool Closure Until July 1, 2015
Until July 1, 2015, the swimming pool will be unavailable due to a maintenance and upgrade project. Please contact the hotel for further information.
Tourist Tariff on Applicable Reservations
For New Reservations
Per government law set by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB), a tourist tariff will be levied on guests from all countries except India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. This tariff, which is not included in the hotel’s room rates, is valid throughout the year.
This mandatory tourist tariff can be arranged through the hotel’s partnered travel agency at the following discounted rates:
- A booking for one guest: 170 USD per person per night
- A booking for two guests: 165 USD per person per night
- A booking for three or more guests: 160 USD per person per night
In addition, a one-time visa fee of 40 USD per person will also be levied.
The tourist tariff offered includes the following services and charges, which are handled by the hotel’s partnered travel agency:
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Daily sightseeing with an English-speaking guide
- All applicable government taxes
- All museum and monument fees
For Cancelling an Existing Reservation with a Paid Tourist Tariff
If a guest cancels a reservation after paying the hotel’s partnered travel agency for the tourist tariff, the agency will impose a cancellation penalty based on laws set by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB). This penalty amount is based on the tourist tariff rate set by the TCB—250 USD per day from March to May and from September to November, and 200 USD per day from June to August and from December to February—as the agency would need to deposit the prerequisite amount directly to the government body.
Per TCB laws, the following penalties are based on how much advance notice is given for a cancellation:
- 30 or more days before an arrival date: No charge
- 21 to 29 days before: 10% of total amount
- 14 to 20 days before: 15% of total amount
- 7 to 13 days before: 30% of total amount
- Less than 7 days before, or without notice: 50% of total amount
- No-show, or after arrival: 100% of total amount
For more information or assistance regarding this tariff, please contact the hotel’s reservations team at lemeridien.thimphu at lemeridien.com or at (975)(2) 337833.
Credit/Debit Card Policy
At or before check-in, the entire amount for a guest’s stay—including room rates and all applicable taxes—will be charged to the credit card that has been provided to guarantee the reservation. Per national policy, once an amount has been charged to a credit card, partial or full refunds cannot be charged back.
If an amount needs to be refunded, it will be transferred to the guest’s or company’s savings account via a real-time gross settlement (RTGS) transfer, which requires the following details:
Account name
Account number
Bank name
Bank branch address
SWIFT / IFSC code
Smoking Policy
As mandated by the laws of the Kingdom of Bhutan, all guest rooms and public spaces are 100% non-smoking.
Temporary Pool Closure Until July 1, 2015
Until July 1, 2015, the swimming pool will be unavailable due to a maintenance and upgrade project. Please contact the hotel for further information.
Le Méridien Thimphu, Bhutan [Master Thread]
Nov 9, 2022, 1:09 pm
#16
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,019
So how does this property work for those of us who want to redeem points? Do we pay the property the mandatory tourist tariff on top (but the rates are $0). Is this mandatory tourist tariff the same as the SDF? https://www.dailybhutan.com/article/...sdf-to-200-usd Or is it in addition?
Nov 9, 2022, 1:44 pm
#17
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: 1K 1MM; Bonvoy Ambassador; Nat'l EE; Hertz PC; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,465
So how does this property work for those of us who want to redeem points? Do we pay the property the mandatory tourist tariff on top (but the rates are $0). Is this mandatory tourist tariff the same as the SDF? https://www.dailybhutan.com/article/...sdf-to-200-usd Or is it in addition?
Jan 23, 2024, 9:47 am
#19
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 213
Now that the Mandatory Daily Spend (varying by season, including $65 to SDF) method replaced by $200/day to SDF in any season, then would expect more visitors during the prime months (seasons).
1. Any data on this?
Article says tour operator / guide not mandatory, nor is the category of hotel (hotel not mandatory).
2. Anyone gone without tour operator/guide? How easy/difficult to find off-road vehicles for rent or with driver? Driver as combo of driving + small amount of guiding?
3. Accommodation. Anyone bring a tent, flexibility to choose your own spot to wake up to, for a few nights mixed with other nights at hotels or at homes of villagers ?
1. Any data on this?
Article says tour operator / guide not mandatory, nor is the category of hotel (hotel not mandatory).
2. Anyone gone without tour operator/guide? How easy/difficult to find off-road vehicles for rent or with driver? Driver as combo of driving + small amount of guiding?
3. Accommodation. Anyone bring a tent, flexibility to choose your own spot to wake up to, for a few nights mixed with other nights at hotels or at homes of villagers ?