Aman Group Eyes Long-Term Investment in Bhutan’s Gelephu City
The luxury hospitality group joins hands with Patience Capital Group and GDL-Raven to explore investment opportunities in Bhutan’s ambitious development, centred on sustainability, wellness and mindful living.
By SOH Edit Team
Aman Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore-based Patience Capital Group and Bhutan’s GDL-Raven to explore long-term real estate investment opportunities in Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC).
The agreement marks a potential new chapter in Aman’s longstanding relationship with Bhutan, where it established its presence more than two decades ago as the Kingdom’s first international luxury hotel brand.
The proposed collaboration brings together Aman’s luxury hospitality expertise, Patience Capital Group’s investment and fund management capabilities, and GDL-Raven’s role in supporting the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Envisioned by His Majesty The King of Bhutan, Gelephu Mindfulness City is a Special Administrative Region in southern Bhutan designed to become a new economic hub connecting Bhutan with South Asia.
Rooted in the country's philosophy of Gross National Happiness, the development aims to integrate economic growth with environmental sustainability, cultural preservation and holistic wellbeing.
Its priority sectors span finance, renewable energy, health and wellness, education, agriculture, and spiritual and cultural heritage, positioning GMC as an emerging model for mindful urban development.
Vladislav Doronin, Chairman and Chief Executive of Aman Group.
Building on Aman’s Legacy in Bhutan
For Aman, the partnership represents an opportunity to deepen its connection with a destination that has long been integral to its global hospitality portfolio.
“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,” said Vladislav Doronin, Chairman and Chief Executive of Aman Group.
Ken Chan of Patience Capital Group expressed optimism about the collaboration, highlighting its potential to attract patient capital, encourage meaningful development and generate opportunities for Bhutanese communities.
Gelay Jamtsho, Chairman of GreenDigital Limited, also acknowledged Aman’s role in elevating Bhutan’s luxury hospitality landscape over the past two decades.
The partnership comes as Bhutan explores new avenues for sustainable economic growth while preserving its distinctive cultural and environmental identity.
For the luxury hospitality sector, Gelephu Mindfulness City presents an emerging opportunity at the intersection of wellness, conscious travel and long-term destination development.
However, the MoU remains exploratory. Details of the proposed investment structure are subject to further discussions and regulatory approvals, and no specific hotel project or development timeline has been announced.
