Many of the formerly woeful places that accommodated the first visitors to Bhutan have now seriously raised their game and are joined by a growing number of stylish lodges. Historically Bhutanese architecture was shaped by the topography and climate as well as cultural traditions and spiritual beliefs, and government guidelines now ensure its conservation. Today hotel buildings emulate flying gable roofs above elevations of stone or rammed earth whitewashed in lime and colourful floral, iconographic and spiritual paintings adorn walls both inside and out.