Holiday Asia

July/August 2003

Hotel Watch: Yangon, p. 64

Yangon is a city with a truly unique feel. It has densely forested areas, magnificently crumbling colonial buildings and exotic pagodas. The most famous landmark is the Schwedagon Paya; many Yangon hotels boast views of this gleaming gold spire. Here are our top four choices:

Sedona Hotel Yangon Bellhop rating: 4.74 Star rating: 5 Prices from: USD 53 Cleanliness: 5 Facilities: 5 Staff Attitude: 5 Value for Money: 4.5 Overall Rating: 4.5	The Sedona Yangon is a very large and comfortable 5 star hotel on the main road from the airport. The most striking aspect of this smart property is its absolutely excellent service. Even though the property is massive, the service is highly personal with cheerful and attentive staff really making every effort. Capable facilities are aimed primarily at the business guest, but there are also generous leisure amenities. Besides good restaurants there are tennis courts, fitness facilities and a big pool. The location is not particularly convenient - the town centre is 15 minutes away - but it is pretty close to the airport and on the green outskirts of Yangon overlooking graceful Inya Lake. Homely pink-toned rooms are well-appointed and snug. Rooms overlook either the pool and leafy residential areas, or the road toward the lake, with Schwedagon on the skyline. Quiet and relaxing with superb service, this hotel offers a hint of resort comfort at a reasonable price.
Grand Plaza Parkroyal Bellhop rating: 4.70 Star rating: 5 Prices from: USD 45 Cleanliness: 4.5 Facilities: 5 Staff Attitude: 4 Value for Money: 5 Overall Rating: 4.5	Formerly the Sofitel Yangon, the very smart, very modern - and very five-star - Grand Plaza Parkroyal occupies an excellent location in downtown Yangon. It has a relaxing and luxurious feel, and a wide spread of facilities that includes conference amenities, excellent restaurants, a popular nightclub, a great spa and probably the best pool downtown. It claims to have the best facilities in the city centre - and on balance, it is probably right. Calm corridors lead to the cozy rooms, full of deep colors and wood with thick rugs on polished teak floors. Rooms on the upper floors have enviable views of the striking golden Schwedagon. Service throughout is excellent, staff are well-trained, courteous and helpful. It is easily one of the top hotels in the city and ranks highly for what counts most - location, quality and price.
The Strand Hotel Bellhop rating: 3.76 Star rating: 5 Prices from: USD 273 Cleanliness: 5 Facilities: 3.5 Staff Attitude: 5 Value for Money: 3 Overall Rating: 5	The Strand is undoubtedly the premiere address in Myanmar. With its century of eventful history - which has included a direct hit from a bomb during World War II - the Strand oozes the feel of those bygone days of colonial Rangoon. This elegant hotel is quite small, so it lacks some facilities – for instance, a pool. However, the size gives it a much more intimate and personal slant. Impeccable rooms are like the hotel: traditionally colonial with an abundance of wood and class. Beds are enormous, and the ceilings high. Superiors are generous in size with ordinary side views, whereas deluxe rooms are larger with better views of the river. The service is world class, as is the food and the pompous ambience, which is hugely enjoyable. The downtown location is central and handy for all. All this absolutely does not come cheap. But this is the Strand, the country's finest - and it delivers not just service, but an experience. Recommended - if you can afford it.
Pansea Hotel Yangon Bellhop rating: 3.69 Star rating: 4 Prices from: USD 84 Cleanliness : 4.5 Facilities: 2.5 Staff Attitude: 4 Value for Money: 3 Overall Rating: 4.5	The Pansea is a delightful, secluded little hotel on the fringes of the city centre, in a pocket that is green and quiet and feels much more remote than it is. Although this former colonial mansion is small with few facilities, guests appreciate what does exist. A wooden walkway leads through trees and gardens and past the tranquil lagoon pool. There is a fantastic French restaurant and a breezy open lounge. Virtually everything is made of wood, giving the Pansea a tropical and traditional European feel, which is enhanced by forest noises. Very appealing cabin-style rooms are made entirely of teak and offer all necessary conveniences and great granite baths. There is very little to do in the hotel, so it would not suit business travellers. But, it is a beautiful spot, perfect for a totally relaxing escape.