Find a Good Hotel in Burma

Q: We hope to visit Burma later this year and need to find a good hotel in Yangon to persuade my wife to join me. I have heard that much of the accommodation is rundown and uncomfortable. Can you recommend a good hotel in the city centre? - John Leslington

A: The most famous hotel in Yangon is the Strand, a three-storey Victorian hotel with marble flooring, butlers and top-notch restaurants. This quiet luxury does not come cheap, with discounted rates ranging from 200-250 dollars per night including breakfast and taxes (www.booking.com). Competing with the Strand for exclusivity is the five-star Governor's Residence. A colonial building with a swimming pool set in beautiful gardens, it is very popular among dignitaries and executives. Rates range from 246 to 354 US dollars per night (www.booking.com). My favourite hotel in the city is the mid-range Traders Hotel, which is part of the Shangri-La group. This high-rise hotel is in the city centre and offers comfortable rooms. However, like many businesses and hotels in Myanmar today, the hotel is undergoing a refurbishment programme which will be completed by mid-year. You can book rooms on www.shangrila.com. Other reasonable choices are the Sedona Hotel at Inya Lake (from 82 US dollars), the colonial Savoy Hotel in the city centre (150 US dollars) and the Micasa Hotel Apartments (from 100 US dollars). Check out the latest rates for these hotels on www.directrooms.com.