Yangon Hotels with Bars

After reading George Orwell's 'Burmese Days,' I had a spontaneous idea to visit Myanmar for a few days. Then I found out that The Strand Hotel, one of Asia's three heritage hotels, the 'Pearl of Southeast Asia,' and the oldest hotel in Southeast Asia, had reopened! It was perfect in my eyes: 1. **Reasonable price**; 2. **Great location** (right by the Yangon River, next to the Rosewood Hotel, and just a 10-minute walk from the Sule Pagoda in the city center); 3. **Rich history and countless literary references**; 4. **Its experience of closing due to civil war**; 5. **Excellent drinks and delicious food** (even the late-night snacks were good); 6. **Proficient English speakers among the front desk, restaurant, and bar staff**; 7. **Exceptional service**.

The hotel is nice. Don't expect super high standards like in China or Europe due to the socioeconomic situation of the country but honestly, I have nothing to complain about. The staff was very kind and spoke English, the view from the top is fantastic, rings are clean and nice. Unfortunately, the breakfast included almost nothing vegan, that's the only downside.

Review: The Governor’s Residence, Yangon The Governor’s Residence remains one of Yangon’s most atmospheric and elegant hotels, combining colonial charm with modern comfort. Nestled in a quiet embassy district, the restored teak mansion, once the home of a British colonial governor, immediately impresses with its graceful architecture and tranquil gardens. Approaching through leafy pathways and lotus ponds, guests are welcomed into an oasis that feels far removed from the bustle of downtown Yangon. Rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated, featuring polished teak floors, four-poster beds, and traditional Burmese textiles that reflect the building’s heritage. Balconies overlook either the lush gardens or the inviting fan-shaped swimming pool, creating a sense of calm retreat. The service is consistently warm, professional, and attentive without being intrusive, with staff eager to share local knowledge and assist with arrangements. Dining is a highlight. The open-air restaurant offers refined Burmese and international dishes, prepared with fresh ingredients and presented with flair. Breakfast under the wide verandas, with tropical birdsong in the background, is especially memorable. Afternoon cocktails by the pool or an evening meal by candlelight evoke the romantic grandeur of a bygone era. What sets the Governor’s Residence apart is its atmosphere: it is not simply a hotel but a living reminder of Yangon’s colonial past, reimagined with comfort and grace. Whether visiting on business or leisure, guests leave with a sense of serenity and timeless elegance. For those seeking a blend of history, luxury, and authentic Burmese hospitality, this residence is an exceptional choice.

Warning: Major language barriers and smoking issues at this new hotel While this is a newly built hotel, I was shocked by the lack of English proficiency at a 5-star establishment in Yangon. The front desk staff spoke only Mandarin and Burnmese. Ironically, the IT technician was the only person who understood a bit of English, which was the only redeeming factor regarding communication. Key issues for international travelers: Language Barrier: Do not expect to use English with the reception; it is primarily a Mandarin-speaking environment. Smoking Regulation: Despite ”No Smoking” signs in the lobby lounge, guests were smoking openly on the coffee tables. I also encountered guests smoking in the hallways and elevator lobbies on the guest floors. It felt as though I was in China rather than Myanmar. Dining: The breakfast buffet is strictly Chinese-style. There were no Burmese food or drink options available at all. Room Condition: My room had a persistent smell of smoke and was full of mosquitoes. This is likely because housekeeping leaves the doors wide open during cleaning.

Hotel facilities are good enough and clean enough. In comparing with previous Hotel, room rates was almost same, but it was a highly cost-effective for wide variety of buffet food options that were great to choose from. I am prefering to stay in this Hotel in my next yangon trip.

During check-in, there seemed to be a problem with the key card, which caused the check-in process to take a long time. After checking in, everything seemed normal, but eventually the key card didn't work. I don't understand why the staff didn't inform guests about the system malfunction. I couldn't access my room and had to go back to inform the staff, which meant they had to escort me to my room. The staff should have informed me from the beginning.

The front desk staff were very rude – no eye contact, expressionless faces, and unhelpful attitude. There is no room service available in the morning. I requested a water bottle to be sent to my room at 8:30 AM, but was told that room service only starts after 11 AM and that I should go buy water myself from the convenience store.

Chatruim Lake View Hotel was a superb experience - I stayed here twice for about 8 days in total. The process from Check in to check out was second to none. We loved the hotel grounds, big rooms with a lake view, the breakfast was great too with a good selection of food.  The service from the bellboy to reception I can't really complain as they responded to all our requests. We checked out early for a flight to Mandalay and they provided us with a packed lunch. The pool facilities were great - alhough I think the water needs a bit of chlorine for cleaning as it was a bit musky - The hotel was nice and quiet with not too many guest, but service was still there. I'd like to mention the receptionist who is always smiling and so kind and welcoming and listening to our travel stories and requests - La Min and Mr Simon were so helpful, but I can't remember the other names. One thing to note- if you don't have a car, then it's not that central to the center of the city, however, you can easily take a Grab to Shwedagon Pagoda or the center, you can also walk to Kandagwyi Lake Graden and enjoy the sunset - which is only a 15 min walk and there is a mall there, too with a great supermarket. If you need to change money - the hotel recommended 126 Grocery Store - great rates no passport needed just new crisp USD notes. It's near Myanmar Plaza. I will definitely stay there again. We stayed in the Lake View but if you prefer the morning sun on your balcony then you can take the Pagoda view.  There is a presendential suite if you have the cash which I was told has a good overall top floor view. I hope you enjoy your stay. This was definitely much better than the Chatruim in Bangkok

The environment is great, right by the lake with fresh air, and all the facilities are well-equipped. The service is also very good, and the hygiene is excellent. The facilities might be a bit outdated due to the hotel's age, but overall, I'm very satisfied and will definitely stay here again next time.

Nice and quiet for solo traveller. The facilities are available in full. The service is good and the staffs are warmly welcome to the traveller.