It’s well-known that Burma is one of the more expensive countries in Southeast Asia, but it’s actually not as expensive as its reputation might lead you to believe. Over the next three weeks, we’ll be investigating the cost of travelling in Myanmar, from food & drink to experiences & accommodation. This week, I’ll be introducing a few of our favourite great value hotels in Burma.
We regularly send our staff out to Burma to keep tabs on what we offer and ensure that we’re only recommending the very best. Our focus is value, not cost, so the following hotels aren’t the cheapest you’ll find in Myanmar (it’s possible to find a guesthouse room for as little as $10 – as long as quality isn’t a concern) – but they are the best value you’ll find for a mid-range budget.
Prices vary from destination to destination, but as a guideline – the following hotels fall within the £35-60 range in high season, or the £20-£40 range in low season, putting them well within the reach of most holidaymakers.
Yangon: Classique Inn
Located in a quiet, upmarket district of the city, this small, family-run hotel is one of our favourite options in Yangon. The guesthouse is housed in an old colonial-style mansion, with teakwood trimmings, antique art and furniture, and just 11 rooms – meaning that it feels more like somebody’s house than a hotel. There is a leafy terrace outside where you can eat breakfast surrounded by greenery, and Shwedagon Pagoda is only 30 minutes away on foot. The best thing about the Classique Inn, however, is the manageress and her staff – who are all faultlessly friendly, welcoming, and helpful.
Inle Lake: La Maison Birmane
La Maison Birmane is located in Nyaung Shwe, the gateway to Inle Lake – and in a town where prices are some of the most inflated in Burma, it’s a breath of fresh air. The hotel consists of 10 wooden, thatch-roofed bungalows arranged around a lovely organic garden packed with banana trees and tropical plants. Each villa is spacious and comfortable with its own veranda, there is a small bar and communal terrace, and the breakfast is one of the best we’ve had in Burma – delicious crepes worthy of a Parisian chef! All in all, La Maison Birmane more than delivers for the price you’ll pay for a night.
Mandalay: Bagan King
The Bagan King is easily one of the best mid-range hotels in Mandalay. Though it’s located in a modern tower block, the owners have done their best to recreate the atmosphere of “old Bagan” on the interior, including burnished hand-basins, ornate chandeliers, and a reception desk designed to resemble an ancient temple. Whether you think the result is more tack or triumph (we think it’s both), you can’t fault the Bagan King on its excellent service, comfortable and spacious rooms, or its fantastic city-centre location. Our personal favourite touch is the open-air, top-floor terrace, where you can eat your breakfast looking out over Mandalay.
Featured in: Best of Burma (Fully Tailored Journey)
Bagan: Thazin Garden
Where better to stay in Bagan than a hotel with its own ancient pagoda on its grounds? To really soak up the atmosphere of this historic region without breaking the bank, Thazin Garden is absolutely the best choice, and one of our favourite value hotels in Burma. The wood-panelled rooms are cosy and comfortable, there’s a lovely secluded pool surrounded by bougainvillea (a great respite in the oppressive Bagan heat), and there are tables arranged on the lawn around the pagoda itself – which is lit up beautifully at night.
Featured in: Burma Unmasked (Small Group Tour)
Kalaw: Pine Hill Resort
Surrounded by mountains and (as the name suggests) pine trees, the Pine Hill Resort is our favourite mid-range option in the beautiful region of Kalaw. The hotel buildings are surrounded by lovely green gardens, Kalaw town is a short walk away, and there are bicycles available for free at hotel reception so you can get out and explore the countryside under your own steam. It’s also excellently located to visit the Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp (one of our favourite experiences in Burma!) and has a heated pool for those chilly mountain days.
And there you have it – five excellent value, affordable hotels that will allow you to travel in comfort and style without paying through the nose. All of these hotels can be included in our fully tailored itineraries – Speak to our InsideBurma team now to make sure that you get the most out of your Burmese adventure.
Next week, I’ll be looking at the cost of an average day in Yangon – so stay tuned!
