The Strand is a Yangon icon, the grand dame of colonial hotels close to the British Embassy and Yangon River.

Built in 1901 the hotel has hosted dignitaries and celebrities for many decades. The great high-ceilinged guest suites are decorated in original colonial style, bringing an elegance and refinement to any stay in Yangon. The delightful restaurant and café are open throughout the day, with the celebrated Strand High Tea a lovely option for residents and visitors alike.

Located on Burma's pristine Ngapali beach, lapped by the warm, clear waters of the Bay of Bengal, is the charming Sandoway Hotel. This relaxing coastal getaway was one of the first properties in the area, and has earned an excellent reputation for both its setting and fine service. The boutique property offers a range of individual two-storey villas and cottages set amid lush tropical gardens, some looking out over the beach. This is a wonderful option for a few days of relaxation after a tour of Burma's glorious landscapes.

Located directly on Ngapali Beach, the lovely Thande Beach Resort is renowned for its warm Burmese welcome. All 38 bungalows are elegantly furnished with polished teak, rattan furniture and traditional local handicrafts and have private terraces overlooking the Bay of Bengal; the perfect spot for a sundowner. The peaceful restaurant serves up seafood fresh from the ocean and both traditional Burmese and local Rakhine cuisine.

This simple yet stylish resort offers guests a cool and sophisticated haven here in Ngapali. There are just 36 villas here, each with polished teak flooring, high ceilings and wonderful feature beds in the centre of the room. The use of greenery, young banana trees and lotus plants in the grounds ties in perfectly with the light greens and white colour theme used throughout this boutique hotel. The bar & restaurant faces the shore and is the perfect place to watch the sunset. There is also a swimming pool available for guests.

The delightful Villa Inle Resort is perhaps our favourite option on beautiful Lake Inle. Service is welcoming and attentive from the moment of arrival by long-tail boat, guided in by traditional leg-rowing oarsman. The individual villas are light and furnished in an elegant, contemporary style. Lakefront villas are particularly special, with spacious private verandas providing the perfect spot from which to relax as the sun sets over the lake.