Myanmar (once known as Burma) is opening itself up to world travellers in a big way, and is fast becoming a dream destination for many people. It certainly was for me.
During my adventure across Myanmar, I stayed at a fair few hotels, both big and small, and so here we’re going to look at some of the best Myanmar accommodation to find out where to stay in Myanmar where you’re choosing the best places to visit in Myanmar. Let’s take a look at the best Myanmar hotels in the best Myanmar destinations.
Read More: Check out our full guide to the best places to visit in Myanmar
Where to stay in Yangon
When visiting Yangon, I’d always advise straying downtown or in Chinatown (19th street is a great place for some exciting nightlife) since you’ll find yourself within walking distance of most of the city’s main tourist sites and beautiful architecture. Here, you’ll find some of the best hotels in Myanmar. Take a look below for where to stay in Yangon.
Budget
A great option for where to stay in Yangon is BaobaBed Hostel. At this cheap hotel in Yangon you’ll get a free buffet breakfast, organised tours for you to select from, as well as a clean, modern environment. It’s everything you could want from a hostel, making it the best cheap hotel in Yangon, one of the must-visit Myanmar destinations.
Luxury
I was lucky enough to get to stay in the Chatrium Royal Lake Hotel when I explored Myanmar; this is a Yangon hotel which has amazing views over the city (including the Shwedagon Pagoda) and has one of the most unparalleled outdoor swimming pools I’ve ever seen.
The buffet breakfast was also particularly diverse and delicious! If you’ve got the money, this is where to stay in Yangon, without question! In fact, it’s one of the best Myanmar accommodation options you’ll find.
Homestay
Cozy Guesthouse Yangon: This delightful and welcoming guest house in Yangon is in fairly close relation to a lot of the great Yangon pagodas, some of the must-see places to visit in Myanmar. It’s a cozy home in Yangon which offers guests free WiFi, air conditioning, a shared lounge, and a garden, all within a very reasonable price (making it a fantastic option for a cheap hotel in Yangon).
Every room in this guest house in Yangon comes equipped with a private bathroom and shower, along with a hairdryer and toiletries included. This homestay even offers guests both a à la carte and Asian breakfast options! The best Myanmar homestay option in Yangon.
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Where to stay in Bagan
Wondering how to get from Yangon to Bagan? Find out right here.
The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate: Bagan is a splendidly and delightfully green place, one of the must-see places to visit in Myanmar. In fact, before you know it, you’ll find that your eyes will adjust so much to seeing nothing but greenery spotted with ancient pagodas that you’ll have quite the shock when you leave and are reintroduced to other colours once more.
The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate — the best hotel in Bagan — embodies that feeling perfectly and provides you with a Bagan hotel that will make you feel like you’re living in a luxury jungle, if you can even imagine such a paradise.
As hotels in Bagan Myanmar go, this is perhaps the best hotel in Bagan (did I already say that? Well, it bears repeating). The pool is superb, as is the breakfast, and the rooms are set away from the main building out in the greenery but one of the best aspects of this hotel is being right in the middle of the archaeological zone of Bagan.
You can simply wander over to numerous pagodas from your hotel. This means you can pop out for some evening or early morning photography with ease and comfort. More than being just one of the best hotels in Bagan Myanmar, this is actually one of my favourite hotels that I’ve ever stayed in.
Homestay
Bamboo House is far better than a Bagan hostel: Situated just down the road from Izza Gawna Pagoda, Bamboo House is one of the best available Myanmar accommodation choices in Bagan, having access to a restaurant, a garden, and a 24-hour front desk.
Far better than a Bagan hostel, this homestay offers free private parking and room service. Guests can enjoy a continental breakfast. Both a bicycle rental service and a car rental service are also available at Bamboo House. It’s a no-brainer when asking yourself where to stay in Myanmar.
Read More: What to Wear & Pack for Myanmar
Where to stay in Mandalay
Wondering how to get from Mandalay to Bagan? Find out right here.
Luxury
Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort: This is a beautiful Mandalay hotel with a stunning view of the luscious pastures and the hotel pool below. The dinner served at the hotel is exquisite: you can choose everything from local food to a sushi bar and grill where you can have your meat and vegetables cooked exactly to your taste.
You enter the hotel spa using stones over a stream and this, I think, perfectly sums up the elegance of the Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort. I’d recommend relaxing in the Kipling lounge during a relaxed and slow afternoon.
Budget
Kuang Hostel is clean, new, and found in a perfectly central location near the cultural museum of Mandalay. You’re also a stone’s throw from the public library and a number of dazzling pagodas.
They offer a hearty breakfast buffet as well as private rooms as well as shared rooms, for whatever takes your fancy. It’s not the best Burma hotel but, for a budget, it’s utterly fantastic.
Homestay
Ma Ma Guest House: Found right in the heart of in Mandalay, Ma Ma Guest House is in an ideal location, being so close to both the old town and the palace of Mandalay. Here, you can rent a bicycle and take an easy 15-minute bike ride to Mandalay Hill.
If you fancy it, you can even take a cooking class at the on-site restaurant! Location-wise, this fantastic Burma hotel simply can’t be beat, and especially for its excellent price and luxury amenities. As home-stays go, this is one of the best Myanmar options.
Where to Stay at Inle Lake
Sanctum Inle Resort: I wouldn’t recommend anywhere at Inle Lake other than Sanctum Inle Resort – that’s how good this Burma hotel is. It’s a spectacular hotel set right on the lake with clear and close views of the water, mountains, and greenery as far as your eye can see.
The rooms are tucked away through what feels like a forest and the hotel aesthetic features a wooden, natural eco-space which perfectly blends with its surroundings.
You’ll find a balcony as well as an outdoor shower as part of every hotel room, and also a gorgeous dining area with views, a natural spa, and a large pool area. This is one of the prettiest hotels I’ve ever stayed in, and easily one of the best hotels in Myanmar.
Viewpoint Restaurant and Ecolodge: This fantastic Burma hotel offers fine dining with a view of the lake, paddies, and mountains beyond. The food here is exquisite – there’s no other word for it – and the hotel also uses locally sourced products from the lake itself and the surrounding farmlands.
It’s widely known as the best restaurant in the area. They also offer a number of special offers such as dinner on the lake or in the nearby quarry for some unique and beautiful dining experiences. And in case I’ve talked too much about the food, yes, it is also a hotel. And one of the best hotels in Myanmar, for the food alone!
Homestay
Inle Innpawkhon Homestay is already located close to one of the very best Myanmar destinations. And it also features an excellent in-house restaurant, a garden, and a shared kitchen if you’d rather cook for yourself. As for what food is on offer, this homestay offers both a continental and an à la carte breakfast to start the day off right.
Just be warned that this property is only accessible by water, but the host is happy to arrange transportation as well as to organise an incredible Myanmar tour for you at a fantastic price! This is one of the most unique and wonderful kinds of Myanmar accommodation.
Where to Stay in Thandwe/ Ngapali
Kipling’s Bay: Boasting both a garden and an outdoor terrace, Kipling’s Bay Guesthouse is an absolute delight. Every room has its own terrace and the gorgeous Burma beaches are located just a five-minute walk away. If you’d rather cycle, bicycle rental is a breeze, and recommended.
Each room here has garden views and is fitted with a private bathroom. At Kipling’s Bay you can get both a continental and a traditional Myanmar breakfast. While it may be a stretch to call this one of the finest Myanmar beach resorts, you could do a lot worse than this gorgeous location near the best Burma beaches.