Where to stay in Yangon?
We loved the Savoy Hotel, Yangon, our base for a few days before an Irrawaddy River cruise in Myanmar.
Now, you could be forgiven if you feel the Savoy takes you back to the days of the British Raj.
With swirling overhead fans, polished teakwood floors and traditional Myanmar antiques, the colonial-style boutique hotel in Yangon evokes the past like few other hotels we’ve set foot in.
And don’t ask how many vases of fragrant roses we saw – let’s just say, many!
Somerset Maugham didn’t stay at the Savoy.
But he would fit right in if he walked through its doors today. We certainly indulged in a few Somerset Maugham fantasies here!
Savoy Hotel, Yangon review
Rooms and suites
The Savoy’s 24 rooms are large, with floor-to-ceiling windows and enticing ensuite bathrooms.
All come with individually-controlled air-conditioning, fruit baskets and bathrobes and slippers.
But for more space and luxury (and a bit of that “home-away-from-home” feeling), upgrade to one of the six indulgently spacious suites.
Our suite had a mini-kitchenette in the entrance hall, where we made tea to sip while relaxing in the unique, reclining cane-and-wood antique chair in our living room.
Mullioned windows opened to a Juliet balcony, and we could bathe in a clawfoot tub or use the separate shower.
We bet Somerset would have been happy to plunk his typewriter down on the writing desk in our suite and tap out his newest novel here, while snacking on the spicy tamarind fruit sweets delivered nightly.
(Though he might have wanted a whiskey-and-soda too – his favorite drink, we hear.)
Where to stay in Yangon? A pool is a must!
An oasis in an historic newly-thriving city, the hotel’s pool is shaded by leafy trees and neon pink, orange and green parasols.
It’s the perfect place to cool off at the end of a busy and hot sightseeing day (the famous gold Shwedagon Pagoda is nearby).
The pool could do with a few more teak lounge chairs though, as it’s so popular in late afternoon.
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And we once had to ask for some towels as there weren’t enough stacked up at the pool (they arrived quickly though).
Tip
So you’re lounging by the pool. Maybe you’re reading Somerset’s The Gentleman in the Parlour, about his journey through this exotic country then known as Burma?
Order a fresh coconut juice served in its husk – just the thing to quench your thirst!
Drinking and dining
For breakfast, we liked to sit in the upstairs dining room terrace framed by bougainvillea, overlooking the pool.
Come evening, the Captain’s Bar with its wicker armchairs is a favorite haunt for young embassy staffers and expats who gather to socialize over gin-and-tonics.
And then it’s dinner time!
Service
The Burmese staff are warm and helpful.
And the German hotel manager makes an effort to meet guests and see how your stay is going.
One of the best boutique hotels in Yangon
Bottom line?
The Savoy Hotel in Yangon is a delightful boutique hotel.
It’s intimate and four-star (their ranking, not ours) – and half the cost of some other better known, colonial-style hotels in Yangon.
Booking details for the Yangon Savoy Hotel
If you’d like to be immersed in colonial charm in Yangon (who wouldn’t?), the Savoy Hotel is a lovely trip back in time.
The Savoy Hotel has 24 deluxe rooms and 6 suites.
Yangon Savoy Hotel, Yangon: Check rates and availability here.
Experience more of Asia!
Bagan (Myanmar): Check out the most beautiful temples in Bagan that you absolutely must see!
Thailand: From postcard-perfect beaches in Phang Nga Bay’s dream islands to Chiang Mai and its exotic temples, check out the most beautiful places to visit in Thailand – for luxury lovers, of course!
Singapore: The Singapore Botanical Gardens are a tropical Eden!
Bali: Watching Balinese dance? Monkeying around in the Ubud Monkey Forest? Exploring abandoned airplanes? Oh yes. There are plenty of romantic couple’s activities in Bali to enjoy!
Our top travel tips and resources
Hotels: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. We especially like Booking’s flexible cancellation policy!
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Flights: To book the cheapest flights, search on Google Flights or Expedia. (Just be aware Expedia tickets may be non-refundable.)
Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car is often one of the best ways to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
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Photo credits: 4 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | Remaining images Savoy Hotel
About the authors
Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George Mucalov are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents. See About.
Find destination guides, global food-and-wine stories, luxury hotel reviews, articles on cultural explorations and soft adventure trips, cruise reviews, insanely useful travel tips and more!
Becky Padmore
Saturday 31st of October 2015
Wow looks divine, I have a weakness for colonial hotels so this would be right up my street!
Shikha
Sunday 25th of October 2015
I would just love to visit Myanmar and I have so enjoyed reading your various Myanmar posts and I must say, this hotel looks splendid! I could just picture myself having a really lazy long breakfast in that gorgeous breakfast room and the splash of colour from the rose petals in the bathroom sinks and tub is so pretty.
Irene S. Levine
Friday 23rd of October 2015
What a beautiful property! We may be visiting Myanmar so I'm glad to know about this "find."
Janice and George
Friday 23rd of October 2015
Definitely worth looking into! It was a lovely place to stay before and after our Irrawaddy River cruise on the "Belmond Orcaella" :-).
Leigh
Friday 23rd of October 2015
This looks really lovely!
I enjoy reading your blog. Yours is "luxury travel with a twist of adventure" and mine is "adventure travel with a twist of luxury" ha!
Suze
Friday 23rd of October 2015
I love the fact that there are rose petals not only in the bath but also in the sinks! A friend has just got back from Myanmar and was telling me how amazing it is
Janice and George
Friday 23rd of October 2015
You'll have to visit! You've been to Bali (and we've loved your Bali and Ubud posts), now you just need to jet back to Asia to Myanmar :-).