Yangon, Myanmar
Jan 16, 2013, 2:35 am
#31
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,644
Jan 16, 2013, 3:43 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
Jan 24, 2013, 10:42 pm
#35
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: United global services, BA gold,
Posts: 839
We had to get in advance when we went on USA passports last year. Had to do in advance as embassy was only in DC and took time. Maybe different now with sanctions lifted. Check US travel abroad website.
Jan 25, 2013, 1:04 am
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Mar 10, 2013, 7:37 am
#37
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 861
We just came back and The Strand was the worst hotel experience we had in all of Burma.
Our room was old, faded and in disrepair - windows didn't work, mold in the bathroom, furniture nicked and past the sell date. This is a place trading on the good old days, when it probably did offer a wonderful environment. The lobby was full of picture snapping tourists and the neighborhood is dusty and not pleasant for walking because of the broken up sidewalks, etc. Staff was indifferent, too. I'm not sure about a "high floor," since there are only two floors of rooms - we were on 1. This is a small hotel, with none of the Raffles grandeur. My suggestion: stop by for a look at the lobby, have a drink and stay elsewhere.
The Governor's Residence, where we stayed at the front end of the trip, was sublime. It was an oasis at the end of a day of sightseeing, with much better food, staff and attitude than we found at The Strand.
Our room was old, faded and in disrepair - windows didn't work, mold in the bathroom, furniture nicked and past the sell date. This is a place trading on the good old days, when it probably did offer a wonderful environment. The lobby was full of picture snapping tourists and the neighborhood is dusty and not pleasant for walking because of the broken up sidewalks, etc. Staff was indifferent, too. I'm not sure about a "high floor," since there are only two floors of rooms - we were on 1. This is a small hotel, with none of the Raffles grandeur. My suggestion: stop by for a look at the lobby, have a drink and stay elsewhere.
The Governor's Residence, where we stayed at the front end of the trip, was sublime. It was an oasis at the end of a day of sightseeing, with much better food, staff and attitude than we found at The Strand.
Mar 11, 2013, 7:15 am
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1999
Location: New York,NY USA
Posts: 1,481
Let's put it into perspective. Myanmar just opened up a little over a year ago. The Strand and Governor's are both in need of renovation. Governor's is in a wonderful setting. The rooms are schedule for renovation but the place is so busy that they don't want to close it during that period. Expect both to get worse before they get better.
Mar 13, 2013, 6:54 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
Mar 14, 2013, 12:36 am
#43
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 700
we stayed at the Parkroyal down the street from the traders hotel and thought that it was solid. I think that the prices are pretty comparable so thought that I'd throw it out there as another option to consider
May 11, 2013, 2:57 am
#45
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,747
The hotel is no longer on the GHM website. Does anyone know the story? My booking shows "To be deleted" that is rather alarming.
Supposedly it is going to be closed for renovation later this year. Does anyone know more?
Supposedly it is going to be closed for renovation later this year. Does anyone know more?