Yangon: Novotel vs Pullman?
Dec 10, 2018, 7:18 pm
#1
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Yangon: Novotel vs Pullman?
My wife and I are planning a couple of nights in Yangon in early March as part of a vacation in Myanmar. I've already stayed at the Novotel on business and liked it a lot. Has anyone stayed at the Pullman or even at both? I'd welcome a review of the latter or, even better, a comparison of the two.
Thanks for any help.
Thanks for any help.
Dec 11, 2018, 1:19 am
#2
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I guess you would like to compare between Novotel Max and Pullman Centrepoint? I would say Pullman is in a better location as it is in the heart of what they unofficially call China Town and opposite the Maha Bandula Park, so you could walk about to malls and restaurants. Novotel may be closer to Shwedagon Pagoda but not by much and taxi in Yangon is very cheap. If you have already stayed at Novotel, then I'd say try Pullman this time. I doubt it would be a disappointment and you could see it for yourself 
I am going to Yangon soon but this time staying at Grand Mercure. That's also another option as it's recently open. Location is bad though, far out in the stick, but I probably take taxi every where anyway.
I am going to Yangon soon but this time staying at Grand Mercure. That's also another option as it's recently open. Location is bad though, far out in the stick, but I probably take taxi every where anyway.
Dec 11, 2018, 4:38 am
#4
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Just checked into Pullman. Pullman better location, but takes longer to get too and traffic around here is mad. Hotel is much nicer in my opinion. It is still being finished. I have Premium Exec Room, which is large and well appointed. Pool is 20m long and good size, nice gym and sauna. Spa not open yet. Exec lounge not open yet, will be later next year. Temp lounge in main bar. Seems like not all floors are even finished. They apologised they could not upgrade me as no suites ready. They offered a free transport to airport which was nice. Will report back later in stay, for now, I would give Pullman the edge
Dec 11, 2018, 2:31 pm
#5
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Thank you all for your useful replies. I guess one other consideration could be traffic. We arrive at almost midnight on a Friday and then leave fly out domestically on a Sunday morning. Am I correct in assuming that traffic to and from the airport wouldn't be too bad, even from the Pullman Centrepoint?
Yes, that's correct. Thanks.
I appreciate this useful info. Any sense of whether it will be finished by the start of March? And are you saying that you've also stayed at the Novotel Max?
In any event, I'd really welcome any further advice and impressions. Thanks again!
Just checked into Pullman. Pullman better location, but takes longer to get too and traffic around here is mad. Hotel is much nicer in my opinion. It is still being finished. I have Premium Exec Room, which is large and well appointed. Pool is 20m long and good size, nice gym and sauna. Spa not open yet. Exec lounge not open yet, will be later next year. Temp lounge in main bar. Seems like not all floors are even finished. They apologised they could not upgrade me as no suites ready. They offered a free transport to airport which was nice. Will report back later in stay, for now, I would give Pullman the edge
In any event, I'd really welcome any further advice and impressions. Thanks again!
Dec 12, 2018, 4:58 pm
#7
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Morning so just checked out
after couple days I would say Pullman has the edge over Novotel. Depending on price if it is a lot more expensive Novotel is good.
pullman nearer tourist areas and more to do
gold member, 2 welcome drinks, welcome fruit and cake in room. Also given free transfer to airport as there was no upgrades and this was good gesture.
lounge not open but happy hour in bar and tea, coffee free during day, did not have time to try happy hour.
breakfast excellent
pool and gym + sauna better than Novotel.
seems it will not be finished until mid next year. Very vague when I asked. This hotel was delayed due to planning issues.
I was on 10th floor from around 24 I think. 10th is highest floor complete.
i much prefer the style of Pullman’s.
For Novotel nearer airport etc. One tip. I was given suite on top floor. Was a nightmare we had to move. There is resteraunt or bar on top floor and they were moving chairs etc late night across a wooden floor. Not good so make sure you are not below this.
hotels here don’t take amex only visa or mastercard
passd the Mercure it’s near main lake and shoppping centre and Melia hotel but did not look as nice.
Will post some some photos when back in Bangkok
after couple days I would say Pullman has the edge over Novotel. Depending on price if it is a lot more expensive Novotel is good.
pullman nearer tourist areas and more to do
gold member, 2 welcome drinks, welcome fruit and cake in room. Also given free transfer to airport as there was no upgrades and this was good gesture.
lounge not open but happy hour in bar and tea, coffee free during day, did not have time to try happy hour.
breakfast excellent
pool and gym + sauna better than Novotel.
seems it will not be finished until mid next year. Very vague when I asked. This hotel was delayed due to planning issues.
I was on 10th floor from around 24 I think. 10th is highest floor complete.
i much prefer the style of Pullman’s.
For Novotel nearer airport etc. One tip. I was given suite on top floor. Was a nightmare we had to move. There is resteraunt or bar on top floor and they were moving chairs etc late night across a wooden floor. Not good so make sure you are not below this.
hotels here don’t take amex only visa or mastercard
passd the Mercure it’s near main lake and shoppping centre and Melia hotel but did not look as nice.
Will post some some photos when back in Bangkok
Dec 12, 2018, 5:16 pm
#8
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Great info! Thanks again!
I should have asked this earlier, but: Any construction noise?
I should have asked this earlier, but: Any construction noise?
Morning so just checked out
after couple days I would say Pullman has the edge over Novotel. Depending on price if it is a lot more expensive Novotel is good.
pullman nearer tourist areas and more to do
gold member, 2 welcome drinks, welcome fruit and cake in room. Also given free transfer to airport as there was no upgrades and this was good gesture.
lounge not open but happy hour in bar and tea, coffee free during day, did not have time to try happy hour.
breakfast excellent
pool and gym + sauna better than Novotel.
seems it will not be finished until mid next year. Very vague when I asked. This hotel was delayed due to planning issues.
I was on 10th floor from around 24 I think. 10th is highest floor complete.
i much prefer the style of Pullman’s.
For Novotel nearer airport etc. One tip. I was given suite on top floor. Was a nightmare we had to move. There is resteraunt or bar on top floor and they were moving chairs etc late night across a wooden floor. Not good so make sure you are not below this.
hotels here don’t take amex only visa or mastercard
passd the Mercure it’s near main lake and shoppping centre and Melia hotel but did not look as nice.
Will post some some photos when back in Bangkok
after couple days I would say Pullman has the edge over Novotel. Depending on price if it is a lot more expensive Novotel is good.
pullman nearer tourist areas and more to do
gold member, 2 welcome drinks, welcome fruit and cake in room. Also given free transfer to airport as there was no upgrades and this was good gesture.
lounge not open but happy hour in bar and tea, coffee free during day, did not have time to try happy hour.
breakfast excellent
pool and gym + sauna better than Novotel.
seems it will not be finished until mid next year. Very vague when I asked. This hotel was delayed due to planning issues.
I was on 10th floor from around 24 I think. 10th is highest floor complete.
i much prefer the style of Pullman’s.
For Novotel nearer airport etc. One tip. I was given suite on top floor. Was a nightmare we had to move. There is resteraunt or bar on top floor and they were moving chairs etc late night across a wooden floor. Not good so make sure you are not below this.
hotels here don’t take amex only visa or mastercard
passd the Mercure it’s near main lake and shoppping centre and Melia hotel but did not look as nice.
Will post some some photos when back in Bangkok
Dec 12, 2018, 6:47 pm
#10
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Some comments having just come back from RGN. Most of these comments are informed primarily by the advice of my expat friend and his colleagues, inflected by my own vision of getting around.
The Novotel's F&B outlets have a very good reputation among the expats and well-heeled Burmese. The location is also a stone's throw away from a number of great dining options (e.g. Ren Kandawgyi). The Pullman has the downtown advantage. While extremely safe, the downtown is not exactly pretty (neglected colonial era construction - frankly, it would be a gem of SE Asia with a bit of plaster/facade repair and a good power wash). This may not bother you, but it's not a great first impression. (There are many great bars, restaurants, and sights, but I could imagine friends or relatives ready to string me up for booking them a room in the area because of the "crumbling buildings" chic)
The Grand Mercure is considered to be located in an urban terra incognita. While taxis are cheap, being stuck in a half hour traffic jam is not unusual. I was just tooling around with a friend for a few days. If you only have, for example, 36 hours before heading up country to Mandalay or to the coast in Ngapali, it's better to pay to be in town or ditch brand loyalty for the stay (as a Hilton member, RGN made me venture outside the program).
The Novotel's F&B outlets have a very good reputation among the expats and well-heeled Burmese. The location is also a stone's throw away from a number of great dining options (e.g. Ren Kandawgyi). The Pullman has the downtown advantage. While extremely safe, the downtown is not exactly pretty (neglected colonial era construction - frankly, it would be a gem of SE Asia with a bit of plaster/facade repair and a good power wash). This may not bother you, but it's not a great first impression. (There are many great bars, restaurants, and sights, but I could imagine friends or relatives ready to string me up for booking them a room in the area because of the "crumbling buildings" chic)
The Grand Mercure is considered to be located in an urban terra incognita. While taxis are cheap, being stuck in a half hour traffic jam is not unusual. I was just tooling around with a friend for a few days. If you only have, for example, 36 hours before heading up country to Mandalay or to the coast in Ngapali, it's better to pay to be in town or ditch brand loyalty for the stay (as a Hilton member, RGN made me venture outside the program).