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+ From what we saw the Sandoway is the best hotel on Ngapali beach, well located right on the beach with a local fishing village in walking distance. We stayed in an Ocean Front Villa and this was fabulous, spacious, detached with a conservatory style bathroom, huge bed, sitting area and upstairs meditation/relax area all tastefully finished, there was also a small private outside decking area/garden with seating. Being set up but right on the beach, you have views out to sea and also of the never-ending theatre created by the locals carrying firewood and fruit on their heads as they return to the village. The good news is that you also get zero hassle from the locals, unlike anywhere else in the world you can relax safe in the knowledge that you won’t have people chasing your money, another reason to love Myanmar. The hotel restaurant was set on the beach front so you dine to the sound of the waves (+ a live pianist) and the lights of the squid fishing boats at night, food was good but not exceptional, but we liked the setting and style of the dining area with table service included with breakfast.

- The airport collection was rather a shambles, we booked a private transfer and confusion reigned, although we did end up with a whole retro funky bus all to ourselves, which turned a negative into a bit of fun. The rooms were not particularly well sound proofed so you can hear the local “parties” and we could also hear the piano being played in the restaurant, but this wasn’t bad so it didn’t spoil our stay. We found the food over priced for Myanmar and it was patchy, some very good other dishes middling, but we chose to stick with the Sandoway meals due to the setting and the fact that the local seafood restaurants opposite the hotel looked a little too tatty and dusty next to the busy road to enjoy. We also didn’t like the Mediterranean style sun bed rows set out on the beach, they were well spaced on the Villa side but not in front of the main hotel, having said this we like our own space so it may not bother you and the Villas do give you your own space.

Summary- The best place on Ngapali beach and privately owned (unlike the Aureum) so better for the locals, do spend a little more and book a beach front villa and reserve a sea front seat for dining and this is the perfect place to end a tour of Myanmar relaxing on the beach while the world “with sticks on their heads” goes by!

Sandoway is such a special place. It doesn't get much better than beautifully decorated bungalow's along a secluded tropical beach. There is attention to every detail, from the orchid on your pillow to the old renovated bus that picks you up from the airport. The staff is extremely attentive and gracious. Sandoway is the perfect place to relax on vacation. Go ahead and enjoy snorkeling off a local fisherman's boat, a delicious Italian meal on the terrace or watching the sun set into the Bay of Bengal. The best part? You'll be completely alone.

This was our fourth stay in this hotel which we always include during our visits to our family in Myanmar. Its such a lovely place and although one hopes that tourism in Myanmar will one day grow and flourish, one cannot help feeling rather secretly lucky to have enjoyed the lack of commercialsm and simplicity of the hotel and its environs as it is now. I can't really faul anything but have to say that the staff are really excellent. The food went through a down time after the Italian chef had left, but it is now back to its former good standard. Of course its a little expensive in comarison in contrast with the local restaurants (also good - we often eat in the Mingalabar restaurant behind the hotel) but many of the ingredients are imported and the standards are high.

Out of all the resorts I have been too this is certainly the very best resort I have stayed in. Desighned completely by the hotel manager Alberto Peyre it is set in a beatiful location with blue skies, turqouise seas and refreshing breezes.

Pros:
The food was really delicious Italian and Meditereanian with a hint of Burmese in the menu. The staff in the restaurant are very ,very nice and speak English, Italian and German aswell as Burmese. They are very well trained. The menu included spagetti bolagnease, parma ham and medetareanian pizza bread with tomato salsa. Other than the subject of food the hotel had other great facilities including an inviting pool right next to the beach and a brilliant library with books in all languages. Every day at 9:00 pm the hotels private and very comfortable theater opens to those who love classics like doctor no, doctor Zhigavo, Casablanca, Laurance of Arabia and many more. The rooms are amazing and they are well desighned and perfect for couples.

Cons:
Well I have to say that the breakfast wasn't the best. The sausages were too sweetand the poached eggs tasted strange. It was an a la carte menu. Also the door handles were not a good desighn. If you leave the key in the room or villa and you close the door then it will automatically lock itself. I ended up going to reception 5 times to get someone to open the door for me.

All in all the resort was very freindly especially the manager and restaurant staff who always smile. The airport bus was really nice; a 1930's bus with cushioned wicker armchairs. I highly reccomend you stay at this resort rather than the other long list of choices Ngapali has to offer.

Sandoway is a piece of heaven - it's the by far the most charming boutique hotel we have ever stayed at and we've been back 4 times since!!!

Alberto who runs the hotel and who has given his italian touch to the surroundings has done a splendid job - it is understated luxury to the max....so peaceful, so amazingly stylish too. You will not find any kind of bad taste here, every single element of the hotel has been hand crafted. The beach itself is exquisite and pristine - one of the finest in the world...after being around the world and seeing some of the best boutique hotels in teh world I would argue with anyone who does not think so!

The staff are every ready to answer your every whim, they are gracious, charming uber professional and discreet...they merge in with the surroundings and everyone speaks in a gentle whisper as to not disturb you!

We went with a huge wedding party - almost 30 of us and they threw us a beach bonfire and helped us with every need.

One of my guests got a little too drunk and fell asleep on the beach, then went to his room and left all his belongings on the beach. The next morning there was a knock on his door and all his belongings were returned, clothes folded and dry, money and valuables in a little plastic bag.

Sandoway is my favorite place in the whole world - that's why we will always go back again and again and always spend that extra money to book the beach villa!

PS food is amazing - the breakfast is to die for, as is the fresh tomato salsa and selection of italian breads that come with lunch!

•    Liked — The incredible service and the rooms/hotel layout - it's stunning everywhere you look

•    Disliked — ok I am picking at straws here - I suppose the food is quite expensive but you can always try one of the many resteraunts up the road