Four Star
90% of travellers recommend
Mar 14, 2010 | Trip type: Couples
We were in Yangon for a quick weekend trip in March 2010. We LOVED our room overlooking the river (big, comfortable with great history and character). The room was totally quiet (which was a pleasant surprise because of the busy street below).
We were in Yangon for a quick weekend trip in March 2010. We LOVED our room overlooking the river (big, comfortable with great history and character). The room was totally quiet (which was a pleasant surprise because of the busy street below).
We ate both our dinners in the Strand Grill. We found it extremely delicious and made for a wonderful and relaxing evening after a long day of touring the city. Sitting in the dining room, one really feels like they are stepping back in time. The service was very attentive and professional and the food was very impressive.
The Strand Bar was also very enjoyable. 50% discount on Fridays for "happy hour" (all night long) was a nice surprise!
We were set up with the most amazing tour guide by the hotel. The guide and driver were incredible and were most of the reason we enjoyed the weekend so much! I organized our outings via email with the hotel and they were extremely responsive and accommodating to my requests.
In the end, we would definitely go back to Yangon and we would definitely stay at The Strand! We fell in love with the Burmese people...we simply had the best time.
Jan 4, 2010 | Trip type: Business, Couples
This place is great. The service is impeccable -- thoughtful gentile people make you feel comfortable. I was afraid that. we would find a butler to be intrusive, but it was helpful. The staff has this sophisticated calm. What seemed perfect for a great old hotel in a Buddhist country. The building is historical. The renovation retains an understated beauty found in old teak wood floors and interesting tile. The breakfast that was included was fun with incredible food served in this turn of the century sun room. The location is perfect for exploring the old part of the city, markets and ferries across the river. There were shops in the hotel and in the next building displaying local art and crafts from the countryside. There was classical Myanmar music in the lobby. We really appreciated having the hotel car meet us at the airport because they arranged to have someone walk with us through customs to help us fill out all of the paper work quickly. Although our room faced the front there was no problem with noise. We looked carefully at several alternatives before booking at the Strand. We are really glad that we stayed at the Strand.
This place is great. The service is impeccable -- thoughtful gentile people make you feel comfortable. I was afraid that. we would find a butler to be intrusive, but it was helpful. The staff has this sophisticated calm. What seemed perfect for a great old hotel in a Buddhist country. The building is historical. The renovation retains an understated beauty found in old teak wood floors and interesting tile. The breakfast that was included was fun with incredible food served in this turn of the century sun room. The location is perfect for exploring the old part of the city, markets and ferries across the river. There were shops in the hotel and in the next building displaying local art and crafts from the countryside. There was classical Myanmar music in the lobby. We really appreciated having the hotel car meet us at the airport because they arranged to have someone walk with us through customs to help us fill out all of the paper work quickly. Although our room faced the front there was no problem with noise. We looked carefully at several alternatives before booking at the Strand. We are really glad that we stayed at the Strand.
Aug 28, 2009 | Trip type: Friends getaway
Our experience in the Strand was simply fantastic from start to finish. If you arrange for a car from the airport, they will hire a former Customs official to ensure you have not issues when entering the country. I believe they are the only hotel to do this.
Our experience in the Strand was simply fantastic from start to finish. If you arrange for a car from the airport, they will hire a former Customs official to ensure you have not issues when entering the country. I believe they are the only hotel to do this.
The hotel is pure colonial class and the staff is efficient and kind.
We considered the Strand and the Governor's Palace, which also looks lovely. The one major difference is the location of the Strand in the heart of downtown with many attractions in walking distance. Would stay here again in a heartbeat.
We considered the Strand and the Governor's Palace, which also looks lovely. The one major difference is the location of the Strand in the heart of downtown with many attractions in walking distance. Would stay here again in a heartbeat.
May 15, 2009 | Trip type: Solo travel
The main reason people stay at this hotel is because of its service and history. Being the oldest hotel in Yangon, it has a reputation to protect and it certainly does with its personal service.
The main reason people stay at this hotel is because of its service and history. Being the oldest hotel in Yangon, it has a reputation to protect and it certainly does with its personal service.
As others have said, it is an all-suite hotel albeit the deluxe suite is more like a large room in other hotels. The business centre looked quite old to me (no flat screens) but I really appreciated the wireless internet all throughout the lobby area. While at the Strand cafe, I was able to access the internet through my iPhone which was a nice plus.
As for location, back in the 1920s and 1930s the hotel had the perfect location since it was right by the dock where all the international ferries would arrive (which meant the Strand hotel was probably the first sight most foreigners saw upon arriving in Rangoon.)
Nowadays, however, the location is still in central Yangon in that it's within 5-10 minute walking distance to the Sule pagoda. Then again, most people who can afford to stay at the Strand will most likely take a taxi or private car to wherever they need to go to since Yangon is extremely hot especially in the summer (it was hovering around 97-104 degrees while I was there.)
Nov 24, 2009 | Trip type: Couples
I stayed at the Strand with my wife and a couple of friends and we were loathe to leave after four nights. It had the perfect combination of old world charm and fabulous service and above all, a level of authenticity that is sadly lacking in many "historical hotels" today. I've stayed at Le Royal and the Grand in Cambodia (both owned by Raffles) but they are like theme parks in comparison. The staff in particular deserve a special mention. The butler service was brilliant, just the right level of attentiveness without going over the top.
I stayed at the Strand with my wife and a couple of friends and we were loathe to leave after four nights. It had the perfect combination of old world charm and fabulous service and above all, a level of authenticity that is sadly lacking in many "historical hotels" today. I've stayed at Le Royal and the Grand in Cambodia (both owned by Raffles) but they are like theme parks in comparison. The staff in particular deserve a special mention. The butler service was brilliant, just the right level of attentiveness without going over the top.
Mar 3, 2007 | Trip type: Couples
people found this review helpful
The Strand is simply a legendary place. It oozes with history and charm. The staff is completely switched on and ready to anticipate, communicate, and serve any request. Each guest is assigned their own butler who sits 10 steps outside your door. The rooms are huge and updated (in 1995, but the place has not been run over with guests since then so it is not worn out) The shower is amazing and there is a walk in closet. It must have been designed for people to stay in the rooms for weeks at a time. The linens are duvet and high threadcount sheets.
people found this review helpful
The Strand is simply a legendary place. It oozes with history and charm. The staff is completely switched on and ready to anticipate, communicate, and serve any request. Each guest is assigned their own butler who sits 10 steps outside your door. The rooms are huge and updated (in 1995, but the place has not been run over with guests since then so it is not worn out) The shower is amazing and there is a walk in closet. It must have been designed for people to stay in the rooms for weeks at a time. The linens are duvet and high threadcount sheets.
You do not check into the Strand and there is no front desk. Instead you are greeted and taken straight to your room to complete formalities.
I was pleasantly surprised by the entire experience in the country whose greatest assets include a smart population and beautiful sights.
I was pleasantly surprised by the entire experience in the country whose greatest assets include a smart population and beautiful sights.
