The Strand

The Strand is a 31-suite property located in a restored Victorian mansion on the banks of the Yangon River in Myanmar. A stay at this historic luxury hotel in Yangon transports guests to a bygone era when author Rudyard Kipling, Prince Edward, and George Orwell visited its halls.

Property Details

Originally built in 1901, when the country was ruled by the British, The Strand in Yangon, Myanmar became one of Asia’s most prestigious hotels. The white-washed facade and teak-framed windows have been preserved to give guests a feeling of being transported to the past. Guests are greeted in the lobby with a cool towel to escape the heat. Cane furniture, soaring ceilings, and jasmine wafting through the air fill this grand space.

Author John Murray, in his 1911 Handbook for Travelers in India, Burma, and Ceylon, praised The Strand as “the finest hotel East of Suez.” In today’s world, the property evokes a 1930s vibe with lipstick-red rattan chairs in the cafe. Glistening chandeliers and period furnishings give guests a taste of both the past and present.

Lacquer ceiling fans cool the suites, while black and white pictures from the Strand’s distinguished past line the walls. Rest in a bed of handwoven linen, soak in a deep bathtub, and wrap yourself in a luxurious Egyptian cotton bathrobe. The Strand Suite features a hand carved four-poster bed, Burmese antiques, and private sitting room as the perfect spot to host guests for evening cocktails with a private butler.

The Strand Cafe offers guests a variety of both international and Burmese delicacies like curried butterfish and a chicken dish infused with tamarind and coconut milk. At the Strand Restaurant the chef shares his culinary skills with guests through an exciting kaleidoscope of gastronomic creations. The Sarkies Bar is the place to enjoy an afternoon refreshment from an array of cocktails and wines.

Yangon is a treasure trove of 19th-century colonial architecture and Buddhist sites and temples. Shop for jade and lacquer work in the markets as you walk past vintage cars, robed monks, and women in sarongs. Myanmar is often called the Golden Land because of the shimmering golden spires of its temples.

After a day of exploring on a tuk tuk, return back to The Strand for a relaxing traditional Myanmar massage, Asian foot massage, or some acupressure and aromatherapy techniques.