The Strand

Back at the turn of the twentieth century, when Burma was still a part of British-run India, the Strand was the finest hotel in town. Built by the brothers responsible for Singapore’s Raffles, the Strand was an elegant colonial palace hotel, a favorite of the British contingent and a symbol of Rangoon’s now long-faded wealth.

Today, after decades of decrepitude followed by a Herculean refurbishment, the Strand is back, the hotel bar providing the natural gathering place for the city’s entrepreneurial class, such as it is, and the guest rooms serving as a security blanket of Western luxury for foreign travelers on expeditions to what may be one of the last vestiges of a pre-industrial Southeast Asia. It’s a vision in ivory white and polished hardwoods, a stark contrast to the backdrop of the city of Yangon, and something of a time machine, offering an uncanny window into the city's colonial past.

How to get there:
The Strand is located 30 minutes (20 km) from Yangon International Airport (RGN). Kindly note that a Visa is required for entry into Myanmar.