Page 296 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

294 MANDALAY AND AROUND ACCOMMODATION
of the palace, west of the railway lines, with dozens of largely indistinguishable two- and three-star concrete
boxes. There are also further options east of the railway lines immediately south of the palace – a more peaceful
area, and closer to the city’s best selection of restaurants. All the places listed have a/c, free wi-fi and include
breakfast in their rates unless otherwise stated.
DOWNTOWN Nylon 83rd St, at the corner of 25th St T02 33460,
AD1 Between 27th and 28th sts, and 87th and 88th Enylonhotel25@gmail.com; map p.288. Sharing its
sts T02 34505; map p.288. One of the city’s cheapest lobby with an electrical equipment store, this oddly named
options, in a down-at-heel market area near the hotel is one of the best budget options in the area, with
Eindawya Pagoda, with basic and dated rooms (fan unusually large, clean, nicely furnished and well-equipped
only), although they’re reasonably well maintained and rooms with fridge, kettle and surprisingly spacious
bearable at the price. $20 bathrooms. $20
ET 83rd St, between 23rd and 24th sts T02 65006, ★ Royal Guesthouse 25th St, between 82nd and 83rd
Eethotel129a@gmail.com; map p.288. Central, sts T02 31400; map p.288. Intimate and homely, this is
competitively priced hotel. Rooms are a bit gloomy and the best of the area’s budget choices, and one of the
7 nothing special, but well maintained and decent value at cheapest too. Common areas are neatly decorated (perhaps
using a Rubik’s cube as a colour palette) and rooms are
the price. $20
Garden 83rd St, between 24th and 25th sts T02 small but cosy, like little ships’ cabins, although not all have
31884, Egardenhotelmdy@gmail.com; map p.288. windows and you’ll pay $6 extra for an en-suite room with
Cut-price if uninspiring budget choice. The whole place a/c. Non-a/c singles with shared bath go for just $8. $14
could use some repairs and a good clean, although rooms Silver Star 27th St, at the corner of 83rd St
T02 33394, Wsilverstarhotelmandalay.com; map
are comfortable enough, albeit on the small side. $18
Hotel 82 82nd St, between 31st and 32nd sts T02 p.288. A solid mid-range city-centre option in one of
60773, Ehotel82mandalay@gmail.com; map p.288. downtown’s taller hotels, with nicely furnished rooms
Smart and modern mid-range option, looking a lot fresher spread over eight floors and offering good views from
than most of the competition. Rates are top value given the higher storeys – the corner rooms ($10 extra) with
quality, with small but neat modern rooms equipped with wraparound windows are particularly nice. $45
flatscreen TV, kettle and fridge, backed up by very helpful Unity 27th St, at the corner of 82nd St T02 66583,
Wunityhotelmyanmar.com; map p.288. Not the
service. $28
M3 Hotel 26th St, between 82nd and 83rd sts cheapest beds in town, but offering excellent value for
T02 67171, Wm3hotelmandalay.com; map p.288. money, with a lobby that feels like that of a “real” hotel, a
Reliable, modern and competitively priced mid-range functional lift, and a nice little coffee bar on the ground
option, spread over eight floors. The well-equipped, wood- level. The cheapest rooms lack windows, but all are well
floored rooms come with fridge, flatscreen TV, safe and equipped with minibar, safe and kettle, and attractively
good-looking bathrooms; superior rooms ($15 extra) are furnished with modern bathrooms and fittings. $25
fractionally larger and come with a bathtub, but aren’t
significantly different. $45 SOUTH OF THE PALACE
★ Mandalay City 26th St, between 82nd and 83rd sts Ace Star BnB Backpacker Hostel Thazin Plaza,
T02 61700, Wmandalaycityhotel.com; map p.288. between 31st and 32nd sts, and 77th and 78th sts T09
The most upmarket choice in the city centre, hidden away 258 411 776, Wacestarbnb.com; map p.288. Reliable
in the middle of lush gardens off 26th St – an unexpected new hostel with functional but well-equipped eight- and
oasis of space amid the cramped blocks of downtown, ten-bed dorms (including male- and female-only dorms)
complete with a good-sized, tree-shaded pool (also open – although the beds are rather crammed in. Dorms $12
to non-guests; see p.292). The wooden-floored rooms are Bagan King Corner of 28th St and 73rd St T02 67123,
very comfortably furnished, with smart modern Wbagankinghotel.com; map pp.282–283. One of the
city’s more stylish offerings, spread over six floors, with
bathrooms. $95
Mann Shwe Li 84th St, between 31st and 32nd sts chintzy Bagan-inspired decor and a breezy rooftop
T09 258 949 353, Emanshwelimdy1@gmail.com; restaurant offering fine views over the concrete jungle
map p.288. Tricky-to-find hotel down an alley off 84th St below. Rooms come with antique-style wooden beds and
(look for the small overhead LED sign) but well worth furnishings, traditional fabrics and cool brick bathrooms
hunting out. The whole place is unusually spacious (some with tubs), while rates include afternoon tea, an
compared to cramped quarters typical of most city hotels, evening cocktail and nightly traditional puppet show. $100
with good-sized, nicely furnished modern rooms, plus a Ostello Bello 28th St, between 73rd and 74th sts
T02 64530, Wostellobello.com; map pp.282–283.
welcome lift and some of Mandalay’s jolliest staff. $25