lonely-planet-myanmar-burma-11-edition

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EASTERN MYANMAR

INLE LAKE

place to go to get the kinks out of your back

if you’ve been sitting in a boat too long.

Trekking

There’s opportunity for day and overnight

hikes around Inle Lake, or you could do the

trek to Kalaw. See p 187 for some suggested

destinations and recommended guides.

 4 Sleeping

Nyaungshwe has dozens of hotels and guest-

houses, ranging from basic backpacker

hang-outs to comfortable midrange hotels.

Most places off er low-season discounts from

March to October, but rates are open to ne-

gotiation most of the time because of the

intense competition.

Almost all rooms have bathrooms with hot

showers, but few places off er air-con because

of the natural cooling eff ect of the breeze

passing over the lake. As is the case in much

of Myanmar, all room rates include breakfast.

For accommodation on Inle Lake itself

see p 187.

oTeakwood Guest House GUESTHOUSE $

(Map p 178 ; %209 250; [email protected];

Kyaung Taw Anouk Rd; r $10-25; i) Straddling the

divide between budget and midrange, this

attractive guesthouse is popular with older

independent travellers. The best rooms are

in the new block – big windows let in lots

of light and the bathrooms are fi nished with

small pebbles. The communal areas are great,

but be ready for some assertive sales pitches

from the owner for boat trips and excursions.

oHotel Amazing

Nyaung Shwe BOUTIQUE HOTEL $$$

(Map p 178 ; %209 079; http://www.amazing-hotel.com;

Yone Gyi Rd; s/d $64/68, suite $86-130; aW) A

league apart from the other hotels in Nyaung-

shwe, this immaculate boutique hotel has

gorgeous rooms decorated with murals and

cultural artefacts. There’s also an open-air

breakfast pavilion on a bridge over the canal.

Aquarius Inn GUESTHOUSE $

(Map p 178 ; %209 352; [email protected]; 2

Phaung Daw Pyan Rd; s/d $7/12) Charming own-

ers make this small, family-run guesthouse a

real home away from home. The cosy rooms

contain an intriguing collection of local bric-

a-brac and guests are treated to plates of

fresh fruit and Chinese tea. There are tables

and chairs in the plant-fi lled yard where you

can sit and chat in the evenings.

Princess Garden Hotel HOTEL $$

(Off map p 178 ; %209 214; princessgardenhotel@

gmail.com; bungalows s/d $25/35; s) This hid-

den gem was the newest place in town at

research time and the only one with a swim-

ming pool. The eight wooden bungalows are

located in a shady garden and are looked af-

ter by friendly, service-minded owners. Lo-

cated near Mong Li Canal a brief walk south

from the centre of town.

Nawng Kham – Little Inn GUESTHOUSE $

(Map p 178 ; %209 195; Phaung Daw Pyan Rd; s/d

$6/12) Opposite the Aquarius Inn, this small

but perfectly formed guesthouse has just

seven rooms. All have fans, bathrooms and

hot showers and are set in a peaceful gar-

den. Considering the number of rooms, it’s a

good idea to book ahead.

May Guest House GUESTHOUSE $

(Map p 178 ; %209 417; 85 Myawady Rd; s/d/tr

$7/12/16) Wagon wheels mounted in the

front wall set the tone at this village-style

guesthouse in the monastery quarter. The

simple square rooms have fans and bath-

rooms and the breakfast is said to be one of

the best in town.

Hu Pin Hotel Nyaungshwe HOTEL $$

(Map p 178 ; %209 291; http://www.hupinhotelmyanmar.

com; r $36-50; a) The bland Chinese-style

rooms here won’t win any prizes for interior

design, but everything is spotlessly clean,

hot water is reliable and the hotel has its

own boats for trips around the lake. The Hu

Pin is Nyaungshwe’s most imposing build-

ing and is located along the canal that leads

to Inle Lake.

Queen Inn GUESTHOUSE $

(Map p 178 ; %209 544; [email protected]; r

$7-20) Located on the opposite side of the

Nan Chaung canal, this would be a bud-

geter’s dream if it weren’t for the noise of

boats. Rooms are simple, but the highlight

is the homely feel, emphasised in the nightly

family-style dinners for only K2000.

Inle Inn HOTEL $

(Map p 178 ; %209 016; [email protected]; Yone

Gyi Rd; r $8-18) Potted plants and trellises

create a pleasing cocoon of vegetation at

this village inn on the eastern side of town.

Rooms are arranged around a shady sitting

area and restaurant.

Ming Ga Lar Inn HOTEL $

(Map p 178 ; %209 198; [email protected];

Phaung Daw Pyan Rd; r $7-18) A maze-like bud-