lonely-planet-myanmar-burma-11-edition

81

DELTA REGION

SLEEPING

AROUND YANGON

SLEEPING

AROUND YANGON

CHAUNG THA BEACH

Shwe Ya Min Guesthouse &
Restaurant HOTEL $
(%42127; s/d $5/10; a) Although located
on the opposite side of the road from the
beach, the bright rooms here are scrubbed
clean, neatly tiled and come with desk, soft
bed (bring your own mosquito net) and a
bathroom with highly original washbasins.
The attached restaurant serves a justifi -
ably well-regarded pancake breakfast, and
gracious, friendly service rounds out the
package.

Belle Resort RESORT $$$
(%42112; http://www.belleresort.com; r $55-180; as)
The rooms are understated sophistication
with stone walls, sprawling beds, massive
windows with equally massive ocean views
and satellite TV. Enter the bathrooms,
made of stylish black stone, and things get
even better. And best of all, they claim to
provide more electricity than other places,
giving you the chance to take advantage
of the electronic amenities off ered at this
price tag.

Grand Hotel HOTEL $$
(%42329; r $30-35; a) The cute whitewashed
bungalows here aren’t the newest or fl ashi-
est accommodation along the beach, but
represent good value. Along with an atmo-
sphere of yesteryear, the spacious rooms
have tall windows, TV, fridge and a huge
bathroom with big old-school tubs.

Golden Beach Hotel RESORT $$

(%42128; r $25-40; as) This vast resort (56

rooms) doesn’t have the park-like mani-

cured grounds that others do, but the hotel-

room-style duplex bungalows have recently

been renovated. There is a well-used pool

table and a little-used pool. The stretch of

sand out the front is especially popular with

middle-class Myanmar tourists.

Shwe Hin Tha Hotel HOTEL $$

(%42118; r $7-12, bungalows $20-25; ai) Lo-

cated near the bus drop-off point and boast-

ing budget prices, this is Chaung Tha’s most

popular backpacker choice. The rooms and

bungalows are unremarkable, but it’s locat-

ed at the quiet northern end of the beach

and has intermittent internet and a tourist

information centre (p 82 ), where equipment

can be rented and tours organised.

Diamond Hotel HOTEL $$$

(%13109; d/tr $50/65; a) The bungalow-

based rooms here are large enough, but

leave you rather close to your neighbour.

Rooms come with amenities such as TV and

fridge but, other than the rainbow-coloured

balustrade on the balconies, not a whole lot

of character.

Dream Light Guest House HOTEL $

(%42201; bungalows $8-35; a) All in all the

large and airy bungalows here have seen

better times, but they are just a sandy step

from the tranquil northern part of the

MR GEORGE: LOCAL GUIDE

I’m from Pathein, but I’ve lived at Chaung Tha Beach for 15 years. I’ve worked in tourism

since 1996, and in 2000, I got a wife from here.

Best Beach

Most Europeans like Ngwe Saung Beach (p 83 ) because it’s a long beach and it’s quiet, with

fewer people. But there is no village there, only huge resorts. If you like nature, Chaung Tha

Beach is better, but the beach is small and doesn’t have white sand or clear water.

Best Time to Visit

November to April is the best time because the region has a lot of seafood and good

weather. After April the monsoon comes and the water isn’t so clear because the rainwater

and river water mix. At Ngwe Saung Beach many hotels are closed during the rainy season,

but the hotels at Chaung Tha Beach are open all year.

Secret Spot

About 9 miles from Chaung Tha Beach is a place called Chauk Maung Na Ma (p 82 ). It’s

very similar to Ngwe Saung: it’s quiet, and you can snorkel, fi sh and meet local people.

It’s also a good place for a picnic.