The
Pansea Hotel, located on the northwest side of Yangon, is built on the
site of an old teak plantation. It is a wonderful place that has much of
the charm and service of the Strand Hotel, at prices closer to that of
Traders. The photo to the left shows the entryway leading to the hotel,
as well as a glimpse of the grounds, while the photo to the right gives
a taste of the style of the Pansea, with an oxcart and umbrella at the
entrance to the hotel.
As
one approaches the main entrance to the Pansea, the covered walkway turns
to a bridge that passes between the beautiful pool area (shown to
the left) and a garden and fishpond pond area that forms part of the outdoor
dining. The hotel restaurant features excellent French cuisine, which we
enjoyed by candlelight at a table next to the fishpond.
The
interior of the hotel is, as one might expect, a statement in teak It retains
much of its colonial heritage, visible in the simple but elegant wooden
construction. The photo to the left displays the handsome blend of wooden
beams and white plastered wall in the entry hall. This picture looks from
the room back toward the reception area and pool.
And
the rooms themselves? Well, as you can see from the photo to the left,
they are spacious, featuring a banquette under a large picture window.
The window is shuttered with hand-made teak blinds and adorned with hand-made
cushions. The floor and trim are teak while the white walls give the rooms
an airy feel. It is both a beautiful and livable room, a statement which
echoes our feeling about the Pansea Hotel in general. If you are looking
for a bit of affordable elegance in Yangon, this is the place to stay.
