After a short 20-minute flight from Mandalay, we landed in Bagan and wasted no time heading to our hotel to begin planning out “day 1” and “day 2” in the ancient city.
But first, we had to check-in.
Review: Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort (Bagan, Myanmar)
About Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort
Image courtesy of thiripyitsaya-resort.com
Why We Chose Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort
Finding a hotel in Bagan was not an easy task. We didn’t really know what part of the City to stay, or how far each hotel would be in proximity to where most of the site-seeing would be.
Luckily for us, we chose the Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort which was centrally located along the Irrawaddy River and extremely close to some of the major temples of Bagan like the Ananda Temple and the Dhammayangyi Temple.
Whats more, this resort was known as the “best hotel to watch a sunset in Bagan” and had free breakfast daily.
Location & Getting There
Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort is located in the area of Bagan along the Irrawaddy River know as “Old Bagan”.
Getting there will take you about 20 minutes by taxi from Nyaung U Airport (NYU).
The Lobby & Check-In
Check-in was smooth and quick, taking less then 5 minutes. Everybody at the front desk spoke fluent English and was extremely welcoming.
We were offered a welcome drink, a welcome letter, and a map before the front desk attendants ran through a list of some of the highlights and amenities of the property.
The Reception Front-Desk
The Welcome Letter
Map of the resort
Positive vibes
First Impressions
Located on a stunningly beautiful property, the Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort was an all-bungalow resort.
This resort along the river boasts beautiful gardens and flowers in a quiet and tranquil setting.
The Front Of The Unit
There are 4 rooms to a building structure, and each has a set of lounge chairs on the deck outside of the room.
The Room
Our room large and cozy, with wooden accents all around, giving the room the tropical feel it deserves.
The twin bed room
There was a modest flat-screen television and desk and comfy room slippers
I just noticed the $12 Pizza and 2 drinks deal! (SMH)
Nightstand
Coffee and tea set
Mini-fridge with complimentary water
The closet and safe
The Bathroom
Note: The water from the sink is not safe for drinking or brushing your teeth…make sure to use the water bottles
Nice and clean shower with good water pressure and hot water
Reminder: If you see bottle water on the bathroom sink, do not drink the water from the sink! Â
The Pool
One of the crown jewels of this resort was the pool along the mighty Irrawaddy River.
Enjoying a poolside drink (and the view)
The Bar
Another great feature of this hotel is the bar overlooking the pool and river.
The bar is just around this corner
Tropical happy hour drinks!
View of the pool and Irrawaddy River
The bar is stocked with the essentials
The Sunsets From The Bar
As great as the view of the pool and river are, what really sets this bar apart from all others in Bagan is the sunsets!
Watching the sunset change colors…
…paradise!
Paradise under the stars
The Breakfast
The breakfast spread of the Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort was something truly to behold.
We were the first to arrive (because we had a plane to catch), but the restaurant was ready to go
Although the restaurant itself was only modestly trafficked, the breakfast spread was varied and expansive.
Hot plates galore
The bread bar (I’m eying you, chocolate croissant).
Dim sum! Correction: Delicious dim sum!
Eggs and veggies
Salad bar
Fruit bar
Juice bar
The Bottom-Line Review:Â Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort (Bagan, Myanmar)
The central location along the river in Old Bagan was perfect both for exploring Bagan and for relaxing at the resort. The rooms were nice, the service was wonderful, and the daily breakfast was great.
This hotel also offered convenient bike and e-bike rentals ($8 an hour, or $10 for the day) which were key for exploring Bagan. Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort also served as a pick-up hotel for Balloons Over Bagan making that experience seamless.
Overall, we couldn’t have been more pleased with our stay at Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort, it was an affordable and luxurious little slice of heaven. And those sunsets – wow, just wow.
Highly Recommended!
Cheers!
