Eventually, we left our resort paradise behind in Ngapali and made the trek to the final location on our tour of Myanmar, the capital city of Yangon.
Review: Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon (Yangon, Myanmar)
Being unfamiliar with Yangon, my strategy was to book a hotel with high reviews in a part of town that was centrally located. This criteria led me to the Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon.
About The Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon
The Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon is run by a Thai-management company that manages luxury hotels throughout Thailand. Opened in 1998, this hotel was built on a property that was once owned by the founding family of the Tiger Balm product.
The Official Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon Video
Location
The Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon is located in the heart of Yangon on the banks of Kandawgyi Lake (Royal Lake).
Located near some of Yangon’s most famous attractions, the Hotel is walking distance to the Shwedagon Pagoda, the Karaweik Palace, Bogyoke Park, and the Zoological Garden.
Located right smack in the middle of Yangon’s main attractions
Getting There
Getting to the Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon required a 30-minute taxi ride through the city from Yangon International Airport (RGN).
First Impressions
Arrival at the hotel certainly gives a grand impression. It is a highly-secured “walled-off” location on what was once known as “Tiger Hill”.
Stepping inside the hotel, you instantly feel like you are in for special hotel experience in Yangon.
The [General] Check-In And Lobby
The front desk is located just past security on the left-hand side of the lobby.
I was immediately greeted and welcomed to the hotel and asked to produce my credit card and passport (as is typical in Myanmar).
After a short wait, the front desk attendant returned my credit card and passport and directed me to the “Club check-in desk” on the 9th floor. This was because I “splurged” an extra $15 dollars at the time booking for a “Club Room“.
The front desk
The lobby
The lobby was decorated in what I’d describe as “Burmese colonial chic”, with beautiful musical instruments adorning the lobby.
Musical instruments of Myanmar
The Chatrium Club Floor Check-In (9th Floor)
We arrived at the 9th floor Club desk and were again warmly greeted and asked to produce our credit card and passports.
The Chatrium Club Floor Check-In on the 9th Floor
We were offered a purple elixir as our welcome drinks. Yes, it was as delicious as it looks.
The welcome drink. Not sure what it was, but it was delicious and refreshing!
After a short wait, the Club desk attendant handed us back our items and handed us the Welcome Letter and package (below).
She quickly ran over the many features and amenities of the hotel available to Club level guests including, the Chatrium Club Lounge (and its happy hour!), business benefits, laundry service, breakfast at The Emporia restaurant (included!), and other dining options.
The Welcome Letter And Package
The Chatrium Club Floor Welcome Letter
Discounts at Chantrium
The Club Floor Hallway
Burmese artwork lines the hallway on the Club floor
The Twin Club Bedroom
I would describe the room as “standard”. It was clean, well lit by natural light, and neatly arranged to fit a small couch and office desk.
The room featured live “air-cleaning” snake-plants.
Fresh fruit welcome gift
“Viral” artwork
Room Amenities
Water, tea, and coffee selection
The closet
Another closet and room safe
The Bathroom
The bathroom was quite large and clean with both a shower and bathtub.
It appeared to have recently been renovated.
More live plants in the bathroom was a nice touch
The sink toiletries
Thann aromatherapy shower mini-bottles (these really did smell great)
Bathtub tile artwork
View From The Room (Lake View)
One of the best things about the Club floor room was the view(s).
Directly across the way was Royal Lake.
Image courtesy of chatrium.com
The Royal Lake and hotel pool
Off in the distance, the Shwedagon Pagoda was visible from our room
A reminder: Myanmar + Lake = Mosquitoes. Keep the door closed when not using the balcony.
The Chatrium Club Lounge
A great thing about the Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon is that you don’t need to hold status as an elite member to access the Club Lounge, you can simply “buy your way in” for a modest fee by booking a Club Room.
For a full review of the Chatrium Club Lounge click here.
The Chatrium Club Lounge
Hotel Amenities
The fitness center (Image courtesy of chatrium.com)
Walking The Property
View from Royal Lake (Image courtesy of chatrium.com)
View from the courtyard
View of the courtyard
View of the courtyard
View of the Emporia Restaurant
On-site Pagoda
Breakfast At The Emporia Restaurant
The Emporia Restaurant served breakfast buffet-style in its large, cavernous space.
Breakfast items included Burmese-style breakfast along with expansive Western and Chinese menu options. There was something for everybody.
Chinese breakfast options – with dim sum!
Bread and pastries
The fruit and yogurt bar
Deli meats and salad bar
The breakfast of champions
Breakfast Mohingar – spicy!
The Bottom-Line Review: Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon (Yangon, Myanmar)
For the price, I don’t think we could have gotten a better hotel or a better location in Yangon. The hotel, although charmingly dated, was luxurious, busy, and well-known in Yangon. There were weddings in the day and weddings in the night (what I’m trying to say is this is a “classy joint”).
The Chatrium Club Lounge was great and in my opinion and totally worth the upgrade. As great as the hotel was itself, the real selling-point was the location and proximity to the Royal Lake and Shwedagon Pagoda.
Did I mention they have a free breakfast daily? I would stay in this hotel again in an instant next time I’m in Yangon.
The Bottom-line: Highly Recommended
Cheers!
View of Shwedagon Pagoda from the Club Floor at night
