the strand, yangon
Built in 1901, this grande dame property near the bank of the Yangon River—developed by the hoteliers behind Raffles in Singapore—was looking her age. No longer. A major renovation paid respectful homage to her colonial history while bringing this Myanmar hotel firmly into the 21st century. The craftsmen preserved the original chandeliers, lacquerware, and marble and teak flooring in the public spaces and 31 suites while adding contemporary updates like softer textures and a more inviting color palette. The airconditioning, sound systems and communications channels have all been upgraded. The staff was retained during the closure, keeping the high level of service intact.