TRAVEL | HOTEL | STRAND HOTEL, YANGON www.intercontinental-finance.com www.intercontinental-finance.com TRAVEL | HOTEL | STRAND HOTEL, YANGON Strand Hotel THE BEST HOTEL EAST OF SUEZ Built by the British entrepreneur John Darwood but later acquired by the Sarkies brothers, who owned a number of luxury hotels in the Far East, the Strand Hotel is one of the most famous hotels in Yangon and Southeast Asia. Opened in 1901, and facing the Hlaing – Yangon – River to its south, it was one of the most luxurious hotels in the British Empire and is today listed on the Yangon City Heritage List. Carol Wright THE STRAND HOTEL BASED IN While the hotel was renovated Chef rum, lime juice, and Angostura bitters or one by a carved teak staircase that takes 600- YANGON WAS DECLARED ‘THE FINEST Christian Martena travelled through of the 50-plus single malt whiskies perhaps 700 people seated or 1,000 standing. It has HOSTELRY EAST OF SUEZ’ IN JOHN Myanmar collecting local recipes recreated with a cigar as smoking areas are permitted polished teak floors, 25-feet high ceilings, MURRAY’S 1911 HANDBOOK FOR at the Strand with the help of two female here. Tall plaid upholstered stools line the bar and partitions for smaller events. TRAVELLERS IN INDIA, BURMA AND sous-chefs who have been at the Strand and there are comfortable low tables and The 35 suites are spacious havens from CEYLON. since 1993. Menus include Mohingha, the chairs around the window areas. the city’s bustle and heat. Decor embraces The Strand, located in the eponymous national dish of fish soup with rice noodles In the 2017 upgrading, new areas were potted palms, bedside lamps made from road alongside the busy river port, is topped with crispy fritters and boiled egg. added at the rear of the hotel linked to the decorated jars, lacquerware, prints of old centred in Yangon’s walkable Old Town In the afternoon, the Strand Cafe’s High lobby by a snort corridor containing a local Yangon, circular mirrors over the beds, silk with its embassies and nineteenth century Tea includes local dishes like tealeaf salad, craft boutique, jeweller’s shops – Myanmar cushioned sofas and polished wood floors. colonial buildings. It opened in 1901 and wontons with shrimps, and sticky rice balls is famed for its rubies, sapphires and There is a walk-in dressing area, wifi, TV was developed by the Sarkies brothers, the with brown bean paste served in lacquered jade – business services including a 24-hour and charger points above a spacious desk. creators of the Raffles hotels. boxes. Many of the cafe’s dishes are also business centre and small private meeting Local fruits are presented each day and Early on the Strand hosted Rudyard available on room service. room. little jasmine garlands perfume turn down Kipling, Noel Coward and Orson Welles The elegant Strand Restaurant, open for The newly added areas are an 800-sq mtr service. though not the ubiquitous traveller Somerset dinner only from Wednesday to Saturday but garden including a 18x8 metre swimming Every suite has 24-hour butler service with Maugham, probably because he visited bookable in the daytime for meetings and pool for residents use only. Drinks and light free teas and coffee, packing and unpacking Yangon when the Strand had suffered one of seminars, seats 45 with 10 in a private dining meals are served poolside or in curtained services. The three-suite grades have similar its two bad fires. area backed by black and gold lacquered private cabanas. Opening onto the pool decor but vary in size. All have bathroom After World War 2 and Japanese paintings from the ancient capital of Bagan. is a gym and spa with two therapy rooms with large tub, double vanities, and separate occupation, the Strand was nationalised in spacious area combining lobby, reception Under Executive Chef Patrick Périé, the a la where traditional Myanmar massages and shower and toilet cubicles. The Strand Suite 1963 and slowly sank into disrepair. Rats and lounge where each morning and carte menu features Mediterranean cuisine therapies are available mixing acupressure at 200-sq mtrs – the largest in Yangon – ran round the ballroom and the bar which afternoon a musician plays traditional harp based on imported and local ingredients. and aromatherapy techniques. features a hand-carved four poster bed, remained popular. In 1991, a company under and xylophone instruments. Wide stairs as The bar, named after the Sarkies Brothers, In a separate building facing the pool antique furniture, study, sitting room with Adrian Secha, founder of Aman resorts, well as lifts lead up to the suites. The decor has a billiards table area and is the place to garden is the Strand Hall, an imposing lacquered cane chairs and formal dining began a $12million restoration programme. is in muted shades with a decorative accent try the Strand Sour, which blends Mandalay building with a 602sq mtr ballroom reached room seating up to 10. l The hotel reopened in 1993 offering 32 of black and white, dramatically displayed in suites and is now operated by General Hotel long striped drapes and cushions. Management. A further renovation involving The public areas open off the corners Strand Hotel 185 local craftsmen was completed in of the lobby. An all day focal point is the 92 Strand Road November 2017. Strand Cafe with wrap round indoor veranda Yangon The Strand stands out with a creamy- that has retained its traditional decor of Myanmar white colonnaded exterior, quite modest in black lacquered ceiling fans and scarlet Tel: +95 1243 377 size, among the large surrounding colonial rattan chairs, colours echoed in the longyi Email: [email protected] buildings. The entrance doors open onto a (wrapround skirts) patterns worn by the staff. www.hotelthestrand.com 52 53 Intercontinental Finance & Law • 156/19 Intercontinental Finance & Law • 156/19.