Nan Bwe- The Vibe Hostel

The staff were fantastic. Thin-Thin at the front desk helped me get medication back after I lost it on the bus, and honestly saved our trip. We loved the pool too. Breakfast was just so-so compared with other places we stayed.

We loved the modern, beautiful rooms, the staff, the rooftop, and the good breakfast. There’s even an ATM on the hostel premises. Mosquitoes were the downside, though, there were loads of them. I think they get in through the bathroom ventilation ports, which have no fly mesh. Other animals get in too and sometimes leave droppings in the bathroom. Seems like an easy fix.

I’ve stayed here more than five times, mostly because the location works well for seeing many of my friends. The price is a bit high compared with places of similar standard in Mandalay, though the pool is an extra. It’s a nice pool, but I never ended up using it. Service is good, apart from one grumpy guy during our last stay; all the women at reception are sweet and nice. Breakfast is the usual Myanmar spread for this standard, with banana, noodles, toast and jam, and egg. A better breakfast might have earned five stars.

We had to leave around 6.15 in the morning, before breakfast, and the staff packed us a breakfast box for the long bus ride. They’re friendly, attentive, and go out of their way to help. The owner is nice too. The hostel is fresh, clean, and well cared for. The shower has great pressure and gets hot. The pool is refreshing in hotter weather, though too cold for me during Mandalay’s winter. It’s a bit far from Mandalay City, but Grab makes getting there easy. There are points of interest nearby too, including Soi Thai restaurant, with excellent Thai food at prices well worth it. I can definitely recommend it.