85 Soho

The building has convenience stores and cafes attached, which made it easy to pick up daily essentials. I stayed for five days and four nights, and the room was well kept, with clean dishes, a sofa, bed, and shower. The towels were a letdown, though: they had visible stains and yellowing even after laundering. Getting in at night was unsettling. The ground floor entrance was locked, and neither my room key nor password would open it. I couldn't find a security guard, so I waited a long time before noticing an unattended key card on the reception desk. That card let me in, but it made me uneasy about the building's security. My room key also failed often, and when I called for help, they picked up only about one time in three. I also found the services and staff behavior at the top floor spa inappropriate for a regular hotel spa, so I'd be cautious about going there.

We were willing to pay any required extra fees, and I understand the hotel's visitor rules. My friends came to see me on the date of my stay and remained until late, but the problem was how it was handled, not the policy itself. The receptionist on duty spoke to us rudely and disrespectfully. Their tone and wording felt unprofessional, leaving us uncomfortable and unwelcome. As paying guests who were cooperating with the rules, we expected courtesy. Professional communication matters in hospitality, whatever the situation. I'm making management aware of this incident and hope they take appropriate action so other guests don't have the same experience.

The location is convenient, with two little shops downstairs for water and a couple of restaurants I didn't try. It's in a development with lots of new apartment buildings, though most seem unoccupied. You can walk to a nearby mall or a huge park, head south toward the central area, or take a $1 Grab ride. I came back after ten months and found the apartments much more worn. The AC remote doesn't work, the door lock was missing batteries, and the water heater switch was gone. The unit also didn't seem fully cleaned. The building is still fairly new, but it's already gone downhill, and I can imagine it being in really bad shape in a year or two. Check-in was another problem. They said the Agoda rate I'd paid was too low and wouldn't honor my reservation. They claimed they'd told Agoda, but I never got a cancellation. Making guests come all the way there and then refusing check-in is wrong. They could have cancelled it or at least messaged me through Agoda. After an hour, Agoda finally agreed to cover the difference, but I wouldn't trust this place with an online booking again. If they want $40 or more per night, I don't think it's good value since you can get a four-star hotel for that in Yangon.

Avoid booking this property through Agoda. They may not honor the listed price and will ask you to pay more. I wouldn't book it.