Golden Guest Inn

The food was lovely, and our room stayed clean and cool. The staff felt like family, and the owner and manager Tet made sure we felt welcome and looked after. We soon realized many travelers who regularly come to Yangon choose to stay here. It was also a relief to be able to communicate easily. The Golden Guest Inn management speaks fluent English and helped us understand local customs and even handle business.

I like the generous rooms in this converted colonial house, with rooms in both the front and back wings. The teak furniture has a classic feel, and the amenities are all there: free coffee and tea sachets, plus a coffee maker, coffee powder, and filter paper. The power strips accept different plug types, so I didn't have to worry about adapters. Breakfast is ordered from a menu, with Western and local options. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that it's a little out of the way for me. I'm a business traveler, and most of my meetings are around town and nearby. Still, it's a place travelers shouldn't miss.

I felt completely at ease about my luggage here. The owner's wife keeps an eye on the housekeepers, and I never worried about anything being stolen. Manager Ted is a sweetheart and takes care of whatever you need. There's an ATM inside, hot showers, and the air conditioning is fantastic during Myanmar's notoriously hot season. The rooms are quiet, so I got a full night's rest. The bus stop is right outside and makes getting downtown easy. There's also a small convenience store a few hundred feet away and a great grocery store within walking distance, about .8 miles (1.28 km). During Water Festival, Myanmar's New Year, the restaurant next door is one of the only ones open in the whole city. I highly recommend Golden Guest Inn for a stay.

The location is the one drawback. The Guest House sits on main Insein Road, though the old heritage-style building is set back in a pleasant garden. The owner manages it personally and was the most helpful manager I've come across at any Guest House or Hotel in Yangon. It has everything it advertises, and I was surprised they accepted my Visa Card, which made dealing with foreign currency easier. I rebooked and would recommend it. On July 14, 2017, I added this after returning from another trip to Burma / Myanmar. As before, I had booked a night for my son and me before flying home to Australia via Rangoon / Yangon, and the service was first rate. On a later visit to Chin State Burma / Myanmar, four of us went straight from Nyaung Oo to the GGI, which my son had booked ahead. We stayed two nights. My two friends, who'd never been to Burma or Rangoon, were just as impressed as I was with the accommodation, owner manager, staff, food, and service. I recommend the GGI. My son, his wife, several of their younger children, and I plan to return to Mindat Chin State in December this year. If we need a place in Rangoon / Yangon on the way there or back, we'll stay at the GGI.