Myanmar (Burma) — Vintage Luxury Yacht Hotel, Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma)

A strange yacht in Yangon

March 2015

After a few nights at the Park Royal Hotel, I moved to the Vintage Luxury Yacht Hotel. The place was tucked away down a small back road in the port area.

I passed by a pagoda to get to the yacht and then went down through a market and a small carpark.

The hotel was a decommissioned former luxury yacht/boat/ship that was floating but attached to the shore — a most odd place.

My room was OK, but a little dark. There were a lot of brown colours around, and the lighting was dim.

The room and hotel was kitted out as if it was in the 1920s. Quite frankly, I found it all rather odd.

The place was also deserted. I didn’t see anyone as I headed to my room (or should that be cabin?). There must have been more staff than guests.

There was an odd smell in the corridors and room — a musty, damp smell.

Breakfast on board the Vintage Luxury Yacht Hotel was pretty standard, with a good range of food. They managed to serve the best cup of tea I’ve had on the trip. It came in a pot and was hot.

I couldn’t make up my mind about the place. It was fun staying on a former luxury yacht that has been converted to a 1920s theme, and yet at the same time, it was all a bit weird. And, there was an odd smell in my room, the air-con was not great, and the Wi-Fi was flaky.

On the plus side, I enjoyed watching the river boats.

View from the bow (front).

View to port (left).

Inside the yacht. Top of the main staircase. All the brass was a bit worrying. And where was everyone?

View from aft.

The approach to the yacht at night.

They had also taken the 1920s faux metal theme on the yacht too far — they even painted the TV remote.

And the kettle.

Weirdness at breakfast on board the Vintage Luxury Hotel

A European at the next table broke out a pack of Rivita and some spread and made her own breakfast. We were surrounded by good food. Why break out the cardboard and make your own breakfast? Why come down to the restaurant where they were serving breakfast? All very odd.

The Riverside, Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma)

I could only get near the river on my walk back to the Vintage Luxury Yacht Hotel.

From my room, looking out at the river, it was clear that it was a significant area of business and transport activity. But I couldn’t work out how to get to where most of it was going on, but I could see some of it.

Below are some photos of the ferries/taxis used to move people around.

My stay at the Vintage Luxury Yacht Hotel, Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma), was a bit odd, but strangely, I enjoyed it.

Would I stay there again? Most probably not.