Mingalar Hotel — Hotel in Mandalay District

In entering Mandalay, Myanmar after an absence of more than a decade brought with it a renewed sense of excitement, anticipation and some anxiety which I sought to suppress. After all, this is a country in transition from what I know as Burma in my teenage years to becoming a more democratic Myanmar today, a nation poised upon entering an era of hope, peace and prosperity! The former president Thien Sein, a former general and in my books a good man who led Myanmar on a historic path of "irreversible change", one for the betterment of his fellow Myanmese and for positive growth and development. The beautiful yet ageing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's incredible new leadership which sought reconciliation and integration rather than sow discord is reminiscent of the late elder statesman Nelson Mandela! Here I am in the land on the threshold of change, the land of the Golden Buddha! I was recommended to Mingalar Hotel by none other than my beautiful Myanmese Student Snow whom I taught English in Singapore several years ago and who now is not only an English graduate of Dagon University but also a professional travel agency executive leader in the making. What a superb choice in a city where development has been rather tardy yet which retains its old world charm, tranquility and serenity. Mingalar Hotel appears to be a Chinese bastion with its many Sino trappings suitably well appointed with heavy and skillfully crafted chairs, front desk and so are its ornaments all about which gave it a cost homely ambience. What truly struck me is the gracious quality service standards of its brand ambassadors who greeted me with warm genuine smiles - Mingalar I was told!|Such a rare outpouring of love for the weary traveller who has just arrived from Siam surely perked up my spirits! Settling into my new home, I was ready for dinner with the adorable Doctor Nancy Yin and her young family, her hubby a pastor of the Presbyterian Church and her equally adorable son of 9 months. A scrumptious dinner with a good spread of Chinese Yunnan and Thai fusion styled dishes washed down by a bottle of premium Myanmese lager was certainly agreeable with my palate and tummy! The second morning was equally a spiritual encounter this time with Rev Father John a native of Mandalay at the Archdiocese. I dutifully did my sacrament of reconciliation with my God and later that evening has another fellowship with the young creative and talented Yolanda of Catholic Indian Tamil descent who was a food expert. Pity in the midst of our sharing I forgot to capture her in her stunning red dress piece riding her motorbike! Sexy is the word! Back at Mingalar Hotel there was a service staff who could actually speak Thai! One who readily gave me a brolly to step out into the drizzling morning and of course the two lovely ladies at the front desk Ms Hnin Shwe and her partner who never tire of smiling bringing sunshine to the hotel and happiness to everyone's heart there! Breakfast must count amongst the best memories of my stay at Mingalar Hotel. The view in the morning of the town at the 6th Floor of the hotel has a certain mystique about it. The breakfast spread was passable cos the ever sweetly smiling Poe Ei made all the difference. She is a Myanmese major who minored in English and upon learning I am an English Teacher, she sought every moment to speak with me, a welcome bonding of love and friendship with someone who shares the same tongue and a blessed one as I am old enough to be her papa! My stay at Mandalay and Mingalar Hotel flashed by in three short days as I head next to Yangon. Yet the hotel staff, their quality service and the warm hospitality of the people of Mandalay certainly warms my heart. Any dark thoughts of unknown cultures and sense of anxiety in things new, soon gave way to a sense of adventure, of discovery and the forging of new friendships! For a siesta away from a busy hustle and bustle world, be gently lulled into deep relaxation and tranquility by the city of Mandalay and the exotic warm hospitality of Mingalar Hotel and her well trained service staff whose genuine love of people will bring joy to...

We got a shared shuttle from the airport 4,000 kyat each, it took one hour and 40 minutes. On check in we were given a room on the third floor overlooking the road and coach stop. All evening there were people banging doors, kids going from one room to the other. At 11pm we finally opened the door and asked them to keep the noise down. At 4am coaches parked opposite started up their engines and left them running. At 5.30am a really loud banging noise starts, after that people are up.....the day starts again, doors banging, kids, people in the corridors on mobiles. This hotel sells rooms to very large families, next door to us was a family of 9! We went to reception and asked to be moved, we were given a room at the back on the 4th floor. Once again all evening doors banging, people going in and out of opposite rooms. 5.30am bang bang bang. This happened for our 5 night stay, we were desperate for some sleep, we couldn't leave as we had already booked our on going flight. Unless you sleep like an elephant and need someone to hit you with a sledgehammer to wake you up, you have been warned. Breakfast is typical Burmese all rice n noodles. I would like to add if we were reviewing the staff we would give them 5/5, lovely nice helpful people, nothing is too much trouble. Also the room it's self is fine but the reason of booking a hotel is to get a good nights sleep! We couldn't wait to leave. Also the area the hotel is in is filthy, with only local eating places nearby.....We didn't fancy a trip to the hospital! We eat street food in many countries...

I spent 4 nights in this lovely hotel, situated between 88th /89th crossing with the 23rd. So far it has been the best hotel I stayed in Myanmar. My room was on the 4th floor, the bed was absolutely amazing and the pillow was firm but soft, very good quality! The bathroom has complementary toiletries, which included also a nice comb. Real toilet paper, not the cheap one you usually get around. The room was clean ans spotless. Everyday they provided 2 apples and there was also complimentary coffee and kettle, as well as bottles of water. |Breakfast was good, there was also warm chinese/burmese buffet if one wanted. I was happy with the sweet cake and the fruit.|The reason why I'm not giving 5 stars is because the shower had low pressure and was difficult to get right: pretty much or cold or too hot, and the WiFi was crap. However I really recommend this place as the price is very good, the quality is high and the people working in is really,...