Golden Cave Hotel — Hotel in Taunggyi District

Worst hotel I have stayed in Myanmar, hands down. But let's try to be ojective: the hotel has different buildings arranged around a nice garden. The rooms are spacious. Be aware that the hotel attracts the bus crowds. We were not told that the WIFI is only working in the reception until we payed. Also, there was no hot water in our room. Upon our request, a member of the staff came and told us to run the tap in addition to the shower to get hot water. Needless to say that this did not do the trick. The room was not perfectly clean and there were stains in the walls and particularly in the bathroom. The room was noisy, due to the fiberglass-like or metal roofs: every raindrop impacting on it would sound like a gong.||As for the staff, they were cold and indifferent while they were watching television in the reception.||The breakfast was distasteful (Western "food" only) and scarce and the table was not even clean.||For more than 40 USD/night, all this is unacceptable.||||The worst part, though, was the trekking service. Since Pindaya Nature Traveller Trekking was closed, we decided to hire a guide from the GC Hotel, the second option mentioned in The Rough Guide. Big mistake. Upon their request, I payed in advance (the staff member said they needed the money to buy our food). Next day we left on a 3-day trek to Kalaw and I found myself with two "guides" who didn't speak a word of English. A couple of km away from the hotel I realised and called the "trekking manager". I explained that this is not what we asked for, that we needed a guide who would speak English in order to be able to learn things about the country, to communicate with people, etc. The guy said "Don't worry, everything will be ok, they will cook for you" (sic). I told him I didn't need no cooks nor porters (we were carrying our own backpacks) and that I could find my way with the compass and a map. He said he would come with the motorbike. Obviously, he never showed up. So that evening I called the hotel and explained the situation. The staff member that I made the deal with apologised, he said he would call the trekking manager and asked me to call him later. I called him again and then he said he could not contact the manager, only his wife and that he would not pick up his phone. I was on the phone for 23 minutes, he apologised and blah-blahed me many times but he did not offer any solution. He told me that "the manager only wants the money" (sic). So I asked him what solution could he provide; he provided none. I asked him to send an English-speaking guide next day and offer us a partial refund. He said he would talk to the manager, but he never contacted us back.||Our two "guides" were nice and decent cooks (unfortunately they would not seat with us in any of the meals), but they were by no means guides, since to our surprise we realised that they were asking villagers to indicate them the way. They were just a couple of guys with no previous guiding experience that were used by the hotel.||||In summary, this hotel is a fraud and not worth anyone's money. I am not even sure why is it listed in The Rough Guide.||||Forget this place and go somewhere else.||||||PD: By the way, the trek Pindaya to Kalaw is a 2-day trek. No matter what they say, it can be easily done in 2 days with plenty of stops to visit places, take pics, rest, etc. It's nice to stay a second night in a monastery close to Kalaw, but if you don't have enough time it's not...

I was only meant to stay here one night, but ended up staying two. The rooms are spacious and clean with comfortable bed. I stayed in bungalows and they're set around a garden. A very pleasant space. ||I had trouble with the hot water in my first room, but it was fine in the second. ||||I set off on a trek after the first night and I got very ill. Basically, I had pneumonia. So, I came off the mountain, back to the Golden Cave Hotel and into bed for the next two days. The staff were very kind to me and brought me extra blankets without my asking. I suppose seeing me wearing all my warm clothing to cross the garden in the heat tipped them off to my condition. The amazing thing is that the owner didn't charge me for the unexpected night's stay because he wanted to make sure that I felt welcomed in Myanmar. And that is not something we encounter all the time. So thank you, Golden Cave. You took good care of me. ||||Breakfast - ask for the Myanmar food and for me - vegan - I had no trouble communicating that to the staff. And the Myanmar food...

The Golden Cave hotel is perfectly situated near the caves, monasteries and beautiful Ponte Loke lake.|With green,wooded mountains in the background,we had a large, comfortable bedroom with a lovely view.|Breakfast is included, either continental or a real Myanmar style, delicious and unusual.|There's hot water for showers, and the staff is very kind, efficient and attentive: they bring you a flask of boiling water on demand, to make tea or coffee in your room.|The whole place is impeccably clean,with a stunning garden full of orchids, plants and trees.|Ask the manager who speaks good English for organising trekking trips locally, we enjoyed a full day one in tea plantations and villages, amongst a great rural setting.|Highly recommended.|No dinner possible, but you can purchase cold...