Cottage House (aka “La Maison de Pindaya”) has been designed with taste and delicacy. A short walk from the festival ground, just up from the main road circling the lake and on the way to the Sin Gaung “elephant head” monastery, this small boutique hotel has charm and grace.

The rooms vary in size but all are immaculate with tasteful decoration and comfortable amenities. The staff are cheery and congenial, and the restaurant has a nice selection of local and international dishes. The local coffee with pancakes and honey for breakfast is superb.

The owner – the lovely Mya – is a former French-speaking guide from Mandalay. A European sensibility runs throughout from the small pile of books placed on shelves in each room (Un Francais en Birmanie by Le Compte A. Mahé de la Bourdonnais, anyone?) to the sprigs of lavender blooming through the copious orchids.

FLASH POINT: Mya and her team are the perfect hosts; beaming, helpful, untiring. When they are pruning away in the garden, they seem always up for a natter about Pindaya, and perhaps even a game or two of cards. (‘Old Maid’ is a favourite.) In the winter they light small camp fires and the guests are encouraged to gather around and rub shoulders together.