Hotel G is an import from Hong Kong and Myanmar’s first proper ‘lifestyle’ hotel. It quickly cemented itself as the one of the hippest destinations in town, with both expats and locals alike losing no time in flocking to its first-floor gym and snazzy restaurant ‘Barbett.’

The menu is an eclectic mix of European and Asian dishes; its cocktails are diverse and satisfying (albeit, some of the most expensive to be found in Yangon). Quirks such as bills being delivered to your table inside the covers of antiquated erotic novels from Burma’s past are startling, but also have the effect of breathing some fresh air into a hospitality scene that can too often be reliant on colonial charm and the aesthetic of Rudyard Kipling and Somerset Maugham.

The rooms are not large, but they are stylish and fun, all with good views. One can request from a selection of pillows, and phones with local SIM cards are also on offer (not something Sampan’s guest will require, as we will provide you with one of these ourselves, but, you know, “great minds” and all that … ).

An array of local and foreign restaurants are within two-minutes walk from the hotel (along the streets of Yah Min Gyi, Bo Yah Nyunt, and Nawaday), and Sule Pagoda – the heart of downtown Yangon – is a 15 minutes stroll due south. The train station is in throwing’s distance; the yummy Yangon Yoga House in spitting’s.

FLASH POINT: As much as possible, you are encouraged to get out of your room and soak up the ambience of the hotel. For this reason, as guests mingle with the residents of Yangon, there is rarely a dull moment in the hotel’s lounge, restaurant, and bar.