Yangon Excelsior is situated in the heart of downtown Yangon. Despite being set in a renovated colonial building and including trappings and trinkets reminiscent of British Burma, the hotel manages to be neither oppressive nor stuffy, but instead light and humorous.

Some aspects of the hotel seem a little over-the-top; the sheets of paper suspended in the air, appearing as if they have come flying out of the antique type-writer below, for example. The ‘hand-scrawled’ notes on the bedrooms doors pertaining to be from a harassed guest from colonial days (“Is anyone departing for Moulmein this coming weekend? If so please let me know soonest”!) are odd, but one soon warms to them, as one might a perplexing but eccentric dinner guest.

The two restaurants are superb, and the staff immaculately dressed and well prepped. The rooms are large and elegant, and the detail is superb. For all its quirks, this is a fine addition to the Yangon hospitality scene.

FLASH POINT: The “Press Room” is pleasant for both a morning coffee with the newspapers, and an evening round of long drinks.