Myanmar's Most Luxurious One-Bedroom Escape: Amarapura Awaits!
Amarapura Awaits: My Messy, Honest, and Slightly Over-the-Top Review (and Maybe You Should Book It!)
Okay, folks, let's talk luxury. Specifically, let's talk about Myanmar luxury. And more specifically, let's talk about Amarapura Awaits, the hotel that's promising me a one-bedroom escape. Now, I’m not gonna lie, I went in expecting to be pampered. And, well, let's just say… it almost delivered. Let's dive in, shall we? This isn't your typical travel review; it's a rollercoaster of opinions, ramblings, and hopefully, some helpful info. Buckle up.
First Impressions (and the Quest for the Airport Transfer)
Getting there was part of the adventure. The "airport transfer" they promised… well, let’s just say the driver was fashionably late. Okay, bordering on "I started to sweat and check my phone every 30 seconds" late. But hey, he was eventually there, and the car had AC, so minor victory! (Getting Around: Airport transfer).
Accessibility: The Good, the Bad, and the “Hmm…”
Right off the bat, I’m not in a wheelchair, so I can't fully judge on truly Wheelchair accessible features. But, I did notice an Elevator, which is a huge win. And they do have some Facilities for disabled guests. I'd definitely advise reaching out before you book if that's a major consideration for you, though. Always best to double-check.
Rooms, Glorious Rooms (and My Ongoing Battle with the Balcony)
The one-bedroom? Yeah, it’s pretty darn impressive. (Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens). The bed? Huge. The Air conditioning? A lifesaver! The Bathtub? Deep enough to drown in – metaphorically, of course. (Though the bubbles… could've been better. Minor detail.) I spent a good chunk of my life in that bed, truth be told. The balcony? Stunning views… when I could figure out how to unlock the blasted door. I swear, it took me a solid five minutes of jiggling and praying just to get out there. (My poor inner monologue.)
Internet & Wi-Fi: Bless You, Amarapura!
Okay, I live online. We all do, right? So, Internet access – wireless and Wi-Fi [free] in the room gets a huge thumbs up. And it actually worked! (Unlike certain other hotels I could name…) Internet access – LAN was available too, if you were into that, but who does LAN anymore? The speed was decent, meaning I could actually upload my Instagram stories without wanting to throw my phone across the room. (Internet, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas)
Food, Glorious Food (and My Love-Hate Relationship with the Buffet)
Let's talk food. (Dining, drinking, and snacking: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant) The restaurant had both Asian cuisine and Western cuisine. I’m a sucker for a Western breakfast, as you all know, and the Breakfast [buffet] was… well, it hit the spot. But sometimes, the scrambled eggs felt like they'd been sitting out since the Mesozoic era. (Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration.)
The room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver after a long day of… well, relaxing. That Happy hour at the pool bar? Priceless. They had a mean mango daiquiri, and let me tell you, that's what you need after a long day. The poolside bar was awesome. I'd go back just for the cocktails alone. (Poolside bar). Plus, they had a Coffee shop, thank goodness!
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (and My Near-Death Experience in the Steamroom)
Okay, this is where Amarapura truly shines. (Things to do, ways to relax: Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]) The Pool with view? Holy moly. Incredible. I spent hours just floating around, staring at the sky (or avoiding the chatty tourists, depending on my mood). The Gym/fitness center was actually pretty well-equipped, although I may have only spent five minutes there. (Blame the daiquiris.) They had a Spa/sauna too. I'd heard about the Steamroom. That's where things got… interesting. I may or may not have gotten slightly claustrophobic in there and had a mini-panic attack. (Again, the daiquiris perhaps?) But hey, at least it was memorable! The Massage was divine. (Especially after my steamroom adventure.) They also offered Body wrap and Body scrub, which I skipped, but maybe next time?
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Safe (and Sanitized!)
This is important, right? (Cleanliness and safety: Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment). I felt safe. They were serious about the sanitization. Anti-viral cleaning products were everywhere. Hand sanitizer dispensers were plentiful. Daily disinfection in common areas was definitely being done. Seeing that safety was a priority definitely put me at ease. They even had a Doctor/nurse on call. I didn't need them, thankfully, but it's a nice touch. They took the whole COVID-19 thing seriously, which, in today's world, is a huge selling point.
Services & Conveniences: Making Life Easier (and My Confession About the Gift Shop)
Okay, the little things can make or break a stay, huh? (Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center). The Daily housekeeping was top-notch. My room always looked spotless. The concierge was helpful, even when I asked them to help me find the address for that little tea shop I'd read about in a blog post. They had a gift/souvenir shop. I MAY have bought a slightly overpriced, but totally adorable, elephant trinket. (Don't judge!)
For the Kids (and My Babysitting Disaster)
They had facilities aimed at being Family/child friendly. (For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal) They Babysitting service was available, too. I didn't use this service, but I was in the room with a toddler, and I was told that the service was good.
Getting Around: Don’t Get Lost!
**Getting around: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service
Bromo Volcano Sunrise: Stunning Room 5 Mins From Gate B!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to get real messy with this Amarapura luxury apartment itinerary. Forget pristine schedules and polished prose. This is going to be a gloriously chaotic, opinionated, and probably slightly hungover account of my time in… well, attempt at luxury in Myanmar. Let's do this.
Amarapura Apartment of Dreams (and Potential Disasters) – My Myanmar Mess
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Teakwood Debacle (aka, Jet Lagged Judgements)
- 8:00 AM (ish): Landed in Mandalay. The passport control guy looked exactly like my Uncle Barry, which immediately threw me. Do I give him a discount on the duty-free scotch? Probably not the best idea. Quick transfer to the Amarapura apartment. The driver… well, let's just say his "shortcuts" involved a lot of dust and a near-death experience with a rogue water buffalo.
- 9:30 AM: Finally, the apartment! Okay, it's… nice. Seriously, nice. Gleaming floors, the promised teakwood everything… Wait, is that too much teakwood? It's like living inside a polished tree. I'm already imagining splinters. And the air conditioning? Sounds like a dying walrus. (Note to self: complain about the walrus later.)
- 10:00 AM: Unpacked. Attempted. The luggage situation is a disaster zone. Half the contents of my suitcase exploded onto the pristine white bedspread. Found my lucky socks! Crucial.
- 10:30 AM: Tea time? The tiny kitchen is… functional. (The gas stove looks like something from the Soviet era though.) Brewed a pot of local Burmese tea (apparently a ritual – you have to drink it before you do anything else). Oh my GOD, it’s strong. Now I'm all jittery and questioning my life choices.
- 11:00 AM: Went to walk around. Stumbled upon a local market. Immediately got overwhelmed by the smells (mostly delicious, to be fair), the noise, and the sheer vibrancy of everything. Bought a slightly questionable-looking mango. Ate it. No regrets.
- 1:00 PM: Nap! Jet lag hit like a ton of bricks. Woke up convinced I'd slept for three days. The teakwood bed is comfy though, gotta give it that.
- 3:00 PM: Attempted to explore. Hired a taxi to the U Bein Bridge.
- U Bein Bridge Anecdote #1: Wow. Just… wow. The bridge is something else, a long ribbon of teakwood stretching across the Taungthaman Lake. It's supposed to be stunning at sunset, but the sheer number of people! Tourists, monks, selfie sticks… it's a little intense. The perfect picturesque moment was slightly compromised by a group of teenagers singing questionable pop songs on a boombox. But still, beautiful.
- U Bein Bridge Anecdote #2: This guy was selling what I thought was coconut water. Nope. Sugar water. I didn't realize that I was getting swindled and then I turned to try more. I made the mistake of telling him I was staying at a luxury apartment, he charged me twice. Oops.
- 6:00 PM: Okay, sunset time! I was there early! But still, not bad. The light was gorgeous, the colors melting. Saw a monk sitting on a boat, just perfectly framed. Felt a genuine moment of peace, and then a gaggle of screaming kids ran past, shattering the zen. Classic.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner. Found a local restaurant. The menu was in Burmese, of course. Pointed at a dish that looked vaguely like meat and vegetables. Turned out to be (delicious)… I think… duck. Couldn't quite tell. Ate it anyway. No regrets. Paid with the wrong bill and now I believe I have to return to the restaurant.
Day 2: The Monastery Marathon & The Mandalay Hill Mayhem
- 8:00 AM: Woke up. Still jet-lagged. The walrus air conditioner is mocking me. Coffee. Needed.
- 9:00 AM: Visited a nearby monastery. Watched the monks go about their morning rituals. The sheer serenity was almost… too much after yesterday. The energy was calming and I made sure not to take a picture. One of the monks looked like he was about to start laughing. It cracked me up for the rest of the day.
- 11:00 AM: Decided to try a local cooking class. It was a total disaster. My attempt at making noodles looked more like a collection of slimy worms. The chef was very polite. I'm pretty sure he was laughing at me behind my back. We bonded by the end of it though and I ate his food.
- 1:00 PM: Attempted to walk around, I got lost. Took a cab in a bad direction, and then turned back to get a different cab.
- 3:00 PM: Mandalay Hill. Here we go. Promised myself to climb it. The stairs are endless. The heat is brutal. The views… are probably amazing, but I'm currently distracted by the fact that my legs feel like they're going to fall off.
- Mandalay Hill Ramble: Why are all the temples on hills? Is this some kind of cruel exercise plan devised by ancient gods? The view from the top is great, I guess. You get a spectacular vista of the city. But I'm sure the climb to see it really cost me.
- 6:00 PM: Exhausted. Crashed back at the apartment. Ordered room service. Overpaid. Again. The mango juice was, at least, worth it.
- 8:00 PM: Sat in my teakwood throne and reviewed my day. I laughed a lot.
Day 3: The Boat Ride and The Art (and the Bugs!)
- 9:00 AM: The walrus is STILL at it. I'm starting to think I’m allergic to teak… or am I just sleep deprived? Got ready to take a boat to Inwa.
- 10:00 AM: Boat ride. Gorgeous! The Irrawaddy River is wide and full of life. Saw fishermen, children playing, and some seriously impressive riverbanks.
- 11:00 AM: Found a very old building and walked around it. Went to the local market.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch time! There was food. I ate it. It was good.
- 2:00 PM: Went back to the apartment and took a nap. I can't explain it other than jet lag.
- 5:00 PM: Tried to get my bearings.. Went to a local art gallery recommended by the apartment.
- 6:00 PM: The artist had a studio. We had a conversation. I made a purchase.
- 7:00 PM: Went back to the apartment. Ate dinner.
- 8:00 PM: Went back to the apartment. The bugs were back. I was tired.
Day 4: Departure (and a Final Teakwood Farewell?)
- 8:00 AM (ish): Woke up. The walrus is… quiet. Maybe it's finally given up?
- 9:00 AM: Packing. The suitcase situation is even worse than before. Found another lucky sock! Important.
- 10:00 AM: Spent time at the apartment. I actually got used to it.
- 11:00 AM: Airport transfer. Saying goodbye. Will I miss the teakwood? Maybe. Will I miss the jet lag? Absolutely not.
- 12:00 PM: Home bound. Goodbye Myanmar!
Final Thoughts:
Amarapura, you were a rollercoaster. The apartment was beautiful, the experiences were amazing, the food was delicious, and the chaos was incredible. I learned a lot, laughed a lot, and probably ate way too much. And let's be honest, I'll probably be talking about that teakwood for years to come. Would I go back? Absolutely. But next time, I’m bringing my own earplugs. And maybe a bug zapper. And possibly a therapist. And definitely a better travel buddy… (kidding, mostly!).
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