Aureum @ Governors House, Pyin Oo Lwin

Aureum Pyin Oo Lwin is a great choice when visiting the hill town of Pyin Oo Lwin (formerly Maymyo): stately and peaceful with spacious rooms, charming grounds and good service. You’ll love seeing the lovely landscaped gardens as you arrive on the property, and the spaces in this colonial hotel are grand and welcoming.

Maymyo, or Pyin Oo Lwin as it is known today, was a British colonial hill station founded at the turn of the 20^th century, mainly to beat the heat in the lowlands of Mandalay. Nowadays it’s a popular weekend getaway destination, famous for its fresh produce and for some truly spectacular hill trekking. Admire the gorgeous colonial buildings, visit the National Kandawgyi Gardens, or wander through the forest to the Anisakan Waterfalls. At the Aureum Palace Hotel, wander around the gardens and surrounding vineyards or have a social drink in the coffee shop or bar.

The deluxe rooms are spacious and bright with air conditioning, comfortable beds and great en-suite bathrooms. Securing either the Governor or the Presidential suite is well worth the extra investment.

Don’t assume you’ll have access to a pool, either: swimming at the hotel is only available to guests staying in the Governor or Presidential suites. Additionally, the hotel is located on the main road so if you are particularly sensitive to noise, you may not find absolute tranquillity. But it’s a great value with plenty of space and good culinary and service standards.