Han Thar Gardens, Bago

Close to historical Bago and not far from Yangon International Airport, Han Thar Gardens is a terrific first (or last) stop on a tour of everything Myanmar has to offer. The traditional style property is surrounded by peaceful countryside, and the host has prepared everything lovingly with great foresight and respect for the environment. Expect comfortable rooms, tasty food and fantastic service.

Beautiful Bago is right on your doorstep, a grand and historically significant city with glorious temples, Buddhas, markets teeming with colour and exotic culinary specialities. Yangon’s is close by and closer still to Han Thar Gardens are the MoYinGyi wetlands, a vast array of exotic indigenous flora and fauna species best observed by boat. At the hotel, you can enjoy some truly spectacular meals at the restaurant, sit back with a sundowner in the bar and lounge area, or take a cool dip in the swimming pool.

There are 15 rooms in total, one of which is a two-bedroom family suite. All of the rooms have lovely comfortable facilities, but the difference in size is quite noticeable, so if you’d like some extra room to kick around, choose a Deluxe room over the standard Superior, or even better, a Grand Deluxe Eco room: they’re bright, light and extra-spacious with wonderfully high ceilings and special luxury touches.

Han Thar Gardens is an excellent option for a few peaceful nights at the beginning or the end of your Myanmar adventure.  Not all the rooms have air-conditioning, and the wireless isn’t available everywhere, but Han Thar Gardens is not the place to come to get work done – you’ll be too busy relaxing.