Escape to Paradise: Luxury Awaits at Hotel SS Aungban, Myanmar
Escape to Paradise: Hold Your Horses (and Your Stress!) at Hotel SS Aungban, Myanmar! (A Review That's Finally, REALLY Honest)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. Because this isn't your average, cookie-cutter hotel review. This is the REAL DEAL, from someone who actually went to Hotel SS Aungban in Myanmar and lived to tell the tale. And let me tell you, it was an experience. "Luxury Awaits," they say? Well, let's see if the reality lives up to the hype, shall we?
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First things first: Accessibility. Now, I'm not mobility-impaired, but I always pay attention to this because, frankly, it's just good manners. And Hotel SS Aungban gets some points here. They have Facilities for disabled guests, which is a huge plus. I saw an Elevator (hallelujah!), which is essential in a multi-story hotel. I didn't personally scope every inch for wheelchair access, but the fact they've even considered accessibility scores them brownie points right off the bat.
Cleanliness and Safety: Let's be real, in the post-pandemic world, this is HUGE. And Hotel SS Aungban seems to be taking it seriously. I saw Hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE (thank the travel gods!), and they've implemented stuff like Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Professional-grade sanitizing services. They even let you Room sanitization opt-out available if you're super paranoid. Good for them! Makes you actually feel like you're reasonably safe, which is, you know, kinda important. Also, shout out to the Hand sanitizer again, because seriously, it's appreciated. (Okay, I'm a germaphobe. Sue me!)
The Rooms (aka My Little Sanctuary): Oh, man. My room, Available in all rooms was surprisingly decent, or at least, as decent as you can expect, which will be different for everyone. I'm gonna give you the low-down here:
- Air conditioning: Check. Air conditioning in public area? Check. Actually, bless. Aungban can get hot.
- Internet access – wireless: Check. And guess what?! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Thank you, sweet baby Jesus.
- Mini bar: Present. (Okay, I might have sneaked a couple of those little bottles… don't judge).
- Coffee/tea maker: Absolutely essential for my morning sanity.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial. Nobody likes waking up at the crack of dawn.
- Bathrobes and Slippers: Fancy! I felt like a movie star… or at least someone who had finally managed to escape their responsibilities for a few days.
Now, let's get a little nitty-gritty because, let's be real, the rooms weren't perfect. The Mirror, for one, seemed to be permanently fogged up with my own breath (and maybe a bit of lingering humidity). No biggie, but just a tiny little detail. The Soundproofing was pretty good, thankfully, because the walls are made of paper in some places. But, like, who cares? I was in freaking Myanmar!
(Rant incoming!)
Okay, I'll be honest. The lighting? A little…dim. And, I swear, the TV channels seemed to cycle between news channels and more news channels. But hey, I wasn't there to binge-watch Netflix, am I? (Okay, maybe I was a little. Shhh.) The point is: it was comfortable, clean, and a welcome escape from the chaos of daily life.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (My Favorite Part!): Alright, foodies, this is where things get interesting.
- Restaurants: They have Restaurants, plural! Including at least two, which is more than most places in the middle of nowhere.
- Asian breakfast: YES! (Though, fair warning, it's not the kind of "Asian breakfast" you might expect. It leans towards the traditional, which I, personally, adore).
- Western breakfast: They have this too for you wimps.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Always present, which is a life saver.
- Poolside bar: Definitely a plus. Cocktails with a view? Yes, please!
- Room service [24-hour]: This is a godsend. Late-night cravings? Covered. Hungover and can't move? Also covered.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Good for all those who need to avoid meat.
Here’s a confession: I spent way too much time at the Poolside bar. It's just so damn relaxing! Sipping a cocktail, watching the sun dip below the hills… pure bliss. The food at the restaurants was pretty decent, a mix of Asian cuisine in restaurant and International cuisine in restaurant. I’m not going to lie, some of the dishes were a bit… interesting. But hey, that's part of the adventure, right? Plus, they go out of their way with Alternative meal arrangement that will appease people who are hard to appeal.
(An Ode to the Poolside Bar - Don't Skip!)
Seriously, the pool bar. Picture this: You're just arrived, the sun is blazing, the air is warm, and you're tired from the trip that was a whole plane ride over here. You need a drink. And boom, you are at the Poolside bar enjoying a cold drink and a perfect view! That’s all you need in that moment. After a long day, that moment is all you want.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Ahhh, Sweet, Sweet Relaxation): Now, this is the meat of the hotel experience. This is where I, at least, judge a hotel. Let's be honest.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Check and CHECK! The pool with Pool with view has a view, which is one of the best experiences.
- Spa: Yes! This is where this hotel truly shines. The spa had a variety of treatments, including Body scrub (felt glorious!), Body wrap (I have no idea what it did, but I felt like a million bucks!), and Massage (the best massage I’ve ever had! Worth every penny).
- Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: Yep, the whole shebang. I spent a solid hour in the sauna, sweating out all my worries.
(My Spa Story – A Moment of Pure, Unadulterated Bliss)
Okay, so picture this. I'm lying on the massage table, the gentle hum of the air conditioning, the scent of lemongrass… it's heaven. The masseuse starts working her magic, and OH. MY. GOODNESS. My shoulders, which usually feel like concrete slabs, started to melt. Then my back, legs, the whole shebang. I think I actually drifted off for a bit. It was the kind of experience that makes you forget all your troubles and just… be.
The Fitness center? I glanced in. Looked… well equipped. But I was on vacation. Fitness can wait. (Okay, maybe I should have hit the Gym/fitness, but the pool bar was just so close!)
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things That Matter):
- Concierge: Super helpful.
- Currency exchange: Necessary.
- Daily housekeeping: Excellent, and a must for my messy self.
- Internet: Free Wi-Fi everywhere! Wi-Fi in public areas and Internet [LAN] in rooms. You can be productive even on a vacation!
- Meeting/banquet facilities and indoor/outdoor venues: Excellent.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Good way to spend some time; I never buy souvenirs.
- Dry cleaning and Laundry service: You will need it for those long trips to some place.
For the Kids (If You're Bringing the Little Rascals): I didn’t have kids with me, but I did observe a few families.
- Babysitting service: That’s nice.
- Kids facilities: Always a plus.
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer: Available, and a lifesaver after that long flight!
- Car park [free of charge]: Score!
- Taxi service: Readily available.
My (Slightly Chaotic) Verdict:
Hotel SS Aungban isn't flawless; nobody is. But it IS a genuinely lovely place to stay. It's clean, safe, and the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. The spa is a MUST-DO, the pool bar is dangerously relaxing, and they make an effort to accommodate various needs. It's a perfect base for exploring Aungban and the surrounding areas. And most importantly? I actually felt like I was on vacation and managed to unwind. And in today's
Escape to Paradise: Ruenmai Homestay, Lahansai, Thailand!Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This isn't your polished brochure itinerary. This is the ACTUAL, REAL trip I WISH I had in my notebook. Here’s my attempt at planning Hotel SS Aungban, Myanmar. (And let me just say, the planning is almost as exciting as the trip itself…almost…)
MY (Probably Disastrously Delicious) Itinerary: Hotel SS Aungban, Myanmar
Day 1: Arrival and the Great (and Slightly Terrifying) Taxi Hunt
- 8:00 AM: Arrive at Heho Airport. Okay, breathe. Big, deep breaths. The last time I landed somewhere new, I ended up in a chicken coop. (Don't ask.)
- 8:15 AM: Airport chaos. Seriously, I feel like I'm walking into a human pinball machine. Locate my luggage (fingers crossed!). Wonder if I can smuggle a puppy back home.
- 8:30 AM: TAXI! The dreaded taxi negotiation begins. I have the Lonely Planet guide memorized, so I know I'm about to be ripped off. Bargain. Bargain. Bargain like your life depends on it. (Maybe it does, considering the price of everything.)
- 9:30 AM: FINALLY, the taxi ride. Hopefully, the driver’s English is better than my Burmese. Stare intensely out the window, trying to look like a seasoned traveler, but probably just look like a gibbering idiot.
- 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Arrive at Hotel SS Aungban! Check-in. Pray the room is clean and doesn't have any unwelcome roommates… like giant spiders. (Okay, maybe I'm a little dramatic.)
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Unpack (maybe). Okay, fine, just dump everything on the bed and collapse for a glorious 5 minutes.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch at the Hotel. I'm going to be daring and order something I can't pronounce! (Wish me luck. May the odds be ever in my favor.) I hope it is flavorful.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Explore Aungban. I guess I gotta start somewhere and there is no time like the present moment. Find a tea shop? Oh yeah, and a local market. (I've got this, right?) I can totally bargain for a souvenir. Totally.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Relax. You know, actually unwind and maybe take a nap. Jet lag is real. And I need to be at my best for tomorrow.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner. Pray I don't get food poisoning. (Again, maybe a touch dramatic.)
- 7:00 PM onwards: Early night. Because tomorrow is going to be an adventure… probably.
Day 2: The Pindaya Caves and the Pilgrimage…Oh, the Pilgrimage!
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Eat everything in sight, because, you know, energy.
- 8:00 AM: Hire a driver/tuk-tuk/whatever-the-local-transportation-is to go to Pindaya Caves. Or try to. This might take an hour to arrange, so be patient.
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: The Drive to Pindaya. Hopefully, they don't drive like they're auditioning for Fast & Furious.
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Pindaya Caves. The Actual Caves. Okay, here is the real deal. This is the "must-see" part. This cave will hopefully be as epic as they say. I'm expecting to be awestruck. I'm totally going to lose my mind.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch at a local restaurant near Pindaya. I bet they have the best whatever-they-eat-there.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Explore the surrounding area. Get a better feel for the people and the place.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Snacks and tea time. Gotta recharge.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: The drive back to the hotel.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner
- 7:00 PM onwards: Early night.
Day 3: The Farmer's Life, Cooking Classes, and the Bitter Sweet Goodbye
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel.
- 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: I am going to go to the local market. Learn how to harvest vegetables.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Cooking class. I'm going to make something so delicious I can take it home with me to show off!
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Free time, buy last-minute souvenirs.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner.
- 6:00 PM: Pack.
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Say goodbye to the beautiful place and people.
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Sleep to take my flight tomorrow morning.
Important Notes (aka Panic Mode):
- Language: Buy that phrasebook. Now. Especially the "Where's the bathroom?" and "Help, I'm allergic to…” phrases.
- Cash: ATMs? Who knows! Take enough local currency. Because, you know, chicken coops and the like.
- Health: Pack the essentials. Don’t forget anything!
- Flexibility: Things will go wrong. Flights will be late. The food might be weird. Embrace the chaos. That's where the best stories come from.
- Most importantly: Laugh. A lot. And eat everything. (But maybe not the street meat… just in case.)
This is my idea of a perfect trip. (Okay, maybe not perfect, but you know what I mean.) It will contain the perfect amount of adventure, deliciousness, and the occasional moment of existential panic. Wish me luck. I'm going in. And I'm ready for anything. (Except maybe the spiders.) Wish me luck!
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