Burmese hotelier combines hotel stays with river cruises

Having launched its first river cruise vessel last year, the recently reopened Strand Yangon in Myanmar’s capital city Yangon is hoping to lure the trade with new offers that combine stays at the revamped luxury hotel with three- and four-day cruises along the Irrawaddy River on its 54-passenger ship, the Strand Cruise.

Passengers who book any cabin category on the Strand Cruise for 2017 trips departing between January 2 and April 30 or Sept. 1 and Dec. 31 will receive a promotional rate for the cruise as well as two nights in a superior suite at the Strand Yangon, pre- or post-sailing.

The packages also include domestic flights between Yangon and the point of embarkation/disembarkation of the Strand Cruise.

Passengers who book any cabin category on the Strand Cruise for trips departing Jan. 27 through Jan. 30 (the period around Chinese New Year), or the company’s classical musical-themed Valentine’s Day cruise departing Feb. 13, will also receive a discounted cruise rate, two nights in a superior suite at Strand Yangon and the domestic flight.

The Strand Cruise features a pool deck, a sun deck for al fresco dining, a library, wine bar and a wellness center that offers services such as massage, a mani-pedi salon, a gym and a reflexology station.

It has 23 staterooms and four suites, including two Strand Suites located at the bow of the ship with private terraces. All cabins have French balconies.

Included in the price of the sailings are three meals during each full sailing day as well as breakfast on disembarkation days, and soft drinks, local beer and house wine during meals. Also included are port charges; English-speaking guides (alternative language guides can be provided on request, subject to availability); satellite WiFi in all cabins and public areas; and complimentary international daily newspapers on tablets.

The Strand Cruise operates three- and four-day sailings between Bagan and Mandalay, with excursions that include the U Bein Bridge in Mandalay and the temples of Bagan.

The 31-room Strand Yangon, a colonial era property founded in 1901 by the Sarkies brothers, reopened on Nov. 15 after an extensive renovation. Architectural details have been restored, including its teak paneling, antique bed frames and traditional Myanmar lacquer-ware and marble flooring. The property was also updated with modern air conditioning systems.

The hotel’s bar was renamed The Sarkies Bar at The Strand Hotel in honor of the hotel’s founders, Aviet and Tigran Sarkies, well-known regional hoteliers who also founded Raffles in Singapore and the Eastern Oriental in Penang. The teakwood-paneled bar now offers a new menu of cocktails and single malt whiskies.

During the hotel’s closure, its service team went through extensive service training and the Strand Restaurant was given a new executive chef.  

Superior suites at the Strand Yangon start from at $334 per room per night including breakfast and taxes.