Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min

In Myanmar, where the luxury travel industry has yet to catch up with some of its neighboring countries, Accor Hotels gets it right with the opening of the Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min resort.

Does a minimalist design fit the romance of old Burma? And how should a contemporary resort reflect the stylistic traditions of its location? These were the questions we pondered when arriving at the Inle Lake Myat Min. As it turned out, Sofitel had it all figured out.

A quiet place

Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min brings to Myanmar the latest in cosmopolitan luxury — but its design also manages to channel the styles and traditions of the old Burma. Incorporated into the resort’s interiors are historical accents and Burmese patterns, while authentic local art is featured throughout the property. Dark wood, bamboo, rattan, and silk soften the minimalistic architecture. The elegant rooms and suites are built literally on the lake, in a concept that mirrors the traditional villages built on stilts, strung along the shores.

This sophisticated stylistic mix complements the serene location. The resort is flanked by picturesque floating gardens, with the backdrop of the dramatic Shan Mountains. The clean shapes of the architecture find perfect reflections in the tranquil waters of the lake. Our guest suite was well-positioned to take full advantage of the beautiful surroundings. Raised above the lake’s surface and looking out to its vast waters from a lovely terrace, it had sunset light shining straight to our bedroom. But the resort has much more to offer than the well-located guest accommodation.

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The Inle Lake experience

The two swimming pools offer the most opportunities to relax and lounge. Both are beautifully set up, though we preferred the waterfront infinity pool, overlooking the small hotel jetty. It felt like a natural extension of an open-air, over-water lounge. Right next to it was one of the restaurants (we came here for dinner — and it was one of the best culinary experiences we had in Myanmar).

The staff was always ready to advise on activities and get them organized for us. One of the things we did more than once was to take the traditional longboat and explore the Inle Lake, which is the second largest in Myanmar and one of the highest (at an elevation of 880m). Local people live on the lake and depend on its waterways for transportation. It was a nice adventure to explore the settlements and the temples in the area. We even did some silver jewelry shopping, in a local factory built in a large house on stilts — they made a unique piece especially for us.

There is so much to see, but the Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min itself deserved more of our time — and in hindsight, we should have planned to stay here for more than three days. It is one of those places which we would happily come back to.

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in our opinion

Beautifully located on the eastern shores of the Inle Lake, Sofitel's first foray into Myanmar proves that this destination is ready to compete with the best in Southeast Asia.

What we love

• This is a very stylish place. The Western sophistication of Sofitel's luxury is enriched by subtle references to the Burmese heritage, helping to create a serene ambiance of wellbeing.
• We stayed at the Opera Suite, which was eminently comfortable, with a four-poster bed and the spacious, well-appointed bathroom. It was also beautifully set up to ensure amazing lake views.
• All guest suites are equipped with the latest technologies and feature generous deluxe amenities (including oversized standalone bathtubs).
• The service and professionalism of the staff. We felt everything was taken care of, down to the latest detail.
• Cuisine. One of the best dishes we had in Myanmar was right here, both at lunch and dinner. One night a grill buffet was arranged, and we had the opportunity to try a local species of wild boar, which was unlike anything we had before.
• The excellent breakfasts deserve a special note. The buffet has a fantastic selection to choose from, basically anything we could wish for, and if something was not on display the staff was more than happy to fulfill any special requests.
• Sunsets! The hotel faces west, and whether it's sundowners on the outdoor deck of the waterfront Roots restaurant, or on the terrace of our suite, or, finally, while riding the traditional longboat — they were always beautiful!

What you should know

• The transfer was well organized by the hotel and access to the resort from the airport was not difficult for us, but it takes a while (an hour and a half at least). We recommend stopping on the way to see the Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery.
• You may need a buggy if accommodated in a suite located further from the main resort area.
• Many terraces of the guest rooms are not very private, as you can see your neighbor.
• Mosquitoes are a nuisance here — but the anti-mosquito spray provided in the rooms really works.
• Our favorite place to visit was the Shwe Inn Tain Pagoda. It's a scenic, 10 kilometers or so boat ride from the hotel, and it can be made only when the water in the lake is high (so, in the rainy season and in winter)
• Although not as popular thing to do as in Bagan, the balloon rides at sunrise are a possibility here. Ask at the concierge.
• Getting there: The flight-comparison sites such as Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.com) or Kayak (www.kayak.com) will help you find the best flights and deals.