Accommodation in Myanmar

Hey all

I'm off to Myanmar for a month in November and have some questions about accommodation. The guide books I've got (including LP) are a couple of years old and I'm a bit worried that the pace of change in the country has made some of the advice out of date. Does the demand for hotels and guesthouses in Myanmar still outstrip the supply? I've booked a hotel in Yangon for the first few nights but was hoping to book all my other accommodation when I'm in the country, probably two or three days ahead, either by phone or by just turning up. Do people think this is realistic or am I going to waste time going round lots of hotels that are already fully booked? I'll be looking to stay in mid-range places and have budgeted around £35/45USD per hotel room per day.

Thanks in advance.

clear...your plan is spot on...
There was an issue a few years ago with a sudden increase in tourist #, and some people would recommend booking everything in advance..but even then you could get by phoning ahead 2-3 days as you go...that is what I did every year..the only problem was once getting a room in Inle trying 3 days in advance, and phoned 10 places....I had to postpone by 1 day and got a room okey)
Booking your first nights for arrival is always a good idea, just to remove any worries...then simple to phone ahead to book your next room a couple days in advance. The last couple years in peak season I have seen walk-ins available in popular places I was staying, and read reports of people getting walk-ins in Nyaunghswe (Inle) and Inle was the one that always booked out fastest doe to limited options.
I stay in good 'budget; hotels / guesthouses and pap max $25 a night (but in Kyat equivalent) - Yangon and Mawlamyine.

I've been to Myanmar twice and always booked hotel/hostels in advance to save time walking around to check hotels. You can contact them via email or telephone (I prefer calling 'cause they reply faster) 1-2 weeks in advance is ok. Normally hostels cost 20-27USD/nite in Bagan, Yangon, Golden rock, Inle, hotel is higher, around 35-45 depends

have been around a dozen times...always just pre-booked for first nights....always been easy enough to phone ahead 2-3 days as you go..that saves any possible 'walking around'....easy to phone once there (some guesthouses will let you use the desk phone for nothing.)....but certainly no need to pre-book more than that, unless you will only stay 1 night when you first arrive, then maybe also pre-book your next destination also..
I pay $20 in Inle (Nyaungshwe) for similar room I pay $25 in Yangon.

The only problem is probably Yangon, so book rooms ahead and if you go to Inle around the balloon festival that gets really booked up, so you will need to book well in advance. Other places yes you should be able to book a few days ahead. But I don't stay mid-range, usually don't pay over $20, only once last trip I had to pay over $20 and that was because everywhere else was full up in Monywa. Quality and value for money are highly variable in Myanmar. Many mid-range Hotels you can book online now and read the reviews.

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated. It's good to hear that there are plenty of options around these days. Does anybody have any hotel/guesthouse recommendations for Nyaungshwe or Bagan?

I stayed at Mingalar Inn in Nyaungshwe, it was a good guesthouse, nice family, excellent breakfast, that was 5 years ago when it was $7-$10 a double, now its gone upmarket so the new rooms are midrange I think about $35, it even has a swimming pool now. The Aquarius gets good reviews but was full when I went there, thats a bit cheaper at about $25, Nawng Kham is nearby and similar price, again was full when I went, you can check reviews on Tripadvisor. These are in good area, quiet but close to the town. If you stay on or near the canal it will be noisy early in the morning from boats.
If you want any tours I would ask Thu Thu Aung she has shop near market, very helpful and reliable, good if you want to do something different, she is tour guide also if you want her to go with you. I would avoid the "shopping" boat trip on the lake unless you want shopping. You can go to Sankar which is a lake south of Inle, its a few hours trip and will cost maybe $60 for a boat upto 5 people.

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