The famous Strand in Yangon, originally one of the leading hotels in the East was built in 1901.Centrally located it is a good choice for both the leisure traveller and business-person visiting the city.

The Strand, Yangon, opened in 1901. Rangoon, as Yangon was formerly known as, was then one of British India's largest and most prized cities. The Strand was built by British entrepreneur John Darwood and acquired by the Sarkies brothers, who collected more than a few of Southeast Asia's grand colonial hotels. From the beginning, it was regarded as "the finest hostelry east of Suez." Murray's Handbook for 1ravelers in India, Burma and Ceylon, 1911 edition, says the hotel was "patronised by royalty, nobility and distinguished personages." After three years of extensive refurbishing and renovation work, The Strand reopened in November 1993. The hotel has been restored to its former glory as a grand hotel and is now managed by General Hotel Management (GHM).

• Strand Jetty
  
• Sule Pagoda
  
• Independent Monument
  
• Bogyoke Market
  
• FMI Shopping Center
  
• Botataung Pagoda
  

The Strand is located on Strand Road, close to the Yangon River in the main commercial and diplomatic district. It is a 30-minute drive from Yangon International airport and within easy reach of the city's main attractions.

The three-storey, Victorian hotel is a model of colonial charm, from its colonnaded exterior to the marble-floored lobby lounge, from the rattan furniture to the chandeliers and the black- lacquered ceiling fans in The Strand Cafe.

The hotel's 32 spacious suites, including 23 deluxe suites, 8 superior suites and The Strand Suite, are located on the hotel's two upper floors and serviced by a team of butlers, 24-hours a day. Each deluxe and superior suite is finished with high ceilings and teakwood floors, a king-size bed or twin double beds, a separate sitting area and a spacious bathroom. All are decorated with local art and antiques and fitted with air conditioning, a ceiling fan, satellite TV hidden away in an Edwardian cabinet and a personal safe. Fresh-cut flowers, from white orchids and jasmine petals to yellow ginger, brighten the rooms.

The Strand Suite is neatly 200 square metres in size. It features a canopied, four-poster bed with a separate entranceway to a small study with desk. There's also a comfortable living room, a dining room with attached butler's pantry, a large marble bathroom, a separate guest bathroom and a sunroom overlooking the Yangon River.

Restaurants & Bar: The Strand Cafe, with its big, teak-framed windows, looks out onto Strand Road. Globe chandelier lighting, floors of tile inlaid with teak, dining chairs of sturdy egg-cane rattan and black ceiling fans give the meandering room, with all its intimate spaces and corners, a timeless charm. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served, with the menu featuring Burmese and Western cuisine. There is also afternoon tea daily. The Strand Grill is perhaps Yangon's most elegant dining room, dressed with large black-lacquer prints from Bagan, a vaulted ceiling, skylights and chandeliers and a dinner menu made for fine dining. A classical guitarist completes the room's refined mood. The Strand Bar offers a full range of drinks, a charming atmosphere, and a two-piece jazz band performing every Friday.

The Lobby Lounge, with its colonial cane furniture and marble floors, is the centre of all activities at The Strand. It is a popular meeting place for a drink or business discussions. Local musicians play the Burmese harp and xylophone daily.

Situated adjacent to the hotel, The Strand Hall measuring 602 m² with teak flooring, and a 25 foot ceiling is dividable in half by a sound proof partition. This grand ballroom is a gracious setting for special events and celebrations, seating up to 500 for dinner and 1,000 for receptions.

Two hotel shops offer a range of locally-made precious jewellery, gem and silver.

Beautiful Myanmar Textiles, lacquer and other handicrafts can be discovered at the Strand Boutique.

Typing, translation, photocopying, courier, and other administrative services are available at the Business Centre. Computer and e-mail use can also be arranged.