Yangon's BEST Hotel? Nice Day Hotel's Secret Revealed!
Yangon's BEST Hotel? Hold Up! Nice Day Hotel's Secret Revealed! (And Things Got Kinda Messy…)
Okay, people. Let's be real. Finding a decent hotel in Yangon can feel like searching for a mythical creature. You read reviews, you scroll through pictures that probably got touched up by a team of Photoshop ninjas, and you pray to the travel gods that you don't end up sleeping in a room that smells vaguely of mildew and broken dreams.
But I’m here to tell you… maybe I’ve found something special. Let’s dive into Nice Day Hotel, shall we? But be warned, this isn't your average, sterile hotel review. This is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth… with a healthy dose of me getting lost in my own thoughts.
First Impressions (and the Struggle to Get There): Accessibility… A Sigh and a Prayer
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room, or rather, the pothole in the everywhere in Yangon. Accessibility is… a work in progress. Nice Day Hotel, thankfully, had an elevator (hallelujah!). Getting around the city with a wheelchair would be a challenge, and the sidewalks are more suggestions than actual pathways. I did notice they have Facilities for disabled guests, which is promising, but I can't personally vouch for how smooth everything actually is. They also have Car park [free of charge] and Valet parking, which is always a win. Getting a taxi can be a bit of a circus, so consider the Airport transfer - trust me.
The Sanitization Situation: Cleanliness and Safety – Breathe Easier (Maybe)
Now, this is where Nice Day Hotel shows its cards. In a post-pandemic world (and let's be honest, even before), hygiene is KING. I was relieved to see they prioritize this. They advertise Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. My room? Absolutely spotless. Feeling safe is a huge thing, and the Staff trained in safety protocol made me feel a lot more comfortable. They even have Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. They've clearly put in the work, but still, I would have loved to see more details about their Professional-grade sanitizing services. I mean, I'm a germaphobe, I don't always trust what I see!
Internet Access (and the Curse of Slow Wi-Fi): The Global Pandemic of Limited Connectivity
Let's be blunt, the internet in Myanmar can be… temperamental. Nice Day Hotel offers Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Thank the travel gods! But the speed… let's just say it will test your patience. I’m thankful for Internet access – wireless and Internet access – LAN But when the Wi-Fi stutters, it can feel like time travel back to dial-up. Remember those days? The hotel also has Wi-Fi in public areas and even Wi-Fi for special events, if you're feeling optimistic.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious Food (and a Few Hiccups)
Okay, food time! Nice Day Hotel does not disappoint completely.
- Restaurants: There's a few to choose from, which is a win.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Check! They had great options.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Yeah! Not bad, solid choices.
- Bar: Absolutely. Perfect for a little nightcap - or three.
- Poolside bar: They also got the Poolside bar.
- Coffee shop: Always important.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Ah, the buffet. Standard fare, but good enough to get you started. The pastries were a bit dry, but the omelets… Oh, the omelets! Perfectly fluffy, cooked to order. I went back three times. Okay, maybe four. Asian breakfast and Western breakfast.
- Breakfast takeaway service: A handy option if you're in a rush.
- Room service [24-hour]: Bless them! Because sometimes, ya just need a burger at 3 AM.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Always welcome.
- Desserts in restaurant: Meh, okay.
- Snack bar: Perfect for a quick bite by the pool.
- Soup in restaurant: Great if you're feeling under the weather.
- Bottle of water: Always provided, which is a thoughtful touch.
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Buffet in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant and Western cuisine in restaurant. You can rest assure that they've thought of it all.
The "Nice Day" Experience: Things to Do, Ways to Relax (and Does It Live Up to the Name?)
Okay, the real test. Can this hotel ACTUALLY give you a "nice day"?
Swimming pool: The Swimming pool [outdoor] is beautiful. The Pool with view is a total win.
Gym/fitness: A moderately sized gym, which is great if you want to work off all those omelets.
Spa: Yes!
- They have the Spa/sauna, Steamroom, and they do Massage!
Sauna: Always a good way to detox.
Fitness center: See Gym/Fitness, above.
For the kids: Family/child friendly, and Kids meal
My Biggest Emotional Breakdown (and a Surprising Redemption): THE SPA
Alright. Let's be honest, I wasn't expecting much from the spa. Usually, hotel spas are just… there. But this one? This one was different.
I booked the combo. First, a Body scrub. Then, a Body wrap. Then, a massage.
The woman who did my scrub? Absolute magic. First, I have to admit that her name was something that I just couldn't pronounce - it was like a secret code, and I felt bad for getting it wrong. But the way she worked on my skin… it was like she was dusting off layers of my soul. The scrub was the perfect texture, the scents were divine, and I swear, I could feel the stress literally falling off me. It was messy. It was a bit awkward at first, but it was also… amazing.
Then came the wrap. The warm, cocooning embrace. I could feel my muscles and mind, going into deep relaxation mode.
And finally, the massage. I was floating… truly floating. My masseuse, the same woman, knew exactly where to work. She was attentive, professional, and, honestly, a healer.
The Spa was the single reason to go to the hotel. This experience alone was worth the price of the room. It was such an emotional experience, and I will never forgot it.
Rooms and Amenities: Does Your Room Match Your Dreams (or at Least Your Expectations?)
The rooms at the Nice Day Hotel are well-appointed, if not mind-blowing.
- Available in all rooms: They have Air conditioning, which is MANDATORY. Alarm clock, Air conditioning, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Bathrobes, Blackout curtains, Coffee/tea maker, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
- Additional toilet, Carpeting, Closet, Complimentary tea, Mirror, On-demand movies, Reading light, Scale, Seating area, Smoke detector, Soundproofing, Umbrella, Visual alarm.
- Room decorations, Room decorations.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (and the Ones That Don't)
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes, thank the gods!
- Business facilities: They offer Audio-visual equipment for special events, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, and Seminars. Probably fine, but I didn't use them
- Luggage storage, Concierge, Casino, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Smoking area, **Shrine
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! My "Nice Day Hotel Yangon: A Messy, Honest, and Probably Slightly Disastrous Itinerary" is about to unfurl itself. Prepare for a whirlwind of questionable decisions, questionable food, and a healthy dose of questionable sanity. This is less a schedule and more a survival guide, honestly.
Days 1 & 2: Arrival, Annoyances, and Absolutely Delicious Noodles (and a Side of Doubt)
Arrival & Settling In (Day 1, Morning):
- Touchdown! Yangon Airport. Jet lag hit me like a rogue tuk-tuk. Already sweating buckets. Seriously, the humidity could curdle your opinions. Finding the Nice Day Hotel felt like a scavenger hunt designed by a sadist. Google Maps, you traitor! Finally made it. Room is…well, it's a room. Cleanish. The air con is either on full blast or not at all It got a "meh" rating.
- Anecdote: Remembered I left my toothpaste at home (classic). Cue the panic! Found a tiny convenience store. Apparently, "toothpaste" is the international language of pleading, because the guy totally got it. The toothpaste tasted like…minty fire. My mouth is still tingling.
Yangon Exploration (Day 1, Afternoon):
- Shwedagon Pagoda! Okay, this is actually stunning. Just…wow. The gold! The bells! The people! Emotional Reaction: I might have teared up a little. I felt a sense of peace, which was a welcome change from the impending doom of figuring out the local currency. Trying to walk around barefoot. The ground…heated.
- Quirky Observation: Saw a monk scrolling on his phone. Modern Buddhism, eh? I'm here for it.
- Imperfection: Got lost. Twice. Ended up in a market where I’m pretty sure I saw a live chicken escape a cage. It was glorious.
Noodle Nirvana & Dinner Disaster (Day 1, Evening):
- Street food is a MUST. Found a little noodle stall. The woman was a goddamn artist with a wok. The noodles were perfection. Spicy, savory, the texture was sublime. I consumed about a kilo of them. Definitely worth the potential stomach issues.
- Rambling: I'm starting to think I could live off noodles. It's a good life. The best life! Okay, maybe I need to eat more than noodles, though I’m not sure it's for the best now.
- Imperfection: Went to a "recommended" restaurant for dinner. The ambiance was lovely, the food was… bland. The waiter looked like he hated his life too. I tried to be polite, but eventually ordered a second plate of noodles from my lovely noodle stall.
Breakfast Confusion & Sule Pagoda (Day 2, Morning):
- Breakfast at the hotel was… underwhelming. I really need to find a good coffee shop. The mystery fruit plate that came with the meal… well, let's just say, it tested my limits.
- Opinionated Language: Sule Pagoda is alright. A little too polished, honestly. Give me the gritty, more authentic pagodas any day. I am really getting annoyed at the taxi system even more. It's a gamble.
Bogyoke Aung San Market & Souvenir Shenanigans (Day 2, Afternoon):
- Holy. Crap. This market is a sensory overload. Silk, jade, lacquerware, everything. The bargaining is intense. I'm not good at bargaining. I’m pretty sure I paid WAY too much for a couple of scarves. They're still pretty.
- Emotional Reaction: I felt a strange mix of excitement and overwhelm in the market. I love shopping!… But I hate shopping. It’s a conflict that is difficult to resolve.
- Imperfection: Almost got ripped off buying some "antique" jewelry. Luckily, my inner skeptic kicked in. Now, if only it could have kicked in before the scarves…
Days 3 & 4: Golden Rock, Trains of Terror, and Temple Fatigue (or, the point I started to question my life choices)
Golden Rock Day Trip (Day 3, Early Start):
- Messy Structure: Ugh. The Golden Rock. (Kyaiktiyo). It's a HUGE commitment to get there. From Yangon, it takes a while. Public transport sounded horrific. Ended up renting a car/driver situation. Worth it.
- Anecdote: This whole experience made me think I was in a bad dream. The bus was packed. The truck… well. I'm grateful I made it without throwing up. But the golden rock itself? Majestic. Beautiful. Worth the insane transport.
Yangon Circular Train (Day 3, Afternoon):
- Stream of Consciousness: The circular train. Oh god, the circular train. I am starting to think that my sense of adventure isn't even a sense. It's more like a slow descent into madness. It was hot, crowded, and incredibly slow. But also…fascinating. You see real life. People selling fruit, kids playing, people just staring. Opinionated Language: It's a must-do, but bring a LOT of water and a healthy dose of patience.
- Quirky Observation: I swear I saw a chicken on the overhead luggage rack. Or. Maybe it was the heat.
Kandawgyi Park & Dinner Disappointment (Day 3, Evening):
- The park was lovely, the lake was serene, but I was exhausted. I had this weird feeling that I was not fitting in.
- Imperfection: Dinner was at THE most highly-rated restaurant for the area. I could not get over the price! I almost didn’t order. It was fancy and the service was slow. The food was good but I’m not sure it was worth the price.
Hoping to change my mind (Day 4, Morning):
- I'm starting to think I should have stayed in bed. I was exhausted. Everything started to feel the same. Every temple looked the same, smelt the same. I am very grateful I'm not allergic to incense, as there's so much of it.
Days 5 & Departure: Reflections, Regrets (Maybe), and a Promise to Return (Eventually)
Last-Minute Exploration (Day 5, Morning):
- Wandered around. Found a small, hidden temple. Quieter. Less gold. More peaceful. Emotional Reaction: It’s funny, the smaller, less-hyped places often turn out to be the best. I was starting to feel a bit sad about leaving.
- Imperfection: Forgot the name of the temple. Classic.
Packing Panic & Airport Anxiety (Day 5, Afternoon):
- Packing. Always a disaster. Did I buy enough souvenirs? Did I buy too much? Which clothes were clean? Did I have enough space for all my regret? The questions are endless.
- Opinionated Language: Yangon Airport? It was another experience. It was functional. Thank God I had my minty fire toothpaste.
Departure (Day 5, Evening):
- Boarding. Wave goodbye. The plane started to take off. Starting to think that Myanmar is a crazy place. I'll always remember it.
And there you have it. My Nice Day Hotel Yangon experience. It wasn't pristine. It wasn't perfect. But it was real, and it was mine. Would I go back? Absolutely. Will I pack better next time (and maybe, just maybe, learn how to bargain)? We'll see… Wish me luck! My travel is just beginning.
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Yangon's "Best" Hotel? Nice Day Hotel - My Messy, Honest, and Occasionally Hilarious Rundown
Okay, spill it! Is the Nice Day Hotel actually *the* best in Yangon?
Alright, alright, settle down. "Best" is a loaded word, isn't it? It's like asking if a chili dog at a dive bar is "best" food. Depends on what you're after! The Nice Day Hotel... it has its good points. And its... *interesting* points. Honestly? It *could* be. But it's not a flawless diamond, more like a slightly tarnished, but sparkling, emerald. You know?
What's the first thing you noticed about the hotel? First Impressions count!
Walking in? The *smell*. No, not a bad smell! More... a *distinct* smell. Like old wood, jasmine incense, and a slight hint of what I *think* was bug spray. Look, Yangon is a city that *lives*. It breathes. And apparently, so does the Nice Day. It's not clinical, clean, and perfectly sanitized like some sterile chain hotel. It's got *character*. Which, let's be honest, is a polite way of saying "it's seen some things." (And by things, I mean maybe a monsoon or two.)
The rooms – are they luxurious? Should I expect marble and gold leaf?
Marble and gold leaf? Honey, you're in the wrong city. You get what you pay for, and the Nice Day is fairly priced. The rooms are… functional. Cleanish. The air conditioning *works*, which is a godsend in Yangon's humidity. My room had a small, rickety balcony that looked out onto... well, a collection of other buildings and some laundry. It was a slice of real-world, Yangon living. Not fancy. Comfortable enough. Shower pressure? Let's just say it had a *character* all of its own. I think I actually timed the water droplets once. About 3 per second. But hey, hot water!
Breakfast, the most important meal! How was the food?
The breakfast buffet… okay, here's where it gets interesting. It's a classic "Yangon hotel breakfast". You *will* find eggs. Scrambled, generally. You *will* find toast, which may or may not have been made that same morning. You *will* find some sort of noodle soup. And, bless them, fresh fruit! Mango, pineapple, and even the occasional dragon fruit. It wasn't Michelin-star, but it was fuel. And after a night of exploring, you appreciate anything. I remember one morning, the toast was suspiciously crusty. I may (or may not) have discreetly asked a staff member about it. Let's just say, the clarification wasn't entirely helpful. But they were very apologetic. Charming people!
What about the staff? Were they helpful?
The staff! Oh, the staff! That's where the Nice Day Hotel *shines*. Seriously, these people are *amazing*. They are genuinely, wholeheartedly lovely. They're kind, they’re patient (especially with my terrible attempts at Burmese), and they will bend over backwards to help you. Like, one time, I locked myself out of my room at 3 AM. Yep. Don't ask. The poor guy on duty was unbelievably calm. He got me a new key, didn't even sigh, and he made me feel less mortified. They are the heart and soul of that place. No question. I would go back just to say hello to them. Seriously
Is it noisy at night? Location, Location, Location!
Yangon is a city that *never* sleeps. So, to be fair, noise is a factor *everywhere*. The Nice Day isn't in the *quietest* quarter. Be prepared for the honking of taxis, the occasional chanting from a nearby temple (which is actually quite beautiful), and, if you're really unlucky, the late-night karaoke sessions from a local bar. Earplugs are your friend. And a positive attitude! Embrace the chaos. It’s part of the adventure. One night, I swear I thought a construction crew was setting up shop *inside* my room. Turns out, it was just the usual Yangon symphony playing on.
The best 'hidden gem' of the hotel?
The hidden gem? The rooftop! There's a tiny, slightly overgrown rooftop garden with a few tables and chairs. Not fancy. But the views! You can see the Shwedagon Pagoda in the distance, twinkling at night. It's the perfect spot for a quiet beer or a coffee in the morning. It’s not advertised, not even particularly well-maintained, but it's magic. That little rooftop made the whole experience for me. One evening, I just sat there for hours, lost in that incredible Yangon energy. Seriously, if you go, go *find* the rooftop. You won't regret it.
Any Tips to improve the experience at Nice Day?
Okay, a few essential tips. Pack earplugs. Seriously. Pack some bug spray. The aircon might not be the best, so bring a fan if you're a hot sleeper. Embrace the quirks. Don't expect perfection. Most importantly, be kind to the staff. They work incredibly hard. And finally, explore! Get out there! Yangon is an amazing city, and the Nice Day Hotel is a good base camp for your adventures. Also, be open to a little chaos. It’s part of the fun. And one final tip: Go looking for that rooftop garden. Seriously.
The ultimate verdict - would you recommend Nice Day Hotel?
Would I recommend it? Absolutely! It's not perfect. It's a little rough around the edges. But it's honest. It's charming. It's got a heart. And the staff… they're the reason to go. If you're looking for five-star luxury, go somewhere else. But if you want a real Yangon experience, a place with character, and a genuinely friendly atmosphere, the Nice Day Hotel is a great choice. Just remember those earplugs! And find the rooftop. Trust me. Go.
