The home of the former governor of Myanmar is a historical gem of a hotel
For those who like their hotels with a side of history, the Belmond Governor's Residence deserves a spot on your bucket list.
Built in the 1920s, this is one of the few luxury hotels in Yangon with a story to tell. The teakwood mansion, which makes up the main building in the hotel, was built by Armenian brothers Samuel and Carapiet Balthazar in the 1920s—the same brothers behind the Balthazar Building in downtown Yangon.
In 1952, they sold the mansion to the government so that it could become the official residence of the governor. In the '90s, the building was converted into a luxury hotel, after which it joined the Belmond group in 2006.
Location
Getting to the Belmond Governor's Residence is a smooth 40-minute ride from the airport. The hotel is located near various embassies in a quiet neighbourhood north of the city, giving it a secluded and private feel.
With the People's Park and Shwedagon Pagoda just five minutes away by car, and the city centre reachable within 15 minutes (pending traffic), the location is perfectly suited for seeing all of Yangon's sights.
See also: 7 Things Not to Miss in Yangon, According to Ivan Pun
Checking in
Upon arrival, we are welcomed to the property with a resounding "welcome gong" and checked in swiftly by the reception staff. The resident cat, a plump orange tabby, is often seen sleeping on a woven mat at the hotel's driveway, serving as a sort of unofficial mascot.
To get to the room, we pass through a teak walkway that's flanked by a lush lawn on one side (a pair of pristine white geese could be spotted) and a swimming pool on the other. Various pieces of local artwork displayed outdoors add colour and a sense of place.