Burma forum

In Bagan I stayed in a place called the Golden Village Inn near the main restaurant row. Tel 061 61003 or 092042016 It's next to a place called New Heaven run by the same family (rooms at new Heaven cost the same.

Rooms were $6 (single)-$8 (double) for a basic room with private hot water shower and small balcony. The huge "luxury" rooms were $10-12 and these have a TV with a few foreign language channels like Al Jazeera and TV5, a fridge and a nicer balcony. Not luxury but pretty decent. A good breakfast is included. Prices may be a bit higher now... apparently the manager was under pressure to increase his rates. All GHs pay 10% tax to the government BTW.

In Inle (Nyang Shwe) there are loads of GHs. I can recommend the Nan Da Wunn Hotel... really nice rooms with pleasant balconies for $10 and up. Tel 095 081 200211. Email: nandawunn@gmail.com.

Another place that gets very good feedback from travellers is the Min Ga Larr Inn. Rooms are $6 and up. (NB not to be confused with the similar sounding Min Ga Larr Guest House in Nyaung Oo near Bagan which isn't nearly as nice!). tel +95 081 209198 or 09 5216278 You probably need to book in advance here as it's very popular and usually full.

I highly recommend Teak House in Inle. It's a beautiful guesthouse. The rooms are really cosy. They start at $12 for double. Breakfast included.

not sure of yr budget, but if you can swing $25-30US, head over to the Princess Garden Inn in Nyaungshwe--fairly new, squeaky clean, lush gardens and a sparkling pool, free bikes, really good breakfast, in a gorgeous rural setting on the edge of town. Bungalows are on the small side and fairly simple, really not much more is needed here as the emphasis is on atmosphere and setting. But the best thing about a stay here is the warm and attentive service provided by proprietors Mee Mee and Ko Aung, they effortlessly make you feel like one of the family. Can book thru an agent or directly by email: princessgardenhotel@gmail.com

In Nyaungshwe, also stayed at Remember Inn and can enthusiastically recommend as a great spot on the budget end of the scale, helpful, well-run and friendly, excellent breakfast, esp the Shan noodles. If you book ahead via email, they will do Heho Airport pick-up for 16000 kyat, a huge savings over the taxi guys at the airport who I understand ask for 25-30000k for the trip into Nyaungshwe. Our driver also made a lengthy stop for us to visit the 5-day market in Shwenyaung along the way. They have a website: www.rememberinn.jimdo.com

We knew we wanted to make a visit to Sankar and the southern end of the lake, so chose to splash out for a couple of nights at Golden Island Cottages Nampan, very happy with the choice--amazing sunsets, incredibly atmospheric to be out on the lake, top-notch service but mediocre food. Good to be located so far out on the lake for our early morning departure to Sankar. We were there at the start of high season and had prebooked a superior double thru an agent for $50US (rack rate on this room in high season is $80) and on checking in got a free upgrade to deluxe, an impressive room with great view--easily one of the best rooms we had on the trip. GIC Nampan: http://bit.ly/hXVEm2
They have an office in town where treks and boat trips can be arranged, we did the day trek to Kakku, recommended. This is a well run operation, managed by the Pa-O people.