I should just start this by saying I didn’t actually stay here… BUT before you dismiss this entirely. By parents did- and it happened to be my mothers birthday while she was there and they helped me organise a small surprise for her, free of charge because they “just want to make her day here special”.

I emailed them (at rather late notice) and asked them if they could help organise something slightly nice for my parents as a gift from myself, brother and sister and the staff couldn’t have been more helpful.

Having never been there they helped my family organise dinner and flowers as a surprise for my mum and she was very grateful.

The staff were lovely and courteous on the phone and helped answer all my ridiculous questions promptly so I couldn’t be happier.

So for the staff alone they deserve 5 stars

Stayed March 2015, traveled with family

“Great food excellent service”

The best place to have genuine Indian food in mandalay I would say with the orders hardly taking any time and with the cosy surroundings it makes for a great evening out with your friends or your special someone. The locale is amidst lush greenery all around. Really a place worth a visit and once you come here u will be here again and again .

“Great memories!”

In a nutshell we loved it! This delightful hotel is not top of our list of the best places we have stayed but it is certainly memorable and leaves us with a warm glow. The room(Chin suite) was quite small but made more difficult to manage by the layout and use of traditional heavy teak furniture and fittings. For example a large double bed set up against a side wall meaning, it could only be accessed from one side was a little alarming. The next challenge was twisting one’s neck around a pillar in the middle of the room to view the TV followed by hurdling over the stone ‘garden ‘ to have a shower. Those less agile perhaps ought to seek a modern box hotel which are filing cabinets for people!

The small swimming pool was a great delight after busy days of sight-seeing and dusty streets.

Breakfasts were OK in the range of options and the quality of food but the organisation of the buffet could have been better which was laid out in a L shape. Plates were stacked in the corner next to the toasting machine which made if difficult to take a plate if someone was waiting for toast.

We used the restaurant for dinner twice and we really liked the food but the kitchen was let down by the non availability of some drinks. The bar could not supply the local Myanmar wine of our choice and were out of stock of standard international soft drinks. I cannot say whether this was poor stock management or forces beyond their control i.e. importation delays but not to have a supply of local wine (Red Mountain SB) was very disappointing.

During our visit one of us had a birthday and the wonderful staff who were on duty in the late afternoon all turned up with a cake, candles and a rendition of Happy Birthday! My husband was delighted!.

What makes this hotel so special? Quite simply the staff and the complimentary services to guests. The management of this hotel ( who were never in evidence) have clearly thought about how to make their business appealing and to ask customer opinion about how to keep improving. The quality questionnaire asked if every item of equipment in the room worked so they were capturing information about staff performance as well as customer feedback.

We would highly recommend this hotel but guide users to its limitations.

“Superb Boutique Hotel”

Our only regret is that we didn’t stay in this hotel on our previous visit to Mandalay. Hotel by the Red Canal is a very attractive, traditional design Burmese property, i a quiet neighbourhood. The grounds are well maintained and the refreshing outdoor pool very looked after. Our ground florr suite gad secluded patio, adjacent an attractive water feature, while the suite itself was niceky furnished and fully equipped. The staff were very friendly and helpful,, particularly when I had difficulty getting out of the bathtub, due to a medical issue, and three young men helped me out/The on-site restaurant was delightful, and included a number of outside tables overlooking the pool.
Room Tip: All are good.