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YANGON: Shwedagon Pagoda View from Yuzana Hotel

March 2, 2012

We booked our hotels to Myanmar about a month ahead. Because of these our choices were limited. We got whatever we could. When we arrived in Yangon we stayed in Yuzana Hotel in Yangon which was quite old and not so clean. But the thing that made it all worth while was that it over-looked the most magnificent landmark of Yangon, the Shwaydegon Pagoda.

We got a Deluxe Suite with both a City View and Pagoda View. The in-laws at first got a smaller room with only a City View. They complained because they paid the same amount. At first they said that the entire hotel was full, but with a little insistence they got a room that seemed to be in the same category as what we got. So if you are booking here, make sure to request for a room with a Pagoda view.

I really felt like I stepped into an 80’s movie. My in-laws were saying it reminds them of hotels in Russia (where they stayed for quite a few years) complete with the “minder” in the corridor of each floor. The said that the old-style Russian hotels would have a babushka to take care of your need and watch over the guests.

Our room was sparse but huge. I was glad that the furniture was minimalist and the flatscreen TV and ref were unexpected.If we had only known that the flatscreen would have a USB port, we would have brought a USB with movies and TV shows to watch to sleep. I was also surprised that the outlets were universal. And.. there were switches for each outlet.  I think this is to make it easier to “unplug” electronics because of the frequent black outs and electric surges with generators. That’s also why most hotels have voltage protectors for TVs and refrigerators.

Yuzana Hotel Hygiene and Sanitation

Before we got ready for bed we wiped all surfaces, light switches, door knobs, remote control and other frequently touched surfaces with alcohol free wetwipes because they were visibly dirty.

The bathroom left much to be desired. We sanitized the toilet seats with wetwipes and had to use spray disinfectant for the bathroom floor, but even then I would not recommend going barefoot in there. 

Time to Sleep

Then it was time for bed and to enjoy the magical view of the Shwedagon Pagoda. The bed and pillows were tough – TD and I both woke up with a sore backs and a crick in our necks. I had no problem with bedbugs after I sprayed my Natural Bedbug spray from the Philippines.

I hear this is the only hotel with this kind of view! (I am not really sure.) The price, the view and the size of the room was okay though the hotel is quite old. A must for improvement are:

  1. Bathroom hygiene or sanitation – Bring cleaning aids like these.
  2. The breakfast food – very oily and tasteless.

YUZUNA HOTEL

No.130, Shwegonedine Road, Bahan Township, Yangon Union of Myanmar.
95-1-549600 | F: 543835,544998 | YUZANAHOTEL@mptmail.net.mm
tripadvisor

11 Comments · Myanmar, TRAVEL DIARIES

Comments

  1. anurag says

    March 2, 2012 at 2:31 PM

    Hi There,

    I just came across your http://www.thediplomaticwife.com/ and found it quite appealing. I would request to please provide us email id of your webmaster so that we can work together to promote each other’s websites.

    Thanks,

    Reply
    • diplomaticwife says

      March 2, 2012 at 5:10 PM

      Hi there, you can get in touch with me at thediplomaticwife@gmail.com.

      Reply
  2. Tala says

    March 3, 2012 at 3:29 AM

    Nice view indeed!!! Can’t wait for the other posts on the sights!!!

    Reply
    • diplomaticwife says

      March 3, 2012 at 5:17 AM

      Thanks Ta! So much blogging to catch up on. =)

      Reply
  3. Ailtje says

    March 5, 2012 at 2:36 AM

    cleaning aid, what a brilliant idea!!

    Reply
    • diplomaticwife says

      March 5, 2012 at 4:06 AM

      Alcohol free wetwipes are the best thing ever invented! =) Thanks for the comment Ailtje!

      Reply
  4. Cheryl says

    June 25, 2012 at 10:44 PM

    We just went to Myanmar last week & had a fabulous time. We stayed at The Strand which was fantastic but lacked the great view you had. However, at Inle Lake I got bitten by bedbugs & now still spot the itchy red welts. Where did you get the Natural Bedbug spray in the Philippines? I’m going to Manila (I stayed there for 3.5 years) next month & will try to get a bottle or two!

    Reply
    • diplomaticwife says

      June 26, 2012 at 12:26 AM

      Hi Cheryl, I get my bedbug spray from Rustans Fresh Supermarket. Either the Rockwell or Shangri-la Mall branch will have it. Sometimes it’s out of stock so praying that they will have it when you go. If I ever go back to Myanmar, I would stay at a different (cleaner) hotel since I’ve already experienced the view at Yuzana. Will check out the Strand for sure if ever!

      Where did you stay in inle lake? Must be wary of it.. since I am super allergic to bedbugs! ACK.

      Reply
  5. Cheryl says

    June 26, 2012 at 3:38 PM

    Thanks! I will surely check all the Rustan’s there is in Manila! I stayed at Inle Lake View Resort. The resort is really nice – it’s not on the lake but at the side of the lake – which is much better than on the lake (IMHO). But somehow I got unlucky & got bitten! My hubby & daughter were fine though. Btw, like you I’m also a diplo wife living in Jakarta! I’m glad I chanced through your blog – it is really great value & helpful for me. Keep on the good work.

    Reply
    • diplomaticwife says

      June 26, 2012 at 3:50 PM

      Hi Cheryl, it’s exactly the same with TD and me. I get bitten but he doesn’t. It just means that I am allergic to bedbugs bits, and he isn’t. So we can stay in a bedbug ridden place and he can go blissfully to sleep while I am being tortured haha. Maybe it’s the same for you and your daughter? That’s how my doctor explained it to me anyway.

      It’s good to “meet” you! And thank you for the sweet compliment on my blog!

      Reply

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  1. YANGON TRAVEL DIARIES ✈ Giant Sitting Buddha at Nga Htat Gyi Pagoda | The Diplomatic Wife says:
    October 18, 2012 at 1:41 PM

    […] Our hotel in Yangon […]

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Welcome

Hello! I’m Ayessa, trailing spouse to a diplomat, mama to DiploBaby and DiploDog and founder of Declutter MNL. I love talking about how to achieve a minimaluxe lifestyle one step at a time.

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HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport? We are very lucky th HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport?

We are very lucky that the Geneva Airport is very near because it is located 4 km northwest of the city centre. It takes us less than 15mins by car & is easier to get to than airports outside the city.

BUT also means that many of the Geneva residents suffer from AIRCRAFT NOISE POLLUTION. 

In some parts of Geneva, like Vernier, Meyrin, Bellevue, Versoix, etc will have the airplane pass on top of you or very near you. This is something to consider when you are MOVING TO GENEVA & looking for a home.

When we were in @bioparcgeneve recently, it felt like airplane after airplane was going overhead every few mins. The poor animals were screaming each time.

A  report by the European Environment Agency(EEA) in 2017 said that 12% or 73,500 Geneva residents have their hearing disturbed by aircraft noise. Probably the figures have risen with the natural increase population & travel?

“The EEA describes noise as a pervasive pollutant that directly affects the health and well-being of humans and wildlife. Populations exposed to high noise levels can exhibit stress reactions, sleep-stage changes, and clinical symptoms like hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. All of these can contribute to premature mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) reckons that humans exposed to noise levels above 40 decibels at night experience adverse health effects.

Across Europe it is estimated that noise contributed to at least 900,000 additional cases of hypertension in 2011.” - @le_news_ch 

DID YOU KNOW that owners of homes affected by the noise can request for soundproofing to be paid for by GVA? 

Check if your home meets the conditions for FREE SOUNDPROOFING c/o Genève Aéroport here:

https://www.gva.ch/en/Site/Geneve-Aeroport/Questions-Reponses-FAQ/Bruit#

SAVE or SHARE this now with someone you know who might be moving to Geneva or is already suffering from aircraft #noisepollution. 

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Whenever we go to Spain, we love to go to @mercadona. It might be small but has a good affordable selection. It’s my thrifty Spanish MIL’s favorite.

We were so lucky that we had a @mercadona right beside our hotel Marina Badalona. Very convenient.
Our favorite things to bring home are:

☕️ frozen porras (bigger than churros)

🐑 baby lamb chops (the only lamb I eat coz it’s not malangsa & all you need to do is fry till crispy in olive oil with S&P) it’s called Chuletas Cabrito but TD calls it lechal 

🐽 chicharon or crispy pork rinds

🥔 Homemade potato chips. The best potato chips for me are from Spain. I don’t know how it’s so much yummier! The olive oil???

🎣 canned Sardines & tuna for me and Yaya B

TIPS:

🧊 For frozen items, we usually ask the hotel before we buy if they can put it in their freezer until we fly.

✍️ I usually bring different sizes ZIPLOCK BAGS, MASKING TAPE & MARKER when we travel so we can put everything in, label with our name and room number.

📸 then I take a photo so we can just show it to the staff and they can easily find it in their freezer.

✈️ When it’s time to pack, I placed our beach towels around the frozen packages coz I know they will SWEAT & I don’t want our other things to get wet 💦 

What  grocery do you usually like to shop for when in Spain? Where do you buy them?

#udwinbarcelona #udwinbadalona #udwtraveldiaries #udwtraveltips #udwtraveltip #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW C FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW Calisthenics Park 

📍Chem. des Tuileries 140, 1293 Bellevue

After the lovely BIOPARC we headed across to this chill park with ample PARKING that had so many things for kids & anyone who wants to move & work out:

⚽️ The kids wanted to kick around a football so we borrowed a ball from @boxup.app (they also have pumps, 🏓, 🏐, 🏀, etc) just download the app & turn on your Bluetooth & follow instructions! Return after 3hrs.

👟 Outdoor gym - this was a huge hit with the kids

⚽️ football - this too!

🏀 basketball court

🏓 Ping-pong 

🏐 Beach volleyball court

🤸🏻 Monkey bars

🛝 small playground

Thanks for the wonderful afternoon guys @lidia_otilia_botezatu! 
How lucky are we to have these beautiful, clean open spaces. And the free rental gear is AMAZING! so convenient.

This is in Geneva, about 15mins drive from where we live.

SAVE THIS on your list of PARKS to visit!

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. It’s not as close as the bioparc but bring earplugs/earphones if you are sensitive.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
BIOPARC GENÈVE Yesterday was a holiday in Switze BIOPARC GENÈVE

Yesterday was a holiday in Switzerland (except for Geneva). It was raining & miserable so I wanted to take @diplobaby out for a few hours. Thankfully midafternoon it stopped raining.

We met with our friends @lidia_otilia_botezatu in @bioparcgeneve and had a lovely time in this volunteer run zoo.

TIPS💡

🆓 It’s free for families on your FIRST visit!

🦢 you walk inside animal enclosures so wear shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty/stepping on poop. We wore boots & happy we did

🅿️ there’s parking inside on wood chips, if it’s full there’s another pavement parking (free up to 4hrs) across the roundabout 

🦔 Do not feed or touch the animals no matter how cute they are

🗺️ There are 2 routes (purple & blue) and 1-1.5hrs #diplshould be enough 

❎ Park closes at 4pm

SAVE THIS NOW if your looking for a fun & not too you can do in well und2hrs. It’s nice that you can go inside unlike most zoos so it’s quite unique.

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. @diplobaby who is super noise sensitive did not mind as much as I thought he would because he was so entertained by the animals.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
MARINA BADALONA HOTEL At first we were going to MARINA BADALONA HOTEL 

At first we were going to stay in the heart of Barcelona, where we stayed 8 years ago (I didn’t even know that @diplobaby was already in my tummy at 2 weeks old) but the “hotel” is now expensive with no amenities & small rooms. So TD found a hotel in #badalona - a 20min taxi ride from Barcelona city center - that was so fabulous & slightly less expensive.

SAVE THIS NOW for future trips to Barcelona

WHY I LOVED marinabadalona
🤍 All white interiors was so beautiful & calming
🤍 Gorgeous view of the Marina 
🤍 Everything was so aesthetic, even where you tap your card to enter the room
🤍 Massive bed
🤍 Electric curtains
🤍 Lots of closet space & hangers
🤍 2 TVs
🤍 Refrigerator
🤍 White/cream Nespresso & kettle
🤍 Architecture & interior design is sooooo me!
🤍 Small rooftop pool with unbelievable views (need to do a separate post)
🤍 5min walk to the beach
🤍 Gorg esplanade
🤍 Yummy restos beside
🤍 Mercadona right beside - so convenient!

FEW RECOS FOR IMPROVEMENT:
✌️ Loved the textured wall paper, but it’s difficult to keep clean inside the bathroom
✌️ The bathroom surface area was a bit small & our stuff kept falling off the sink
✌️ Not a single chair in the family room so when we had room service we had to eat standing
✌️ No salt & pepper with room service so we called to ask & were told we would be charged for them taking it up. After TD clarified that there was no S&P with our meal, they said they would bring it up. The person brought a small bowl of of salt & pepper combined. The salt was for DiploBaby’s salmon, but he can’t eat pepper, I wanted both for my pesto. Had to run down in my slippers & the resto staff were very apologetic coz who serves a mixed S&P ever? They gave me individually packaged ones which I really appreciated.
✌️ Since the hotel has a pool & is by the beach, I wish there was a place to hang & dry swim suits. Our suits & watershoes did not dry in the tub.

All in all the value we got from staying in this hotel was so high compared to a more expensive hotel in Barcelona. No hotel stay is perfect.

Now, would I stay there again? YES PLEASE! Would you?

#udwinbarcelona #udwinbadalona #udwtraveldiaries
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