Uncover Bagan's Secret Gem: Bagan Thande Hotel, Old Bagan
Uncover Bagan's Secret Gem: Bagan Thande Hotel, Old Bagan
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's hotel review. We’re going deep, real deep, into the heart of Bagan, Myanmar, and its supposed secret gem: Bagan Thande Hotel, Old Bagan. Prepare for a rollercoaster of opinions, questionable grammar (maybe), and probably way too much detail about the freaking bathrobes. Let's get this messy show on the road!
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First Impressions (and let's be honest, a little bit of panic):
Okay, so you're in Bagan. You’ve seen the sunrise and the sunset paint the sky with a thousand impossible colors over those iconic temples. Now, you're sweating (because Myanmar) and you need a place to crash. Bagan Thande. The name whispers "colonial charm." Does it live up to the hype? Well, let’s get into it, shall we?
Accessibility: The Elephant in the Room (or, more appropriately, the Elephant Ride You Didn't Take):
This is crucial, folks. They tout "Facilities for disabled guests." Good. But let's get real. Navigating Bagan, with its uneven paths and dusty roads, is a workout even for the able-bodied. Inside, the hotel claims to be wheelchair accessible. I didn't personally roll around in a chair (thankfully!), but I did note the presence of a lift and what appeared to be accessible rooms. Important: Call and verify. Don't just take my word for it. Especially if accessibility is a deal-breaker. It’s not always perfectly seamless in this part of the world, and sometimes even a hotel that tries can still fall short.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: Hopefully. I’d assume the restaurant areas, with their open layouts, are reasonably navigable but again, verify before you book.
Internet: The Digital Lifeline (or, the Desperate Plea for Wi-Fi):
FREE WI-FI IN ALL ROOMS! Praise the digital gods! Okay, maybe not always super strong (cough) – internet in Myanmar can be a bit… temperamental. But hey: Free Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi in Public Areas, Internet [LAN], what more could you ask for? My phone wasn't constantly buffering, and that’s a win in my book.
Rooms: My Kingdom for a Blackout Curtain (and a Refrigerator That Actually WORKS!)
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (thank GOD), Alarm clock (who uses these?), Bathrobes (YES!), Bathroom phone (for the truly extra), Bathtub (score!), Blackout curtains (PRAISE!), Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker (essential), Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping (bless them), Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer (a must!), High floor (maybe), In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar (always), Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator (mine was… lukewarm the first day. They fixed it, eventually.), Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale (really?), Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm (helpful), Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
Okay, that’s a LOT of stuff crammed into one room. The AC saved my life. The blackout curtains almost blocked out enough light at sunrise (curse you, Bagan!). The robes were… well, they were robes. Don't expect the fluffiest of fluff, but they did the job. The bed was comfortable. The bathroom was… functional. The lack of perfectly cold mini-bar drinks on the first day was a minor tragedy. They fixed it. These things happen.
The real test: Did I want to stay there forever? No. But, it was a solid, clean basecamp for exploring Bagan. And that's pretty much what you need, right?
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Stomach Rumble):
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
Breakfast. Oh, the breakfast buffet. This is where things get interesting. They had a good selection of both Asian and Western options. The eggs? Hit or miss. The coffee? Drinkable. The fresh fruit? Divine. The whole thing was chaos, in a good way. People everywhere! Kids spilling juice! I loved it. I found myself gravitating toward the fruit and the slightly sweet local pastries every morning. I’m a simple girl.
Room service? Available 24 hours. That’s good! I didn't order it, but knowing it's there is comforting. There's a bar by the pool (more on that in a sec). Several different restaurant options, including both international AND local fare.
Poolside Bar - My Personal Utopia
Picture this: It's hot. Really hot. You’ve been temple-hopping all day. You’re covered in dust and sweat. Then you stumble into the pool area at Bagan Thande. And BAM! There's a bar. A poolside bar. The cocktails weren't necessarily craft cocktails, but they were cold, strong, and served with a smile. I could have stayed there forever. The pool itself was beautiful with a view. More like it!
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day (or, My Brush with Luxury):
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor].
Okay, let's be honest. I'm not a spa person. I'm more of a "eat all the street food and sweat it out" type of traveler. BUT. I did get a massage. And it was divine. I needed it. The spa area was peaceful and clean, and the staff were expertly skilled in the art of relaxation. The pool with a view was, as mentioned, glorious. There's a gym if you're into that kind of thing (I am not). They have a sauna and steam room. Honestly, for the price point, the spa is a steal.
Cleanliness and Safety: Did I Die? (Spoiler Alert: No.)
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment.
This should be a priority. As you can see, they really are trying to keep things safe and clean. Even before COVID, Myanmar was a place where you paid attention to sanitation. I didn’t see anything that made me want to sprint for the airport, so that's a win. They have all the features I needed to feel safe during the pandemic.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (and the Things That Make you Grumble):
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
Okay, let's be real. I hate doing laundry on vacation. Thankfully, they have laundry service! Score! Daily housekeeping was amazing, always replenishing water bottles that saved my life. The concierge was helpful with booking tours and generally getting me sorted. Currency exchange at the hotel was convenient.
Things that were… less than perfect?:
The elevators were slow. And sometimes noisy. The convenience store was… convenient, but limited.
**For the Kids: Family-Friendly Factor (or,
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your perfectly Instagram-filtered travel itinerary. This is the raw, unfiltered, likely coffee-stained version of my Bagan adventure, specifically at the Bagan Thande Hotel. Prepare for chaos, because so am I.
Bagan Thande Hotel: The "Almost Paradise" Itinerary (with a healthy dose of self-doubt and mosquito bites)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Hot Air Balloon Fail (and Other First Impressions)
- Morning (But Really Mid-Day, Thanks to Flight Delays): Arrive at Nyaung U Airport. Oh, the arrival! Picture this: me, slightly disheveled after a truly rough overnight flight, sweat beading on my forehead, and a nagging feeling that I'd forgotten something crucial (wallet? sanity? Probably both). Immigration was a breeze though, thankfully. A friendly driver from the hotel greets me, offering a much-needed ice-cold towel. Score! The drive into Old Bagan is immediately… otherworldly. Dusty roads, ancient temples peeking out from the trees, golden light everywhere. It's like stepping into a postcard… a very old postcard.
- Afternoon: Check in to the Bagan Thande Hotel. Sigh. The reviews online had me expecting pure luxury. Reality? It’s charming… in a "rustic with a side of slightly worn" kind of way. My room? Lovely view of the Irrawaddy River, but the air conditioning sounds like a small jet engine. I'm already starting to suspect I’ll be sleeping with earplugs for the entire trip.
- Evening: The pièce de résistance was supposed to be a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. Supposed to be. Winds were a no-go. Crushed, I tell you! I spent an hour silently seething, watching the other tourists celebrate, and then decided to drown my sorrows in a Myanmarese beer at the hotel bar. The sunset over the temples was still stunning, even from ground level. (I'm trying to be optimistic, I really am.) Also, I discovered the joy of deep-fried spring rolls. Seriously, they're EVERYTHING.
- Post-Spring Roll Reflections: Okay, maybe this Bagan thing isn't a complete disaster. The staff are genuinely lovely, even if they're a little slow sometimes (that's part of the charm, right?). I'm trying to embrace the "go with the flow" philosophy, but my internal clock is screaming "EMERGENCY: NEED COFFEE NOW." I'm also pretty sure a mosquito just bit me. Already. Ugh.
Day 2: Temple Trekking & the Persistent Pigeon of Pain
- Morning: Coffee! Glorious, life-giving coffee! After a surprisingly good sleep (thanks, earplugs!), I'm ready to conquer this ancient city. My first stop is the Ananda Temple, one of the most famous. It's magnificent, genuinely breathtaking, the gold glistening in the morning sun. I spent a good hour wandering around, feeling a sense of awe I haven't felt in ages.
- Mid-Morning: Okay, the awe is a little bit marred by the flocks of tourists all jockeying for Instagram glory. I mean, I get it. But the sheer volume can be overwhelming. I try to focus on the details: the intricate carvings, the serene faces of the Buddhas, and… the pigeon. There’s this ONE pigeon in particular. This rude pigeon. It kept trying to perch on my head. I swear, the bird had intentions. Evil, feathery intentions. I spent the next hour dodging pigeon attacks while trying to appreciate the architecture.
- Afternoon: Rent an e-bike (those little electric scooters). This is a must. Cruising around the temples at your own pace is an absolute game-changer. You feel like Indiana Jones, minus the whip (and the ability to outrun boulders). I got lost, inevitably. Ended up on a dirt track miles from anywhere. Panicked for a moment (battery low!), then embraced the adventure. Found a tiny, crumbling temple that wasn’t on any map. That's the magic of Bagan, I think: discovering the unexpected.
- Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant outside the hotel, I ate the most delicious chicken curry I've ever tasted, and it turns out I am a big fan of the locals. The staff at the hotel were great, making sure I was always comfortable, even if I'm not always the easiest guest to handle.
Day 3: Climbing to New Heights (Literally and Figuratively) & the "I Need a Massage" Meltdown
- Morning: Okay, finally the winds have shifted! Hot air balloon ride! (Take two.) This time, it was a GO. And… it was… well, it was everything I dreamed of. The sunrise, the colors painting the sky, the hundreds of temples spread out before me… it was genuinely one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. I was nearly crying. (Don't tell anyone, they'll think I’m a softie).
- Mid-Morning: Feeling on top of the world (literally!), I did some serious temple climbing. Not all the temples are open to climb, but some of them let you ascend and see the world from on top of the temples, the view is amazing. It was a bit scary, honestly. But the views… Worth. Every. Second.
- Afternoon: I'm starting to feel the cumulative effects of sun, dust, and general excitement. My muscles ache, my brain feels fried, and I’m pretty sure I can see dust motes dancing in the air. A massage is now essential. The hotel spa is… adequate. Not the best massage of my life, but it did the trick. I emerged feeling vaguely human again.
- Evening: I had one final spectacular sunset at Shwesandaw Pagoda. The crowds were insane, naturally. But I found a slightly less crowded spot to take in the view.
Day 4: Departure & The lingering taste of "I'll be back."
- Morning: One last stroll around the hotel grounds. Savoring the last bit of peace before my inevitable flight back to reality. Breakfast? Another triumph of pastries and tropical fruits.
- Mid-Morning: Time to check out. A bittersweet moment. I'm exhausted, slightly sunburnt, and covered in dust. But I'm also filled with a sense of wonder. Bagan is a place that gets under your skin. I'm already planning my return.
- Afternoon: Departure from Nyaung U Airport. Back to the real world.
- Overall Impression: The Bagan Thande Hotel was, for the most part, a good choice, but I'd definitely say a well-oiled machine, with a lot of flaws. The hot air balloon ride was worth it. The food was great. The people are amazing. The mosquitos? Not so great. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. But come prepared for a few bumps in the road, embrace the chaos, and pack plenty of mosquito repellent. And maybe invest in a good hat to fend off evil pigeons. Because, seriously, those birds…
Final Thoughts (and a Bit of Stream-of-Consciousness Rambling)
Bagan. It's a place that challenges you, frustrates you, and ultimately, captivates you. It's a place of profound beauty and unexpected quirks. I'm leaving with a memory card full of photos, a suitcase full of dust, and a heart full of… well, everything. I'll even buy a shirt emblazoned with "I survived the Pigeon of Pain". And honestly, I can't wait for another trip.
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Bagan Thande Hotel: Your Questions Answered (and My Slightly Unstable Opinions Given)
Is the Bagan Thande *really* that good, or is it just Instagram hype?
Okay, let's be real. Instagram lies. Sometimes. But… mostly, yeah, the Bagan Thande is pretty damn good. My jaw actually *dropped* when I saw the view from my balcony. It's postcard-perfect, seriously. You know, the kind of view that makes you feel like you’ve actually *done* something with your life. Like, maybe you've finally achieved inner peace…or at least found the perfect filter.
Look, I’ve seen some dodgy hotels in my time (ahem, *insert questionable hostel name here*). This ain’t one of them. It’s legit. But perfection? Nah. Life's messy, and so is this hotel, sometimes. (More on that later…)
What's the deal with the location? Is it actually *in* Old Bagan?
Yes! Which is both amazing and slightly… isolating. You’re *right there* amongst the temples. Sunrise is a short bike ride (or a slightly longer, more panic-inducing cycle if you’re like me and haven’t ridden a bike since, oh, the Reagan administration). But! Food options outside the hotel are… limited. You're kinda stuck with hotel food or a brave taxi ride. I’d suggest stock piling snacks. Trust me on this one.
The pool! Is it as dreamy as it looks in the photos?
The pool. Oh, the pool. Yeah, it's dreamy. But, okay, full disclosure: I spent a solid hour just staring at it, thinking about getting in, and then chickening out. The sun was intense. I was sure I'd melt. Plus, I'd already consumed a concerning amount of mango juice with breakfast. Still…the pool *is* pretty glorious. And, you know, you’re on vacation. Just get in the damn pool! Which I *did* do, eventually, and it was glorious. Except for the slight sunburn, but hey, worth it.
What's the food like? I'm a picky eater.
Okay, food. This is a tough one. I'm a bit of a food adventurer (mostly… I’m a chicken nugget aficionado, but shhh). The breakfast buffet is decent. Lots of options, though I did have a near-meltdown when they ran out of croissants (first world problems, I know). The restaurant food is… well, it's hotel food. It's generally good, but not exactly earth-shattering. My advice? Branch out! Try the local options. Your taste buds (and your Instagram) will thank you. Though be warned: if you go off-site, bring a phrasebook. "No spice, please!" is your new mantra.
What's the service like? Are the staff friendly?
The staff are lovely! Genuinely. They’re polite, helpful, and always smiling. I’m pretty sure one of them even caught me wearing my pajamas to breakfast (mortifying, I know). They didn't bat an eye! Now, is the service *perfect*? Not always. There might be a slight language barrier, but who cares? You're in Bagan! Embrace the chaos! I once tried to order a bottle of water and ended up with a whole pot of tea. Laughed so hard I almost choked! It's what travel is all about, right?
Is the hotel suitable for families with young children?
Hmm. Tricky. I saw a few families, and the kids seemed happy enough. There's space to run around, the pool is a draw. BUT, Old Bagan, as a whole, is perhaps not the *easiest* place to navigate with little ones. The heat is intense. The dust is omnipresent. And those temple steps are no joke. So...yes, *can* you bring your kids? Sure. *Should* you? That depends on how much you love a challenge, and how much you value your sanity by the end of the trip. Think carefully.
Okay, spill the tea! What about the downsides? What *really* annoyed you?
Alright, alright, I'll be honest. No place is perfect. Here's the dirt: The Wi-Fi was… iffy. Prepare to embrace digital detox, or learn to become best friends with the hotel lobby. Also, my room, on arrival…well, let's just say it had a slight musty smell. (Honestly, though, the view made me forget all about it). Oh, and the occasional power outage. Which, depending on your personality, might add to the "adventure" or send you into a blind panic. Me? I'm a control freak, so… *deep breaths*
Tell me more about that sunrise experience. Did it live up to the hype?
Okay, this is where I get a little…emotional. The sunrise. I woke up at 4:30 am. 4:30 AM! Which is just *criminal*. I bicycled (very wobblily) towards the temples, heart hammering with anticipation. It was dark, and I was convinced I was going to crash into something. Then... boom. The sky exploded with color. Orange, pink, purple, all swirling around the ancient temples. And those balloons! Floating lazily in the air. I may have shed a tear. Don't judge me. It was magical. Pure, unadulterated, *magical*. Even the pre-dawn panic was worth it. That sunrise? Yeah, it lived up to the hype. And then some. Don't you dare miss it.
Final verdict: Would you recommend this hotel?
Yes. God, yes. Despite the wonky Wi-Fi and the occasional musty smell (and my slight breakdown when I lost my sunglasses – seriously, Bagan, where do sunglasses disappear to?!)… I absolutely loved it. The location is unbeatable, the staff are wonderful, the pool is glorious, and the sunrise… well, the sunrise made me forget all my life’s problems. (At least, for a few hours). Go. Just go. And bring snacks.
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