Bagan Thande Hotel, Old Bagan

As this place hasn't been reviewed for a while I thought I'd attempt an update ... I've stayed here for a few days most winters since about 2012 - so what brings me back? Ultimately, the location. Of all the hotels in Old Bagan, the Bagan Thande makes the most of its incomparable position beside the Ayeyarwady. Dining here, beneath the spreading branches of an old acacia tree is a sublime experience, a world away from the frenetic activity of Yangon or Mandalay. Like all hotels hereabouts, the Bagan Thande has had to adapt. Visitor numbers are well down and the hotel welcomes more local visitors than I recall seeing before. Accommodation is clean and comfortable but basic and due an update. The welcome is warm and the staff are helpful and anxious to please. I find the food generally very good although the breakfast buffet is adapted more to local palates. Exploring the archaeological zone couldn't be easier - it's right outside, with several of the pagodas within a few minutes walk and with a tuktuk or horse cart invariably stationed close to the hotel entrance. Electric scooters are on site and can be hired via reception.

I had booked 2 rooms for me and my wife and a friend of ours a month in advance. Confirmation of the booking was given by the Hotel.When we reached Hotel, we were told that the booking has been cancelled and to rebook the room. we have to pay a additional sum of money which was quite hefty. With no other choice, we had to pay up and stayed in the hotel. Later we found that the Hotel had hardly any booking and visitors. The stay was otherwise comfortable . The services for dining could have been better. Location wise, this is wonderful place and has a very rich historical legacy. Faced communication problem as most of the staff were not adept in English.

Perfect Location along the Ayeryawaddy River in Old Bagan. Three of us went up to Bagan from Mandalay and chose this hotel for it's location. Built in the 1970's it is spread out on the expansive grounds. Two of our rooms faced the river, the other faced the carport. This room is one you would not want to choose, loud neighbors and parking lot noise. The river view rooms were quiet. We had breakfast each morning there, and dinner a couple of times, the menu is mostly Burmese food, it would be helpful if they redid the menu. There is a pool and one can use after they finish cleaning at 9am, we used the pool, again it would be helpful if it were cleaned earlier for customers that want to swim early. The rooms need a renovation, starting with the beds, towels and linens. Bed was hard as you were lying right on the springs. Bath and shower were good. Safe did not work, I was given a key in which there was no place to insert and no directions what I was supposed to do with the key. No reception on the television. AC in room worked fine, no ceiling fan. Veranda was nice and spacious. My friend went and had a massage, it was average, possibly due to it being a holiday weekend for the Burmese. Reception and check in was fine. Check out was fine, one friend was almost charged for a glass that broke, until she mentioned that floor had not been cleaned and there were glass shards on the floor. Overall customer service was good. Rooms were clean. This hotel is a family hotel, so if you do not like children running around playing and making noise choose somewhere different.

Very nice hotel and staff. I was on business trip but was celebrating my monthly anniversary with my love one, their team surprised us with a lovely turn down service... amazing... and big thank you. Very accomodating and helpfull staff from the front of house and restaurant... very nice view on the river too.

Thande Hotel delivers it promise of elegance and serenity as always. Thank you for the memorable visit and everyone there was pretty helpful. Pro tip: ask a rooma bit far from restaurant and the pool if you prefer seclusion and to enjoy the quiet ambiance.