Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min Hotel

For our month-long photo-expedition to Inle Lake in December 2019, we thoroughly researched TripAdvisor and short-listed a number of hotels. We selected the Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min Resort primarily because of the General Manager, Mr Thomas Kerschbaumer. We had many questions on the logistics, weather, and accessibility associated with a long-term stay and Mr. Kerschbaumer’s very polite, very prompt, and very professional replies were one of the two key success factors for our expedition. The other key success factor was that, again through TripAdvisor, we found and directly hired an excellent, English-speaking tour guide, Mr. Naing Moe (Mobile /WhatsApp: +95…), who had his own boat and boatman. So, thanks to TripAdvisor, we found the Sofitel Inle Lake Resort and an excellent tour guide. Thanks to Mr. Kerschbaumer and his delightful and dedicated team, and thanks to Mr. Naing Moe, we had a very successful month-long photo-expedition to Inle Lake. For the TripAdvisor record, we stayed at the Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min Resort for 27 nights, from Sunday, 08 December 2019 to Saturday, 04 January 2020. Airport Transfers We arranged for the Sofitel to provide our airport transfers, and this was another very good decision. Heho airport is very busy, very small, and very chaotic. The arrival and departure areas are tiny, but there were 5 planes on the tarmac when we arrived and 7 planes when we left! So, when we arrived, we were very relieved and reassured to be met by the Sofitel’s driver, who helped us retrieve our bags amid the chaos of 5 arriving flights. The Sofitel arranged a suitable mini-van because we had informed the Sofitel in advance that we had a lot of luggage and that some of the luggage were large to accommodate all our photography equipment. The journey from the airport to the Sofitel took just over an hour. The driver drove very carefully and cheerfully pointed out many of the interesting sights along the way. At the entrance to Nyaung Shwe, we stopped to pay our ‘Inle Zone Entrance Fee’ of 15,000 MMK per person, in cash. Our return transfer from the Sofitel to the airport was just as pleasant, with the driver kindly stopping along the way for us to photograph and capture some last-minute memories! Check-In / Check-Out The Sofitel’s Front Office Team was truly remarkable for its very efficient and very expedient check-in/check-out process. At check-in, we were greeted with warm, sincere smiles and a cup of warm, refreshing tea! The Front Office Team was also very helpful in arranging buggy transport around the large Sofitel property, Sofitel’s free bicycles for our excursions on land, and overnight laundry service. We were thoroughly impressed with the excellent service provided by the Sofitel Front Office Manager, Mr. Nyan Paing Phyo, and his delightful, dedicated team: Ms.Yin Yin Win, Mr. Nyein Chan Aye ( Chan), Mr. Thaw Zin Aung (Thaw), Mr. Nyein Chan Aung (Aung), Ms. Htet Ei Ei Phyo (Moana), Ms. Theingi May (Grace), Mr. Win Naing, Ms. Naw Myo Myo Win, Mr. Myo Min Oo (Myo), Mr. Kyaw Win Khant (Jason), Ms. Han Su Paing, and Mr. Kaung Htet. Likewise, the always helpful, always cheerful, and always available Front Office Bell Team, who drove the buggies, delivered/collected our luggage, and helped us get on/off our boats at the Sofitel’s jetty/dock : Mr. Tin Tun, Mr. Yan Naing Soe, Mr. Thet Oo, Mr. Htoo Hlaing, Mr. Bo Phyu, and Mr.Zaw Htet. Room We booked a Junior Suite, with a view of the beautiful Inle Lake and truly spectacular sunsets! The suite had a well-furnished day room, complete with sofa, coffee table, TV, mini bar and coffee machine. Drinking water is complimentary, and provide in the rooms and all over the Sofitel. The bedroom was very well furnished, with a desk, and ample wardrobe and storage space. The king-size bed came with a very comfortable mattress, and four firm pillows, which together ensured that we slept very soundly every night. All the power outlets were universal; so, we were able to plug in our equipment, with the various UK, US and EU plugs, with ease. The desk and both bedside table areas also came with USB ports for charging phones! The bathroom had two sinks, a large bathtub, and separate toilet and shower. The water pressure and hot water supply were excellent. The balcony was well furnished with a very comfortable sofa, rocking chair, and two tables; so, it was the perfect place to view the lake and sunsets! Housekeeping provided an excellent service; they visited in the mornings to clean the room, and in the evening to prepare the room for the night. They always topped up the drinking water and toiletries supplies, and delivered the laundry. We were very pleased with the excellent service provided by the Sofitel Housekeeping Manager, Ms. Nu Nu Win, and her helpful and meticulous team: Ms. Moe Moe Aye, Ms. Su Su Htwe, Ms. Cho Zin Htwe, and Mr. Min Thu Naing. Dining & Drinks We enjoyed the Sofitel’s sumptuous breakfast buffet at the Kweezeen Restaurant, and delicious, health-conscious dinners at the lakeside Roots Restaurant. Drinks at the Elements Bar and the Roots Bar, by the lakeside sitting by a fire overlooking the lake and sunsets, were a real treat after a long day of photography on Inle Lake. At both the restaurants and the bars the staff were always on hand to suggest dishes, quick to deliver the meals and clear the tables. We were delighted with the excellent service provided by the Sofitel Food & Beverage Manager, Mr. Tun Lin Aung, and his very helpful and hospitable team: Lin Ko Ko Naing, Cho Thuzar, Kay Tee Moe, Paing Soe Oo, Nyan Phyo Wai, Aung Myat Khant, Pan Ei, Moe Kha Yay Soe, Nyi Nyi Naing, Soe Moe Aung, Aung Aung, Boma, Zin Moh Moh Thin, Win Min Htet, Aung Lin, Myint Naing Oo, Zin Mar Khaing, Saw Thin Zar, Chit Su Hlaing, and Pyae Phyo Aye. Peace & Quiet Although the Sofitel is situated on Inle Lake, it is some distance from the main thoroughfares for the many fishing, public transport, and tourist boats that ply the lake. So, we were never bothered by the noise from the boats on the lake. Also, the boats coming into the Sofitel jetty/dock cut their engines a distance away and coasted/paddled in. Consequently, the resort is very quiet and very peaceful. Pools & Gym We did not have any time to use the two swimming pools and the gym. However., the pools were very inviting and the gym was very well equipped. In summary, we found that the Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min Resort was the perfect confluence of ideal location, spacious layout, and excellent service. However, what made it the best hotel we have ever stayed in, be it in Asia, Europe or the Americas, is the cheerful, helpful, and hospitable staff led by their very hands-on General Manager, Mr. Thomas Kerschbaumer. Consequently, we rate the Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min Resort ‘Excellent’, like so many other reviewers on TripAdvisor!

Friendly and upmost customer satisfaction.

It was worth the money. I was extremely grateful I choose to stay at this hotel for my getaway trip.

We stayed at the lake front villas. They were great. The service team (buggy, restaurant, bar, front desk & conceirge) were great. The only bad experience that we had was a dish at the restaurant (overcooked grilled chicken) and that was quickly resolved by the restaurant manager. Moana at the reception was outstanding in particular.