With better rooms than any other hotel in Mandalay, the Mandalay Hill is the pick of the larger city’s luxury resorts. It may sprawl and the décor may just tip over in to the gaudy in places, but it’s the only hotel in town with a full range of facilities meeting genuine international standards.

Like the rooms are well presented, with wood flooring and elegant touches. There are many room categories, but we prefer the larger deluxe corner rooms and whilst the opulent Suites will burn a small hole your pocket, they offer truly grand and sophisticated accommodation. There are commanding views in all directions, as the resort sits at the foot of perhaps Burma’s most iconic landmark – its sacred hill – and right next to the perfect square of Mandalay’s original old city.

There is a large pool with its own pagoda and palm-fringed terrace area, which is overlooked by the hotel’s delightful spa. Here you’ll also find an impressive outdoor dining area where traditional dancing is often performed during the high season. There is a gym, a spa, tennis courts and a choice of restaurants and bars – there is even a private 18-hole golf course and driving range adjacent to the hotel.

For its large size and international standards the hotel is relatively informal and clings on to a surprising level of character and atmosphere. By instinct, we tend not to usually recommend such large, international style hotels but Mandalay struggles for accommodation, making this a worthy option.