Accor re-enters Myanmar with The Lake Garden in Nay Pyi Taw

Source: Accor Hotels. The Lake Garden, Nay Pyi Taw.

Accor, the largest international operator of hotels in Asia-Pacific, has opened The Lake Garden, Nay Pyi Taw, the first Accor hotel in Myanmar. This newly-built, upscale hotel, is part of the MGallery Collection and five minutes away from Myanmar International Convention Centre (MICC) and 20 minutes from Nay Pyi Taw International Airport.

“This hotel opening will officially mark Accor’s return into Myanmar,” says Patrick Basset, Chief Operating Officer of Accor Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines. “This opening comes at a time when the capital is seeing an influx of visitors with a strong demand for an upscale accommodation with international standard facilities and superb services. The Lake Garden is the perfect accommodation for discerning travllers looking for a memorable hotel experience in this capital city.”

MGallery is a collection of unique, upscale hotels selected through their individual personality and characteristics. MGallery hotels are categorised according as Signature, Heritage or Serenity hotels. Due to its architecture amidst tropical surroundings by a lake, The Lake Garden is under the Serenity category.

David Daguise, The Lake Garden, Nay Pyi Taw’s General Manager says, “The hotel is a serene sanctuary which offers guests a unique experience through an extraordinary journey of modern Myanmar influenced by its rich, cultural heritage. Its contemporary, lush comfort and a sense of ‘Serenity’ can be felt throughout the property, while its five-star hospitality and local charm offer guests a memorable experience throughout their stay.”

The hotel features 165 rooms and suites – two Presidential Suites, eight Executive Suites, 30 Deluxe Suites, 64 deluxe rooms and 61 superior rooms. For gastronomic experiences, The Lake Garden offers The Grand Bell for all-day dining, including local Myanmar cuisine, and the Primo, an Italian restaurant.

The hotel’s meeting facilities consist of a conference room which can accommodate up to 250 delegates, six breakout meeting rooms for smaller functions, and two boardrooms.

To celebrate its opening, The Lake Garden, Nay Pyi Taw has an introductory rate of US$90, valid until 29 October 2014. For more information, please visit www.thelakegarden.com or contact H9096-RE@accor.com.

China-Myanmar travel will be easier with Air China's new routes

Air China will debut new routes from Beijing to Yangon and from Chengdu to Kunming to Yangon on March 30, boosting options from main hub Beijing and regional hub Chengdu respectively.  

Source: Air China

At the end of 2013, Air China introduced non-stop services from Beijing to Chiang Mai and Siem Reap. In 2014, the carrier will continue to service what it calls its "Pilgrimage Tour." 

According to the airline, the situation in Myanmar has stabilised, and business travel to the city is steadily increasing. "Statistics suggest that in the three years from 2010 to 2012, air travellers from China to Yangon increased at a rate of 30.1%, and from January to July 2013, travelers increased by 23.1% year on year," the company said in a statement. 

The two new services will also offer an additional transit option via Beijing for Southeast Asia travellers to Japan, South Korea, Europe, and America, the company said. 

Air China's Beijing-Yangon four-times weekly service CA715/6 will be operated on Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday with B737-800 planes. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 1930 and arrives in Yangon at 2250. The return flight leaves Yangon at 2350 and arrives in Beijing at 0550. All flight times are in the local time.

Air China's Chengdu-Kunming-Yangon daily service CA905/6 will fly from Monday to Sunday with A320 planes. The outbound flight departs from Chengdu at 0825, arrives in Kunming at 0940, departs from Kunming at 1045, and arrives in Yangon at 1115 local time. The return flight departs from Yangon at 1215, arrives in Kunming at 1600, departs from Kunming at 1705  and arrives in Chengdu at 1815. All times reported are in local time.