Revamped hotel opens in Myanmar

The overhaul of the heritage hotel in Myanmar has seen every original detail of the exterior and interior transformed, from teak wood panelling and antique bedsteads, to the traditional Myanmar lacquerware and marble flooring.

All furniture was taken to workshops to be restored by local craftsmen and 31 rooms and suites now have vintage-inspired textiles and original artwork alongside new in-room technology.

Christian Martena - an Italian chef who trained in several of Europe’s Michelin-starred kitchens and ran his own restaurant, Sensi, in Bangkok - has been brought in as executive chef to oversee The Strand Restaurant and The Strand Cafe.

The hotel is a member of Leading Hotels of the World and during its closure, the team, including butlers, underwent extensive service training led by new operations manager Mark Murraybrown.

Olivier Trinquand, vice president, The Strand Hotel & Cruise, said: “The Strand Yangon was one of the first luxury colonial outposts in southeast Asia, founded in 1901 by famous hoteliers, the Sarkies brothers. It remains one of the most architecturally beautiful landmarks in the region and this latest project has preserved the heritage at the heart of the hotel.”

Meanwhile, The Strand Cruise is planning to launch a series of special cruises in 2017, covering music, culinary and photography themes.

• The next ttgluxury Experience with The Strand Hotel & Cruise and Emirates will give agents a chance of a trip to Myanmar.