I stayed at the Best Western Green Hill Hotel a few years ago, and loved it. Last January I took my somewhat-reluctant Thai fiancee to Yangon, and promised Nok that if she didn’t like anything else, she would LOVE the hotel. And of course, she did. I’ve stayed at numerous other upscale hotels throughout Asia, as well as fine ones in Europe and the Americas. But the BW Green Hill really is one of my absolute favourites. Shame on me for not doing a TA review much earlier.
The staff is incredibly professional and helpful. The location is quite good to my mind, on Po Sein Road, about 200 meters north of the Royal Lake and Bogyoke Park, and an easy walk to White Rice Restaurant, which I’ve reviewed. Shwedagon is walkable, and a scenic walk—I’ve done it numerous times—but Yangon can be brutally hot most months of the year, and you might want the hotel to fetch a taxi for you. The rooms are quite nice, with a decorative floor rug, spacious wardrobe, modern bathroom, and other amenities (see Room photo). WiFi was never a problem, and I particularly liked the comfy chairs in the sitting area (see Sitting Area photo). The only room problem that I ever had on any stay was a room safe once that was deader than a doornail; a staffer promptly fixed that with a new battery.
But there are two things, above any others, that really set this hotel apart: their breakfasts, and their rooftop bar. Right, I’ve had lunches and dinners at the BWGH, and they’ve always been fine, but the hotel pulls out all stops for breakfast. They have Western food stations (see Omelette Station. Cereal and Muesli Station, and Pastry Station photos). You can get a proper congee, with all the usual accoutrements (see Congee and Condiments Station photo), and they’ve got other stations for other parts of Asia (see Sushi station photo, in the background of this photo is the Indian food station). Depending on the day—I never worked out the schedule—they might have a Burmese noodle station; if so, be sure to get some; just tell the lad to make ‘em the way he thinks best. They also put out what I can only assume is a food offering, similar to those Thais make every morning to the little shrines outside their house, though in the hotel’s case, the god is a pretty warlike hombre (see Sacred Offering photo). That the breakfast pastries are top-notch is to be expected, since this hotel also has incredibly good European cakes and pastries for a late-night indulgence (see Restaurant and Pastry photo). In years of wandering all over Asia, with some memorable breakfasts from other outstanding hotels, the only hotel I’ve stayed in that I think clearly surpasses the Best Western Green Hill, is the Raffles in Singapore. I think this speaks to how high BWGH sets the bar.
Speaking of bars, the second huge draw for me is the hotel’s splendid rooftop bar. it’s not actually on the roof; it shares the top floor a fitness center (presumably for anyone who hasn’t lost enough weight hiking all over town in Yangon's oppressive heat). But it’s a terrace bar, facing due west. And due west of the BW Green Hill is ... Shwedagon. Since the open area across the road is full of lush tropical trees (like all of Yangon), the view is splendid (see Shwedagon from Hotel, but note that I zoomed in for this shot). And, 90 degrees to the right of that is another splendid Buddhist site; the staffers disputed which one it was, but if I had to bet, I’d put my money on the Nga Htat Gyi temple, home to an impressive giant seated Buddha (see Balloon and Temple photo; I assume the hot-air balloonists were getting a even better view than I was).
ps. Supposed to be a massage parlor at the hotel, too. They probably have one now, but hadn’t opened yet when we stayed there, so the hotel arranged for Nok to head off to another massage parlor nearby, where she could get a genuine Thai massage, Burmese style.
If I ever return to Yangon, and I hope I will, I won’t even consider another hotel. If the BW Green Hill isn’t available, I’d change my schedule to sometime when it is. It’s that good. less
The M, The Management at Best Western Green Hill Hotel, responded to this review
Dear Vincent M,
Wow! Fantastic!
Thank you very much for your comprehensive and extensive review which highly motivates our entire team. We are absolutely delighted to reading through. Overall, you had a pleasant stay and enjoyed our colleagues’ service and the hotel’s facilities. That is most important for us.
Definitely, we look forward to welcoming you back and provide another good memorable stay. Thank you so much for your time and visit.
Warmest Regards,
The Management