Best Western Green Hill Hotel

The Best Western Green Hill Hotel is modern chain outpost near the green shores of Lake Kandawgyi. The building only dates back to 2010, so it's in far better condition than most of the properties in the neighborhood, and everything inside looks relatively fresh. The hotel does an excellent job of conveying itself as a cooling escape from the hot, noisy, and hectic pace of frantic and traffic-filled Yangon. Inside, the lobby brings the "Green Hill" theme to life, as there are lime green chairs, green wall panels, green ceiling designs, and translucent green lights fronting the reception desk. There's even a container of cold green guava juice to which guests can help themselves. Despite the abundance of the motif, the aesthetic doesn't feel overwrought. Impressionist-style paintings on the wall feature lush green rice paddies or tea terraces around Myanmar, providing a bit of local charm. The hotel draws its share of vacationers seeking to stay away from the clamor of the city center, but most of those who pass through here are business travelers. 

Best Western Green Hill Hotel sits just off of Kandawgyi Lake, Yangon's most pleasant park and green space. This area is quiet at night, maybe a bit too quiet for those who want some nightlife. But for those looking for a bit of relative peace and quiet, it's a solid choice. There's a wooden walkway around much of the lake, which provides a welcome relief from the usually traffic-clogged roads. A selection of good restaurants are on offer at the lakeside, notably Bangkok Kitchen, one of the best Thai restaurants in Yangon -- it's a five-minute walk from the hotel. It's a 10- to 15-minute taxi ride from the hotel to Shwedagon Pagoda, although it can take up to 20 minutes (or more) to get into downtown when traffic is at its worst. The hotel does run a shuttle service a few times a day to Chinatown, Shwedagon Pagoda, and the Bogyoke Aung San Market. Taxis are usually plentiful and cheap. Budget at least 40 minutes to reach the airport by cab.

There are 187 rooms at Best Western Green Hill, all of which are spacious, and with more style than much of the area competition. Still, don't come here expecting quaint, boutique interiors -- it feels very much like a business-friendly chain hotel. Colors skew earthy, with sage greens and browns throughout most of the decor. Simple floral art hangs on the walls. Upholstered headboard give everything a bit of polish, though some details like patterned wallpaper in the Executive Deluxe Room that we visited don't look as up-to-date. 

Rooms come with flat-screen TVs and cable plus minibars, safes, electric hot water kettles, alarm clocks, and free Wi-Fi. Most importantly, all of the rooms are air-conditioned and there's a generator for back up if the power goes out (which it's prone to do in Myanmar). Entry-level Deluxe Rooms feature wood-laminate floors, a set of plush brown armchairs, and a desk. Bathrooms in these units come with shower/tub combos and wall-mounted hairdryers. The Executive Deluxe Rooms have carpeted floors, extra space, larger TVs, and a bathroom scale. Some of the rooms feature views of Shwedagon Pagoda, which are especially beautiful when it's lit up at night. Higher-category Premier and Grand Deluxe Rooms come with 42-inch flat-screen TVs, plus irons and ironing boards, as well as extra toiletries. While everything is mostly pleasant, it is worth noting that we did spot some dirty grout in the bathrooms, and the lack of balconies is a bit of a let down. 

Best Western Green Hill doesn't have loads of facilities, but is as good as gets in its price range in Yangon. The hotel has a modern fitness center with a selection of LifeFitness cardio machines and weights. Still, the lack of a pool in steamy Yangon is a bit surprising, especially given this hotel's international chain status.

The only restaurant and bar is downstairs in the lobby. Cafe Green Hill serves a free buffet breakfast to guests. It gets solid marks from previous guests, and includes a large selection of Asian and Western dishes. The restaurant remains open throughout the day and evening for a la carte meals. There's a small selection of cakes for sale in a small deli counter up front. Dozens of beautiful Impressionist-style paintings by local artists hang on all the walls, depicting scenes of rural Myanmar, often with ethnic minorities, flower fields, and other pastoral scenes, making it a soothing place to hang out.

Given this hotel's popularity with business travelers, it's not surprising that the hotel has a set of meeting rooms and a ballroom used for conferences, functions, and events. There's also a small business center off to one side of the lobby, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. A free shuttle also runs to various destinations throughout central Yangon.