Hotel Grand United (Ahlone Branch)

The Hotel Grand United (Ahlone Branch) comes across as a downtown business hotel, despite the fact that it is actually outside of the city center and nowhere near Yangon's financial area. The nine-story building, which looks a bit like a condominium, used to be the only high-rise in the neighborhood, although there is a newer and taller building being constructed right next door. 

Given the reasonable rates and easy access to town, the lobby is always bustling and full of tour groups and business travelers. Though decor is bland, the sleek marble floor, high ceilings, and large windows that illuminate the lobby with natural light make the space feel bright and airy. Black pleather armchairs and plaid-patterned sofas are an incongruous pairing, but provide plenty of seating. A small souvenir shop sells local arts and crafts, and there is a drink stand serving up free orange juice and water, a welcoming touch. The lobby cafe has a similar look, furnished with the same black armchairs paired with pale peach and white patterned wallpaper, while the Carpe Diem Restaurant is awash in shades of beige. Though uninspiring in terms of decor, the hotel is a good value and attracts plenty of tourists who prefer to stay out of the perpetually congested downtown area.

Located on the west side of central Yangon, the city's more lively downtown is about a 10-minute drive from the hotel. The road outside is busy throughout the day, meaning lots of noisy traffic outside, but plenty of taxis can be found nearby as well. There are several local restaurants and shops nearby, and it is a bustling area by day. Shwedagon Pagoda -- a dazzling, gilded spire that rises high above most of the city -- and most other tourist sights are about a 10-minute taxi ride, or guests can utilize the hotel's free shuttle bus at certain times. Chinatown is also about 10 minutes away by car. The hotel is convenient for the airport, as the trip bypasses the congested city center -- expect a 35-minute drive from here.

The hotel's 161 rooms offer a fair amount of variety to choose from in terms of size and style. Decor is modern and pleasant, if bland, with laminated wood floors or carpets and basic, contemporary furniture. Tufted headboards offer a bit of polish, which simple artwork depicting Myanmar's most iconic sights hangs on the otherwise bare white walls. 

The entry-level Superior Rooms come in several types, including a windowless option, which some actually find nicer than the Superior Window Room, as it makes up for its lack of natural light by offering slightly more space and a full-size refrigerator. Superior Window Rooms are much brighter, with large windows letting in plenty of light. All Superior Rooms have desks and arm chairs. Family Rooms comprise two connecting rooms and are suitable for larger parties or families with kids. Junior Suites have sitting areas and small furnished balconies offering lovely views, some with distant glimpses of the city's iconic Shwedagon Pagoda. 

All rooms are air-conditioned and include amenities like flat-screen TVs, minibars, electronic safes, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and free Wi-Fi, though the signal can be spotty and slow. Bathrooms are small, though clean and modern, with tile walls and floors, large granite vanities, and shower/tub combos; Junior Suites have large windows between the bathrooms and bedrooms (privacy curtains are provided). Toiletries are also provided. Most of the hotel is non-smoking, but smokers will find solace on the fourth and fifth floors, where the hotel reserves rooms for those who need to light up.

One of the stand-out features of this hotel is its nice fitness center, which is modern and clean, and included wood laminate floors, plenty of windows, and a good selection of modern cardio equipment (plus some free weights and pulley machines). For those looking for less active ways to relax, there's also a sauna and a game room with a billiard table. The hotel's Carpe Diem restaurant, on the second floor, serves free buffet breakfasts daily, that include a generous spread of Asian and Western dishes. Lunch and dinner are available as well, with a la carte Burmese, Asian, and European menu items. Located in the lobby, Dream Cafe serves coffee and tea, as well as a variety of items like pasta, sandwiches, and Burmese selections throughout the day. The hotel also has decent conference facilities in its bright ballroom, plus Wi-Fi is free, though it can be spotty and slow. A free shuttle bus service runs three times a day and transports guests to various tourist spots like Shwedagon Paya or Chinatown, though this is only a one-way service.