Kalaw Myanmar – Best Value Hotels and Guesthouses

Budget

Finding accommodation in Kalaw for under USD20 per night is not easy but there are a few choices available.

These include the Golden Lily (Nat Sin Street) which is very basic but also very cheap and if you share a room then you can expect to pay around USD4 per night. This means however that you will get little more than a bed and a shared bathroom, although a nice breakfast is included.

Another option in this price range is Eastern Paradise Hotel (Thiri Mingalar Street) which is around USD5 per night but has Wi-Fi, hot water, and breakfast.

Mid-range

For under USD40 you will find some good options like the Honey Pine Hotel on Zadila Street which has soft beds, televisions, fans, and hot water. Breakfast is included and this is a good pick that offers value for money in the area.

If for any reason the Honey Pine is unavailable, then the Seint Hotel (Main Road) has Wi-Fi in communal areas as well as clean bathrooms and rooms with televisions and balconies. Also expect to pay around USD40 per night with breakfast.

Also on the main road is the Winner Hotel which is a little older than the other two but has rooms with hot water, televisions, Wi-Fi, and fans for around USD35 per night.

Top end

If you want to splurge and pay around USD60 per night, then you can head to Dream Villa Hotel (Zadila Street) which Wi-Fi in the rooms as well as satellite television and hot water. The hotel also has nice views over Kalaw and there is an adjacent restaurant where you will get a free breakfast that also offers room service. The hotel is a pleasant place to stay, although it doesn’t have much to set it apart from some of the other mid-range picks like the Honey Pine or the Seint Hotel.

Where to eat in Kalaw

You won’t find a huge number of eateries in Kalaw but due to its ethnic diversity there is a good mix of dishes available.

As this is the Shan region of Myanmar make sure to try some of the local delicacies such as the Shan noodles, which are made with thick noodles cooked in a tomato sauce, and the toothsome curries.

Places that will serve you up some local dishes include Aung Nyein Chan Aung II which is just off the main road and Thu Maung Restaurant which is on the main road of Pyi Daungsu Lan. The latter is a little more expensive and slightly more geared towards tourist tastes rather than local flavors, but it is still a good spot especially if you don’t want to venture too far.

Finally, if you are looking for a tasty Burmese lunch then try Pyae Pyae which specializes in Shan noodles and soups. The set up is basic, but it is always crowded with locals which indicates that they are doing something right. For a bowl of simple noodles you can expect to pay less than USD1 and it is rare for a meal to cost more than USD3-4 even in some of the fancier Burmese restaurants.

Kalaw is also known for its Sikh population, so with this in mind head to eateries such as the FMD Indian Food Restaurant which is also on the main road. They serve the usual curries and kebabs and you can also get some delicious, soothing lassi here.

In the same vein as FMD Indian Food Restaurant is The Everest Nepali Food Center in the south of Kalaw close to its famous pagoda which serves up Nepali treats and curries for those who fancy a bit of spice.