Whether using it as a stopping off point on the way to Inle Lake, Bagan, or the wilds of Myanmar, most travelers to the country end up spending at least a night in Yangon — which, of course, has loads of history, pagoda-viewing, and cool cultural offerings to make it a destination in its own right.
Want to skip the hotel scene and book a stay at one of the city’s Airbnb’s? You might notice that the options here aren’t all that extensive. But, we looked through every single search result — and did find some interesting, tantalizing, and just plain weird choices. Here they are.
Loft Living at this Artsy Stay
This design-forward, loft-style stay in the city center caught our eye. It’s also one of the few bookings on the site to offer a hot tub, as the site so helpfully told us and which captured our interest even more. The kitschy-cool decor made us doubt we’d do as much urban exploring as we hoped, however, since this place looks so comfy we might start to laze around more than we should. US$89 per night.
Keen for Green at a Tropical House
This spot looks like it has lusher surroundings than what can usually be found in a city — and a pool to boot. Four and a half stars from past guests, the promise of colonial Burmese decor, and a ten minute ride from the airport put this place squarely on our “considering it” list. The only thing we weren’t into is the reported 20 minute drive from downtown. US$65 per night.
For Those Who’ve Gone Full Marie Kondo
Extreme minimalist your kind of thing? This one should appeal to fans of Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. Though it’s advertised as an accommodation for four people, only one can sit in a chair if they want to gather in the living room. On the upside, the dining room and bedrooms look cozy and this rental is apparently located in a neighborhood that’s great if you like nature — it’s near a park and Kandawgyi Lake. US$90 per night.
Traditional Sanctuary in the City
This room, with two twin beds, would be a great choice for fans of traditional Southeast Asian design. With flourishes that include old-fashioned lounging cushions, dark wood details, Buddha decor, lanterns, folding screens, and garden views, this setup will allow guests to kick back and enjoy the kind of setting that they likely came to this part of the world for in the first place. It’s budget-friendly too. US$35 per night.
Fifty Shades of Airbnb
We’re not even sure what they’re offering here. All we know is that it’s very expensive and references the BDSM-themed series Fifty Shades of Grey. Even the pictures of the “place” are mysterious — they only show a woman’s lips and some rope, while the title promises “Christian Grey decor.” Restraints and whips? Poor character development? We’ll never know. We couldn’t help but think that maybe they offer services beyond a simple bed and cup of Nescafe at this place, which “cannot be viewed or inspected before” and currently has no user reviews. We’ll probably give this one a pass, but consider our curiosity piqued. US$1,189 per night. For real.
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