lonely-planet-myanmar-burma-11-edition

eakfast and dinner, and it’s the town’s onlyhotel with an internet connection.excellent cook. They can also arrange goodtrips to the Chin villages.285Vesali Resort Hotel HOTEL $$(%24200, ext 50008, in Yangon 01-526 593;myathiri@mptmail.net.mm; s/d $40/45) Thoughremoved from the bulk of the temples andtown, the Vesali’s 18 snazzy bungalows offerdark-wood floors, vaulted bamboo ceilings,mosquito nets, private decks and modernbathrooms. Rooms come with battery-poweredlamps. There’s an inviting restaurantup front along with gardens, and behind is apath up to Shwetaung Paya.Royal City Guest House HOTEL $$(%24200, ext 50257; www.newpalacehotelsittwe.com/royal-city.htm; Minbar Gyi Rd, r s/d $15/20,bungalow s/d $25/30; a) This place is convenientlylocated on the road between the jettyand the market, but skip the cell-like roomsin the main building in favour of the smart,new brick bungalow-style rooms across theroad. The air con comes on only from 6pmto 11pm but it claims to have 24 hour hotwater.Nawarat Hotel HOTEL $$(%24200, ext 50077, in Yangon 01-578 786; s $40-50, d $50-60; a) Offering all-night electricity,the Nawarat’s 30-room motel-style complex,a short walk from the (out of sight) ShittaungPaya, suffers a bit in atmosphere.The walled-off compound consists of boxybungalow rooms with air-con, satellite TVsand glow-in-the-dark stars on some ceilings.Identical, cheaper rooms get power 6pm to6am only.Golden Star Guest House GUESTHOUSE $(%24200, ext 50175, 09 850 1664; 116 Min Bar GreeRd; per person $5-15) Across from a small reservoir,is Mrauk U’s best cheap deal, withlittle Rakhaing-style figurines and privatecold-water bathrooms in most of the 13 basicrooms. The English-speaking manager isvery helpful, sometimes adding a free lunchfor long stayers. Two ‘traditional house’rooms out the back look out into a palm forest(these are $15).Prince Hotel GUESTHOUSE $(%24200, ext 50174, in Yangon 09 501 9114; www.mraukuprincehotel.com; r $15 & 25) Half a milesoutheast of the market, this leafy complexof nine bungalows sits below a hill in a leafygarden. The rustic bungalows are a bit agedfor the price, but the family who run it areextremely hospitable, and the wife is anWaddy Htut Guest House GUESTHOUSE $(%24200, ext 50240; r $5-30) This modernstyletwo-floor house has an OK mix of options– basic rooms with shared bath ($5),a well-lit ‘family room’ with sofa, a fewbeds and a balcony ($30, but negotiable).Rates don’t include breakfast but there’sa teahouse next door and the market isaround the corner.5EatingThere are a few local restaurants facing themarket to the west of the Mrauk U market,serving basic Chinese food. The GamonePhyu restaurant at Mrauk U Princess Hoteland the one at the Vesali Resort Hotel areboth very good and open to nonguests.oMoe Cherry BAMAR, RAKHAING $(%24200, ext 50177; dishes K1000-2000, beerK1500) This friendly, traveller-focused, twostoreyrestaurant, east of the palace walls,serves a few meals and what’s on offerchanges nightly. There’s a deliciously Rakhaingedge to the chicken curry, prawn andvegie dishes (cauliflower’s the best). They’reopen ‘anytime: this is our home’ and the restaurantalso arranges area tours.For You BAMAR, RAKHAING $(dishes K1000) Two blocks north of the market(via the road from the jetty), this plain,concrete-floor restaurant is based at theground level of a traditional wood house.It serves good noodles (with an egg on top)and cans of Myanmar beer.Hay Mar BAMAR $(dishes K1000) This simple teahouse besidethe main jetty is a good spot to watch thecomings and goings on the river while tuckinginto simple dishes, such as fried rice,chicken and vegetables. The owner, AungZan is the local Mr Fix-it – offering boatrides back to Sittwe (from $20 per person)and Chin Village trips (K50,000).7 ShoppingStalls outside the Shittaung Paya sell somesouvenirs. Aung Zan at Hay Mar teahousecan also guide you to a weaver in the village– a short walk or bike ride south of thejetty – who has attractive textile pieces forsale (K2500 to K15,000).RAKHAING WESTERN MYANMAR STATE EATING EATING MRAUK U (MYOHAUNG)