If you prefer complete isolation then it is recommended that you stay at one of the hotels in Inle Lake. A boat will take you to the hotel, a 30 or so minute ride, and once the boat leaves you are isolated from civilization. The hotels on the lake have ONE restaurant and your meal choices are from their menu only. Most guests staying in the lake complain of feeling trapped out in isolation. However, you can always enjoy a beautiful sunrise and sunset with your preferred travel partner.
If you prefer to have choices stay in NyaungShwe. Hotel Amazing is one of the nicest hotels in Nyaungshwe. It is very nicely designed; it is cute and comfortable. It is walking distance from several restaurants, fresh produce market, shops etc. Hotel Amazing also has a nice restaurant with a decent menu in international and Burmese cuisine.
You can make daily trips to Inle Lake for sightseeing and the hotel will make arrangements for your boat. Two trips to Inle Lake is more than enough to see all the attractions.
Nyaungshwe allows you to see real rural Myanmar, it's people and its untouched lifestyle. Tourism has not hit Nyaungshwe like Inle Lake, so it is still honest in it's way.
Hotel Amazing will also make arrangements for you to be picked up and dropped at the airport for a reasonable price.
