The hotel was not fancy but clean and welcoming. The family run operation is accommodating and is ver helpful with information around planning your trip. They even make an effort to get up early to provide coffee and breakfast. We will be going back there to catch our plane when we depart from Mandalay
This is an adorable and funky in an artistic way little guesthouse not too close to city center but not too far. It was clean, the breakfast was good (they had great coffee, homemade peanut butter and if you are lucky, maybe mango jam), and best of all the staff really go out of their way to make their guests feel comfortable. This included answering all our many questions, receiving our delivered pizza (they have a great rooftop eating spot too), and letting us check in early when that bus got us there at 4 am. A bonus was besides English, they can speak Chinese - good for our non English speaking friends. The only caveat is the hot water heating is solar, so in December, we would suggest showering at night to get some warmth to the water. That having been said, as a hot water lover, it still wasn’t that bad, perhaps because Mandalay still is quite warm...
I had a very good night staying at Dreamland Guesthouse. Two sisters run the hostel and they both speak Burmese, English, and Chinese. They are very friendly and responsible to travelers. They give you advice on day-trips, help book buses, and help arrange pick-ups from and to airport.
The hostel is very artistic, filled with paintings and instruments. The lovely home-schooled children also help out with chores. Very polite and friendly.
I found this guest house on booking. We searched on booking it said $14 for a 2 room bed. When we arrived the girl said $14 was for 1 person, not two, $16 was the price for 2. She refused to give us the price on booking. After agreeing to the price she told us the room was full and it would cost $18 to stay there. She wouldn't honor the $16 price.
The hosts are very efficient and welcoming. Rooms are clean and air conditioned, you can get dorm-type and private. There is a very artistic atmosphere - piano, violin, painting and sculpture classes on ground floor.
