More about hotels in Mon
About Mon accommodation
Mon State sits in the south of Myanmar, running along the Thanlwin (Salween) River down to the Gulf of Mottama. Its main town, Mawlamyine, was once the first capital of British colonial Burma, and the riverside Strand Road still carries rows of weathered colonial-era facades and old teak houses. A short trip inland, the Kyaiktiyo Rock formation, a huge gilded boulder that appears to balance right on the edge of a cliff, draws travellers up into the hills purely for the view.
Where you base yourself depends on what you're after. Staying in central Mawlamyine puts you close to the riverfront, the old town and the local food scene, while a base nearer Kinpun suits an early start up to the Kyaiktiyo viewpoint. Accommodation across the region ranges from simple guesthouses to a small number of comfortable hotels.
Where to stay in Mon
- Mawlamyine city centre: Riverside guesthouses and hotels along or near Strand Road, within walking distance of the colonial-era buildings, markets and food stalls.
- Kinpun (near Kyaiktiyo): Simple lodges at the base camp, handy for an early start on the trip up to the Kyaiktiyo Rock viewpoint.
How much is Mon accommodation?
- Budget: AU$15-30 for a simple guesthouse room, often with a fan and a shared or basic private bathroom.
- Mid-range: AU$30-70 for a private hotel room with air conditioning, usually including breakfast and sometimes a river or town view.
- Luxury: AU$70-150 for a larger hotel with extras like a pool or restaurant on site, and a quieter, more polished setting.
What Mon is known for
- Kyaiktiyo Rock: A gilded boulder perched right on the edge of a cliff, reached via a scenic hillside route, one of the most photographed viewpoints in the country.
- Colonial-era Mawlamyine: Weathered Victorian-era facades and old teak houses along Strand Road, a legacy of the town's time as a 19th-century trading port.
- Thanlwin riverfront: A long promenade along the river, popular for an evening walk as boats drift past at sunset.
- Fish-based cooking: Fish and shrimp curries drawing on the river and nearby coast, with a sour-spicy flavour profile that's distinct from other Myanmar regional cooking.
Top-rated hotels in Mon
- Hotel Queen Jamadevi: A well-reviewed mid-range option in Mawlamyine with free Wi-Fi and solid guest ratings.
- Royal Hinthar Hotel: A higher-end choice in Mawlamyine known for comfortable rooms and consistently strong reviews.
- Hotel Ks: A reliable, well-rated pick in Mawlamyine that suits travellers wanting straightforward comfort at a fair price.
Travel tips for Mon
- Base yourself in Mawlamyine if you want easy access to the riverfront and old town, or near Kinpun if the Kyaiktiyo viewpoint is your main priority.
- Head out early in the morning when it's cooler, especially for the walk along Strand Road or the trip up to Kyaiktiyo.
- The driest, most comfortable months for getting around are roughly December to February, so book ahead if travelling then.
- Try the local fish curries at small riverside eateries in Mawlamyine, a genuine highlight of the town.
- Carry local currency, as cash is still the easiest way to pay outside the larger hotels.
