Yangon Sedona Hotel opens luxury suites

The Yangon Sedona Hotel opened in the then Burmese capital in 1996, optimistically dubbed "Visit Myanmar" year by the military regime in charge, a call boycotted by most.

In the ensuring 20 years, a lot has changed – including Yangon no longer being the capital. Myanmar's tourism sector is breaking records, with 4.5 million people visiting last year. At the same time, nearly 500 hotel rooms were added in the first half of 2015.

Things continue to scoot along, with the Yangon Sedona doing a substantial bit to promote that, adding its 29-storey, 431-room high-rise Inya Wing, which opened in early 2016.

And now it marks its 20th anniversary with the opening of a collection of luxury suites: four upscale offerings at the top of the wing, that have set a new benchmark in the ancient city.

As with the entirety of the Inya Wing, they are created by a collective of Singapore architects and designers, in colours and shapes that reflect the cultural and natural environment – the saffron and crimson robes and umbrellas of monks, the nearby golden temples and serene blue of Lake Inya which the hotel overlooks.

The smallest of the spaces at 50 square metres is the Prestige Suite, while the Irrawaddy Suite at 52 square metres, has a separate living room. The Shin Sawbu Suite is a big step up: 63 square metres housing a funky, wood-panelled mid-century aesthetic framing sweeping lake views.

The presidential-type suite is the Anawrahta on the top floor of the Inya Wing, covering 197 square metres over three separate rooms designed for receptions and corporate dinners as much as stays by the wealthy and famous.

All suites give access to a new Executive Club Lounge, that comes with lots of privileges, such as evening cocktails and canapes.

From $US240 until September 30.

See sedonahotels.com.sg