Amara Mountain Resort

There are just 10 rooms at Amara Mountain Lodge, in two separate houses. The original old building was constructed in 1909 in a mock-tudor style and was extensively renovated in 2002. Another identical building was added just across the lawn. The rooms are all tastefully furnished, keeping the colonial origins in mind. You find open fireplaces, polished teak floors and four-poster beds. We generally recommend to opt for a first-floor room as the floorboards can be a little creaky. Rooms don’t have many mod-cons such as TVs or minibars, but they are more than comfortable for a night or two.

There is a restaurant offering a range of Burmese and Western dishes (although the food won’t win any gourmet awards). It opens out onto a large wooden terrace where you can sit out when the weather is warm enough. The gardens feature a few places to kick-back and relax with a book, and there is also a small spa.

Kalaw is an ideal destination to take day treks into the local Shan villages, or you may opt for mountain biking or just exploring the local markets of Kalaw.