The Hotel by the Red Canal

The Hotel by the Red Canal is located at the heart of Mandalay, close to the Royal Palace, yet tucked away down a quiet lane and set within verdant tropical gardens. If you are wanting a proper boutique hotel, then the Red Canal is a good choice.

We have to admit the rooms (they call them suites) at the Red Canal are a tad small, yet they are really comfortably furnished with en-suite bathrooms and polished wooden floors. They come with all the usual mod-cons from flatscreen TVs and minibars. The front facing rooms overlook the gardens and pool and you can opt for the ground floor Chin Rooms with have a small terrace overlooking a water-feature, yet the rooms are a little dark as a result. The Shan Rooms are located on the first and second floors, allowing for more light whilst retaining views over the gardens. At the back of the hotel you find the small Kachin Rooms on the ground floor and they have an outdoor shower feature, yet the rooms are very dark. Upstairs you find the larger Rakhine Rooms which are lighter.

In the gardens you find a small kidney-shaped pool where they hold a happy hour each evening. The Spice Garden Restaurant serves excellent Indian cuisine. WiFi is available throughout the hotel. You can also enjoy the use of a small gym and spa.