International travellers relax in the lobby at Yangon's Traders Hotel.

THINGYAN, for many, is the most exciting time of year to be in Yangon.
To cater for people wanting to catch some of the water festival action, several of the city’s leading hotels have special packages on offer during Thingyan for locals, expatriates and foreign residents.

MiCasa hotel apartments are offering two Thingyan packages, from April 10 to 21. The first, priced at US$45 for two people, includes one night of accommodation, buffet breakfast and use of the swimming pool and sweat club. The $55 package also includes a set lunch or dinner for two.

MiCasa will also provide a pandal stage, so in-house guests and the hotel’s staff can experience all the fun of the water festival.

“For $6 the guest can get Thingyan buffet lunch with a glass of beer at the poolside – this promotion will run from April 13 to 16,” said Daw Khin Khin Htay, public relations manager of MiCasa hotel apartment.

“On April 17, guests can also enjoy our Myanmar New Year buffet dinner for $9,” she said. “From April 12-16 we also have a special deal on our buffet dinner where every fourth person in a group eats for free.”

Summit Parkview hotel has a Thingyan room package, priced at $73 for two adults and $20 for each child under 12 years. The deal is effective from April 12 to 16 and includes entrance fee to the pandal, one night accommodation with international buffet breakfast, set dinner for two people and take away lunch.
For non-guests, the entrance fee to the Thingyan pandal at Summit is $15 for an adult and $10 for a child, which includes a take away lunch.

Hotel Nikko Royal Lake Yangon has two-night/three-day Thingyan “Escape” packages for locals, expatriates, and foreign residents, which are available from April 10 to 21.

“We are offering rooms for $59 per person and $79 for two people but guests must stay for a minimum of two consecutive nights,” said Daw May Myat Mon Win, director of sales and marketing.

The price includes buffet breakfast, one massage session at Liawadee Spa, lunch, dinner and free use of swimming pool, gym and sauna.

Traders Hotel’s Thingyan room packages, aimed at locals and expats, are priced at $55 for two people and include a buffet breakfast. The package is valid from April 10 to 20.

With its Thingyan water festival package effective from April 12 to 16, Sedona hotel Yangon is offering one night in a deluxe room for a family of two adults and one child for $50, including buffet breakfast. Each additional child is $20 per night. The deal is available for locals and foreign residents (FRC holders).

Families who take advantage of this package also get a 20 percent discount on food and beverages, 30pc discount on laundry service, as well as a voucher for 30pc off purchases at Paddy O’Malley’s pub.

The entrance fee to Sedona’s Thingyan pandal is $20 per person for the whole day and includes lunch and coffee breaks.

Parkroyal Yangon also has Thingyan packages for Myanmar citizens and permanent residents, valid from April 10 to 20. The package is $55 a person and $62 for two.

The price includes one night in a deluxe room with international buffet breakfast, one dim sum buffet lunch, free entrance to the hotel’s music club, complimentary use of the gym, spa and sauna as well as a 15pc discount on laundry services.