Inle Princess or Lake View?
 

Ok, I know this isn't in the Oriental vs. Peninsula league, but I would really appreciate any advice as this is the one place I can't make up my mind.

My agent says that the Lake View is the nicest place on the lake. Laurieco stayed there a couple of years ago and recommendeds it highly. We just made a reservation to stay there for our February trip. I think the Inle Princess has been around a lot longer and may be able to charge a higher price on account of that reputation. The Inle Princess has two advantages over the Lake View: (1) It faces west so you get to see the sun set (you can see the sun rise from the Lake View though) and (2) it is in a very quiet location whereas the Lake View is located near a town where on occasion (a festival, for instance) the sound carries over. Of course it could also be an advantage to have a town nearby that you can walk to. Hope this helps. Laurieco is in Indonesia at present so she may or may not see this thread.

I've stayed at Lake View for 3 nights and visited Inle Princess. They are both beautiful and peaceful, but I'd chose Lake View. I was really happy staying there and would love to go back.

The advantages to the Lake View Resort are: longer scenic boat ride to get there, so you get more of the feeling of life on the lake, spacious newer rooms, and near a smal village that you can walk to. In all, it's just a very peaceful relaxing place.

I liked being by the small village and often wandered over there for walks in the afternoon and to see a local festival. People were so friendly and it's a very non-touristy area. One night the festival was really loud though, so we just went over and hung out at the festival with all the villagers. It was probably the coolest experience we had in the country.

There are standard rooms and suite rooms at the Lake View. I would suggest getting the much nicer suite rooms with a wonderful balcony with lounge chairs and better views. The standard rooms are pretty small and not nearly as nice as the suites. It's worth it to splurge for the better rooms. The food is pretty pricey at the Lake View - that's the only negative point. They have expensive set menus that are so big, they can be shared by two - but they don't tell you this. We tried to eat at other places before coming back in the evening. One night we ate at the festival. The breakfast, included in our room rate, was good.

Mealea, thanks for posting - thats great info.

Thank you both. From their respective websites the Lake View certainly looks nicer than the Princess and a Junior Suite there is cheaper than a Lakeview Chalet at the Princess. I just didn't know if I was missing something.

I brought up this older post to ask: Mealea says above that the boat ride is longer to the Lake View Resort than to Princess.

Is their a confusion between Inle Lake View Resort and Inle Resort?

http://www.inleresort.com/

http://www.inlelakeview.com/

http://www.inleprincessresort.com/

Just found this map:


http://dpsmap.com/inlay/index.shtml

eks - the airport is west of the lake so the Inle Lake View Resort is the closest. I don't know much about the Inle Resort except that it is fairly new and located on the east side of the lake. Inle Princess is also on the east side. I think all 3 resorts are reachable by road (see the map) or by boat from Nyaung Shwe.

Craig, did you opt for a deluxe room or a junior suite at the Lake View? Recommendations?

Thanks, Craig. Is there any chance of eating outside the hotel (Lake View Resort?) Although I am not sure if it makes much difference from reports I am reading about food in Burma in general.

Kathie: Do you know that a new LP Burma (10th) will be out very soon? You can pre-order on Amazon.

eks, yes, thanks, I know it's due soon. I'll put it in my next order.

Kathie - We had a junior suite. It was very spacious. I'd say go for it - it was not that expensive.

eks - the village next to the hotel has some inexpensive "local" restaurants that you will probably discover in your wanderings. Personally I would not risk dining at one but others on this board have done it and lived to tell the tale.

Craig, thanks, that was my inclination.