Today I am sharing Kalaw hill lodge review. I am glad to say Myanmar was my country no 38. During my travels, I like to add off the beaten track experience wherever I can. Most travelers visit Bagan, Yangon/Rangoon and Inle Lake in Myanmar but few visit less crowded Kalaw. If you are after nature, simple village life but with a touch of comfort and luxury consider visiting Kalaw in Myanmar. 

Now, about The Hotel-Kalaw Hill Lodge
Hotel Address: 11 Quarter, Nanthe’ Village, Kalaw.
Room Type: Delux- Villa

The Hotel-Kalaw Hill Lodge Myanmar- Review

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It was a warm welcome by the Operation Manager Ko Pun and the team of staff wearing traditional Myanmar clothes and ginger tea. He even came to pick us up. I thought it was very kind of him! They were all polite and welcoming. I was excited to meet them and was curious about their traditional clothes which looked simple yet interesting.

Check-in was at 2 pm but I was there at 12:45 PM. So, in the meantime, I decided to check out the lounge, bar, did some work, and ordered coffee. While I waited, the hotel sent some freshly baked complimentary cakes to go with my coffee. How sweet is that!

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Read things to do in Kalaw. 

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the-hotel-kalaw-hill-lodge-myanmar-review

Love the carpentry work here! Does the name of the restaurant remind you of the blue mountains in Sydney? It heads home for me.

The restaurant was the next door to cute villas where the rooms were. I found the menu was reasonably priced and so was the hot/cold and alcoholic beverages. Before I arrived at the lodge, I had already visited places around downtown. So, I was looking forward to just enjoying the lodge, walks, nature and spa. If you would like to go downtown from the lodge and visit markets, local restaurants and like, it would take approx. 15 mins in a taxi and expect to pay about 10,000 Kyats. Alternatively, you can use the lodge’s shuttle service.

I was happy to know my room was ready way before 2 PM and when I walked into the room, I was pleasantly surprised! They had put in a whole lot of effort to decorate my bed! I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

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the-hotel-kalaw-hill-lodge-myanmar-review
Towel Swans with pretty petals and making words with those tiny white stone must have taken forever! Amazing!
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It was good to find out the bed felt as comfortable as it looked. The room also came with a TV and international Channels but I didn’t watch any TV during my stay. Every corner of the room was well thought of and the interior was simple yet elegant and beautiful.

A bit of a clean freak that I am, happy to report from pillows to wardrobes, floor to bathroom everything was clean. It was one of the cleanest hotel rooms I have stayed in so far.

Housekeeping ensured my room was immaculate on a daily basis and the receptionist was friendly and also extremely helpful. They delivered my laundry in just a couple of hours when in Myanmar it’s normal to wait a day!

The only small trouble I had was unlocking the room as the room key turned left than usual right.

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the-hotel-kalaw-hill-lodge-myanmar-review

Hope you saw the videos on Instagram. If you want to rewatch the whole thing, click here ->  check out the “Myanmar” stories on Instagram.

The beautiful greenery surrounding the hotel was such a refreshing sight from the hustle and bustle of Yangoon.
Right outside my door was the green valley and there was no noise at night even though there were guest’s kids running around during the day.

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Super happy with my room, I was reading my book, then there was a knock on the door from housekeeping. I was a little confused as I hadn’t ordered anything, opened the door and there was one of the smiling staff with a teapot of fresh milk from the farmhouse! I knew they managed their own farmhouse around the hotel surrounding but I didn’t expect to receive a complementary teapot of fresh milk. Winning! In my books, that’s 5-star customer service.

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The next morning, I participated in community activities run by the hotel which was complementary to all the hotel guests. I wasn’t expecting a lot of fun but to my surprise, I had a great time! First, we walked along with the organic vegetable garden, beautiful rice paddies, then to the farmhouse.

For the first time in my life, I fed corns to chickens, goats and touched them IRL and most fun was when I milked a cow! I also met a baby cow who was only 6 days old. It was a unique and insightful experience that I will never forget. Glad I participated and had so much fun. Oh and on my way back, I also plowed farm with the local farmer and his bull!

Watch the whole videos on here “Myanmar highlights”

I was totally impressed to find out the owners of the hotel let the farmers stay and do their farm work even after buying the land for the hotel. Fast Forward a few years, and now all the hotel guests get to visit a farmhouse and have these unique experiences for FREE! Genius idea isn’t it!

This was just one of the highlights at the lodge to interact with the locals, explore and uncover their daily lifestyle without having to compromise on comfort.

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the-hotel-kalaw-hill-lodge-myanmar-review
the-hotel-kalaw-hill-lodge-myanmar-review

After the full-on fun morning session, we returned for breakfast. Then we went for the second guided walk which included lunch at a small fee of 8000 Kyats (5 USD)- exploring the village and community homes with the hotel guide. He spoke English but we also had the operation manager joined us too. He offered his local knowledge and language wasn’t a barrier.

We walked around the village starting with the kindergarten school (pic above) which by the way, the hotel built for the local community and passed by the Monastery where electricity is provided by the generosity of the Hotel. I was blown away to understand how much the Hotel and stakeholders are doing for the community, sustainability and eco-friendly things of that nature.

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We made about 3 stops, 1 was Monastery then 2 local people’s home. They were all prepared with some snacks and local tea. If I hadn’t had full breakfast I would have eaten more. But by lunchtime, I was starving with all the walking around. We stopped at a cute house in the village for lunch. I figured the family was third-generation Nepali. As you know I can speak the language, I was quite happy to chat with them. Turns out Kalaw had a big community of Nepali people living there. They spoke the local and also the Nepalese language. Celebrated all the Nepali festivals and knew all the places in Nepal too.

Lunch was Nepali set (last pic above) and reminded me of being in Nepal. It tasted great and we also had homemade peach wine to try! The lady there helped me try Thanaka on my face which was fun too.  Thanaka is the cream like paste local people in Myanmar put on their face. It comes from one particular wood or you can buy premade ones as well. Local people put the paste on their faces with their own designs but the idea is it keeps you cool during hot days. I have videos of it on Instagram. Watch Myanmar videos here.

Something worth mentioning is The Hotel- Kalaw Hill Lodge is the only provider of community activities and walks mentioned above. This means you can experience community activities for FREE if you stay here.

It was an action-packed day. I enjoyed every bit of it and forgot about my muscle pains for a while.

But my legs were still hurting from the 6 hours hike in Bagan a few days earlier and walk today. So, In the late afternoon, I decided to check out the wellness center/ The Spa. Prices were moderate and they had an Ayurvedic massage on offer. I was excited but also wondered if it will be as good as in India.

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Kalaw hill lodge review cannot be complete without the massage and spa check! So, I am happy to review the massage therapist was skilled and thoughtful. She made my spa experience soothing and genuinely relaxing. I had the best time recovering after the hikes.

Now comes the tastiest part of the review. FOOD

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the-hotel-kalaw-hill-lodge-myanmar-review

The Hotel- Kalaw Hill lodge offers a beautiful healthy buffet breakfast every day but you can also order from the menu if you like. Both morning my breakfast was top notch and so was lunch and dinners. Cocktails were great and many beer varieties were on offer too. As you can see in the pictures below, they offer a good selection of food from western to eastern. I tried everything in the pictures below and none of them lacked taste. Everything was full of flavor. Perhaps it’s because all the ingredients were from the organic vegetable garden. I also enjoyed Nepali tea, BLT sandwich, and Myanmar meals. Not forgetting the fresh farm milk!

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the-hotel-kalaw-hill-lodge-myanmar-review

The lodge also offers the staff quarter and was well looked after. As you can see on their Facebook page, they also celebrate the staff’s birthday every month. Now, that’s the international standard. Clearly, the hotel knows happy staff makes happy guests.

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I hope Kalaw hill lodge review helps you make up your mind.

And lastly, Thank you Hotel- Kalaw Hill lodge for exceeding my expectations and the breathtaking complimentary stay. You can save by booking directly on their website here or you can check their price here, and here.

What I used to take these photos:

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II Digital Camera

This has been my favorite Camera so far. I love how my pictures come out crisp and colorful. You can check out what I meant on my Instagram which is here.

Accessories For Canon GX7 Mark || Check it out here

GoPro HERO4 Silver

This is the good old Go pro that I take with me everywhere. I recommend it because it is small, lightweight and waterproof. I have had made many memories with this trusted item and looking forward to more.

Accessories For Go Pro Hero 4 Check it out here

SanDisk 64 GB Memory Cards

I have been using SanDisk since my first camera which was back in 2009. They build quality memory cards. I recommend getting at least two, just in case something happens to one of them.

All-in-One Memory Card Reader

Do you think it’s a hassle of plugging your camera into your computer? This memory card reader will fit cards of all sizes and make an easy transfer to your computer. The reader supports all popular SD memory card formats, including SD™/SDHC™/SDXC™ memory cards, UHS-I SDHC/SDXC memory cards, and microSDHC™/microSDXC™ memory cards. It is also compatible with the latest UDMA 7-enabled CompactFlash cards.

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33 thoughts on “The Kalaw hill lodge review

  • August 7, 2018 at 4:44 am
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    The country no 38, wow, just wow. Beautifully described. Lovely hotel rooms. I loved the calf. One thing I wanna ask is that a hill or a mountain?

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  • August 7, 2018 at 8:07 am
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    Wow the pictures, It must be stunning especially the with the breakfast as you overlook the surrounding. This is definitely a five star hotel and the experience looks very inviting.

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  • August 7, 2018 at 8:20 am
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    Wow what a gorgeous location. And it certainly seems like the hotel went to a lot of effort to make you feel appreciated and welcome there. What a lovely place, I will definitely add it to my list.

    Jackie

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  • August 7, 2018 at 9:47 am
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    Just wowed by the pictures! Congrats! You are just 2 more countries away from hitting the number 40 🙂 We love to explore off beaten paths and so far, have been to Myanmar very briefly when we were Backpacking North East India. For us, it will be a slow journey and am saving this post for later when we make that trip! Thanks for introducing this fab destination.

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  • August 7, 2018 at 11:19 am
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    It’s a nice escape from the city especially since it’s quiet and peaceful there! The view from the room is so beautiful and the rooms itself are just wow! I think it’s really worth going to this place especially if you want some rest and relaxation!

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  • August 7, 2018 at 2:52 pm
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    I love how earthy and natural it is there. So pretty! It looks like you had such a fabulous time while you were there!

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  • August 7, 2018 at 5:53 pm
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    Wow..I am so so excited to start my exposure to these beautiful places soon. Going through travellers post makes me realise how beautiful this world is and needs to be explored

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  • August 7, 2018 at 6:09 pm
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    Didn’t know there were places like these in Myanmar. That room and the view outside is smashing!

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  • August 7, 2018 at 6:11 pm
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    Omg your holiday looks amazing, from the beautiful hotel, lovely food, activities etc. I loved all your photos too. What a great holiday!!

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  • August 7, 2018 at 6:43 pm
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    I have never been in that place and Myanmar looks like a nice country to visit with your friends or family. That Hotel-Kalaw Hill Lodge looks like a nice place for a stay it looks very welcoming and the food looks really delicious

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  • August 7, 2018 at 7:00 pm
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    This hotel looks so quaint and the food looks delicious but the views are totally amazing. I could see myself staying here when I get to the area one day. Have bookmarked this page.

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  • August 7, 2018 at 7:05 pm
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    This hotel is very cute. I love the traditional décor and considerate little touches. It must have been very relaxing to be surrounded by those beautiful green hills and the food looks amazing!

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  • August 7, 2018 at 11:10 pm
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    This hotel looks amazing I loved everything about it. The interior is just amazing with all wooden details. Would love to stay at this hotel.

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  • August 7, 2018 at 11:49 pm
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    The Hotel-Kalaw Hill Lodge in Myanmar looks so rustic and beautiful. I especially love the details of the bed with the towel swans and the stones. The views from the back of the rooms are so inspiring. I love laid-back greenery and landscapes.

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  • August 8, 2018 at 1:05 am
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    What a stunning view and ideal location! I love the woody, rustic feel of the whole place, from the entrance to your room. I love the fact that they brought the fresh warm milk for you to sample! How thoughtful. It’s those little things (plus the towel swans) that just elevate a place so well.

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  • August 8, 2018 at 4:30 am
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    There is so much to love to abut Hotel Kalaw Hill Lodge and your whole visit. I love Myanmar, it’s one of my favourite countries for its laid-back attitude towards progress. And it’s beauty.

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  • August 8, 2018 at 6:16 am
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    I am loving the eclectic decor of this location! And the food looks simply delectable. Can’t wait to visit one day soon!

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  • August 8, 2018 at 2:22 pm
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    Every bit of the hotel is stunning. So many faves…the breakfast window with a view, the bed with the sheer overhang, the corner fireplace, and the cane decor. Must make a note of this for future.

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  • August 8, 2018 at 2:27 pm
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    Myanmar has so many jewels in its crown, tourism wise. This resort just seems like another worthy addition to the list. Loved the scenery and interiors!

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  • August 9, 2018 at 6:07 am
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    Such amazing pictures. I would love to visit Myanmar one day as I love to travel.

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  • August 9, 2018 at 11:41 am
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    It’s majestic! I would love to stay here when in Myanmar! Those wood works are so intricate, by the way.

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  • August 9, 2018 at 1:54 pm
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    The hotel and its surroundings look wonderful! so nice. The food also looks delicious, be it the hotel food or the local food. The best part is you got to interact with the local villages and know about their culture and food.

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  • August 9, 2018 at 4:13 pm
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    These photos are incredible! I have always wanted to visit Myanmar, it looks so picturesque! -Tonya Tardiff

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  • August 9, 2018 at 9:34 pm
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    This place looks absolutely stunning! And that bed is to die for. This is def on my bucket list.

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  • August 10, 2018 at 1:39 am
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    I never really think of Myanmar as a place for tourists, but this has made me change my mind. The hotel and grounds are spectacular and the farmhouse is a nice touch. Such a beautiful place to stay. I would have loved it here.

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  • August 10, 2018 at 1:57 am
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    Wow just absolutely gorgeous! I really love the vibe and aesthetic atmosphere of this hotel, simply stunning!

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  • August 10, 2018 at 9:59 am
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    I love the ambient of places such this one. Some hotels have it, some don’t. The food looks amazing too!

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  • August 10, 2018 at 1:43 pm
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    The Hotel-Kalaw Hill Lodge at Myanmar looks amazing. True; this place seems to offer the best of village life. You have captured the hotel well in those snaps.

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  • August 10, 2018 at 3:48 pm
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    I didnt know Myanmar has such beautiful places to visit the environment is calm, clean and refreshing. Such a well written post

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  • August 11, 2018 at 12:37 am
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    I am very impressed by these places! Thank you for such a well structured and detailed review. The hotel looks very atmospheric!

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  • August 13, 2018 at 1:42 pm
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    I bet the spa experience is superb! I can feel the zen by just reading your story.

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  • August 14, 2018 at 9:47 pm
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    Oh my! what a lovely place. Definitely, the kind of place and vibe that I would rather go for. I love all your photos. Thank you for sharing your beautiful experience.

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  • October 16, 2018 at 9:21 am
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    That’s a gorgeous hotel! Looks so romantic and the view is fantabulous! Definitely gonna stay here when I visit Myanmar. Thanks for the review.

    Reply

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