I was standing on the balcony of my cabin admiring the cocoa-coloured Yangon River when the phone in my room began to ring. Running back inside, I found myself at a momentary loss as my eyes settled on a vintage black candlestick telephone complete with a brass dial and a receiver that dangled on a fork. Unsure as to which part to speak into, I tried to recall scenes from the British period drama Downton Abbey.
Words: Beverly Rodrigues
At Vintage Luxury Yacht Hotel, they are nothing if not detailed. This 106-metre-long, 17-metre-high floating hotel, docked at Botahtaung Jetty, is an actual barge purpose-built in Finland back in 1998. Shipped over to Yangon, it opened as a 1920s-themed hotel in 2014, and its interior is replete with clever touches like Edison bulbs and brass-studded leather chairs reminiscent of old travelling trunks, transporting guests back in time to the golden age of sea travel. Rope detailing and custom carpeting that replicates the wooden slats of an ocean liner enhance the nautical theme of the gleaming white six-deck yacht.
Its 104 rooms, spread over three decks, are designed to offer modern comforts, while maintaining the feel of a 1920s luxury barge. Accommodation choices include deluxe, deluxe with balcony (river or city view), and for the ultimate indulgence, two 45-square-metre suites, each with an attached sauna room and a 13-square-metre balcony where lovebirds can enjoy a glass of bubbly while soaking in a hot tub under the spray of a copper rain shower.
Done up in sepia tones that made me feel as though I were in an old photograph, my deluxe room featured an extensive use of distressed leather, from the wardrobe to the TV console, where leather straps and brass buckles continued the travelling trunk motif. What looked like a tarnished mirror revealed a map of the world etched in black, while a quill sat on my desk beside a gas lamp replica. Just above was a vintage wall clock that even had a temperature gauge. A wooden barrel housed the minibar while a faux fireplace lent a warm glow to the room. I particularly loved the bedside gramophone with its brass horn; instead of a turntable, the phonograph had been given a smart update, with a slot for iPod docking. It’s hard not to be impressed by such detail.
Throughout the hotel, I noticed beautiful design elements, from a grand spiral staircase that coiled down three floors, wrapped in frosted glass to a dramatic tiered chandelier lit with hundreds of candle-like lights – a nod to the days before gas lighting. Although primarily styled to reflect the 1920s, this floating hotel boasts design details that take you through several epochs, and trying to piece together elements from different periods of history is half the fun!
At the 1920 Industrial Restaurant, presumably named to celebrate the American Industrial Revolution – a period characterised by technological innovation and new inventions – guests can dine at tables with iron legs reminiscent of industrial machines. Dining here is an elegant and eclectic affair with Indian, Pan Asian and Western set menus designed by Chef Yograj Chohan, offering several courses. For Indian cuisine, must-tries here include chicken shorba, a lovely peppery broth with tender chunks of chicken; hara bhara kebabs, deep fried vegetable patties served with mint chutney; succulent tandoori prawns, chicken and fish grilled to smoky perfection; Malabar fish curry, a mild and creamy South Indian favourite cooked with tamarind, chili and curry leaves; and chicken kadai, a spicier curry prepared with crushed coriander and black peppercorns. To end an Indian meal, there’s nothing better than warm and sinfully sweet gulab jamun (reduced milk dumplings in sugar syrup) served with ice cream. The Pan Asian menu includes such delights as fiery tom yam soup; spicy grilled chicken salad tossed with kaffir lime leaves and grated coconut; and steamed butterfish with ginger and coriander. Chef Yograj’s specialty is European cuisine and this is apparent in the Western menu with such offerings as juicy scallops seared to perfection and served with a potato skin topped with sour cream; refreshing melon and feta salad; creamy seafood chowder filled with little chunks of prawn, squid and mixed veggie for a pleasant bite; and crumbed butterfish. Buffet breakfasts are served at the adjoining Pirate’s Restaurant, and this is where guests can sample local delicacies like mohinga, rice noodles and fish broth served with condiments such as lime, coarse chili powder, hardboiled eggs, basil, crunchy greens and crackers, and considered by many to be one of Myanmar’s national dishes.
For evening tipples, Victoria Bar serves up local and international beers, a wide range of liquors and cocktails, an extensive menu of bar snacks and specialty cocktails that change weekly. On the evening I popped by, they were serving up something called Victoria Lagoon, a refreshing and well-balanced concoction of gin, Cointreau, Angostura bitters, and sweet and sour mix. This they served alongside a healthy bowl of celery, capsicum and carrot sticks with a special dip and a few magic tricks using maraschino cherries and jiggers!
To end a gorgeous day onboard this luxury yacht, I made my way to the Water Spa where I enjoyed a fabulous full body Swedish aromatherapy massage, designed to reduce tension, soothe strained muscles and promote good blood circulation. I often have to direct therapists to concentrate on certain parts of my body but this time it was as if the therapist could read my mind. Applying gentle but firm pressure, she worked out all the kinks, putting me into a blissful slumber.
As I drifted off to sleep, images flitted across my mind – vintage décor, glittering chandeliers and but most of all, warm smiles. Although much effort has gone into recreating a time long gone, it’s the genuine hospitality here that creates memories to last the ages.
VINTAGE LUXURY YACHT HOTEL
Address: 6, Botahtaung Jetty, Botahtaung Township, Yangon, Myanmar
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