Two Hotels, Two Brands and 117 Keys in Yangon
On 5 November 2026, Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel division of Dusit International, officially announced the opening of two properties under its management in Yangon, Myanmar’s principal commercial city.
The move involves two assets with distinct market positioning: a luxury heritage hotel and a lifestyle property targeting guests seeking an urban experience with a stronger emphasis on local discovery.
With a combined total of 117 rooms and suites, the two properties enable Dusit to introduce two of its brands, Dusit Collection and ASAI Hotels, simultaneously without developing new hotels.
The Strand Hotel Yangon: 125 Years of History Under the Dusit Collection Brand
Located on Strand Road, near the Yangon River, The Strand Hotel Yangon is among the city’s historic hotels.
Opened in 1901 and subsequently acquired by the Sarkies brothers, who were also associated with Raffles Singapore and the Eastern & Oriental Hotel in Penang, the property represents an important part of Southeast Asia’s hospitality heritage.
Its Victorian architecture, high ceilings, Burmese teak flooring and marble features have been preserved through successive restorations. In 2019, it became the first hotel in Myanmar to receive a commemorative plaque from the Yangon Heritage Trust.
Now operating as The Strand Hotel Yangon – Dusit Collection, the property retains its historic identity and upscale positioning.
The hotel has just 32 suites, ranging from 55 sq m for the Junior Suites to 200 sq m for the Strand Suite. The latter includes a private dining room accommodating up to eight guests.
Every suite benefits from 24-hour butler service.
Dining options include the Strand Café, Sarkies Bar and, soon, The Strand Restaurant, which is scheduled to open before the end of 2026. The restaurant will serve fine Burmese cuisine and accommodate 45 diners, with a further ten seats in a private dining room.
Facilities also include an outdoor swimming pool, spa, fitness amenities and several event spaces, including the 760 sq m Strand Hall, which can accommodate up to 720 guests in a banquet configuration.
ASAI Yangon Sule: An 85-Room Lifestyle Offering
A few kilometres away, ASAI Yangon Sule offers a different approach to hospitality.
Located on Alan Pya Pagoda Street in central Yangon, the property occupies the former Thamada Hotel, which was repositioned as a lifestyle hotel in 2017.
Its integration into the ASAI Hotels brand reflects Dusit’s Live Local philosophy, which encourages engagement with neighbourhoods and local communities.
The hotel features 85 guestrooms ranging from 15 to 30 sq m, with contemporary interiors and views over the city or inner courtyard.
Its food and beverage offering centres on Babette Eatery & Bar, a street-facing venue with a terrace serving casual Western cuisine.
A fitness centre and communal lounge complete the facilities.
The property also promotes local experiences, including Burmese tea workshops, introductions to Lethwei (traditional Burmese boxing), heritage tours, meditation and street-food discovery.
A Development Strategy Built Around Complementary Brands
For Chanin Donavanik, Group CEO of Dusit International, the addition of these two properties provides an opportunity to showcase two different aspects of Yangon.
He emphasises the importance of preserving the Strand’s historic character while supporting ASAI’s development around its urban and cultural surroundings.
Beyond the commercial openings, the transaction illustrates a development strategy based on taking over the management of existing hospitality assets and integrating them into differentiated brands.
Dusit Collection targets distinctive properties whose architectural identity and heritage form a central element of their positioning. ASAI Hotels, meanwhile, focuses on more compact urban formats combined with destination-led experiences.
Both hotels are now available to book through the group’s platforms, with introductory offers valid for stays until 31 March 2027.
Part of Dusit’s Wider International Strategy
These two openings form part of a broader development programme already covered by La Tribune de l’Hôtellerie, notably the development of two ASAI Hotels in Hat Yai and Phuket and the opening of ASAI Gamuda Cove in Malaysia.
The group’s geographical diversification also extends to Europe, where Dusit has entered into a partnership with family office Sydel to accelerate its expansion into France.
At a Glance
Operator: Dusit Hotels and Resorts, part of Dusit International.
Location: Yangon, Myanmar.
Portfolio addition: Two existing hotels, totalling 117 rooms and suites.
The Strand Hotel Yangon – Dusit Collection: 32 suites in a heritage property dating back to 1901.
ASAI Yangon Sule: 85 guestrooms in a contemporary lifestyle hotel.
Strategic positioning: Dual-brand expansion through management of existing hospitality assets.
