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The Sanctum
PRICE: Punchy but doesn’t blow the budget
The Sanctum Inle Resort is a Yonder hot pick. The brainchild of Parisian Brigitte Dumont de Chassart, this is a hotel that offers an experience like no other on Inle Lake, Myanmar. Designed to inspire contemplation through invoking conceptual overtones of a European monastery with cloisters, Spanish arches and beamed ceilings, it is also reminiscent of colonial buildings throughout the wider region.
Interior décor is minimalist and stripped back. It is elegant and tasteful. The Sanctum hotel rooms vary in size but all sport high lofty ceilings, hardwood floors and superb modern bathrooms. Depending on category, they are either located in the main building or villas scattered across the grounds.
The successful blending of period architecture with ultra-modern minimalist interiors is a hard task to achieve but they have smashed it at the Sanctum Inle Lake. Throw in vibrant lotus silk cushions, quality linen and velvety towels, and you’ll feel you’ve found nirvana (without the inconvenience of having to devote yourself to years of solitary meditation).
The Cloisters Bar is a delightful late afternoon and evening retreat and represents the height of sophistication on Inle Lake. You’ll find a broad range of Myanmar beers, vintage wines from the Inle Red Mountain Estate and some excellent blended whiskies. The Refectory restaurant serves up the best Shan food we have eaten, with much to choose from, including noodles, curries and fresh garden salads. It is lauded for its broader regional fare, as well as its expertly prepared Western classics.
And how could we forget the Mohinga? The Refectory’s version of the classic Myanmar dish is the best we have tried – soupy with intense flavours of lime, coriander, spring onions and chili.
The Sanctum: The Gallery
Yonder Insight
The Head To Toe Sanctuary Journey is our favourite spa treat. The 90-minute long treatment is the ultimate way to get into relaxation mode. You’ll leave feeling like you can walk on Inle Lake (best not to try it).
On your doorstep
Just a stone’s skim away (ok, a pretty big one) are the villages of Inle Lake, each of which has a craft speciality. The Ywama village is famous for its goldsmiths and silversmiths whilst the Phaw Khone is renowned for its delicate silk weaving.
