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Amara Ocean Resort
PRICE: Affordable
Amara Ocean, located at the end of a remote, bumpy road on the northern stretch of Ngapali beach, is the embodiment of a castaway experience in Burma. A collection of 24 thoughtfully created teak bungalows, nestled amongst the palms on the edge of the stunning beach.
We’ve remarked elsewhere that Ngapali is rugged and still unsullied by the mass market. Some may even say that it still has a wild streak, with untamed, jungle-clad hillsides and largely deserted beaches. And Amara Ocean is where you will see best experience this unspoiled atmosphere first-hand, with a few typically Burmese quirks along the way.
You’ll wander with contented smiles between your thatched home, the breathtaking beach and the delightful pool. The charming sea view restaurant serves up divine fresh seafood, mouthwatering Asian cuisine and some fairly well executed Western classics. The wine is pretty decent (albeit punchy on price!). And if you would like a traditional Burmese or Thai massage, the simple spa has therapists whose hands expertly work the knots away. The endless white and gold pagodas seen on your travels will seem a million miles away.
The air-conditioned bungalows are spacious and comfortably furnished, each with its own delightful deck. And if you follow our advice and opt for an Ocean Front or Sea View cottage, then there is nothing more relaxing than whiling away the late afternoon hours with a book and the blue, blue sea in your peripheral vision.
Owing to the hotel’s remote location, the staff, in the main, come from local villages. Whilst we wholeheartedly support employment being provided to local communities meaning that tourism is seen as a force for good,in reality it can sometimes mean that service levels can be inconsistent. But don’t let this put you off. This is not a polished upmarket resort – which despite the marketing talk do not actually exist in Ngapali – but a charming slice of hideaway heaven which is increasingly rare in a rapidly developing world.
Amara Ocean Resort: The Gallery
Yonder Insight
As with all remote Burmese hotels, the local cuisine is great (and here the seafood is superb!) but the Western fare can be expensive and a little hit and miss.
On your doorstep
Not a lot. Amara Ocean is on the northern part of Ngapali beach, so the restaurants and amenities of the main part of Ngapali are a reasonable drive away. Come here to hole up and escape the world.
