Inle Lake’s New Sanctuary-style Hotel

By Gabrielle Lipton - May 27, 2015
  • A rendering of the resort's two-floor Abbey Suite, with an upstairs bedroom and downstairs bathroom.

    A rendering of the resort's two-floor Abbey Suite, with an upstairs bedroom and downstairs bathroom.

  • A rendering of a suite bathroom, with marble floors and a sunken tub.

    A rendering of a suite bathroom, with marble floors and a sunken tub.

  • The fishing culture and surrounding villages and temples make Inle Lake one of Myanmar's top destinations.

    The fishing culture and surrounding villages and temples make Inle Lake one of Myanmar's top destinations.

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As one of Myanmar’s biggest draws, Inle Lake has no shortage of hotels on its shores. But with the opening of Sanctum Inle Resort comes a refuge unlike the rest, modeled after a European monastery with 96 rooms often featuring vaulted ceilings and arched windows. Given its cigar lounge, wine list, gardens, and spa, Sanctum is a far cry from asceticism, but after days spent on its tours of the lake, a nearby winery, and Kakku Temple, who would want to return to anything less? (Maing Thauk Village; 95-1/860-4945; doubles from US$484) —David Tse

This article originally appeared in the April/May print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“Lakeside Luster”)

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