Spent a few nights here running through Mandalay and really enjoyed the property. It is a nice oasis in an otherwise dusty and hot city. Rooms are quite comfortable, service is excellent, and the pool has this sort of disco-like light display at the end of the night. There is also a poolside bar that you can get a drink, but rarely has a bartender. The restaurants are a little pricy, but you really need to go to the Kipling Bar--seems straight out of his era, the drinks are great and a wonderful time to spend your time before the humoress cover band takes the stage.

The standout feature of this rather anonymous tower-block overlooking Mandalay is without any doubt, the people who work there. There were a couple of incidents where the staff went well beyond the call of duty to put something right, on one occasion waking us up at two in the morning to return some valuables that we had not even known were missing.
The main deficit is location. Despite the impressive views over the bowl-like landscape in which the city resides, it is separated by some nondescript and murky streets from anything of interest. Going out to eat was too much like a major expedition with the consequence that we only got to see Mandalay from the windows of a bus.
The restaurant and bar were expensive - we ordered a bar meal of shared tapas for 6 and barely got enough food for one not very hungry person.

My 1st time to Mandalay in Oct 20-23, 2012. Was greeted with our guide & driver and when we checked in the staffs were being so helpful & friendly. Several restaurants to choose from. Various choices of food to choose from and they are good. Outdoor is a buffet and/or a la carte with shows. Indoor is also buffet and/or a la carte. The room includes breakfast which is a great deal. The gigantic changin color pool is very inviting after the long sunny day. The rooms are clean and comfortable. My room has a spectacular view overlooking the mountanous view and golden sparkles of the Pagodas. I'm sure all rooms have a great view since it's the only hotel at the fot of Mandalay Hill. At night, we went to Kipling's Bar and we found that this place has the best Mojitoes and a must try are the Red Mountain wines of Mandalay. of Not too far away from the hotel lies many beautiful Monastery especially Kusinara Monastery which you should not miss. I consider this is a great discovery in Mandalay. The Thai owner of this hotel is very friendly, helpful and we are now good friends. The personal guide and our driver did a marvel job taking around the highlights places of Mandalay and a little more to our desires. We experience no hiccups and will definitely coming back again. Thank you and see you again :)
p.s. No credit cards are accepted as yet Mandalay accepts only new USD bank notes.