The phrase "room with a view" certainly applies to the Traders Hotel, because no matter which part of the hotel you are staying in, you will be enchanted by the green, low-roofed vista, the great sweep of the river, the lovely old colonial buildings, and the golden luster of the pagodas.

Superior Rooms are available with either two singles or a double bed. Although complying to the Traders concept of economy of scale, the rooms are, at thirty-one square metres, generously proportioned compared to hotel rooms in many other Asian gateway cities.

All rooms offer top-line facilities. Each has IDD telephone, voice-mail, individually controlled air conditioning, clock, hair dryer, computer telephone jack, personal safe, and colour television offering some seventeen channels, including the all-movie HBO channel. There is a complimentary tea and coffee maker with a selection of beverages, and a mini-bar refrigerator which guests may stock themselves with their favourite drinks at mini-mart prices.

In the bathrooms, handy for those of us who routinely leave home forgetting something, are complimentary toothbrushes and toothpaste, razors and shaving cream, shampoo and other essentials. There is a packet of detergent for those who prefer to wash small items by hand, and a sewing kit for the practical-minded. The bathrooms themselves are spacious, with marble-topped washbasin area, and the TV and radio soundtrack piped in.

Incidentally, long-staying guests may want to make use of the self-service Laundromats in the hotel whose facilities include washing machines and dryers.

The Executive Suites are amongst the Traders most popular facilities. Located on the corners of the building, the room configuration gives a cosy lounge with plenty of window area, and with the bedroom tucked away out of sight. The bathroom is slightly larger than that of the superior Room. The Executive Suites are perfect for entertaining or for small-size meetings.

The Deluxe Suite meanwhile is the size of two complete superior Room , with the lounge taking up the area of one unit and the bedroom in the other. There are two bathrooms, one of them designed for visitors. Again, the configuration here makes the Deluxe Suite ideal for meetings.

Within the Traders Hotel are ninety-three office units available for short-term and long-term lease.

The units are located on the sixth, seventh and eighth floors with different configurations available. The standard unit is the same size as a guestroom, at thirty-one square metres.

All are fully furnished, leaving the tenant to bring his own files and computer.

The Traders Club occupies the top two floors of the hotel. Here there is a distinct air of privilege. The furnishings and fittings are of exceptionally high quality, including marble lamp shades and fine carpeting, and the service, even by Shangri-La standards, is gracious indeed.

Rooms on the Traders Club floors include the thirty-one square metre Traders Club Room.

The Traders Club Deluxe Suite is more than twice the size, and there are two Club Suites available, which are ideal for government officials and visiting VIPs , as they offer extensive lounge facilities including a workroom for a secretary or personal assistant, a table which can seat twelve in comfort and a butler's pantry.

Guests checking in on the Traders Club floors enjoy a special range of benefits. These include express check-in and check-out,clothes pressing and shoe shine service upon arrival, daily newspapers, fresh fruits in the room and use of the Traders Lounge.

The Traders Lounge in fact forms an exclusive enclave of its own to the hotel. The view here from the long glass wall is of the Yangon River and the Sule Pagoda: a telescope on a small stand allows close-ups of the ships and the busy street life below.

For those with urgent work, there is a computer station, typewriters, a photocopier, secretarial services, and a boardroom. Relaxing? There is a television mini-lounge and plenty of comfortable seatings.

And, of course, available for all guests at the Traders Club, is a complimentary breakfast served from a wonderful buffet with a chef ready to prepare fresh egg dishes and other items; there is tea and coffee all day; afternoon high tea and cocktails in the evening.