Hoi An
Where to lay your head
Where to lay your head
When it comes to planning a trip to Hoi An, deciding where to stay can be the toughest part. For such a small town there’s a glut of accommodation, with many places less than stellar value for money or very forgettable. We’ve whittled it down for you, searching for places that stand out from the crowd of bland hotels. Here are some noteworthy places to stay in Hoi An, all researched... Read our full review of Where to stay in Hoi An.
Most guesthouses and hotels in Hoi An are within easy walking distance of the historic old quarter but relatively few are within its immediate confines. Those that are tend to be overpriced.
Hoi An has excellent options for mid-range and top-range budgets -- you can get a hotel with the works for US$50-100 -- but backpackers and flashpackers will struggle. Decent dorms cost around US$10 and will be a good 10-minute walk from the town; flashpackers will need to spend more than US$20 to get an acceptable level of cleanliness and comfort, but you do usually get bicycle and breakfast included.
The town is enormously popular, with too many package tours, and prices reflect this. The lines between the traditional high season and low season have blurred and prices fluctuate at any time with demand. That said, with so much competition and more hotels opening, we noticed deep discounts off rack rates online. If you walk into a small family-run guesthouse, you may be able to bargain a little. Any more formal establishment and the opposite is true. The staff don't have the authority to give discounts and will quote you the rack rate, when you can simply go online and book it for up to 50% off. So frugal travellers, it is definitely worth doing some comparison shopping.
A two-storey hotel that wraps around a large courtyard pool, this wellness-centric resort and spa is an oasis close to Hoi An old town. The multi-tiered pool is the property's best feature. Surrounded by palms, sun beds, tables and umbrellas, it's large enough so everyone can spread out. At the far end, stairs sweep up to the spa, the hotel's second selling point; the room rate includes one... Read our full review of Almanity.
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Orchids Homestay is perfectly situated for someone who wants to be close to the old town and river. Located at the eastern edge of the historic centre, in the French quarter a couple blocks east of the market and diagonally across from Anantara Resort, this guesthouse has just six affordable rooms, the deal sweetened by the free bicycle rental, air-con and WiFi, as well as a hearty breakfast --... Read our full review of Orchids Homestay.
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Anantara Hoi An (formerly the Life Resort) is a spacious property on the Thu Bon River at the eastern edge of Hoi An old town. The French colonial-style buildings are set in an immaculate tropical garden which has plenty of space to roam and a modestly sized swimming pool. While the exteriors are charming, the resort has the challenges a reputable company faces when taking over an existing... Read our full review of Anantara Hoi An Resort.
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Opened in December 2015, Cozy Hoian Villas has carved out a cozy corner for itself in a new development area west of the old town. While there is nothing actually villa about it (there are 17 rooms), the rooms are pleasant in its modern design and decor. Plush bed, vanity, flatscreen TV, minibar, WiFi, air-con and balcony are standard to all rooms. Rooms have been jazzed up with floor tiles... Read our full review of Cozy Hoian Villas.
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Located in an area of new development west of the historic town, La Residencia has several good things going for it. The immediate surrounds are sterile and even though it's on the river, it is not an interesting part of it. However, it is a short walk to the old town and being a more recent build, the hotel has perks like an enormous basement lap pool, well-equipped gym and a pleasant bar/dining... Read our full review of La Residencia.
We didn't spot any dau (strawberries) in the garden but we'll take their word for it as the lush garden was full of other plants and flowers. There needs to be a good reason for us to recommend an accommodation 1.5 kilometres east of the old town, and we found several at this tranquil homestay of four rooms. The gated property is located down a quiet local lane. The garden has tables and... Read our full review of Strawberry Garden Homestay.
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Thien Nga Hotel is a great midrange option, especially since they've dropped rates over time in accordance to the gentle wear and tear and the stiff competition in town. It provides far more modernity and comfort than other similarly priced hotels in the area, and the view from the balcony in the superior rooms are a big selling point. On a previous review of this property, it had been... Read our full review of Thien Nga Hotel.
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Tourists flock to Hoi An for its UNESCO World Heritage old town but it may come as a surprise to some that accommodation is all outside the old town -- with a few exceptions. Vinh Hung 1 Heritage Hotel is one of them. Located smack dab in the heart of the pedestrian zone, this hotel gives guests a chance to live a bit of history. You might recognise this beautiful wooden Chinese trading house... Read our full review of Vinh Hung 1 Heritage Hotel.
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Formerly Vinh Hung 3 Hotel, Vinh Hung Library Hotel has gone on a full on charm offensive with a makeover and a library theme. The 24-room mid-range hotel sits behind a veil of tumbling bougainvillea on popular with backpackers Ba Trieu Street. Inside, it has a cosy comfort that people associate with their local reading room. The walls of the lobby/breakfast buffet dining area are lined with... Read our full review of Vinh Hung Library Hotel.
Set at the eastern edge of Hoi An, the Ha An is one of the better hotels within close proximity to the historic town. Set around a manicured garden, the two-storey buildings are designed to look like an old Hoi An shop house. Inside though, the interiors are tidy and modern Vietnamese, with tile floor, plain wood furniture and amenities such as flatscreen TV, fridge, kettle, air-con, WiFi and... Read our full review of Ha An Hotel.
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Peeking out from behind a courtyard of tables and chairs, Hoang Trinh Hotel is an excellent pick for a budget traveller looking for a quiet, convenient location close to some of the town's most beautiful architecture. Though the room interiors are dated, they do make an effort with service and some amazing towel art. The days of their US$10-20 rooms are long gone. Hoang Trinh's room rate is a... Read our full review of Hoang Trinh Hotel.
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If you don't mind being at the outskirts of the old town, then Like Hoi An Hotel represents great low season value. At that time, you can get this midrange hotel at flashpacker prices. Being on the outskirts does mean you get more for your money and the hotel helps bridge the one kilometre distance by offering free bicycle rental, as well as frequent shuttles to town and a twice a day shuttle... Read our full review of Like Hoi An Hotel.
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Thien Thanh Boutique Hotel lives up to the boutique title. A 2012 refurbishment has transformed it into a quaint, charming spot despite the fact it is on Ba Trieu, a road packed with backpacker joints. The 16-rooms come with great service and lovely extras such as a swimming pool and large deck with paddy views. It's not usual to find such greenery so close to the old town. This is the perfect... Read our full review of Thien Thanh Boutique Hotel.
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Tribee is a refreshingly friendly spot with a chilled out vibe, without sacrificing on cleanliness. It also has a location in the heart of the backpacker street Ba Trieu, close to the old town. The air-con dorm rooms are simply converted hotel rooms, which means it fits just three beds (not bunks), has windows and the shared wetroom-style bathroom is ensuite. The mattress looks a bit thin,... Read our full review of Tribee Hostel.
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Go the extra miles from town and you get more for your money, plus some peace and quiet. Vesper Homestay is located 1.5 kilometres north of the old town, on the way to An Bang. It's a family home with five rooms and the friendly family provides a warm welcome. Flashpackers can look forward to startlingly clean, minimalist modern rooms. The deluxe room is fab: spacious, white walls, large... Read our full review of Vesper Homestay.
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Located just around the corner from Vesper Homestay and across the street from giant Sunshine Hotel, Volar Homestay offers modern digs at a flashpacker price. Each of the seven rooms has some sort of balcony or terrace, laminate floors, a comfy bed with even comfier linens and a neutral decor of white, brown and beige. Bathrooms are swish by backpacker standards: contemporary fixtures, a... Read our full review of Volar Homestay.
Located just across the Hoai River from the old town, An Hoi Islet is easily accessible by three bridges, including a popular pedestrian bridge close to the landmark Japanese Bridge. It's a great place to stay to be close to the historic centre and get river views.
The price is right with Lantana. It's one of our top picks for those who have a little more budget, thanks to its excellent value, great location across the river from the old town and an exceptionally pretty design. The rooms at Lantana are almost a carbon copy of La Residencia, right down the pattern floor tiles, patina copper fixtures and basement pool/gym. It's so similar that we asked if... Read our full review of Lantana Boutique Hotel.
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Located near the western edge of An Hoi Islet, where the river road ends, Phong Le Villa Hostel has a great spot, less than a kilometre from the popular backpacker bars and the pedestrian bridge to the old town. Backpackers will feel close enough to the action but also get a slice of Hoi An island life in this pocket. Compared to some of the lacklustre hostels and dorms we saw, Phong Le has a... Read our full review of Phong Le Villa Hostel.
An Bang, Hoi An's star beach, is five kilometres from town, located up the coast from eroded Cua Dai Beach. Accommodation is currently limited to small homestays and cottages, many just a short walk to the sand. Bigger hotels are on the horizon.
Located two kilometres south of An Bang Beach, Christina's Hoi An (formerly Tra Que Riverside Resort & Spa) is a good compromise for those who want to indulge in the peace of rural Hoi An while staying reasonably close to An Bang Beach. To get to An Bang, you'll take Hai Ba Trung Road and just before you reach the coast, the road runs right through Tra Que Village, an isle known for its many... Read our full review of Christina's Hoi An .
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You'll receive an overwhelmingly warm welcome at Red Flower Cottage Homestay, and you can expect that hospitality throughout your stay from Ms Kim. Situated a hop and a skip to the An Bang Beach and all its bars and restaurants, Red Flower has five comfortable cottages that will please mid-range seekers or flashpackers willing to splurge. Each cottage is spacious, with high ceilings, polished... Read our full review of Red Flower Cottage Homestay.
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Tucked at the end of An Bang village (up to coast, in the direction of Da Nang), An Bang Seaside Village is a series of cottages, each with a different set up and personality. Though the room rates have gone upmarket since our previous review, they are still a reasonable offer for those who want solid bungalows that combine both beautiful and practical touches. Those beautiful touches include... Read our full review of An Bang Seaside Village.
Long-winded name aside, An Bang Sunset Village Homestay is a terrific pick for those looking to balance comfort and price. If flashpackers are willing to stretch their wallet, they can snag one of the four rooms in a modern building, located a short walk to the beach. Rooms have more character and charm than your average joint. A wraparound walkway with seating and a communal terrace connects... Read our full review of An Bang Sunset Village Homestay.
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This homestay is a quirky place, but it allows backpackers to experience Hoi An's picturesque countryside while being conveniently close to An Bang Beach. It has new dorms and one of the best value private rooms within reasonable distance to An Bang. To get to An Bang, you'll take Hai Ba Trung Road and just before you reach the coast, the road runs right through Tra Que Village, an isle known... Read our full review of Nhu Que Vegetable Village Homestay.
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Creative? Relaxed? Like to meet other travellers? Does the phrase community living bring a smile to your face? The colourfully painted Hippie House is a backpacker-type place at a flashpacker price and it feels like a shared house rather than a guesthouse -- be prepared to mingle. Located down a narrow alley at the edge of An Bang, this place has a chilled out, happy, bohemian vibe. Shells... Read our full review of The Hippie House.
In contrast to the bustling development around Hoi An's popular historic centre, it's amazing that on the town's star beach there's communal living to be had at a prime seaside location. Shaded by a swathe of (yes, you've guessed it) coconut trees, Under the Coconut Tree is home to cool wooden and tile ancient houses clustered around a solidly built communal dorm featuring 200-year-old... Read our full review of Under the Coconut Tree Homestay.
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Located further down the same lane as An Bang Sunset Village Homestay, An Bang Garden Homestay is an ultra-modern house and the four rooms could be described as both contemporary cool and no frills. Somehow the stark white walls, polished concrete floors and dark wood furniture works without feeling under furnished or clinical. Perhaps it's the sliding glass doors, providing a view to the... Read our full review of An Bang Garden Homestay.
Cua Dai Beach runs eight kilometres from the Cham island ferry port north to An Bang beach. Once the darling of Hoi An with its rough-grained white sand and restaurants and resorts, Cua Dai is now affected by severe coastal erosion and its disappearance has accelerated in recent years. Flash resorts have constructed their own protective walls and breakwaters; their rock walls aren't the most pretty sight and it's increasingly apparent that if your main purpose of staying at a resort is for the beach, this is not the place. Hotels here still deliver on the ocean views, swimming pool, restaurants and services -- however, expect a very small sized patch of sand, if any. Cua Dai has lost a bit of lustre but that means rates have dropped in recent years and there are discounts to be had.
Victoria is an interesting blend: part golden age of travel, part Mediterranean village, with a few Champa statues thrown in. Somehow it works, creating an exotic escapist resort perfect for an ocean-side getaway, only slightly diminished by the fact that there is no beachfront. The breezy high-ceilinged lobby has gorgeous details and the accommodation and service standards remain high. The... Read our full review of Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa.
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Cua Dai Street runs for six kilometres from Hoi An town east, out to Cua Dai Beach. You'll need transport to town and it's also rather far from the ocean -- it isn't a great location so the only reason you'd want to stay here is for the property itself, which is why we've covered just four excellent hotels in the US$40-80 range and one good backpacker dig.
You can tell a lot about a property by the way someone is received, whether they are a guest or not. When we were warmly welcomed by the security guard, it was a great sign of good things to come at Hoi An Ancient House Village Resort & Spa. The welcoming feeling continued with the reception. In fact, without exception every staff we passed on the property, be it a gardener or housekeeper, paused... Read our full review of Hoi An Ancient House Village Resort & Spa.
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It's easy to forgive Paddy's Hostel's out of town location because they have lots of flashy extras at backpacker prices. If the large pool and hangout Irish pub on the ground floor doesn't entice you, then perhaps the tidy and clean rooms will. When we visited in 2016, the recently refurbished hostel sported air-con dorms and private rooms that are more comfortable and cool than the majority of... Read our full review of Paddy's Hostel .
Peacefully situated at the edge of a pretty paddy, the two-storey family-run Rock Villa oozes with character. It is as boutique as it gets in Hoi An, and with the excellent English-speaking staff and extras such as pool, this property is an under US$50 winner. The small hotel and its tropical gardens are sandwiched between a river and rice paddy, a resplendent sight when the fields are growing.... Read our full review of Rock Villa Hoi An.
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There's no big draw to a Cua Dai Street location, which means hotels located here have to have work hard to entice prospective guests. Like Hoi An Ancient House Village, Muca Boutique Resort delivers and makes a good case for choosing to stay a little out of the way. This oasis offers excellent value. The three-storey buildings of just 36 rooms is tucked away in the countryside at the edge of a... Read our full review of Muca Boutique Resort.
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Villa Hoa Su (hoa su means frangipani) is a small property located next to the river on Cam Thanh. If you don't mind the slightly out of the way location just off of Cua Dai Street, three kilometres from both Hoi An town and Cua Dai beach, it makes for a serene retreat away from the madding Hoi An crowds. The man behind Hoa Su was involved in the building of one of Vietnam's most exclusive... Read our full review of Villa Hoa Su -- Frangipani Village Resort.
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Aside from Hammock Homestay (below), camping is available on the island. At Bai Chong, on the western side of the island, two kilometres south from the village Cham Restaurant charges 200,000 dong a night to rent a tent. This is by far the best beach camping option on the island and the restaurant can serve breakfast, lunch or dinner. There are also tents available to rent on Bai Ong, the beach a kilometre north from town. While this beach gets hundreds of day tourists, all shops close at 16:00 and by sunset it is completely deserted leaving you with no food options or company. We met a couple of backpackers who discovered this the hard way after paying 150,000 dong for a tent.
Visitors can still opt to do the basic homestay and you can easily find several once you get off the jetty and walk around Bai Lang village. The few we saw were a bit grim and long in the tooth. There are more homestay options in Bai Huong, the fishing village near the southern tip. They can be organised through Homestay Bai Huong, which helps travellers connect with one of nine small family homes with basic Western-standard facilities, set up to help the fishing villagers with tourist income. It’s a fixed price system of 120,000 dong per person, per night, extra for meals.
Opened in early 2016, Hammock Homestay is the island’s first guesthouse of a quality and calibre backpackers in Vietnam are accustomed to. It’s a purpose-built, two-storey building and the rooms are narrow, yet have all you need: a bed decked with clean white sheets on a proper mattress, mosquito net, bedside table with lockable cabinet, a wetroom bathroom with cold-water shower, sink,... Read our full review of Hammock Homestay or Dich Vu Luu Tru Cai Vong .
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