Rough Guide to Vietnam - Jan Dodd [185]
The central provinces | Hoi An and around |
Accommodation
The number of hotels in Hoi An continues to grow at an astonishing rate. The local authorities put a block on developments in the centre – too late to prevent some eyesores in the old streets – but a whole new enclave of pleasant and cheap mini-hotels has sprung up to the north of the centre along Ba Trieu; most of these have swimming pools, which provide welcome relief in warmer months. Competition means that, in general, prices have come down and standards have risen, most places will bargain and there’s no longer a shortage of beds in peak season. If you do have difficulty, just head for the hotels further from the centre.
The central provinces | Hoi An and around | Accommodation |
Central Hoi An
An Huy 30 Phan Boi Chau 0510/386 2116, anhuyhotel@vnn.vn. Behind its tiny entrance, this mini-hotel is a real find, offering simple clean rooms with a/c, cable TV and full-size baths in an excellent (and very quiet) location 100m east of the market. US$21–30
Ha An 6 Phan Boi Chau 0510/386 3126, Etohuong@fpt.vn. Welcoming, family-run hotel, set back from the street in a quiet residential area, with a relaxing communal garden. Its 25 rooms are beautifully decorated in a mix of traditional and contemporary styles, all with en-suite bathrooms, a/c, phones and TVs. US$31–50
Hoa Binh 696 Hai Ba Trung 0510/391 6838, peace_hoian@yahoo.com.vn. Large, clean rooms with satellite TV for under $10 at this popular and presentable hotel, with a swimming pool on the ground floor. US$10 and under
Hoi An 6 Tran Hung Dao 0510/386 1373, www.hoiantourist.com. A state-run, colonial-style hotel and former billet for US Marines, the Hoi An boasts 160 rooms in three low-rise blocks set among gardens. The rooms are unusually spacious and well equipped, while the hotel also boasts a restaurant, bar, money exchange, tour agent, tennis courts. and a pool that’s also open to non-residents. US$31–50
Life Resort Hoi An 1 Pham Hong Thai 0510/391 4555, www.life-resorts.com. This is an excellent option for those that want the luxury of a resort in central Hoi An. Just a short stroll from the market, and lying on the banks of the Thu Bon River, it blends minimalist Japanese design with maximum service and facilities including a fantastic pool, massage rooms, two international restaurants and its own river boat. US$76–150
Long Life Hotel 26 Ba Trieu 0510/391 6696, www.thanhxuanhotel.com. Also known as the Thanh Xuan, this welcoming mini-hotel offers quiet comfort, including a/c, cable TV, internet and full-size baths. At the back is a small courtyard that looks out into the fields. US$21–30
Minh A 2 Nguyen Thai Hoc 0510/386 1368. This little guesthouse right by Hoi An market has just six rooms in an ancient shophouse. Facilities are basic – there’s no a/c and access to the shared bathroom and toilet is through the kitchen – but it’s a good opportunity to stay in a traditional family home. US$11–20
Pho Hoi Riverside Resort 7/2 Tran Phu 0510/386 1633, www.phohoiriversidehoian.com. Few tourists cross the bridge to peaceful Cam Nam Island, let alone stay there, but at this presentable resort you’re just a short walk from central Hoi An, which you can see across the water from the outdoor bar or swimming pool. US$31–50
Sanh Hien Guesthouse 7 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai 0510/386 3631. Just three doors down from the Japanese Bridge, this 200-year-old house offers real charm, although the rooms are very basic, with fans and shared bathrooms only. US$11–20
Thien Thanh 16 Ba Trieu 0510/391 6545, www.blueskyhoian.com. Comfortable and intimate mini-hotel with exceptionally attentive staff who try to make your stay as restful as possible. It has all mod cons, such as cable TV, a/c and internet access; the more expensive rooms have balconies overlooking water-spinach fields. Many guests return again and again. US$21–30
Thuy Duong III Ba Trieu 0510/391 6565,