Unbelievable 4-Star Beachfront Homestay in Vietnam!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your average hotel review. We're diving headfirst into the Unbelievable 4-Star Beachfront Homestay in Vietnam! experience. Prepare for some serious rambling, genuine excitement (and maybe a little side-eye!), all fueled by caffeine and a burning desire to tell you the whole truth.
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First Impressions: Beach, Blown Away…And a Tiny, Tiny Flaw (Which I'm Totally Over!)
Landing at the homestay, the sheer unadulterated beauty of the beach hits you like a wave. Seriously, it’s postcard perfect. Golden sand, turquoise water… the kind of view that makes you question all your life choices leading up to that moment. And bam! Unbelievable homestay.
Accessibility? Alright, I’ll level with you. I’m not in a wheelchair, but I'm always conscious of that. The website says it's got accessibility features. The lobby… well, it’s stunning, but getting to the beach… might require a little bit of assistance in some areas. I'm not going to lie, this area could be improved. And the path to the beach could be better, the accessibility section in the hotel would be improved, but the staff is helpful, and they seem genuinely happy to assist. I did see the elevator, which is a plus!
Accessibility Score: 7/10 (room for improvement, but the staff's willingness to help bumps it up.)
The Room: Paradise Found (and Maybe a Little Bit of a Search)
The rooms? Oh. My. God. Seriously, I’m not even kidding, I walked in and just… gawped. The view! The space! The HUGE bed! The air conditioning blasting like a icy breeze from heaven! It’s like they hired an interior designer with a serious crush on beachfront living. My room, as I recalled, a perfectly designed room, with a balcony overlooking the ocean. It had everything, the complimentary tea/coffee maker, free bottled water (a godsend!), good quality hairdryer, and even an alarm clock (thank God for me I did not used it). The wifi was super fast.
Available in All Rooms:
- Additional toilet
- Air conditioning (blasting!)
- Alarm clock (thankfully, never used)
- Bathrobes (Yes!)
- Bathroom phone (Huh?)
- Bathtub (YES! Soaking in that was pure bliss!)
- Blackout curtains (essential for sleep)
- Carpeting (lovely underfoot)
- Closet (Plenty of space to unpack)
- Coffee/tea maker (See: Complimentary Tea)
- Complimentary tea (Always a win!)
- Daily housekeeping (spotless)
- Desk (for "work"…mostly emails to friends boasting about my vacation)
- Extra long bed (So comfy!)
- Free bottled water (Lifesaver)
- Hair dryer (Good wattage)
- High floor (Gorgeous views)
- In-room safe box (Peace of mind)
- Interconnecting room(s) available (great for families)
- Internet access – LAN (did not try)
- Internet access – wireless (Fast and reliable!)
- Ironing facilities (Surprisingly useful)
- Laptop workspace (I used it for Netflix!)
- Linens (Fresh and clean)
- Mini bar (Expensive, but stocked!)
- Mirror (Check for beach hair)
- Non-smoking (Thank goodness)
- On-demand movies (Lazy day activities)
- Private bathroom (of course)
- Reading light (for late-night bookworms)
- Refrigerator (Very handy)
- Safety/security feature (I felt safe!)
- Satellite/cable channels (Plenty of options)
- Scale (Maybe…don't look)
- Seating area (Comfortable)
- Separate shower/bathtub (Luxury!)
- Shower (Good pressure)
- Slippers (Nice touch)
- Smoke detector (reassuring)
- Socket near the bed (essential for phone charging)
- Sofa (Comfy spot for a cocktail)
- Soundproofing (Blissful silence)
- Telephone (Didn't use it, yay!)
- Toiletries (Smelled delicious)
- Towels (Plentiful and fluffy)
- Umbrella (rainy season precaution)
- Visual alarm (Didn't need one)
- Wake-up service (Thank God, not a call person)
- Wi-Fi [free] (Fast and reliable)
- Window that opens (Fresh air!)
Room Score: 9.5/10 (Just needed more power outlets by the bed - always a minor inconvenience)
Food Glorious Food (and That Unforgettable Breakfast!)
The food… Oh my absolute goodness! The dining experience was unforgettable. The buffet had an array of choices. The Asian breakfast was a revelation. I mean, I’m a Western breakfast kinda gal, but the pho? The fresh spring rolls? Heaven. I dream about that breakfast. I mean, I literally did wake up the second day dreaming about that breakfast again. The Asian and International cuisine restaurant made all the dishes I had dreamed and it was a delight, The coffee shop was really cozy. The Poolside bar was convenient for a pre-dinner drink.
Dining, drinking, and snacking:
- A la carte in restaurant (Yes!)
- Alternative meal arrangement (for dietary needs)
- Asian breakfast (MUST TRY)
- Asian cuisine in restaurant (Wonderful!)
- Bar (Great cocktails!)
- Bottle of water (Always appreciated)
- Breakfast [buffet] (Amazing and varied choice!)
- Breakfast service (Efficient and friendly)
- Buffet in restaurant (Plenty of choices!)
- Coffee/tea in restaurant (Yum!)
- Coffee shop (Great for a pick-me-up)
- Desserts in restaurant (Indulgent)
- Happy hour (Yay!)
- International cuisine in restaurant (Something for everyone)
- Poolside bar (Cocktails with a view!)
- Restaurants (Several options)
- Room service 24-hour
- Salad in restaurant (Fresh and tasty)
- Snack bar (Good for quick bites)
- Soup in restaurant (Comfort food)
- Vegetarian restaurant (Options available)
- Western breakfast (Solid choice)
- Western cuisine in restaurant (Well-made)
Food Score: 10/10 (that breakfast alone…)!
Relaxation and Recreation: Bliss, Baby, Bliss!
Now, let's talk relaxation. This place is built for it.
- Ways to relax:
- Body scrub (Pamper yourself!)
- Body wrap (Indulgence!)
- Fitness center (I saw it, I didn't use it, but it looked well-equipped)
- Foot bath (Lovely!)
- Gym/fitness (see above)
- Massage (Oh. My. God. Get one!)
- Pool with view (gorgeous)
- Sauna (Relaxing!)
- Spa (Heavenly)
- Spa/sauna (The best combo)
- Steamroom (Unwind)
- Swimming pool (outdoor) (Huge, clean, beautiful)
I spent a solid three hours in the spa. Okay, maybe more. The massage? The best massage ever. No joke. I could feel my muscles melt into oblivion. The pool? Sparkling, perfect for a lazy afternoon. Poolside bar, cocktails were phenomenal, and the staff were extra friendly.
Relaxation Score: 10/10 (Seriously. Book a massage.)
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe and Sound
The staff seriously goes above and beyond here.
- Cleanliness and safety:
- Anti-viral cleaning products (reassuring)
- Breakfast in room (Perfect for lazy mornings)
- Breakfast takeaway service (Handy!)
- Cashless payment service (Convenient)
- Daily disinfection in common areas (Thorough)
- Doctor/nurse on call (peace of mind)
- First aid kit (essential)
- Hand sanitizer (Everywhere!)
- Hot water linen and laundry washing (hygienic)
- Hygiene certification
- Individually-wrapped food options (safe)
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter (respected)
- Professional-grade sanitizing services (thorough)
- Room sanitization opt-out available (for the environmentally friendly)
- Rooms sanitized between stays (reass
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this itinerary is less Audrey Hepburn and more… Grandma Gertrude trying to navigate a buffet with a walker. Welcome to my Vietnam Homestay adventure, sans the airbrushed perfection.
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (Hanoi – Getting Slightly Lost Already!)
- 08:00: Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi. Okay, cool. Except… where the hell is the exit? Seriously, airports are designed by sadists. I'm pretty sure I've walked past the same duty-free shop four times.
- 08:45: Find pre-booked airport transfer. Thank God for Google Maps and its weird robotic voice that tells me “In five minutes, proceed slowly to the right…you will see a man." I was expecting to be kidnapped, but there it was… a man.
- 09:30: Taxi ride to the Old Quarter. This is where the real fun begins. The motorbike swarm is like something out of a dystopian sci-fi movie, and I’m pretty sure the traffic laws are more of a suggestion. I’m clinging on for life, praying to whatever deity will listen. Feeling the pressure of my upcoming Vietnam journey.
- 10:30: Check-in at the Homestay. "Standard 4-star" they say. The photos online? Immaculate. The reality? A bit more… lived-in. The air conditioning sounds like a dying walrus, and the WiFi is playing hard to get. But the view from my balcony? Glorious! It overlooks a vibrant street, with the scent of pho wafting up. I'm already in love.
- 11:00: Attempt to unpack. Discover suitcase zipper is malfunctioning. Sigh. This sets the tone, right?
- 11:30: Venture out into the Old Quarter. Get utterly, hopelessly lost. Wandering through the maze of streets, I feel like a hamster in a particularly fragrant (and crowded) maze. Almost bought a knockoff Gucci bag for 3 dollars and a smile. Resisted. Mostly.
- 13:00: Lunch at a local pho joint. The pho? Divine. The tiny plastic stools?… less divine. The chopstick fumble? Epic. I’m pretty sure I sprayed broth everywhere. At least I’m getting into the spirit of things.
- 14:00: Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake. The lake is beautiful, a total oasis of calm, until a group of aggressively friendly Vietnamese people start practicing their English on me. It was nice, but I'm starting to feel a little like a zoo exhibit.
- 16:00: Return to Homestay. Contemplate napping to escape the sensory overload. But I think I will walk the area for a few more minutes.
- 18:00: Dinner at a restaurant recommended by the Lonely Planet (aka, the tourist trap). The food is decent, but the atmosphere is a bit… lacking. I'm starting to suspect that Lonely Planet gets paid by the restaurants. Also, got catcalled by a very charming waiter. My ego is slightly boosted.
- 20:00: Collapse into bed. Fall asleep instantly, dreaming of perfectly functioning air conditioners and undisturbed WiFi.
Day 2: Ha Long Bay - Boat, Beauty, and Battles with the Buffet
- 07:00: Wake up with a start. The walrus in the AC is still groaning. Consider throwing it out the window. Instead, decide to embrace the chaos.
- 07:30: Breakfast at the Homestay. Cereal with questionable yogurt. This is when I know I'm on vacation.
- 08:00: A bus picks us up. Drive to Ha Long Bay. The scenery starts to change as the bustling city fades into lush rice paddies. The landscape is beautiful.
- 12:00: Arrive at the bay. It is breathtaking. Pictures can't do this place justice.
- 12:30: Board the cruise. The ship felt luxurious as I walked on. Lunch is served. The buffet! Oh, the buffet. My competitive eating instincts kick in. I'm going for it.
- 14:00: Kayaking in Ha Long Bay. Paddling through the emerald waters, surrounded by the towering karst formations? Pure magic. (Except when I nearly capsized and had to be rescued by a very unimpressed Vietnamese teenager.) A total "Oh my God" moment.
- 16:00: Cave exploration. The caves are amazing. Nature's art.
- 17:00: A demonstration of fruit carving. I found the effort quite sweet.
- 18:00: Dinner on the boat. More buffet. More food. I’m pretty sure I put on five pounds during the day. Regret it, but I cannot help myself.
- 21:00: Relax as I watch the stars. I love this moment, I'm feeling grateful.
Day 3: Hanoi Again & The Curse of the Coffee
- 08:00: Wake up to the sound of, you guessed it, the dying walrus. I give up.
- 09:00: Back to Hanoi.
- 12:00: Arrive back at the Homestay.
- 13:00: Lunch. Some sort of fried rice that tastes… surprisingly good.
- 14:00: I go back to the Old Quarter. I am feeling braver, I move through the crowds a bit easier. And, I even bargain for a scarf. I got a good deal.
- 16:00: Coffee. I love coffee. And, Vietnam has some amazing coffee. I went to a local shop where the coffee has coffee on top of it. And, I decided to be adventurous and try Egg Chocolate coffee. Honestly, it was delicious, but I ordered a second one, I never slept as well.
- 17:00: I went for a stroll. I noticed some shops and enjoyed a moment to look at them.
- 19:00: I decide to have dinner at the hotel, and I felt great. I'm starting to think I am an expert.
- 20:00: I watch the night street. I enjoy the local food.
- 21:00: I go to bed.
Day 4: A Day of Surprises and Departures
- 07:00: I wake up early, finally able to sleep.
- 08:00: I have breakfast at the hotel.
- 09:00: I decide to spend a moment at the street.
- 10:00: I bought something.
- 12:00: I am going back to the hotel to pack.
- 13:00: I have lunch.
- 14:00: Depart from Hanoi.
Final Thoughts:
Vietnam, you beautiful, crazy enigma. Your chaos, your food, your history… you’ve stolen a piece of my heart. Sure, I got lost, ate questionable things, and almost died on a motorbike, but I wouldn’t trade this messy, imperfect, utterly real experience for anything. Until next time, Vietnam!
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