Anantara Hoi An Resort

With its classic white split-level facade featuring gentle French-style arches and wide verandas, wooden furnishings with hand-carved Chinese detailing, and exposed rafters, this fairly large resort is a charming mix of Vietnam’s European and Asian colonial influences. The Old World aesthetic is appealing for the most part, though certain areas, including the spa's treatment rooms and the meeting areas, look dated. Lots of open seating and dining areas create an airy atmosphere. Lush and well-maintained green grounds weave throughout the property and a slight breeze blowing in from the nearby Thu Bon River, all contribute to a particularly peaceful ambience (though mosquitos can be an issue). This hotel is well-suited for couples and families looking for a quieter experience and familiar comforts in a picturesque setting. 

The hotel’s location, at the end of Hoi An’s French quarter and along the banks of the Thu Bon River, is scenic and mostly quiet, though the sound of passing boats might bother some guests. Some of the city’s best food and shopping are found in the heart of the old town, a 15-minute walk away. Several attractions are also within a 15-minute walking range, including the Central Market and the Museum of Trade Ceramics. The Japanese Covered Bridge is just slightly farther away, about 19 minutes on foot. Cua Dai and An Bang beaches can be easily reached in 15 minute drives or by boat from the hotel’s private jetty. The My Son UNESCO heritage site is an hour and 20 minutes away by car. Da Nang Train Station and Da Nang International Airport are each about a 50-minute drive away. Limousine transfers to and from both are available for fees. 

Rooms here are fairly large, ranging from 387 square-foot Deluxe Balcony Rooms with twin or queen beds to 904-square-foot Suites with king beds. Decor echoes the attractive, yet somewhat dated colonial design of the common areas. French-style balustrade dividers separate the beds from the living areas, plus wooden shutters, furniture, and ceiling fans. All rooms are air-conditioned, and have 32-inch flat-screen TVs, safes, simple work desks, and free (but often patchy) Wi-Fi. Minibars are well-stocked and non-refrigerated snacks are provided along with tea-and coffee-making facilities and daily fruit plates. Rooms have oil burners as mosquito repellants. 

Bathrooms, while spacious, have slightly unsightly checkered tiles. All rooms have walk-in showers with fixed showerheads. Rooms in higher categories have shower/tub combos with sunken bathtubs. Toiletries and hairdryers are provided. Although all rooms come with sunny furnished balconies that overlook the river or the courtyards, some guests remark that insufficient lighting inside can make the spaces feel dark. 

Four restaurant/bars on-site provide a range of cuisines and styles. The breakfast buffet at Lanterns -- a large room with open walls, raftered ceilings, and balconies -- is included with room rates, and the large spread features both traditional Vietnamese and western hot and cold items. More colonial-inspired decor can be found at the laid-back, yet romantic Riverside Restaurant, which serves modern Vietnamese fare. O’Malley’s Bar & Grill offers typical pub fare in a pub environment that includes a pool table. The poolside Reflections bar offers light snacks and cocktails. The food at each restaurant is affordable, but quality can be hit or miss. Guests can also reserve private poolside dining, or enroll in the hotel’s cooking classes.

The outdoor pool is decently-sized and surrounded by lots of seating. The multi-room spa, which also includes a garden area and an indoor hot tub, offers quality massages, scrubs, and nail treatments. A small glass-walled fitness center is also available, with limited but fairly modern equipment. Free yoga is offered in the mornings. The hotel offers a kids’ area with organized daily activities. 

Other amenities include an on-site gift shop, a large, but dated, meeting space, and a business center. Wi-Fi throughout the property and on-site parking are both free.