Tuscany Garden B&B

Nice.

The rice paddies rippling in the northeast monsoon looked like green waves, and the chicks and geese near the greenhouse were adorable. It's a rare, beautiful sight at this laid-back guesthouse, which is ideal for unwinding. The hostess clearly put care into breakfast, including homegrown organic vegetables. I especially liked the chewy radish buns with their sweet white radish filling. The okra was fresh and not sticky at all. I just wish there had been more vegetables.

The room was large, the hairdryer powerful, the air conditioning cool, and there were plenty of books to read. But I left with many concerns and hope the owners will put more care into the guesthouse to encourage repeat visitors. The price felt high for the quality. Public areas need better upkeep, and there were lots of tiny black mosquitoes in the children's outdoor play area. The disposable plates were moldy, many things were faulty, and the kitchen was being repaired. The bathtub needs a better cleaning, and the toilet smelled of urine. When hot water was turned on in the toilet, it made a loud drilling noise. Breakfast was tightly rationed, one item per person, such as just one potsticker, with no extra if a child was still hungry. In our four-person room, we received only two regular-sized pieces of bread, cut into smaller portions to share. Breakfast began at 8:30 AM, and the owner asked children to tell their parents they could eat for only half an hour before the room was cleared. The air conditioning in public areas was switched off at midnight. It felt like an indirect way of asking guests to leave; a verbal reminder would show more mutual respect.

Meals here are healthy, and the owner's special energy soup is a nice touch. The guesthouse has a tranquil setting and rustic charm, plus a comfortable reading corner in the lobby.