Bel Marina Hoi An Resort

For $110 a night, it was a bargain. The large rooms were beautiful, with comfortable beds, strong water pressure and all the accessories we needed. The riverside grounds were lovely, with three pools: a large one with three sections, loungers and luxury beds; a quieter, private little pool in front of the villas; and an infinity pool on the rooftop with about a dozen loungers and beautiful views of the grounds, river and sunset. The rooftop bar itself didn’t have the same views, so everyone gathered by the pool. After sunset, people probably moved toward the bar and larger deck. That area could be laid out more efficiently. The on-site restaurant served good food, with nice riverside outdoor seating and good live entertainment. The hotel was in a quiet area just outside the action of Old Town, with plenty of restaurants, massage parlours, a pharmacy and convenience stores across the street. It was the perfect spot. We stayed four other nights at another nice hotel, but it didn’t compare. We also looked at three or four others before choosing Bel Marina for the rest of our stay. If we return, I won’t stay anywhere else in Hoi An.

The river benches were a favourite touch. We could sit quietly and watch the sunset. Bel Marina Hoi An Resort overlooks the river and is a short walk from the lively tourist spots in Hoi An Ancient Town, so it felt peaceful while still being close to everything. The two pools were great for relaxing after exploring, and everyone was welcoming and genuinely helpful. Our room was beautifully decorated and had its own balcony, though the toilet area was a little tight. We had neighbours who were clearly having a good time, but they were respectful and wrapped up around 10 pm, so it wasn’t a problem. A special thank you to our driver Duc, who took us to My Son Sanctuary and then on to Da Nang. He waited while we explored and drove us safely to our next hotel. He was calm, patient and an excellent driver. The traffic circles can be wild, but he handled them smoothly, and it was the first time I felt completely comfortable in the traffic here. Highly recommend the hotel and Duc if you’re visiting the area. 😊

One of our favourite parts of our Vietnam trip was sitting by the river with a book, enjoying the quiet. The hotel was close to the center of town, just a few minutes’ walk, but far enough away to feel peaceful. It’s a great place to stay while visiting Hoi An. The pool was very nice, and the big breakfast buffet had both Vietnamese and Western food. Our room was very large with a comfortable sofa, and the rooftop bar offered a nice view over town.

Breakfast was really good every day, with eggs, Pho, pastries, waffles, pancakes and delicious fruit. I love passion fruit. The chef was very kind, too. One morning we had a brief chat about my stay in Hoi An and at Bel Marina, and it was a lovely interaction. The rooftop was nice, though it was too chilly and misty for us to enjoy it. I’m sure it’s fantastic in high season. We had a plush, comfortable and spacious room in the neighboring building, with a tub, huge comfortable bed, TV with a Netflix option and a balcony where I could step out for fresh air and quiet before the city woke up. The gym is usable but nothing fancy, and I didn’t like that there wasn’t any cleansing equipment. Across the street are plenty of massage spots, which we visited daily. The big lobby leads to the pool and riverfront, where there are lots of places to sit. It’s a gem in the middle of busy Hoi An, about an 8-10 minute walk from the river and daily market, and 20 minutes from the tailoring shops. I’d highly recommend it as a home base in Hoi An.