Rustic House

We spent three nights here in a lovely private room with a clean bathroom and very comfortable beds. The team were super friendly and even gave us a drink as a farewell gift. There are lots of restaurants within easy reach. You can't see the ocean because many new hotels are being built, but the view looks over a small lake. The beaches are about a 25-minute walk away.

I had a large room with a very comfortable king bed and a lovely view of the small "lake" at the west end of the main strip, near the main market. The owners and hosts were a very nice young couple, Anh and Huong, I hope I've got their names right, with their very cute three-year-old son, their dog, and a few "aunties". We had great communication on WhatsApp before I arrived, and they helped book a Lan Ha/Ha Long Bay boat tour in advance. Cat Ba Island is beautiful, with little beaches within walking distance and plenty of nearby cafes and restaurants. Breakfast isn't included, but the in-house cafe has reasonably priced food cooked fresh to order, including the egg banh mi and milk coffee in my picture. From my experience at more expensive places in the north and south, this was better than the "buffet" offerings there. I ate all my breakfasts here, had other meals elsewhere, and enjoyed their well-made coffees throughout the day. They even sent me off with a nice refreshment. Thoroughly enjoyed my stay and would definitely return.

The staff were really friendly and helpful. Our room was basic but clean, and the hotel was a welcome break from the huge building project on the waterfront. The floor needed a repair, though it was fine. We had to ask for extra pillows and another duvet since the one provided didn't cover both beds when they were pushed together. A lot of town was shut for low season, so we left a day early.

We were six people staying here for six nights, and can definitely recommend it. The owners are so warm and kind, and did their best to make sure we were comfortable. They also served a great breakfast and drinks, and helped us plan tours, arrange activities, and rent bikes.