Athena Premier Resort Ninh Bình

We rode the hotel’s free bicycles through the nearby rice fields, which was peaceful and refreshing. During the stay, we were celebrating a friend’s birthday, and the staff surprised us with a thoughtful cake. Our spacious, clean, comfortable room made for a restful stay. The resort is at the foot of a beautiful hill, with striking rock formations around it and a wide, picturesque rice field just outside. It’s a scenic and relaxing place. We’ll definitely return, and next time I plan to bring my kids.

I got to stay at this resort while it hosted my best friend’s wedding, which was a great way to enjoy the place. We had access to the pool, indoor jacuzzi, and gym, plus a big range of breakfast foods in the morning. I especially liked being able to order different dishes directly from the kitchen, and the desserts were fresh, with cut fruit and yogurt. You can rent a bicycle to ride through the rice fields, into town, or even to Mua Cave, with the sights close enough to reach by bike. The villas and Ninh Binh’s natural scenery are gorgeous, and the atmosphere is peaceful, though there’s nightlife nearby if you want it. Put your phone away for a bit and enjoy the natural beauty.

We stayed for one night and spent two days exploring ninh binh. We chose a resort over the many home stays because we wanted a more luxurious experience. Everyone we met from check-in to check-out was kind and lovely, and the hotel grounds were beautiful. We had a waterside room, but the room itself wasn’t as nice. The shower needed a deep clean, with a lot of buildup on the walls. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, but I’d expect better at a “nicer resort.” We could also hear the guests in the connecting room very clearly, though thankfully they weren’t rowdy. We also had 60-minute massages. The masseuse was lovely and the massage itself was decent, but I was disappointed with the service for what we paid. The lights weren’t dimmed or turned off, which made me feel awkward. They didn’t wash our feet, which is fine, but after massaging them they went straight to our faces and scalps. They used oil and didn’t give us towels to wipe it off, so I left feeling greasy and gross. The masseuses were great, but the spa and massages felt like an afterthought at this hotel.

The rooms were well kept, and for a secluded place surrounded by nature, the indoor spaces were clean with no bugs or spiderwebs in sight. The views of the water and hills behind it were very pretty. I helped my family book two nights here, but I’d avoid the hotel’s massage service. The massage was so-so, and what bothered me was being asked for a tip. Tips are completely optional in Vietnam. At checkout, they also said the massage had to be paid in cash, even though they accept credit cards for everything else. That seemed very unusual for a service charged to our room. Luckily we had enough cash, but I don’t know what would have happened otherwise, perhaps extra service charges or conversion fees. As a foreigner, getting cash at short notice isn’t easy. It felt like a scam and was inconvenient, because it used up cash I’d set aside for the rest of our Vietnam trip.