Tam Coc Holiday Hotel & Villa

Ninh Binh still feels pretty rural compared with Da Nang or even Hoi An, though that seems to be changing fast. This hotel holds onto that countryside feel, with fantastic views and really good service. We were even given a little something for the long trip to Hanoi, which was so kind and completely unexpected. Amazing hospitality. If you're visiting Tam Coc, this hidden gem is a great place to stay!

The views were hard to beat, and the hotel is close to the Tam Coc tour. There’s an old road branching off the main road to reach it, but that didn’t bother us. Our room was very clean, the breakfast buffet was great, and the front desk answered every question I had. Please try the pho. I’d happily stay here again.

We enjoyed our stay because everyone was so friendly, and the bar upstairs had wonderful drinks and a splendid view. The breakfast buffet was disappointing, with very few choices and everything cold. In the room, the shampoo and body wash came in small glass bottles that were easy to overpour, and there was black mould around the tips. The walls and doors were mouldy too, which could be unhealthy for people with weakened immune systems. We also didn’t understand why we paid for “express check in” on Agoda and then had to pay again for “early check in” at the hotel, though maybe there was a language barrier. Getting there was stressful. Fresh cement had just been laid on all the roads to the hotel, so our Grab got stuck. I wish the hotel had messaged guests about the closure. Our driver couldn’t reverse out of the residential area and we had to pay an extra $100. The only way in was on foot, with our luggage, over bushes and what was almost marshland in the early morning. It felt dangerous.

The staff made the strongest impression on us. Everyone was kind, lovely, and helpful, and they gave us useful sightseeing advice. We had some great cocktails, though they were very slow to arrive, so we learned to order 20-25 minutes ahead. Breakfast was a highlight too, especially the omelette, made with real care and the best we had on our Vietnam trip. There are free push bikes, and the scooter we hired was old but ran well and was cheap. Lovely countryside and mountain views. We’d recommend staying here in Tam Coc.