Tam Coc Eco-Lodge

The pool by the lake was so tranquil, and the whole place had a lovely vibe. It’s a little outside town, but a Grab costs next to nothing. There was some construction happening, though it didn’t affect our stay. The deluxe rooms were lovely, the spa was good, and the food and drinks were very tasty. This was probably my favorite place we visited in all of Vietnam.

Breakfast service on January 24 was awful. Staff seemed completely overwhelmed, there were no refills or service, and dirty plates and other things were left uncleared. They need to cut breakfast back as much as possible.

The setting, with tall rock formations and ponds or lagoons all around, made for a very relaxing holiday. The villas are modern, clean, and a nice size, with a view from whichever side you’re on. There’s no elevator, so if stairs are difficult, ask for a ground-floor room. Otherwise you’ll have two flights to climb. The restaurant serves Vietnamese food as well as Italian and other Western options. We arrived by bus, so I can’t say anything about parking. WiFi is available, but I found it rather slow.

The staff were attentive and helpful, but our stay had several problems. The room had broken privacy blinds and a broken safe, mould in the shower, and sheets that weren’t clean. Breakfast was poor quality, with flies all over the buffet, and the WiFi was bad. It seemed to cater mostly to large tour groups. They quoted d.400k for a car to the train station, while a Grab cost me d.100k. There was also construction next door and noise, though I’m mentioning that last because it’s outside their control and not their fault.