Muong Thanh Holiday Ly Son

Ms Hien and Ms Hai were so kind, friendly, and helpful. They suggested places for us to visit and eat, and the reception team made us feel welcome as soon as we arrived. The hotel is beautiful, with a luxurious but cozy feel. Its surroundings are thoughtfully designed and relaxing, which made the stay more enjoyable. I was very satisfied with the service and would happily recommend the place and the team.

I spent 3 nights in May 2025 in an Executive Suite. It’s probably the best hotel on the island, given how little competition there is at this standard. My rating is 8.3/10. The room was large, with a separate living area, a sofa, and a spacious sink. The shower was glassed off from the toilet. The aircon worked well. WiFi was generally good, though it varied around the room. Mobile speed tested over 50mbps, and upload was usually over 35mbps. There was a sea view, though really it mostly looked over the port where passengers arrive. Housekeeping left fruit each day, something like Vietnamese apples and mandarins. The receptionists were friendly and tried to help. The ferry pier is about a 5 minute walk away, though plenty of touts offer transport when you first arrive. The lobby also sells fresh garlic, honey, garlic powder, and other items. The island is known for its garlic farms. The pillow was too high and firm. The blackout curtains didn't quite reach the top, so light came through, though that's still better than having none. The larger rain shower head sprayed water out and seemed a little broken, so it probably needs replacing. Water temperature kept shifting from very hot to warmish and back again. It stayed warm, but wasn't stable. Breakfast was a big letdown. The cucumber was tasteless, with a thick outer skin and a pale interior, and there wasn't salad like lettuce, carrot, or beansprout. Bread was very dry. The banh xeo was dry and bland, the rice dry and bland too, and the egg was okay but very oily. The selection was limited, and the Vietnamese options and food quality need a lot of improvement. Drinks, cakes, and fruit weren't replenished when they ran out. After day one, we skipped the included breakfast and went to Com Hai San Ut Ngoc in town, which was much better. It was the first hotel on my Vietnam trip whose breakfast disappointed me this much. Breakfast also ended too early, at 9am. The lobby, and sometimes the corridors, were warm because the aircon was usually switched off, presumably to save money. A few times it was on, but most of the time the lobby felt like a sauna. The pool is in a strange spot at the front, by the lobby and road, with almost no privacy. Anyone in a bikini or briefs is on display, and I think there may be a school across the road. I didn't see anyone use it. Most hotels put the pool behind the building. A much higher screen or some bushes might help, since the hedge is under a meter tall.

Breakfast was BBQ, but it wasn't good. By 8:20 there was no yogurt left, and the rice was overcooked, very hard, or possibly old. The pho was instant, just made with hot water and meat added. It wasn't bad, but nothing special. The mì xào used instant noodles with vegetables too. Check-in is at 2pm, and they stuck to that exactly. We arrived two hours early and were told no when we asked to wait just five minutes before 2pm. So be aware, arriving even a few minutes early won't get you in.

Our transfer boat was stuck in a storm, and there was no way off the island, so we stayed for two nights. Booking through agoda was cheaper than the rate posted at reception. The welcome was warm, though you need to knock because they sometimes lock the door when it's very windy. Staff were nice and helpful, and the service felt like a 5 star hotel. The room was clean, tidy, up to standard, and had a superb view. There is a pool, though we couldn't use it during the storm, plus a gym and sauna. You can book lunch and dinner in the hotel restaurant, and the food was quite good. The hotel is in the center of the island, convenient for all the things around it.