Paradise Hotel

My friend and I loved it here! The place was clean, the staff were very helpful, room had a strong aircon, and it was the first place we were able to watch a movie since we started travelling! This was a nice rest bite for a couple of evenings though we did connect a portable speaker to it so we could hear better as it was very quiet. There was also a working fridge which was lovely but it goes off when you leave as you take the key for the electricity so if you need something to stay refrigerated just ask and they will pop it in the downstairs fridge instead. We had the number of the owner and she was quick to answer and helped us with everything, from checking in early to sorting washing loads to booking taxis in the morning etc. Good location too, not far from the old city, some nice restaurants nearby (peanuts the vegan place we would recommend). If you want to go to hoian specifically for being on the beach then this place is a drive away so not the most convenient but also only 15mins max and grabs are cheap! We would deffo stay there again!

We had a late check in but the family were very helpful and accommodating when we arrived, and also gave us extra quilts as it was quite a cold evening!

I took an overnight bus to Phong Nha arriving at 4:30 am. I was absolutely exhausted and I arrived to the door of Paradise Hotel at 7am after an issue with a place I had originally booked. I was greeted and brought inside where the family of the hotel made me feel so welcome. I mean this when I say, they are the nicest, kindest people I have met on my travels and went above and beyond to make sure I was looked after. They allowed me to check in at 7am, and I paid a very small late check out fee so that I had the room until my overnight bus the following day. The star of the show is the owners daughter Hien. Hien booked a tour for me with only one hours notice, organised my washing, gave me really useful advice, arranged transport (during tet which is not easy) and generally made what had started off as a bad experience in Phong Nha, one of the best I had in Vietnam. The price is incredibly reasonable, the bed was the best I’ve slept in and I left Phong Nha feeling so rested. The location of this hotel is perfect, right in the heart of Phong Nha, a short stroll to the tourist office and on the doorstep of the best restaurants in the area. If you’re in Phong Nha, I cannot recommend here enough.

Pros: The family that run the hotel are all lovely and very helpful and make you feel really welcome. Food was good at the hotel, pancakes in the morning recommend. Trip to the caves sorted by the staff here and all was good. Balcony in front of room via a door from the hallway. Cons: Beds were really uncomfortable, very hard (and we like a firm mattress normally) so we didn't sleep well. Room wasn't cleaned for the 3 nights we stayed there, toilet roll, towels and water not replenished. The fridge had a musty smell to it and made everything we put in there taste like it smelt. The bathroom had cobwebs everywhere, had to walk through the shower to get to the toilet which wasn't great when wet, made the floor really slippy. It was low season so there wasn't a lot to do in the evening, few restaurants open, not a lot to choose from and not really much else to do other than the day trips to the caves etc. May be more are open in the high season? Lovely scenery in the area and well worth a few nights to visit the caves.