The Best Place to Stay in Hoi An is this Riverside Retreat

Hoi An’s ancient town, a perfectly frozen capsule in time, is nestled right in the midst of central Vietnam. Its narrow alleys interlaced with the yellow two-story shophouses bursting with restaurants, tailors, cafes and leather shops make me crave this little city on the daily. And with a cafe scene to make any hipster let their man-bun down, you know it’s already at the top of my list for best places to visit in Vietnam.

I mean, I’ve never met anyone who didn’t love Hoi An. The charming canals, pretty pagodas and charismatic colonial buildings make it one of the most magical places to spend a few nights. And just when we didn’t think this ancient city could get any more spectacular, we checked into our room at the stunning Anantara’s Hoi An Resort.

So whether you’re looking to spend a couple days basking in the beauty of Hoi An or you’re looking to escape for a quick weekend away, keep scrolling to add these must-see, must-do and must-stay spots to your Hoi An bucket list!

Checking-In To Anantara Hoi An Resort

A short flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang, and a comfortable 45 minute transfer later, we wound up at the breathtaking Anantara Hoi An Resort. With its wonderful vistas, lush gardens and waterfront views of the Thu Bon River, my heart skipped a beat knowing this would be my last visit to Hoi An before returning home to Toronto, Canada. What a way to remember it!

Less than a kilometer from the historic UNESCO World Heritage Site, Anantara Hoi An’s boutique luxury hotel feels as if you’re stepping into an oasis of elegance and comfort. The soothing sounds of their lotus pond welcome you into an enchanting cove of colonial architecture and Vietnamese charm. Checking-in to the beauty of this riverside escape, we couldn’t help but feel the excitement soaking in as the wonderful staff showed us to our room!

A Beautiful Oasis Overlooking The Riverside

As we walked into our boutique abode, my jaw nearly hit the floor in anticipation for the next three nights! From the crisp clean linens, to the luxurious bathtub followed by touches of colourful elegance in the lounge area and the beautiful photography by local artist, Réhahn, hanging above our beds. Our room was a delightful treat!

With a ‘welcome’ written in petals on our beds and a small cheese board to pair nicely with the bottle of merlot we were left with to enjoy, we soaked in riverfront views and relaxed from our balcony. It just didn’t seem possible for life to get any better!

But, before we knew it, it was time to peel ourselves out of total relaxation, hang up our hotel robes, and get ready to wine and dine at the captivating Art Space.

Wine & Dine Amongst Artistic Creation

Anantara Hoi An is home to the chic convergence where art meets creative dining. Art Space is the newest art gallery in Hoi An, which blends modern East-West cuisine that features locally caught seafood and 3D printed desserts.

Enjoy a glass of wine on their outdoor terrace or dig into some freshly baked pizzas straight from their wood oven. Aside from the delicious delicacies offered up at Art Space, you can admire the incredible local art which lines the walls, the extraordinary prints from famous photographers as well as the seasonal exhibitions that are sure to take your breath away!

On the last Friday of each month Art Space puts on their monthly event ‘Wine Me Down Friday’ where you can enjoy free-flow wines and beers from their ever growing selection of imports and locally crafted beverages. Special treats from their Chef are also offered to tease your taste buds and let me tell you, you just can’t get enough! It’s definitely a fun-filled Friday with live music, flowing drinks and beautiful pieces of art.

Checkout Art Space on Instagram @artspace.hoian or on their website at artspacehoian.com

Breakfast By The Riverside

After chatting away the night at Art Space, we woke up refreshed and energized for a day of exploring! But not before breakfast… and coffee.

Your morning cup of coffee comes with a splash of the scenic Hoi An river below at Anantara Hoi An’s Lanterns Restaurant! Talk about breakfast with a view. As we planned out our day ahead we nibbled away at our tasty breakfast bites. Their buffet of freshly baked French pastries, tropical fruits, live cooking stations, traditional Vietnamese dishes and endless cups of coffee set us up for a day filled with cute cafes and ancient alley ways.

But before heading out, I just had to go back for one more plate of their bánh bèo (a small rice and tapioca flour cake). I’ve never tried this version of bánh bèo with a specialty stew topping it off, but you best believe both me and my plate got up to get a third helping. My mouth just waters thinking about these little guys!

How To Spend Your Days Wandering Hoi An

It’s easy to spend your days sipping cà phê sữa đá, wandering endlessly through the alleyways of Hoi An and devouring the incredible street food that’s found on every corner. And really, there is no better way to get to know Hoi An than doing just that. To give you a little bit of direction on how to spend your days, here are a couple fun things to do in this incredibly stunning town:

→ Get Tailor Made Clothes Because It Is Hoi An After All

Before even getting off the plane in Da Nang we knew we’d be visiting a tailor in Hoi An. I mean it’s the tailor capital of Vietnam, you’d be silly not to get something made that fits you like a glove. So our first order of business was visiting IZI Wear Hoi An.

We heard good things about this tailor, decided to give them a try and we were so glad we did. They gave us exactly what we asked for, were open to any alterations we wanted and finished everything within 24hours. Talk about same day delivery!

→ Get To Know Hoi An From Above

Up a couple flights of narrow stairs you’ll be enjoying your coffee above the pretty little windy streets of yellow ancient town. Both Faifo and 92 Station have gorgeous, rustic rooftops to enjoy that tried and true Vietnamese coffee.

📍 Faifo: 130 Trần Phú, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Việt Nam
📍92 Station: 92 Trần Phú, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam 564007, Việt Nam

→ Visit Anthony Bourdain’s Favourite Bánh Mì Spot

We love Anthony’s love for Vietnam and he couldn’t have been more right on this one, Bánh Mì Phượng is still one of the best places to grab a quick bánh mì in Hoi An. Still made in their traditional fashion Bánh Mì Phượng fills their sandwiches with love and deliciousness. It’s a must visit, even if not for a bánh mì because their whole menu offers up yummy options!

📍 2b Phan Chu Trinh, Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quảng Nam 560000, Việt Nam

→ Bike Through The Ancient Winding Streets

Anantara Hoi An offers free bike rentals for their guests, which is a great way to see the city. We took them out first thing in the morning, riding all over town, stopping to grab coffee and go shopping at all the cute little shops lining the street.

→ Enjoy A Specialty Coffee At The Espresso Station

You have to check out one of my favourite coffee stops in Hoi An, The Espresso Station. Not only do they have the best cup of coffee around, but their menu offers endless options for unique and innovative coffees. Give their charcoal coffee a wirral, check out their coffee ice cubes or try out the best egg in Vietnam (in my personal opinion)!

📍 28/2 Trần Hưng Đạo, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Việt Nam

→ Indulge In Hoi An’s Infamous Dish Cao lầu

You just can’t come to Hoi An without sitting on a plastic stool and slurping down a bowl of cao lầu. Now, I’ve been around the cao lầu block a few times and my favourite still stands. Quan Trung not only dishes out some delicious cao lầu and cháo vịt (duck soup) but their stall has been around for over 70 years being passed down from generation to generation!

📍 Location is across the street from this pagoda, his stall is right up against the yellow alleyway wall, you’ll be sure to see his sign (look for Quan Trung): 10 Trần Phú, Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Việt Nam

→ Wander Through The Lively Night Market

Just when you thought Hoi An couldn’t get any prettier, the sun sets. Vendors pull out their stalls, everyone begins setting up shop, boats fill the river, lanterns are lit up and the city is alive once again.

→ Get Custom Made Shoes & Bags

Aside from being the tailor capital of Vietnam, Hoi An also boasts handmade leather goods! I’ve had beautiful bags made and inexpensive sandals crafted. My favourite place to have shoes made is Bi 99 (which amazingly is across the street from Anantara Hoi An). Due to Covid, her shop isn’t open daily (maybe when things start ramping back up it will be), but you can just give her a call at the number posted on her shop!

📍 12 Đường Phạm Hồng Thái, Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Việt Nam

Late Afternoons Lounging By The Pool

Luckily, Sam and I are early birds (reasonable early birds) which usually leaves our afternoons open for a poolside lounge after a morning of exploring. Unwinding under the sun with Anantara Hoi An’s beautiful backdrop leaves it next to impossible not to soak up all the relaxation they have to offer!

The pool seems to call our names in late afternoons when the sun is blazing and a refreshing drink is the only thing on our mind. Each day we took up our bar stools at Reflections Pool Bar ready to quench our thirst before hopping in the pool for an afternoon dip!

Sunset Cruise Down The Hoi An River

A sunset cruise through the canals of Hoi An is a dreamy escape from the hustle and bustle of Hoi An’s winding streets. Anantara Hoi An offers sunset cruises aboard their traditional long tail boat each night. With tasty platters of varying appetizers and tropical fruits and a choice of wine and beer, there is no better way to enjoy Hoi An as the sky slowly melts into evening.

As we sipped our glasses of sav blanc, we soaked in the sights of a different side of Hoi An. Floating through the canals alongside ancient yellow houses and tall grass, we watched the waters sparkle as the sun set into the city. Anantara Hoi An’s sunset cruise was the magic we’d been looking for in this ancient town. Truly a fairytale moment shared with my bestie!

Hoi An Riverside’s Full Moon Buffet

After a magical cocktail hour cruising down the Hoi An river, it was time to enjoy an exquisite dinner at Anantara Hoi An’s enchanting Hoi An Riverside Restaurant. In the midst of riverside scenery, Hoi An Riverside delves into refreshing Vietnamese-flavors, local delicacies and tasty seafood.

Each month, Hoi An Riverside celebrates the full moon by hosting a lavish buffet experience you won’t want to miss. With cultural traditions embracing this phase of the moon’s cycle, they’ve highlighted traditional Vietnamese cuisine in a delectable way. With live food stalls, seafood barbeque stations and a selection of local delicacies, prepare to be transported into a culinary cosmos of Vietnamese cuisine.

Price: VND 350,000 net per person

Checking-Out Of Anantara Hoi An

No matter how much time you spend in Hoi An, it never seems to be enough. The charming canals, pretty pagodas and charismatic colonial buildings truly make it one of the most magical places to getaway. Our time was slowly coming to an end at Anantara Hoi An as we watched the early morning fishermen patrol the river while eating our breakfast.

Our three days in Hoi An came and went so fast, but we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect way to enjoy this ancient town than in the company of Anantara Hoi An and their incredible staff. With the warmest welcome from Kate and Ms. Hai, to the incredible Mr. Tai and Mr. Ngoc who made our sunset cruise so magical, everyone at Anantara Hoi An was just so incredibly friendly and accommodating. Our time here was truly unforgettable and we are so appreciative of everyone at Anantara Hoi An.

It was a sad and heartfelt goodbye to Anantara Hoi An. We truly did not want to leave, but knowing this is how I would leave Hoi An with my only plans to revisit being a couple years away, I could not have asked for a better way to keep Hoi An in my heart. I will definitely be returning to Anantara Hoi An as soon as I return to Vietnam!

Thank you again to everyone at Anantara Hoi An who made one of my final Vietnam trips an incredible one!

What You Need To Know!

Book your stay with Anantara Hoi An HERE or get in touch with them on their socials!

Instagram: @AnantaraHoiAn
Facebook: @AnantaraHoiAnResort
Website: www.Anantara.com

If you have any questions or just want to see some more travel content find me on Instagram at @agirl.enroute! I’m always happy to chat!

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After living in Vietnam for over 4 years, a piece of my heart will always be left in Ho Chi Minh City! Vietnam should be a top destination for all travelers! White sand beaches, limestone mountains, terraced rice fields and incredible street food make Vietnam a bucket-list destination! From foodies to beach hoppers, arts & culture buffs to adventure seekers, Vietnam has something for everyone! Checkout more of my Vietnam blogposts below!