Hoi An Ivy Hotel

Rooms and decor

Hoi An Ivy Hotel sits on Dao Duy Tu street along the Thu Bon River — a 3-storey, mustard-yellow colonial building with ivy climbing the walls, very much in the Hoi An style. The Deluxe River View runs about 26 sq m from around $29 a night, and you draw the curtains to a clear stretch of the river with wooden boats sliding past. The room is done in warm wood-brown and cream tones, with a soft king bed, clean cotton sheets, a small writing desk and a wooden chair by the window where you can nurse a coffee and watch the water all morning. The bathroom has white tile and a rain shower, and the amenities are basic but complete. Wi-Fi is fast throughout, the air-con bites, and the minibar water is refilled free.

Food and amenities

The ground floor holds a small restaurant and a bar that opens onto a garden out front. The included continental breakfast covers cook-to-order fried eggs and omelettes, bread with butter and jam, black Vietnamese coffee, fresh fruit and a big pot of chicken pho — modest portions, homestyle, but genuinely good. The hotel lends out bikes for free with no booking fee, so you can ride into the heritage quarter the moment you arrive. Room service runs 24 hours for a late-night snack, and the staff all speak fluent English and will help set up a Banh Mi tour or a cao lau cooking class. What you won't find is a pool, gym or spa — this is a no-frills place, and the budget rate reflects that.

Location and getting there

Location is where this place wins on a budget — it's about 0.4 km (5-8 minutes on foot) to the Japanese Bridge and the centre of the Old Town. In the evening you can walk along the river to see the lanterns, float a paper lantern down the Hoai River, stop for cao lau at a long-running local spot, then come back for a beer at the hotel bar with the boats passing. The city's well-known tailor shops are an easy stroll, and the Hoi An morning market is only 600 metres away. Da Nang International Airport is roughly 28-30 km out; the hotel can arrange a transfer for an extra charge if you ask at least a day ahead.

Things to know before booking

Two honest caveats. First, the Trip.com listing is new, so there are still few reviews to lean on — judge it on the riverfront location and the included extras rather than a long ratings history. Second, this is a small 3-star with basic facilities: no pool, no gym, no spa, which the pricier hotels nearby all offer. And the airport transfer is not free — it costs extra and needs a day's notice. None of that is a dealbreaker at this price; just book with the right expectations.

Our take

Hoi An Ivy Hotel is best for couples and independent travelers who want a small, warm, riverside base right next to the Old Town from about $29 a night. Score 8.9/10. Book a River View room — the view easily justifies the small step up, and you're a 5-minute walk from the lanterns either way.