Dechiu Hotel

Rooms

There are only nine rooms and each has been individually designed with a subtle interior colour scheme – ochre, indigo blue, milky white – although they all feature distressed cement floors and walls to echo the clay-built houses of the coastal countryside.

Rooms feature queen-sized beds and showers and accommodate two people – although most also have day beds or sofa beds in case guests prefer separate beds. They face either the sea or the houses behind. The largest is the Rooftop Room, which has connecting bedrooms and sleeps four, and which also has a private terrace overlooking the sea.

The Garden Room, unsurprisingly, is sited beside the garden and has an outside meditation space, while the two Architect’s Rooms have large desks and plenty of light for those who need to work. We stayed in the Terrace Room which has a private terrace overlooking the street and across to the ocean, and another slither of a balcony perfect for drying off swimsuits. Waking up to the sunrise breaking through the palm trees opposite was pure beachside bliss. And the bed, so cosseting and homely, might just be my favourite in the world.

We also loved the Zen Rooms, laid out to be spacious and liveable, while the Wabi-Sabi Rooms are small but perfectly formed. These categories are at the back of the building, which means they lack a view and can be darker, but they're often quieter. As street noise can be an issue here, these rooms are the best choice for light sleepers.

All rooms have air conditioning, Wi-Fi and locally produced toiletries, such as the gorgeous pomegranate and green tea soap. And thanks to discreet essential oil diffusers and wax melts, the whole place smells divine!

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Coffee / tea making
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

In keeping with Dechiu's overall ethos, the vegetarian breakfast served downstairs in the bright, airy dining space, felt like food for the soul. We chose from a small menu that featured two 'western' options that stay the same (the fluffy pancakes served with fresh fruit were dangerously moreish) and a daily changing Vietnamese dish, like stir-fired noodles or mushroom Pho. There's also a selection of fresh juice concoctions (pineapple and mint, watermelon and ginger), herbal tea and excellent coffee. Just when you think you're done, a dessert comes out - usually yoghurt with fruit, and maybe some puffed rice for a bit of crunch. Lovely.

Hoi An offers an abundance of eating options, from humble street stalls to quaint riverside eateries as well as high-end restaurants. Seafood is very much a staple here and the day’s catch is always on the menu. But also try iconic dishes such as Cao Lau (noodles, pork and rice crackers), Banh Mi (savoury baguettes), Pho and Mi Quang or white rose dumplings (rose-shaped parcels filled with everything from pork to shrimp).

The Old Town is best for authentic eateries while the restaurants by the beach are more trendy and international. For something really special, go to Reaching Out Teahouse in the Old Town, where all the staff are hearing or speech impaired; you'll have to communicate a little differently, but the service is superb and it's a business well-worth supporting.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Hoi An's Unesco-listed Old Town is a short cab ride away, or a gentle half hour by bike. Stroll through the narrow streets adorned with colourful lanterns and ancient houses; visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge and the Fujian Assembly Hall; Central Market is a sensory delight with stalls selling local crafts and mouth-watering street food
  
• Hoi An is the home of tailoring, so bring some ideas and get some fresh new outfits made at one of the dozens of tailor shops
  
• Pedal through rice paddies, traditional villages, and lush landscapes. Many tours offer visits to local homes, allowing you to witness traditional crafts such as mat weaving and rice paper making
  
• The more active can enjoy fishing charters, scuba and snorkelling, kayaking, river rafting as well as surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing – Dechiu can assist with info and bookings
  
• The less active can relax on Tan Thanh or An Bang Beaches, watching the fishermen, splashing by the shore (it's often wavy), strolling between cafés
  
• Embark on a day trip to My Son Sanctuary, a significant archaeological site of the ancient Champa Kingdom. Marvel at the well-preserved Hindu temples and learn about the rich history of this once-thriving civilisation

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cooking classes
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Historical sites
• Kayaking
• Kitesurfing
• Private guided tours
• Scuba diving
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures
• Windsurfing

Kids

Only children aged 10 and over are permitted at the hotel. Teenagers should enjoy the many cultural aspects to Hoi An, as well as being by the beach and amongst the backpacker buzz.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

The Rooftop Room has two queensize beds. Most of the other rooms have a day bed or sofa bed in the room so if a parent and teen are travelling together they don't need to share a bed.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Dechiu Hotel is located on the shores of Tan Thanh Beach on the edge of Hoi An, a short taxi ride away from its Unesco-listed Old Town. It's in the Quang Nam province of Southern Central Vietnam.

By Air:
Da Nang (27km) has flights from within Vietnam and SE Asia; but most European visitors fly into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and take an internal flight to Da Nang.

By Train:
Alternatively, if it's part of a longer trip, the Reunification Express train operates along the coast from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, stopping in Da Nang - a journey of 16-24 hours (with the option of overnight couchettes), so best suited to those making a proper itinerary of it. See Seat 61 for more details.

From Da Nang Airport:
You can pre-book an airport transfer, or take a taxi or minivan to Hoi An (45-90 mins journey time). We don't recommend hiring a car as driving in Vietnam is not always easy.