Set on the fringes of a tranquil river village, La Siesta is the perfect place to escape the bustle of Hoi An. But not its beauty – the French colonial flair of the old town is echoed in the hotel's graceful, airy rooms and suites. These are found in two separate wings, each with its own distinct style and dedicated swimming pool (the freshwater one is aimed at families, the saltwater for adults), surrounded by tropical gardens. Beds are big with billowy canopies; balconies overlook one of four lovely pools, rice paddies, or both. It’s not an intimate hotel, but its scale is matched by the expansive smiles of the ever-courteous staff. Couples with or without kids feel welcome.
The buzzy street stalls, clothes shops and temples of Hoi An are just a short cycle ride away. The long sands of A Bang beach a bit further along also appeal; the hotel has a beach club there and offers a regular shuttle service. Back at the hotel, massage treatments are a must, in pretty spa villas enfolded in palm trees. It's fantastically good value, and the food is terrific: from pancakes to pho to pasta, meals are covered by a pair of top-notch restaurants open from sunrise 'til late.
Highs
- Superlative service – the friendly and attentive staff were the highlight of our stay
- The food and drink is heavenly – delicious Vietnamese salads, fresh spring rolls, homemade pasta, a selection of excellent cocktails and fresh fruit smoothies are just the start
- Very welcoming to families, with a dedicated kids pool, kids club room, big gardens and a pool table
- Bikes to borrow – they’re red Japanese postman-style bikes and a hoot to ride into town or to the beach
- The hotel borders a 15th-century Confucian temple, shared with villagers for lantern festivals; unmissable
Lows
- With 137 rooms, this is bigger than an average i-escape hotel, but feels intimate and welcoming
- Bear in mind you're not in the centre of Hoi An, but 2km outside (borrow a bike, or use their free shuttle)
- Some bathroom doors aren’t conducive to total privacy
Best time to go
Vietnam is humid all year round - June and July are the hottest months; December and January the coolest ones. Rainy season is between September and January. We visited in April when it was hot and dry in the day and pleasantly cool at night: just right.
The Hoi An Lantern Festival, on the 14th evening of every lunar month (just google it to see dates), sees the city lights switched off and the streets lit up with colourful lanterns and occasional live music. Get there early (before sunset) to get a good spot. But if you miss it, don't worry: lanterns are lit every evening.
The Hoi An Lantern Festival, on the 14th evening of every lunar month (just google it to see dates), sees the city lights switched off and the streets lit up with colourful lanterns and occasional live music. Get there early (before sunset) to get a good spot. But if you miss it, don't worry: lanterns are lit every evening.
Our top tips
If you’re cycling into Hoi An, don’t take the busy road in front of the hotel – follow the lane that leads down to the Thu Bon River and bike alongside the water into the old town.
Don’t leave without trying the half-day cookery class. Led by an excellent guide, you’ll cycle to organic farms, visit the bustling Hoi An Central Market and return to the hotel garden to cook up five regional dishes – from cau lao (chewy) noodles, to beef soup and crispy Vietnamese pancakes. A glass of chilled beer is optional.
Don’t leave without trying the half-day cookery class. Led by an excellent guide, you’ll cycle to organic farms, visit the bustling Hoi An Central Market and return to the hotel garden to cook up five regional dishes – from cau lao (chewy) noodles, to beef soup and crispy Vietnamese pancakes. A glass of chilled beer is optional.
- Boutique Hotel
- 137 rooms
- Restaurants and bar open daily
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
There are two wings at La Siesta, both aligned around their own swimming pool. The Classic Wing has 70 modern-Asian rooms, styled with blond-wood furniture, green plants and cream walls, which overlook a freshwater pool. In contrast the 67 rooms and suites in the Club Wing evoke the elegance of colonial Vietnam with dark teak furniture, green velvet trimmings and vintage patterned floor tiles, and these face a turquoise saltwater pool.
Star rooms in the Club Wing are the split-level Duplex Suite Balconies with their clawfoot bathtubs and spacious balconies. Pamper-loving couples will enjoy the deep wooden bathtubs and Swedish saunas in the ground-level Veranda Suites, the swish terraced Premium Suites with sun-loungers and hot tubs, or the romantic Executive Suites which have super views over the infinity pool to the rice fields beyond.
A number of rooms in the Classic Wing are good for families, as they have two double beds and French-style balconies; all come with views. Popular with long-stay guests are the Essence Suites, which have a soft-seating area, separated by a traditional wood-cut screen.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bathrobes
- Cots available
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
The buffet breakfast is an abundant West-East combo – Continental cheeses and cold cuts with banh mi (baguettes) laid out on long tables alongside congee (rice porridge) and banh cuon (steamed rolls). For those who like a lighter start to the day, dishes like omelettes can be ordered individually.
If staying in the Classic Wing, you'll breakfast at the casual Red Bean restaurant, whose modern Vietnamese cuisine is ideal for lunch. Along with dozens of delicious salads and noodle dishes, including the country’s famous pho, are sizzling savoury pancakes and chef’s specialities like ca kho to (braised fish in a clay pot). Seating is an even indoor/outdoor mix, and the adjoining Feliz Bar serves cocktails.
For dinner, the smaller, more upscale Temple restaurant (with piano lounge) in the Club Wing offers Asian-French twists like ‘Vietnam Beach Bouillabaisse’, along with risotto and pasta. For fussy kids who may not appreciate fusion cuisine, burgers and fries are available from an all-day snack menu.
Features include:
- Bar
- Coffee maker
- Kids' meals
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Walk, cycle or shuttle into Hoi An, a captivating UNESCO-listed town, with beautiful Vietnamese merchant houses, French colonial mansions, Chinese medieval temples, bars and cafés, art galleries and night markets
- Hit the beach – there's a frequent free shuttle service to An Bang Beach Resort, where La Siesta guests can visit a partner beach club with loungers and umbrellas
- Clothes tailoring is both brilliant and extraordinarily good value in these parts – bring magazine tear-outs and ask them to make you a replica copy of favourite items
- Back at the hotel, relax and rejuvenate – Swedish massages, Vietnamese herbal wraps and Himalayan hot-stone treatments are on offer at the spa; gym bunnies can head to the Fitness Suite
- Go on a food tour – ask the staff where they like to eat and they’ll reel off an excellent list of off-the-grid places for you to try, from coffee places to dumpling stalls, all within cycling distance
- Take a craft workshop - lantern making, bamboo root sculpture and pottery classes are taught by village artisans
- Take a cookery class: you’ll love recreating the superb dishes – from pho noodle soup, to marinated fish and flambéed banana – back at home
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Art classes
- Cooking classes
- Cycling
- Historical sites
- Swimming
- Traditional cultures
- Well being
Kids
Families are welcome, and this is an easy place for them to stay, with a freshwater family swimming pool, a fully equipped kids club and playroom, a separate kids pool, and gardens to relax in. Kids will love the charm of Hoi An, and riding the free bikes (child seats subject to availability) around.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
The Deluxe Window and Deluxe Balcony rooms can fit 1 baby cot or 1 rollaway bed, and some of these rooms interconnect. Essence Suites can also fit a baby cot or rollaway bed. Family Rooms have 2 double beds. Duplex Suite Balconies are split-level rooms with a kingsize bed and bathroom downstairs, and a living area upstairs, which can convert into a kingsize or twin bedroom for kids.
One child aged 0-4 stays for free in a baby cot or in parents' bed. Extra beds can be provided for 5+ year olds for a small charge.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
On request
Baby equipment:
- Baby cots
- Night lights
- High chairs
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Creche/Kid's Club:
Open daily from 0900-1700, the staffed kids club is for 4-12 year olds only, and features a ball pit, toys, games, crafts and mini-climbing frame and slide. Younger kids are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult at all times. All ages must pre-register to use the facility.
Children's meals:
Both restaurants are family friendly and there's an all-day snack menu offering European fare.
Kids Activities on site:
- Freshwater pool
- Pool table
- Bikes to borrow
Kids Activities nearby:
- Hoi An
- The beach
Families Should Know:
The pools are not gated.
Distances:
- Airport: 35km (Danang)
- Hospital: 2km
- Shops: 1km
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
La Siesta is located by Thanh Ha village, about 1km from central Hoi An, and 6km from the beach. It’s 30km from Danang airport.
By Air:
Easiest is to fly into Danang International (9km away). You can also fly into Hué (120km away). If you're coming from Europe, you'll probably fly into Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. From these airports you can either transfer onto an internal flight, or travel overland if you're planning a longer trip.
From the Airport
The easiest option is to arrange a transfer with the hotel. Alternatively, order a fixed-fare cab - their rates are much lower than metered taxi fares, which can mysteriously double en route.
By Train:
Vietnam is well served by trains. Take the Reunification Express train to Danang, which operates along the coast from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. See Seat 61 for more details.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Danang International 9.0 km DAD
- Hué International (Phu Bai) 120.0 km HUI
Other:
- Beach 6.0 km
- Shops 0.3 km
- Restaurant 0.3 km