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.