Hoi An is a town of lanterns hanging over the streets, yellow merchants’ houses and wooden boats on the Thu Bon River. This small town in central Vietnam is best known for its Old Town, but just outside the centre, the rice paddies and palm trees begin, and after a few kilometres you reach the long sandy beaches at An Bang and Cua Dai.
Where you stay in Hoi An decides whether you can walk home from the night market or wake up close to the sea. Here are my recommendations for five good areas, with hotels in three price ranges.
Contents
The Best Areas in Hoi An
- Old Town - best area for first-time visitors and evenings among the lanterns
- Cam Pho & Tan An - best area for a pool and some peace within walking distance of the Old Town
- Cam Thanh & Cam Chau - best area for rice paddies, palm trees and bike rides
- An Bang Beach - best area for the beach, cafés and relaxed evenings by the sea
- Cua Dai Beach - best area for beach resorts with a pool and gardens
Below, I’ll take you through the areas one by one, with a map, practical facts and three hotels in each, from luxury to budget. Distances in Hoi An are short, but it makes a big difference to your holiday whether you stay in town, among the fields or by the beach.
1. Old Town - best area for first-time visitors and evenings among the lanterns 🏮
- 📍 Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying in the centre. The river, the market and the Japanese Covered Bridge are a few minutes’ walk from the hotels here.
- 🚶 Transport: Walk or cycle. Large parts of the Old Town are pedestrianised from mid-morning until late in the evening, so a taxi can’t always drive all the way to your hotel.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Da Nang International Airport is around 37 km away, and according to Vietnam Airlines, the journey takes 45 minutes to an hour by car.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€€. From small family-run hotels on An Hoi island to expensive resorts by the river.
- 👮 Safety: The Old Town is a calm place to walk around in the evening, but it gets very crowded by the river and the night market. Keep a firm grip on your phone and wallet in the crowds.
The Old Town is my first choice for a first trip to Hoi An. UNESCO describes the historic centre as an exceptionally well-preserved example of a small trading port from the 15th to the 19th century, and its 30 hectares hold 1,107 old buildings with a timber frame. You can walk from your hotel to the tailors, the market and the river and be back home again by the time the lanterns go out.
You’ll need an entrance ticket for most of the old houses and sights in the Old Town. According to Da Nang’s official tourism portal, there are two types of ticket at 80,000 and 120,000 VND (around €3 and €4), and the ticket can be used for up to three days during your stay. The rules can change, so check the page before you travel.
See hotels in the Old Town here.
There are only a few hotels in among the old houses. Most are on the edge of the Old Town, in Son Phong to the north or on An Hoi, the small island across the river where the night market is held. From An Hoi, you can walk across the bridge in a couple of minutes, but in the evening there are also lots of people and music from the stalls and boats.
I’d choose the Old Town for two to four nights if you want to stroll the streets early in the morning and walk home after dark. If you have small children or need a big pool, Cam Pho and Tan An right next door are a good alternative. Many people combine Hoi An with northern Vietnam, and if you’re also spending a few nights in the capital, I’ve written about where to stay in Hanoi.
Places to Stay in the Old Town
Anantara Hoi An Resort - riverside resort on the edge of the Old Town
Anantara is my luxury pick in the Old Town. The resort is on Pham Hong Thai by the river on the eastern edge of the centre, around 650 metres from Tran Phu street and about a kilometre from the Japanese Covered Bridge. There’s an outdoor pool, a spa, a gym and a kids’ club, and you can go on a bike tour or a cooking class from the hotel.
It suits a couple or a family who want peace and green surroundings but still want to walk into town for the lanterns in the evening. The price is well above the rest of the town’s hotels, and there are fewer reviews than for the big hotels in the area, so look carefully at the room categories before you choose.
One guest points out on Booking.com: “From the moment we arrived, the staff couldn’t have done more for us.”
See photos and book Anantara Hoi An Resort here.
Hoi An Historic Hotel - big pool and garden close to the Old Town
Hoi An Historic Hotel is on Tran Hung Dao in Son Phong, around 350 metres north of Tran Phu and just over 600 metres from the Japanese Covered Bridge. It’s a four-star hotel with an outdoor pool and pool bar, a garden, a spa, a sauna, a gym and a tennis court.
I’d choose it for a family or a couple who want to walk everywhere and still have a proper hotel with space around them. Prices vary a lot with the season, so compare several dates if you can move your trip a little.
One review on Booking.com says: “The hotel is fantastic, and all the staff are so capable and lovely.”
See photos and book Hoi An Historic Hotel here.
La An Old Town Hotel - simple hotel with a pool on An Hoi
La An Old Town Hotel is a three-star hotel on Luu Quy Ky street on An Hoi, less than 200 metres from the night market and just under 300 metres from the Japanese Covered Bridge. There’s an outdoor pool, a restaurant, a bar and a garden, and the hotel arranges bike tours and cooking classes.
It’s my budget pick if the location matters most. The rating is lower than for the other hotels in this guide, so expect a simple stay rather than luxury. On the plus side, you’ll have the Old Town just across the river at a low price.
One guest describes the room on Booking.com: “The room was clean and comfortable and decorated in traditional Vietnamese style.”
See photos and book La An Old Town Hotel here.
2. Cam Pho & Tan An - best area for a pool and some peace within walking distance of the Old Town 🚲
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 400 to 800 metres from the hotels below to the Japanese Covered Bridge, which is a 5 to 10-minute walk.
- 🚲 Transport: Walk into the Old Town, and use a bike or a taxi when you’re heading to the beach or out into the countryside.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Roughly the same as to the Old Town. Allow 45 minutes to an hour by car from Da Nang International Airport.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. There are lots of hotels with a pool here, often at lower prices than in the Old Town itself.
- 👮 Safety: The streets are quieter than in the centre, but watch out for the traffic on the bigger roads such as Hai Ba Trung and Ly Thuong Kiet, where the scooters ride close together.
Cam Pho and Tan An are my suggestion if you want to be able to walk to the Old Town but would rather sleep a little further away from the night market. Cam Pho is west of the centre around Tran Hung Dao and Hai Ba Trung streets, while Tan An stretches north along Ly Thuong Kiet. A large share of the town’s hotels with a pool are here.
At the western entrance to the Old Town stands the Cam Pho Communal House, an old community hall with lacquered altars and carved wood that’s part of the district’s history. From there, it’s only a couple of hundred metres to the Japanese Covered Bridge.
See hotels in Cam Pho and Tan An here.
The advantage is the space. The hotels here often have a proper pool and a garden, and prices are usually lower than for a room in the middle of the Old Town. In the afternoon, when it’s hottest, it’s nice to be able to walk back to the pool and head into town again when the lanterns are lit.
The downside is that the streets right outside are ordinary town streets with scooters, shops and cafés. You don’t get the old houses right on your doorstep. On the other hand, it’s rarely more than a ten-minute walk to the river, and it’s easy to find breakfast and coffee in the local cafés before the day-trippers arrive.
I’d choose Cam Pho or Tan An for a family, for a slightly longer stay or if you’re travelling in the hottest season and want a pool. If you’re in Hoi An for just one night, I’d rather spend the money on a room in the Old Town.
Places to Stay in Cam Pho & Tan An
Allegro Hoi An - boutique hotel with a spa a few minutes from the bridge
Allegro Hoi An is a five-star boutique hotel on Tran Hung Dao in Cam Pho, around 400 metres from the Japanese Covered Bridge. There’s an outdoor pool with a pool bar, a children’s pool, a spa with a steam room and sauna, a gym and a restaurant.
I’d choose it for a couple who want luxury and still want to be down by the river in a few minutes. It’s a popular hotel with a very high rating, so book well ahead if you’re travelling in high season.
One guest praises the beds on Booking.com: “Lovely place with big beds, even the single beds were small doubles.”
See photos and book Allegro Hoi An here.
Almanity Hoi An Resort & Spa - resort with a spa and kids’ club in Tan An
Almanity is on Ly Thuong Kiet in Tan An, around 750 metres from the Japanese Covered Bridge. There’s an outdoor pool, a children’s pool and a kids’ club, a spa area with a sauna, steam room and hot tub, plus yoga classes and a free shuttle service.
The hotel has five stars, but the price is usually below Allegro’s, so I see it as a good mid-range choice for families. It’s a little further to walk to the river than from Cam Pho, but it still only takes around ten minutes.
One guest writes about the staff on Booking.com: “Beautiful hotel and incredibly attentive and helpful staff.”
See photos and book Almanity Hoi An Resort & Spa here.
Hoi An Heart Lodge - small adults-only bed and breakfast
Hoi An Heart Lodge is a small bed and breakfast on a side street off Hai Ba Trung in Cam Pho, around 450 metres from the Japanese Covered Bridge. It’s adults-only and has an indoor pool, a sun terrace, a shared lounge and a shared kitchen.
It’s my budget pick for couples and friends who want to stay close to the Old Town and get personal service. Families with children will need to choose somewhere else, and the pool is indoors, so don’t expect a pool area under the palm trees.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff were so friendly and helpful and gave us loads of recommendations.”
See photos and book Hoi An Heart Lodge here.
3. Cam Thanh & Cam Chau - best area for rice paddies, palm trees and bike rides 🌾
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 2 to 4 km east of the Old Town. The hotels are spread out along the road towards Cua Dai and out among the fields in Cam Thanh.
- 🚲 Transport: A bike is the obvious choice. Some hotels have a free shuttle to the Old Town, otherwise you’ll need a taxi.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow around an hour by car from Da Nang International Airport. That’s an estimate, and it depends on the traffic.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. You often get more space and a bigger pool for your money than in town.
- 👮 Safety: The country roads are dark in the evening. Use lights on your bike, and take a taxi home if you’ve been out late.
Cam Thanh and Cam Chau are the green belt between the Old Town and the sea. This is where you’ll find rice paddies, small villages and waterways lined with nipa palms, and the hotels are often smaller resorts with a pool and a garden. Vietnam’s national tourism authority specifically recommends cycling from the Old Town out towards Cam Thanh and Cam Chau to see life in the countryside.
The best-known spot is the Bay Mau coconut forest in Cam Thanh, where you glide through the canals in round basket boats. According to Da Nang’s tourism portal, the forest is around 3 km from the Old Town, and a basket boat for two people costs 150,000 VND (around €5) for 45 minutes. In the middle of the day, there can be lots of boats and loud music, so it’s a good idea to go out there late in the afternoon.
See hotels in Cam Thanh and Cam Chau here.
Grand Sunrise Palace is on the main Cua Dai road in Cam Chau, roughly halfway between the Old Town and the beach, while Zest and Ony are further out in Cam Thanh. That means you’ll need transport every time you want to go into town. In return, you’ll stay somewhere peaceful and have both the beach and the villages close by.
From Cam Thanh, it’s only a couple of kilometres to Cua Dai Beach, so you can cycle to the beach in the morning and be back by the pool before it gets too hot. The area also suits families well, because the hotels here often have gardens and pools where children can burn off some energy.
I’d choose this area for a stay of four nights or more, when you want to combine bike rides, pool days and a trip to the beach. For a short stay focused on the Old Town, it’s too far away.
Places to Stay in Cam Thanh & Cam Chau
Grand Sunrise Palace Hoi An - five-star hotel between the town and the beach
Grand Sunrise Palace is a five-star hotel on Cua Dai road in Cam Chau, just under 2.5 km from the Old Town and just under 2 km from Cua Dai Beach. There’s a rooftop pool, a spa with a sauna, steam room and hot tub, a gym and a restaurant, and the hotel has a free shuttle service.
With more than 5,000 reviews and a very high score, it’s a safe luxury pick if you want hotel comfort with both the town and the beach a short distance away. The downside is that you can’t just stroll into town, so count on the shuttle, a bike or a taxi.
One guest writes about the location on Booking.com: “Fantastic hotel with an ideal location 2 km from the beach and the Old Town, so it’s a 40-minute walk to both.”
See photos and book Grand Sunrise Palace Hoi An here.
Zest Resort & Spa Hoi An - resort with a pool and water slide in Cam Thanh
Zest is in the village of Cam Thanh, around 800 metres from the Bay Mau coconut forest and just under 4 km from the Old Town. There’s an outdoor pool with a water slide, a pool bar, a spa with a sauna and steam room, a gym and a restaurant.
It’s my mid-range pick if you want peace and a big pool for your money. You’ll need a bike or a taxi to get into town, so it’s best for a stay where you won’t be going to the Old Town every evening.
One guest sums up their stay on Booking.com: “A fantastic stay, very relaxing, and the staff were super friendly.”
See photos and book Zest Resort & Spa Hoi An here.
Ony Retreat Villas - simple villas with a pool among the palm trees
Ony Retreat Villas is a three-star place in Cam Thanh, around 1.3 km from the Bay Mau coconut forest and about 3.5 km from the Old Town. There’s an outdoor pool, a restaurant, a bar and a garden, and they can arrange bike tours and cooking classes.
It’s my budget pick in the area if you want a pool and green surroundings at a low price. The rating is a little lower than its neighbours’, and the shuttle into town costs extra, so factor transport into your budget.
One reviewer writes on Booking.com: “Everything was spotlessly clean, and the beds are extremely comfortable.”
See photos and book Ony Retreat Villas here.
4. An Bang Beach - best area for the beach, cafés and relaxed evenings by the sea 🏖️
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 4 km north of the Old Town as the crow flies, and a little further by road.
- 🚲 Transport: Bike or taxi to the Old Town. By the beach, you can walk to the restaurants and cafés.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow around 45 minutes by car from Da Nang International Airport. That’s an estimate, and it depends on the traffic.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. Mainly smaller hotels, villas and homestays close to the beach.
- 👮 Safety: The waves can be strong at times, so check the conditions before you go in the water, and keep an eye on your things on the beach.
An Bang Beach is my first choice for a beach holiday in Hoi An. Cafés and seafood restaurants line the sand, and behind the beach there are small streets with villas, homestays and boutique hotels. Vietnam’s national tourism authority describes An Bang as one of the country’s most pleasant sandy beaches, only around 7 km from the Old Town.
The atmosphere is relaxed. During the day, you rent a sunbed in front of one of the restaurants, and in the evening you eat by the water without having to go into town. Many travellers split their stay between a few nights in the Old Town and a few nights here.
Early in the morning, the fishermen’s round basket boats lie on the sand, and that’s the best time for a walk along the water before the heat and the sunbeds take over. If you want to cycle into the Old Town along the small roads through the fields, allow half an hour or a little more each way.
See hotels at An Bang Beach here.
The downside is the distance to the Old Town. You’ll need a taxi or a bike to see the lanterns, and the trip home in the dark feels longer than the map suggests. If you only have two or three days, I’d rather stay in town and come out here on a day trip.
Also check how close the hotel is to the beach itself. Several of the good places are in the small streets a couple of hundred metres from the sand. That’s fine, but it’s not the same as seeing the sea from your room.
I’d choose An Bang for couples and friends who want the beach by day and cosy restaurants in the evening, and who don’t need a big resort.
Places to Stay at An Bang Beach
CHiEM HoiAn - boutique hotel and villas a few minutes from the beach
CHiEM HoiAn is a four-star boutique hotel with villas in An Bang, a few minutes’ walk from the beach. There’s both an indoor and an outdoor pool, a spa, a sauna, a gym, yoga classes and a restaurant with a bar.
It’s my luxury pick at An Bang for a couple who want personal service and a smaller place rather than a big resort. The rating is very high and the place isn’t big, so book early.
One guest writes about the service on Booking.com: “Very personal, but also extremely professional.”
See photos and book CHiEM HoiAn here.
Shoreline Stay - apartment hotel with an infinity pool close to the beach
Shoreline Stay is in An Bang, a few minutes’ walk from the beach, and is registered as an apartment hotel. There’s an outdoor saltwater infinity pool, a pool bar, a garden and barbecue facilities.
It’s a good mid-range choice for couples and friends who want to stay close to both the beach and the restaurants. Prices rise noticeably in high season, so compare several dates before you book.
One guest review on Booking.com says: “The staff are friendly and welcoming.”
See photos and book Shoreline Stay here.
An Bang Beach Dolphin Homestay - homestay with a pool and balconies
An Bang Beach Dolphin Homestay is on Lac Long Quan in An Bang, a few minutes’ walk from the beach. There’s an outdoor pool, a restaurant, massage and a playground, and there are family rooms too.
It’s my budget pick by the beach and a good option for families who want a simple base with a personal touch. It’s a homestay, so expect a smaller place with fewer facilities than the hotels above.
One guest describes their room on Booking.com: “My room and balcony were fantastic: bright, airy, quiet, tasteful and very clean.”
See photos and book An Bang Beach Dolphin Homestay here.
5. Cua Dai Beach - best area for beach resorts with a pool and gardens 🌴
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 4 km east of the Old Town as the crow flies, at the end of the straight Cua Dai road.
- 🚕 Transport: Taxi, bike or the hotel shuttle to the Old Town. Some of the resorts have a free shuttle.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow around an hour by car from Da Nang International Airport. That’s an estimate, and it depends on the traffic.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€€. From small hotels across the road from the beach to large beach resorts.
- 👮 Safety: The coast has been hit by erosion, and in some places there are sea defences at the water’s edge. Follow the signs, and only swim where it’s allowed.
Cua Dai Beach is the place for you if you want a classic beach resort with a pool, a garden and sunbeds by the sea. The beach is at the end of the straight road from the Old Town, and this is where you’ll find several of the area’s big resorts side by side.
For many years, the coast here has suffered from erosion, and parts of the beach have been rebuilt and protected with concrete blocks. That’s why the width and look of the beach vary from hotel to hotel, so look at recent guest photos of your own hotel’s beach before you book.
That doesn’t mean the beach is bad. Cua Dai is usually quieter than An Bang, and the beach faces east, so you can watch the sun rise over the sea. If you’re a morning person, an early walk along the water’s edge is one of the best reasons to stay here.
See hotels at Cua Dai Beach here.
Boats leave from the harbour at Cua Dai for the Cham Islands, which together with Hoi An have been designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. According to Da Nang’s tourism portal on Cu Lao Cham, the trip by speedboat takes 15 to 20 minutes, so a day trip to the islands is easy from here.
On the other hand, it’s further to the restaurants. At the resorts, you’ll often eat at the hotel or in the few seafood restaurants along the beach, and there’s less going on in the evening than at An Bang.
I’d choose Cua Dai for a family holiday where the hotel’s pool and garden are a big part of the trip, or for a couple who want peace and a long beach to walk along in the morning.
Places to Stay at Cua Dai Beach
Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa - beach resort with a private beach area and kids’ club
Palm Garden is right on Cua Dai Beach and has a private beach area. There’s an outdoor pool, a children’s pool and a kids’ club, a tennis court, a spa with a sauna and steam room, a gym and water sports, and the hotel has a free shuttle service.
It’s my luxury pick for families who want the full resort package by the beach. Prices can rise sharply in high season, so check several dates if you’re flexible.
One guest sums it up on Booking.com: “An absolutely fantastic hotel, the facilities were good, and the staff were friendly and attentive.”
See photos and book Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa here.
Wyndham Garden Hoi An Cua Dai Beach - pool and private beach access at a reasonable price
Wyndham Garden is on Lac Long Quan, a couple of hundred metres from the beach. There’s an outdoor pool, a children’s pool, a spa with a sauna, a gym and yoga classes, and guests have access to a private beach area.
The hotel has five stars, but the price is usually mid-range, which makes it a good choice for families. The shuttle to the Old Town costs extra.
One guest mentions on Booking.com: “The room was spacious, the location good, and you can use the private beach.”
See photos and book Wyndham Garden Hoi An Cua Dai Beach here.
Ancient Beach Boutique & Spa - small hotel with a pool right across from the beach
Ancient Beach Boutique & Spa is a small hotel on Lac Long Quan, just across the road from the beach. There’s an outdoor pool, a bar, a garden and a terrace, and there are family rooms too.
It’s my budget pick at Cua Dai if you want to stay by the sea without paying resort prices. Booking.com lists it as a bed and breakfast, so expect fewer facilities than at the resorts next door.
One guest writes about the location on Booking.com: “The beach, which is beautiful and less crowded, is just across the road.”
See photos and book Ancient Beach Boutique & Spa here.
Where should you avoid staying in Hoi An?
I wouldn’t stay in Da Nang to visit Hoi An unless you also have plans in Da Nang. The journey takes around an hour each way, and you miss out on the evenings in the Old Town. Also be wary of cheap hotels far out along the roads between the town and the beach, where there’s no beach, no village atmosphere and nothing within walking distance. Always check the map before you book.
If you’re travelling in the rainy season, I’d avoid the lowest floors right down by the river. UNESCO mentions the annual flooding as one of the challenges facing the Old Town, and at times the water can stand in the streets near the river. A hotel a little further from the river or a room on the first floor will give you more peace of mind.
The Old Town is my first choice for a first trip and a short stay. Cam Pho and Tan An give you a pool and a little more peace within walking distance of the river, while Cam Thanh and Cam Chau suit you if you want to cycle among the rice paddies and stay somewhere green.
If you want the beach, An Bang is the cosiest choice with its restaurants and cafés, and Cua Dai is the place for the big resorts. For a week, I’d split the stay with three nights in or near the Old Town and the rest by the beach.
Many people continue north on a domestic flight from Da Nang. If you’re landing in Hanoi, you can read my guide to getting from Hanoi Airport to the city centre, and if your trip continues to Thailand, I’ve also written about where to stay in Bangkok.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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