Hoi An is one of my favorite destinations in Vietnam. I have visited Hoi An several times and stayed in different hotels, homestays in different parts of the city including the old town, and the beach area.
In this article, I will share with you my experience on Where to Stay in Hoi An and the best areas for both first-timers and returning visitors.
I’m Vietnamese and have traveled extensively throughout the country, so I hope to give you some good local knowledge and tips to choose good hotels, and areas to stay in Hoi An Old town and the beach.
The main content:
Where to stay in Hoi An?
Hoi An Old Town and Hoi An Beach are the two main best areas to stay in Hoi An. In my opinion, Old Town is the best overall base for first-time visitors; it is the historic heart and soul of the city.
Staying in the old town means you can walk to many historic attractions, famous restaurants, bars, and tailor/ leather shops. You can enjoy the lively nightlife scene here without worrying about taking a taxi back to your accommodation.
Hoi An Beach includes An Bang and Cua Dai Beach is a great base in Hoi An, especially if you want to spend most of your time on the beach and don’t mind traveling to get to the old town.
The beach area is usually more relaxing than the old town, which is more ideal for long term travellers, expats, and returning visitors. It has enough restaurants and shops for a comfortable stay but it doesn’t have as many choices as in the old town.
My recommended hotels in Hoi An Old Town:
- Luxury: La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa (excellent 5-star boutique style resort right on the edge of the old town)
- Mid-range: Hoi An Historic Hotel ( I stayed here, great mid-range hotel in prime location, nice spacious room, and outdoor swimming pool, lovely garden with big shaded trees).
- Budget: Square Villa ( I stayed here, budget and cozy homestay, good for budget travellers who want central location, and private airy clean room).
My recommend for best hotels and resorts in An Bang/ Cua Dai Beach:
- Mid-range: AIRA Boutique Hoi An (I stayed here, beautiful place to stay, short walk to the beach, spacious rooms, delicious buffet breakfast, and outdoor swimming pool, full of greenery on the ground)
- Mid-range: Hoi An Beach Resort (beautiful 4-star resort, at peaceful Cua Dai beach, ideal for relaxing beach holiday)
- Mid-range: Sol An Bang Beach Resort & Spa (good beachfront resort in a quiet but central location in the heart of An Bang Beach)
My tip for choosing a good hotel in Hoi An
Firstly, Choose the right area for you
I would recommend staying in the old town if you’re first-timers and you have a short time in Hoi An. I recommend staying in the beach town, or split your stay in the beach and the old town, if you have many days in Hoi An, or you’re returning visitors.
Staying on Hoi An beach for a more laid back atmosphere and easy walk to the ocean for swimming. Staying in the old town for an easy walk to the iconic attractions, popular restaurants, and lively nightlife.
The old town and the beach are located 5 km apart, around a 10-15 mins Grab car ride (70k VND). Grab and GreenSM are plentiful and easy to reach in both areas. Many hotels in Hoi An offer free use of bikes, so you can cycle between these two areas if you are an active traveler.
There is no hotel in the pedestrian area of the old town, but you can find many hotels within walking distance to the old town. The best areas to stay near Hoi An Old Town include An Hoi, Cam Pho, Cam Nam, and part of Cam Chau.
On the beach side, you can choose to stay in An Bang beach for a cozy homestay, guest houses, and lots of restaurants and bars lounging on the small tourist strip Nguyen Thanh Vinh. For a bigger resort vibe, you can choose to stay in Cua Dai beach. An Bang Beach, for me, has a better beach vibe than Cua Dai.
Secondly, set your budget and what type of accommodations do you want to stay in
Popular accommodations in Hoi An are homestays, typical hotels, and resorts. You can find a good stay in Hoi An with 500k vnd (30aud) a night upward depending on preferences.
A homestay without breakfast is around 500k VND for a night with a spacious room and private bathroom. Homestays usually don’t have swimming pools, onsite restaurants, and gyms. If you’re lucky to meet a good host, you’ll learn a lot about the local area and culture.
A good mid-range classic hotel with outdoor swimming pool, onsite restaurant, bar, breakfast buffet, will cost around 1,5 mill upward (100aud). I think Hoi An Historic Hotel in the old town and AIRA Boutique Hotel in An Bang beach are great choices for a 4-star hotel in a central location.
Thirdly, consider breakfast option, elevator, outdoor views when booking a room in Hoi An
Common Breakfast option in a hotel in Hoi An
Some mid-range and large hotels and resorts often offer buffet breakfast with a wide selection of Vietnamese and western dishes. Some of the small homestays and hotels offer breakfast, but you need to choose from their limited menu a day before, so they can prepare breakfast for you.
This hotel can offer simple local dishes such as Banh My, My Quang, Pho, and with tea and coffee, sometimes fresh juices.
Balcony, river views, city views, or ocean views
When booking a hotel, I always opt for rooms with views. I always make sure the description of the rooms include the term city views, ocean views, or city views.
When it’s stated outdoor views, make sure that it has a proper view, because sometimes the window just opens to the wall next door or looks down the concrete.
Many hotels don’t have lift
Most homestays and hotels in Hoi An don’t have a lift, so it can be inconvenient for those who stay on higher floors and with heavy suitcases. The highest building in Hoi An that I saw only 4-5 floors, but it’s still a problem.
This happened to me once when staying at An Bang beach. I carried a large suitcase and was on the second floor, and I had to keep my suitcase in the reception area and take only necessary items to my room.
Landry services
Most accommodations offer laundry services, but if you’re staying in mid-range and luxury hotels, it’s better to do your laundry at a laundry shop outside your accommodation for a more affordable price.
The shop often charges per kilo unlike the hotel charge per item with ridiculous prices.
The water problem
In some small homestays and guest houses, the water in the bathroom runs very slowly. And some places have no hot water, which is sometimes fine because of the hot weather. This is quite a common problem for budget hotels in Hoi An.
Mosquito problem
Some places, especially near the beach, have lots of mosquitoes. While mid-range and high end hotels often provide the mosquito net in the room, some small guest houses do not offer this feature. I recommend preparing the insect repellent for this.
The best areas to stay in Hoi An for tourists
1. Hoi An Old Town, best area for first-time visitors
Staying near Hoi An Old Town is the best option for first time visitors. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with narrow streets, well-preserved shop houses, and historical attractions like Chinese Assembly Hall, Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Old House, and Museum of Sa Huynh Culture.
Hoi An was known as Lâm Ấp Phố under Champa Kingdom from 2nd to 15th century. It was already the trading port during Champa Kingdom due to its strategic location in the East Sea. But, it was more developed in the 16th to the 18th century when it became a busy trading port in South East Asia.
The city attracted merchants from all over the world like Japan, China, Portugal, Spain, and the Netherlands. It was known with different names during this period including Hoai Pho and Faifo.
These foreign traders built the houses, bridges, temples, and assembly halls in Hoi An, and many of them still exist today. These buildings have a blend architecture of local Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese elements.
By the 19th century, Hoi An lost its status as a major international port town due to the siltation of the Thu Bon river and the new trading port in the region shifted to nearby Da Nang.
During the late 19th and early 20th century, the city was neglected under French colonial rule because the French focused their development on Da Nang. The city also escaped the damage of the American–Vietnam War and the widespread devastation seen elsewhere.
Today, you can visit the late 16th century Japanese Covered Bridge, the 18th century Tan Ky Old House, the 17th century Fujian Assembly Hall, the 18th century Cantonese Assembly Hall, 17th century Quan Cong Temple, the 18th century Phung Hung House, and the 18th century Duc An Old House.
Walking along the narrow cobbled stone streets in the old town is like stepping back in time. You can have beautiful photos with yellow-washed houses, lantern lit streets, and Bougainvillea. Most ancient houses are now used as shops, restaurants, and cafes.
Old town has a lively nightlife scene with many bars and restaurants, especially the area along Hoai River. The old town is at its best in the evening when all the lanterns are lit up along the streets and the river. The weather is also cooler in the evening, so many people come out to enjoy the atmosphere.
The Old Town is a 2 square km area on the north bank of the Thu Bon River, encompassing major streets such as the riverside Bach Dang, Tran Phu, Phan Chau Trinh, Nguyen Thai Hoc, and Le Loi. There are also hundreds of small alleys connecting these streets together.
There are no accommodations in the walking and cycling town area, but you can stay in its immediate area. The best places to stay near Hoi An old town include An Hoi, Cam Pho, Cam Nam, and Cam Chau (the area bordering the old town).
Some suggestions for hotels in Old Town Hoi An:
- 5-star luxury: Bel Marina, La Siesta, Allegro, or Anantara
- 4-star mid-range: Laluna Riverside or Hoi An Historic Hotel
- budget: Hoi An Heart Lodge
Some good hotels that I’ve stayed in Hoi An Old Town:
Hoi An Historic Hotel (mid-range)
In the old town, I had experience staying at the Hoi An Historic Hotel. I think it is a good 4-star mid-range hotel in a prime location on Tran Hung Dao street, just a few minutes walk from the ancient town.
My room #163 was a classic double room, clean and spacious. The breakfast area was lovely with both indoor and outdoor settings. The hotel has a huge garden with lots of old big trees and an outdoor swimming pool, which is perfect to dip in the water on the hot day.
I was a bit overwhelmed when checking in because I arrived around 12pm when many other guests were checking out but overall it was a good base for a short stay in Hoi An.
Square Villa (budget)
I also stayed at the budget-friendly Square Villa on Dao Duy Tu street, right on the western edge of the old town. It is a small family-run hotel, conveniently located within 5 minutes to the river bank and the old town. My room was on the 3rd floor and had a nice balcony with street views.
The room at Square Villa was clean with a comfortable double bed and good soundproof. Unlike many small hotel in Hoi An Old Town, this hotel has a lift for transporting the suitcase to the room, which I found very convenient for those who have large luggage like me.
I think Square Villa is best suited for solo travelers who want a safe, affordable guest house near the old town. The owner and staff are very friendly and help me organize the bus to Hue.
1.1. An Hoi – best area near Hoi An old town for nightlife
An Hoi is a great area to stay near Hoi An Old Town. It is a small island on the Thu Bon river, just south of the old town. It is linked with the old town by several bridges including An Hoi and Quang Truong Bridge. You can easily walk from An Hoi to many attractions and activities in the old town.
An Hoi has a lively nightlife atmosphere, especially along the 500 m long waterfront Nguyen Phuc Chu Street. It is packed with restaurants, bars, massage shops, street food stalls where you can sit, eat, drink, and people watching.
Many of the bars and restaurants on the riverfront area have second floors with balconies where you can look down to the street and the river. The busiest spot in the area is the area around An Hoi Bridge.
The back streets of An Hoi like Nguyen Phuc Tan, Ngo Quyen, and La Hoi are lined with homestays, villas, and resorts. Many of the accommodations offer a peaceful atmosphere and river views while still being easy walking distance to the action.
An Hoi is home to Hoi An Night Market, which is located on the 300m long Nguyen Hoang Street. The night market starts at 6pm, adding a lively atmosphere to the old town. You can eat street food, buy souvenirs, and clothes.
An Hoi is also home to the only bamboo theater in Vietnam, Lune Center for the Performing Arts. You can buy a ticket to watch the local art performances and the Vietnamese Bamboo Circus.
An Hoi is also connected to Cam Kim island by the Cam Kim Bridge. You can get to this area to visit Kim Bong Carpentry Village, which is one of the traditional craft villages in Hoi An.
Here are my recommended hotels in An Hoi:
Bel Marina Hoi An Resort. Bel Maria is a beautiful accommodation and is a great choice for families and couples. It is located in a quiet area on Nguyen Phuc Tan Street of An Hoi, but within walking distance to the old town, the night market, and the lively waterfront area with many restaurants and shops. They also have a nice rooftop infinity pool and bar.
Little Hoi An . A Boutique Hotel & Spa. Little Hoi An is a nice little mid-range hotel, conveniently located on the banks of Hoai River, within easy walking distance to the ancient town and the night market. Great base to explore the city.
hoi an center town. If you have a smaller budget, I think Hoi An Center Town Hotel is a great option. It has an excellent location to explore the old town and night market. The host can give you recommendations for tailors, tours, and laundry services.
1.2. Cam Pho – best area near Hoi An old town for relaxing atmosphere
Cam Pho is an area located right west of Hoi An old town. It offers quiet stay while still being within walking distance to the main area.
You can find hotels, villas, and homestays along main roads like Dao Duy Tu, Hung Vuong, Tran Hung Dao, and Nguyen Du riverside area. There are also many budget-friendly options nestled among the narrow alleys.
Cam Pho is close to Thanh Ha Pottery Village, and Silk Village Hoi An, which are popular tourist attractions in the city. You can visit these places and learn about the traditional craft villages of Hoi An.
Here are some of the best places to stay in Cam Pho:
La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa. This is a popular 5-star hotel on Hung Vuong Street, a bit outside of the Old Town, but easily accessible on foot, bicycle, and Grab. The rooms here are spacious and luxurious. Great place for a relaxing night sleep away from the hustle and bustle. La Siesta has multiple swimming pools and one of those has beautiful views of the rice fields.
Laluna Hoi An Riverside Hotel & Spa. I think Laluna is a good mid-range option for families and couples staying near the river and the old town. It has a family room, an outdoor swimming pool, and a fabulous buffet breakfast.
MaiChi Villa Hoi An. Maichi is a good place near the old town, and is best suited for those on a budget of around 40 AUD/night. It is located in a nice quiet area on the back alley of Dao Duy Tu street and is a short walk to the ancient town. The room is clean and big. They also have a swimming pool.
1.3. Cam Nam – best area near old town for budget travelers and local vibe
Cam Nam is an island located just south of the old town, and is connected with the old town by the Cam Nam bridge. You can find some good value for money accommodations in this ward and still be close to the heart of action.
Main roads in Cam Nam are Hoàng Dieu, Nguyen Tri Phương, and Luong Nhu Bich. There are numerous local restaurants, cafes, massage shops, bike rental, tour agencies, and laundry services in these streets.
I personally believe that Cam Nam is a good base for those who want a relaxing atmosphere, affordable accommodation, local experiences, and easy access to the old town.
Hoi An Memories Land island is also part of Cam Nam where you can find a luxury resort on the private island.
Here are my suggestion for accommodations in Cam Nam:
Bay Resort Hoi An. Bay resort is a beautiful family-friendly resort in Hoi An, located in Cam Nam ward right on the bank of Thu Bon river. It is within walking distance to the old town and Hoi An market. You just need to walk across the Hoang Dieu bridge. You can use the resort’s free bikes to explore the old town. Other facilities include a garden, a swimming pool, and a fitness center.
iHome Hoi An. iHome is a popular place to stay in Cam Nam, located right on Nguyen Tri Phuong street, which is one of the main streets of this ward. You can find several shops, restaurants, cafes, bike rental. tour services within walking distance away. The old town is also reachable by walking and cycling.
1.4. Cam Chau – best area between the old town and the beach
Cam Chau is a huge area located between the old town and the beach area. For the best access to the old town, I recommend staying somewhere near the border with the old town on popular streets like Phan Boi Chau, Nguyen Duy Hieu, Cua Dai, or Ly Thuong Kiet.
Phan Boi Chau street is a lovely and arty street in the area, where you can find numerous art galleries, exhibition spaces such as Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum.
Here are some of the best hotels in Cam Chau near old town:
For luxury travelers, Anantara Hoi An Resort is a great choice located along the Thu Bon River and within easy walking distance to the ancient town. It has an Outdoor swimming pool, amazing breakfast, spa center, and fitness center.
Little Riverside Hoi An is a great option for a mid-range traveler for families and couples who want a close proximity to the river and the old town. It is located on a quiet spot on Phan Boi Chau street and has fabulous breakfast.
For solo travelers and budget visitors, you can have a look at Little Town Villa, on Nguyen Duy Hieu Street. This hotel is in a very good location, featuring a comfortable bed and spacious room.
See more: Where to stay in Old Town Hoi An for frist-timers
2. An Bang Beach and Cua Dai Beach, best area for beach lovers
If you have a long time in Hoi An, you can consider a stay in Hoi An beach. If you’re short on time, you can visit the beach when staying in the old town.
The beach is located 4-5km from the old town, and easily accessible by bicycle, motorbike rental, and Grab taxi/ bike within 10-15 minutes. The best time to visit is at sunset and sunrise when the weather is cool.
An Bang beach and Cua Dai Beach are beautiful beaches with white fine sand clean water and not crowded as My Khe beach in Da Nang. It’s perfect for those who want to relax and unwind. You can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and water sport activities.
There were lots of umbrellas and sun loungers along the beach. If you order drinks/ meals from the cafes/bars you can use it for free.
The beach also has lots of local vendors where you can try cheap fresh seafood dishes such as Clam porridge and grilled fish.
An Bang Beach has a great selection of mid-range and budget-friendly resorts, boutique hotels, hostels and homestays. You can find many larger chain beachfront resorts in Cua Dai. An Bang beach has a very chill atmosphere with many lovely and good local restaurants and cafes.
Hoi An Beach also has plenty of luxury resorts, budget-friendly villas and homestays. I had a great experience staying in AIRA Boutique in An Bang Beach.
For families and couples who are on a luxury beach holiday, you can also stay at the Palm Garden Resort in Cua Dai Beach, Victoria Resort, or Wyndham Garden.
Some good hotels that I’ve stayed in An Bang Beach:
AIRA Boutique Villa (mid-range)
In An Bang Beach, I stayed at the mid-range 4-star AIRA Boutique Villa. The hotel is located right on the beautiful white fine sandy beach, so I enjoy swimming at any time from early morning when the sun rises to late afternoon when sun sets.
ARIA has a swimming pool and delicious breakfast with many options. My room #B102 had garden views. It was very clean with a comfortable bed and pillows. The best thing was that everything on the minibar was free, including 2 bottles of water, 2 cans of soft drink, and 2 cans of beer.
There were many restaurants within walking distance from the ARIA hotel on Nguyen Phan Vinh Street. The atmosphere in the beach area was very peaceful and relaxing, not crowded like Hoi An Old Town.
See more:
3. Cam Thanh, best for experience countryside area in Hoi An
Cam Thanh is an area located a bit further away from the bustling old town. It is a great base for a more local atmosphere, especially if you drive a motorbike. This area is home to Coconut Village, known for its beautiful coconut groves and scenic boat tours.
If you want to stay in Cam Thanh, you can look at Hoi An Coco River Resort, which is a good mid-range 4-star hotel. For a smaller budget, why not choose staying in Crony Villa or My’s Flower Villa.
Where to stay in Hoi An for families with kids?
When it comes to the best areas to stay in Hoi An with kids, your family has two choices: The old town or the beach area ( An Bang/Cua Dai Beach). It is around 10 minute taxi ride from the old town to An Bang beach.
The old town is best suited for families who want to step away from top historical attractions, ancient shop houses, as well as some of the towns’ best restaurants and tailor shops. The beach is best suited for families who want to stay right on the beach. An Bang’s town is more laid back than Hoi An old town.
If your family wants to stay in An Bang/ Cua Dai beach, you can consider the family-friendly AIRA Boutique. I stayed here and recommend this place. Right next to the beach with plenty of sunbeds, a swimming pool, and a nice breakfast buffet. AIRA has a family connecting room for families of 4 and three bedroom villas for families of 8.
In Hoi An Old Town, you can consider staying at Bel Marina on An Hoi island, La Siesta or Allegro in Cam Pho. If your family is looking for a good 4-star hotel, I suggest Laluna Riverside.
Best Family Hotels in Hoi AnSee more:
- Best Months to Visit Hoi An
- 2 to 3 Days in Hoi An Itinerary
- Best Things to Do & See in Hoi An
- Is it better to stay in Hoi An or Da Nang?
- Hoi An vs Hanoi
- Where to stay in Da Nang
I summarize the recommended areas in Hoi An in my video, you can watch it here:
These are my list of the best places to stay in Hoi An for both first-timers and returning travelers. Basically, Hoi An Old Town and Hoi An beach are the main best areas to stay in Hoi An. You can stay nearby the ancient town area including An Hoi, Cam Pho, Cam Nam, and part of Cam Chau.