We stayed last year at the Riverside Resort and loved it. Planning on return trip and have read favorable reviews on the Victoria Resort there as well. Is it worth the extra money? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Hi Butch-we phoned the Victoria resort from riverside on our last day (Dec 23)and made arrangements to be picked up and shown a variety of rooms and then to have lunch. The rooms we were shown were the royal suite (USD280 per night at present)gorgeous 3 room suite right on the beach-private and glorious for a romantic holiday-the deluxe beachside rooms-USD 200 per night-pretty nice but smaller than the suite and either Japanese or french decor. We had a great luch with a choice of local food as well as turkish, european & Japanese food priced around USD35 for two with drinks for lunch depending on your choices. The resort is far more upmarket than Riverside-staff have better English skills-rooms are larger. Good luck and find Kimijam restaurant just behind the market for the best value food we have experienced in Vietnam.

Lyndie,
Thanks so much for the reply. Sounds very nice but also very pricie. We really enjoyed Riverside but may give Victoria a try.

We recently heard there has been some flooding in Hoi An - did this happen before/after your visit? If before - what type of damage was done?

We'll check out the restaurant too - thanks!

Hi Butch- staff at riverside told us flooding did not affect the resort but we think the sewer smells and the damp feel maybe due to the floods. There was no evidence of flood damage that was apparent to us. Many people said it only affected those who live right on the river in Hoi An town. I'm not so sure as you know the riverside is right by the river and about a metre above the water. Have a great time and maybe just have a night or two at Victoria. We were told by a travel agent in Hoi an on Cua Dai Rd (Mr Vu) right next door to Cua Dai Hotel that rates all over town are very negotiable. We paid USD60 via directrooms.com for a riverside standard at Hoi An Riverside, maybe Victoria will cut their rates if you just walk and want to stay a night or two-worth a try? Best of luck and have a magnificent holiday.

Lyndie, Victoria Hoi An sounds wonderful. How is the beach there? Do you know if it will be warm enough to swim there in December or January? What about the waves? I know there are times when it is too rough to swim. Do you know when that is?

Also, did you go to Hue from Hoi An? Any advice on tours/transportation?

We're also considering the Furama (on China Beach in Danag) instead of Victoria Hoi An because it seems like we could easily visit both Hoi An & Hue from there. Also, it's right on China Beach. Any info on the Furama?

Hi CFW-Beach out the front of Vic resort was clean and had plenty of waves although water was a bit murky. Kids and adults were on boogey boards and the Vic has lifeguards. Beaches I've seen in Vietnam aren't all that great so we opt for hotel pools. Hoi An Riverside has the best pool! although the Vic's is huge there isn't a lot of shade and its mainly paved with no lovely gardens right up to the pool. I still would stay there over Riverside resort-the place is worth the dollars from what we saw and the food is great. Don't know anything about Furama-do not care for Danang so haven't bothered investigating, sounds like a good idea though Hue is a big trip from Danang if you wanted to do it and see sights in one day-maybe not easy to do as bus takes 3-4 hrs due to Hoi An pass. We caught bus to Hoi An USD4 pp from Stop and Go Cafe in Hue (Mr Do's cafe, great meals for USD3 pp). He runs motorbike tours of Hue. Just hop on the back and they take you all over Hue for USD6 pp. It was one of our most memorable days in Vietnam. The guys are so nice and such very safe drivers. Saigon Morin in Hue is a nice place to chill out. Check out directrooms.com for deals. Best of luck and enjoy yourselves.