50 Best Hotels in The South-Central Coasts and Highlands, Vietnam

Each of the 15 clean, modern apartments boasts an equipped kitchenette, laundry machine, and living room, providing a homey, central base while in Dalat.

Located at the tapering end of the strip toward Mui Ne village, about 1 km (½ mile) from the tourist center, La Marina is a modern guesthouse for budget-conscious travelers who don't mind the two-minute walk to a more local section of the beach; the seaview rooms are a good deal. The staff are a delight and the beds are incredibly comfortable.

For budget-conscious travelers, the draws of this family-run guesthouse north of the river are the simple rooms, swimming pool, sweet little breakfast terrace in the garden, ground-floor cafe/restaurant, and the distance to low-key Hon Chong Beach, just a five-minute walk away. Expect a warm welcome from Mr. Bu and his sons, who can help with tours, motorbike rentals, bicycle rentals, ticket bookings, and laundry.

On the north shore of Lak Lake, choose from glamping tents with en suite bathrooms, bungalows with private balconies, a dorm, and a campground; though this place has grown a little tired, it commands stunning views of the water. There are bikes, kayaks, and a gong performance, but there's not much else to do except dine at its restaurant "Y Lak," an ornate longhouse, which has a terrace over the water.

In 2014, two British guys fell in love with the small fishing village of Bai Xep and opened a rustic homestay, which has grown to include a range of accommodations, from a 12-bed air-conditioned dorm room and glamping to deluxe rooms with private bathrooms, all on a secluded beach. Fill your days with beachside relaxation, exploring the local village and the nearby waterfall, or going fishing with locals. End the day with a communal dinner and bonfire on the beach.

Dalat's newest hotel gives French-colonial architecture a contemporary gloss, with a modern-meets-Art Deco lobby and restaurant, and feminine, fresh feeling rooms. There are plans to add a swimming pool in 2025.

At this budget boutique hotel, backpackers can look forward to superclean, modern rooms, helpful staff, a cheap breakfast, and a great location that's steps to bars and restaurants—and only two city blocks from the beach. 

This low-key, full board resort has 23 rooms of all different sizes, configurations, styles, and views, but whichever you choose, you are steps from Doc Let's white sand and blue water, with a sweeping view of the bay, which is spectacularly lit on full moons. Paradise can arrange trips on a local fishing boat for swimming and snorkeling (highly recommended), beach barbecues, and kayaking.

A cascade of vines and the scent of lemongrass greets guests upon arrival to this serene boutique resort of elegantly understated rooms and bungalows set on a wide, regularly cleaned section of Doc Let. Favored by Vietnamese tourists, Pax Ana has a large swimming pool with a kids' splash area, bicycles, and two restaurants, though the beachside restaurant is designed for banquets, and guests may feel strange dining in such a cavernous space.

A Champa-inspired hillside resort, Poshanu Resort has just 24 spacious rooms in a garden bursting with pink bougainvillea, the sight of which makes navigating all the stairs a little less arduous. The resort has a large swimming pool and private beach, which is regularly cleaned. The resort is not suitable for people with mobility issues.

Phan Thiet's lack of decent accommodation options means this boutique hotel and its modern rooms are worth considering despite its isolated location in a sparse new development area behind Ocean Dunes Resort. The hotel is only accessible by taxi or your own vehicle, as there is nothing in the immediate surrounds except the beach, which is walking distance.

This well-maintained, tidy property is located oceanside right in the middle of the main tourist area, and it features well-appointed, spotless rooms with firm mattresses and a sea-view swimming pool where you can watch kitesurfers flit about the bay. The staff is warm and considerate.

The 30-story Sheraton Nha Trang is an older hotel, but it's still a solid pick as it has stunning views of Nha Trang's famous crescent bay, a resort-like infinity pool on the sixth floor, a well-equipped fitness center, kids' club, and on-site cooking school. The rooms are comfortable, albeit a little dated in style. The hotel has its own private area on the beach across the road, as well as one of Nha Trang's highest bars, Altitude, on the 28th floor.

On a white sandy beach, backed by towering mountains, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay has 59 villas, each with two rooms, a garden terrace, private pool, and ocean views. Rustic luxury is prominent in the wooden tubs, bamboo shades, thatched roofs, and plank floors—and the beds draped in white silk are a lovely touch. Meals can be served on the beach, by the pool, or in a wine cave nestled in the rocks. The resort offers plenty of activities including tennis, biking, kayaking, a library, gym, kids' club, and a spa that incorporates organic products from the region. The rock and hilltop villas are somewhat more private than the beach villas.

A centrally located, flashy urban addition to Buon Ma Thuot, this hotel chain uses the concept made popular by Wink Hotels: compact, tech-smart rooms designed to maximize space, featuring a capsule bathroom, king bed on a built-in platform, and services accessible via the app. The rooms are tight for two people but are designed for rest and ablutions; there's an enormous common space with a bar for lounging and co-working.

There are only 15 rooms and cottages at this small resort, including some that are mere steps to one of the property's two swimming pools; Sukhothai, Sunsea's excellent waterfront Thai restaurant, is a bonus. Like many resorts in Mui Ne, their beach is gone, but they have set up loungers and sitting areas under palms at the edge of the property, overlooking the ocean.

This small, locally owned hotel has clean, comfortable rooms with some nicer finishings than your average budget hotel, plus a very central location close to the market and Vincom Plaza; it's walking distance to Dak Lak Museum and the victory monument.

Villa Aria is a contemporary, comfortable boutique accommodation on the Mui Ne strip, and its lush gardens make it feel secluded even though it's a narrow strip of land in the middle of the tourist area. The country-style rooms, which are in blocks of four, are clean, spacious, and in calm, neutral tones—all have a small terrace or balcony, including two suites with a sea view. The palm-tree-shaded infinity pool overlooking the water is the place to relax.

This tranquil beachfront lodge on a 900-hectare uninhabited island in Van Phong Bay, about two hours north of Nha Trang, has basic but comfortable fan-cooled bungalows set among coconut palms. Rainbow Divers offers diving from January to October and from April to July, when whales and sharks converge in the bay to feed. Since opening in 1997, the resort has worked at preserving the local flora, fauna, and marine life, which hopefully the new ownership will continue. Room prices include breakfast and boat transfer to and from Dam Mon pier.

This small, tranquil family-owned resort has lovely views of the valley, comfortable large rooms with modern bathrooms, and an excellent in-house restaurant. The hotel is a peaceful and relaxing retreat, with friendly staff who can assist with tickets and tour bookings, as well as motorbike hire and luggage storage.