Airbnb Review: Orchid House Hoi An

@Tiffany loving the reviews. It's a great change of pace for OMAAT.

I'm curious, when you selected your Airbnb (and I apologise if I missed this in the article), did you select "entire house" for the accommodation type? I have stayed in lots of Airbnbs all over the world, including several where the homeowners are present or right nearby, but never had one where we had shared space like you had. They've always had a separate entrance way or they were in the other half of a duplex, just for a few examples.

An AirBnB review doesn’t belong on an aspirational travel blog.

@Tiffany, I am really loving these reviews.

@John, a person's aspirational travels are intrinsically individual. Some might prefer a low cost nice AirBNB, so that they can hold on to their points for more flights for example. Not everyone is aiming to stay at a luxury resort/hotel every night of a vacation. Furthermore, as Tiffany noted not every destination worth traveling to has a points associated hotel.

Stayed at the Intercontinental DaNang when I was there - truly spectacular hotel - beautiful rooms and facilities. Drawback is that it is about 45 mins to an hour from Hoi An - which is absolutely a delight and worth the trek (hotel did provide a free shuttle, though). And since the Intercont is a bit secluded, you are resort captive with prices to match. Da Nang as a city was also worth visiting - the modern city contrasts nicely to the old city of Hoi An - and felt like the real, modern Vietnam. After all the central part of Hoi An is actually a "museum". This part of central Vietnam had quite a lot to offer - and with all the construction going on, is really trying to build up its profile as a resort city.

@ Peter -- I've done that in the past as well, but in this case we just selected "private room".

@ John -- Respectfully, and I say this all the time, "aspirational" means something different to everyone, and can even vary trip to trip for the same person. Some want to travel more frequently, others more luxuriously, or at a lower cost. And I think knowing the range of accommodations can be interesting in many cases, even if it's just to confirm that you'd prefer to sacrifice location for better amenities, or whatever else.

I think we may have passed each other. But then, it was hard to tell with all the Korean tourists during Tet.
@Tiffany, I really liked your review and I thought you pointed out the highlights and things to be aware of very well.

I'm sure the answer to your bathroom toiletries question is both, both for family and guests.
If that's something to bother you, then stick to hotels in Vietnam.

The only thing I'd add is that travel in Vietnam at Tet is the most difficult of times, with packed trains and planes and businesses that are open 360 days a year are closed for the 4 or 5 days of Tet.
Even hotels will run with reduced staff, so it's best to avoid.

Great review! Airbnb reviews are rare to see on travel blogs but the value tends to be much better than paying a hotel rate most of the time, especially for budget travelers.

Will be going to DAD next month and stayin in Hoi An too.
I booked the reasonably priced 'Hotel Royal Hoi An', a Sofitel hotel.

Totally agreed with your approach. My wife and I stayed in Da Nang on the beach (in February), and we ended up spending all our time in Hoi An (love it there!). Fittingly, I'm wearing both the slacks and shirt that I had made there 2 years ago (and they still are in great shape).

@John i rather read about an airbnb then another chain airport hotel

My wife and I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Danang on free nights which was great and we only left one day to see the Marble Mountains. It's walkable from the Hyatt if you're into long walks plus all the stairs on the mountain. Then we stayed at a local hotel about a 20 minute walk from the historic part of Hoi An which was about the same price and quality as your Airbnb. We would have preferred being much closer to the historic part for our nights there. I guess my point is some of your readers like to stay at both nice hotels on points and budget options so your review is appreciated.

As the "Fair Trade" shower gel is usually found in Novotel bathrooms, and I believe I've seen the MM-branded ones before, too, I'd guess they were meant for guests. The others I'm not sure about, so I think Richard may be right saying it's a mixture of guest and family stuff.

Loved this review! Sounds like quite the local experience.

@John No one's forcing you to read this article nor are you being charged to read the blog so.........

I love Da Nang and have been going here every year for the past three years. I can’t say the same for Hoi An though, it’s way too touristy for me. Also, you misspelled “banh mi” in the last two posts. Otherwise, I enjoyed both posts.

Love the post. I know most of us reading want or are expecting hotel reviews, but the air bnb review as a change up is refreshing. Give great insight on what one can expect from private residences.

Tiffany is awesome. Thanks for the fresh perspective.

Another great review. Thanks, Tiffany. Nicely done.

Thanks for a great review @Tiffany @John. I, for one, really appreciated it. An AirBNB stay definitely belongs on here, because it is still a travel blog overall and an AirBNB is very much part of that.

It was nice to see a hospitable family welcoming you to their home, culture, and way of life on a daily basis. I like it as well, because I have been very hesitant on using AirBNBs. I always worry about the security, cleanliness, service, and privacy compared to high end hotels. Yet, your article gave me a different perspective, so unlike John, I am happy I read your article and thank you again for another delightful review.

I’ve stayed several times at the Vinh Hung Emerald Resort which is on the river and very quiet, just a 5 minute walk to the central area. I’ve also stayed at the original Vinh Hung hotel in old Hoi An town where they filmed the movie A Quiet American. Tiffany I love your new profile picture!

Loved this review Tiffany. With Ben finding a new love of staying at home and previous guest writers disappearing we need more reports from you 🙂

All I can say is..

POW MIA
Only Hanoi knows.

This is great Tiffany! Can't wait for your recap of the Hoi An activities. Your Instagram pictures made me reminisce about my trip two years ago.

During my trip I stayed at the Golden Bell Boutique Villa. Just on the outskirts of "downtown" Hoi An. I could have paid 2x the rate and still felt I was receiving incredible value. Highly recommended.

While the review content is excellent. I do agree with @John that Airbnb doesn't belong here but not for his reason of aspiration stuff. I feel each Airbnb is too unique and specific that it serves better as your personal travel memoir. I just can't see the odds of myself being able to book "Orchid House" or any single specific Airbnb that was reviewed. I never once was able to book the same (good) Airbnb twice. Now a 200 room property that is a different story. It's much easier to book them.

To sum up, as good as Airbnb can get, I would appreciate to see properties that I can/want/able to book and stay rather reading another travel diary.

I just stayed at the new Hilton Da Nang and loved it - amazing service. Another option for those who prefer hotels. But tempted to do an Airbnb for at least some of the next time in Vietnam!

LOL for a second there I seriously thought this might be a post by Lucky - but when I saw the first picture I was 100% sure that Lucky would not go near a place like that.

By reviewing a small Airbnb on a blog like this you are creating far more publicity than they are likely to be able to handle. Sudden increase in visitors will completely ruin the character of a place like this. Irresponsible post, in my opnion.

I think just providing your objective feedback through a review on Airbnb would have been sufficient.

Stayed at green heaven resort. It was adequate and the location was great.

@Frog - Probably posted here for the tax write-off.

Personally, my travel aspirations are primarily to meet people, gain some small measure of entré into the culture, and accrue new experiences including eating local food.

For that reason, Tiffany's stay is substantially more "aspirational" to me than another night in an Intercontinental, now matter how servile the staff and consistent the shampoo.

@RB stayed at the Mgallery Royal Hotel week before last - hotel is fine and very reasonable. It's an okay 5 star hotel and right in town. I'm surprised Tiffany did not mention it. Much cheaper than the Anantara whose rates go up and down....

Spent 6 nights at the Intercontinental - good hotel but yes it is a good way from city. Late March/early April perfect beach weather.

Loved this review! Appreciate your taking chances and staying in an AirBnB. I have stayed at the Intercontinental in DaNang and the La Siesta in Hoi An. Both were excellent places in their own way. There are lots of hotels in the Hoi An areas that are nice. Maybe next time.

I split my time between the Intercontinental Sun Peninsula Resort in Danang - for an outstanding 6 * (star) resort experience then the Vinh Hung Riverside Resort which was very close to the night market, and the experience of the lanterns there. the Vinh Hung Riverside had everything you needed, including a food market experience every afternoon and a river cruise at sunset which was all included in the tariff

Thanks for the post, AirBnB experience included. As you said, aspirations for traveling are very personal and as a travel blog, it's good to keep in mind that your audience is wide. We're a luxury hotel AND home exchange traveling family so it's nice to read different approaches to and experiences with traveling, especially when they bring you closer to the local culture.

I think it a very good idea that Tiffany shared her great Airbnb Experience at this Orchidhouse B&B because other travelers may also want to have a lovely stay at this Vietnamese family's too instead of staying at a hotel and it might prove positive on many aspects for the host family too.
Thanks therefore for sharing your experience!

Tiffany sharing an experience for staying at Airbnb. During Tet, most of the business are closed and for Hoa to showed the fabrics and willing to make something during Tet, it's wonderful. Most of people would not do that and just enjoying the holidays.