My stay started off so bad I nearly went and checked myself into the La Veranda within 20 minutes, which is my usual place to stay on my little escapes from working in Ho Chi Minh. I arrived in the morning, was told I could only check in at 2pm, which is fine, it's their policy to enforce and was told the direction to the restaurant, beach etc. I chose to walk which was quite a way and thought I would be able to get coffee and some breakfast, but alas no. I was told I could not have breakfast or even a cup of coffee as I had to be checked in and they would not accept cash or card for me to pay for it. I was told to go back to reception. So walked all the way back, leaving my luggage on the beach for them to send me back to the restaurant...…so not the best start. Check in the staff seemed 'flat' is the best way to put it, very disengaged and almost bossy rather than friendly or polite. That applied to check out too, not something I am used to in Vietnam hotels of this calibre.
Eventually the little beach bar opened, I was dying for food and something to drink. The beach bar is really cute, again service is bad. When used to your drink being nearly empty and someone offering you another, you literally had to hunt people down to serve you again, they weren't at all attentive. The food was ridiculously over priced and probably the worst I have had. It was the most cheap, basic of food at high end prices. So much so I would have rather ate the Pringles from the mini bar than the food. Breakfast however was really good, have to say, the only time I will compliment their food is they put on a great breakfast selection.
The more positive though, as it wasn't all bad and I like to be fair. The little villa's were absolutely lovely, delightful in fact. I had a great nights sleep the beds are super comfy. Odd water system that made my shower more like my ex boyfriend with its full on and hot, then switching to a cold drip every 6 seconds. Happened with the taps, must be the water system they use, but a pain when having a nice hot shower. Very cozy villas, the pools were fantastic and the one down by the beach has a pool bar.
The beach is lovely, absolutely lovely. Perfect sunsets, cute beach bar with actually reasonable cocktails, compared to everything else being so expensive. They basically know there is nowhere to go as it is remote. Pools are perfect too, have to say, they have done a great job of the furnishings around the pool and even in the pool.
Tips for travellers, buy snacks and drinks and bring them in. They charge extortionately for cans of coke, snacks etc and they do not have a shop to buy snack foods, drinks etc. So suggest you bring in any snacks and drinks with you for your stay.
This place has some upsides to La Veranda, my usual haunt, such as the beach bar, the pool and the beach being generally nicer, but would I stay here again? More than likely not, although I wonder if my initial arrival welcome tainted my view from the get go.