Escape to Paradise: Hon Dau Resort, Hai Phong's Hidden Gem
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the, shall we say, slightly less-than-perfectly-manicured world of Escape to Paradise: Hon Dau Resort, Hai Phong. Forget the polished brochures, I'm here to spill the tea (hopefully with some decent Wi-Fi to upload this epic review).
Accessibility (and the Ups and Downs):
Okay, let’s be real. "Paradise" doesn't always equal "Easy Breezy for Everyone." Accessibility is listed but specific details are not provided so you should call and ask. This isn't the most flat, cookie cutter resort in the world. But hey, adventure, right? I didn’t have any serious mobility issues, so I can't give you a first-hand account of navigating with a wheelchair, but it’s worth checking ahead. Let's just say, if you're expecting everything on one level with ramps, you might need to do some extra planning. I saw elevators and thought that was a good sign, but definitely call ahead to confirm.
And speaking of walking…
Getting Around: Car Parks, Taxis, and the Great Foot Race (or Not):
Free car park on-site? Check. Valet parking? Now we're talkin'! I'm all about that car park free of charge life. Especially after a long flight. Taxi service? Available, thankfully, because getting around in a place like this is key and a good option for getting around. Car power charging station? A modern touch! This is good for those environmentally friendly travelers!
The Tech Tango: Internet, Wi-Fi, and My Sanity:
Okay, here's the truth bomb: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yes! And, praise the internet gods: Internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi) and Internet access – LAN (if you're old-school, like me and still like to plug-in). The Wi-Fi in the public areas was pretty solid too. Look, connection is life. I need to work (okay, and stream Netflix). So a good internet connection is a must for me. I even saw Wi-Fi for special events; this is pretty important if you're planning a conference or something that requires a lot of bandwidth. Additional internet services weren't listed, but again, call and ask. More tech, more better.
Cleanliness, Safety, and My Slightly Paranoid Side:
Right, let's get the serious stuff out of the way. I am a germaphobe, so bear with me. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check! Daily disinfection in common areas? Yes, please! Rooms sanitized between stays? Music to my ears! Professional-grade sanitizing services? Okay, Hon Dau, you're winning me over. Hand sanitizer everywhere? Excellent. Individually-wrapped food options? Sold! Daily housekeeping and Room sanitization opt-out available are a good touch, and some of the best hotels do this now. Hot water linen and laundry washing? Basically, they're trying to keep the place squeaky clean, and I appreciate the effort. Shared stationery removed is also a nice touch, and something you don't think about until… you do.
Plus, the usual suspects: CCTV in common areas and outside, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms. Security seemed pretty on-the-ball.
The Food Frontier: Dining, Drinking, and the Quest for the Perfect Pho:
Alright, let's get to the important stuff. The food!
- Restaurants: Plural! Yes! This made me very happy. The A la carte in restaurant option and the Buffet in restaurant gives some nice variety. I'm not a huge fan of buffets, but more options are always better. Asian cuisine in restaurant and Western cuisine in restaurant? Score! My tummy and cultural expectations are going to be happy.
- Bars: The Poolside bar is essential, right? I NEED my poolside cocktails. Happy hour is listed, because who doesn't love a good deal? Coffee/tea in restaurant and a Coffee shop? Perfect! Gotta fuel those explorations (and my writing sessions). The Snack bar is super important too, for the late-night munchies! Desserts in restaurant? YES! Need to get those calories in, right?
The Alternative meal arrangement is nice, for allergies or dietary needs. I like that. The Breakfast [buffet] and Asian breakfast and Western breakfast sound pretty good, but Breakfast in room is a nice touch. Breakfast takeaway service is also a plus! The Room service [24-hour] gives me a good feeling of security.
I really loved the Asian Cuisine, especially the Pho. It was delicious!
The Stuff That Makes You Go "Ahhhhh…": Ways to Relax & Things to Do:
This is where Hon Dau really shines.
- Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom: Yep, all the pampering is here. Body scrub and Body wrap? Take my money! Massage – a MUST. And a Foot bath? I can't wait!
- Swimming pool, Pool with view, Swimming pool [outdoor]: The outdoor pool is just beautiful. The view is… breathtaking. I spent a whole afternoon just floating and staring at the scenery. Utter bliss.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Okay, I might have skipped the gym (blame the cocktails). But it's there if you're feeling virtuous.
For the Kids (and the Kid in You):
- Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, and Babysitting service are a great combo. They also have a Kids meal, which is always handy.
The Nitty-Gritty: Services and Conveniences:
This is where Hon Dau shows that, at least in theory, they’ve thought of everything.
- Essential Conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Air conditioning in rooms? Check. Daily housekeeping? Love it. Concierge? Useful for tips and making reservations. Currency exchange, Cash withdrawal, Gift/souvenir shop, Convenience store? Handy.
- Other Nice-to-Haves: Elevator, Luggage storage, Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service. I’m a sucker for an iron, and this is a must!
- Business-y Stuff: Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Seminars. Audio-visual equipment for special events, Projector/LED display, Meeting stationery, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center. I did not use any of these, because I was living the vacation life, but it's good to know, right?
- Facilities for disabled guests, Facilities for disabled guests. Because, again, everyone should be able to enjoy this place.
- Food Delivery: Yep! Because sometimes you just want to stay in your robe and order room service.
The Room Rundown: My Personal Oasis (or Not):
- The Good Stuff: Air conditioning, Air conditioning in public area, Additional toilet, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. My room was clean, comfortable, and generally well-equipped. The aircon could be cranked up to arctic levels, which is a MUST for me. The bed was comfy. The blackout curtains… priceless. I'm a huge fan of the Coffee/tea maker and the Complimentary tea.
- The Little Things (and a few minor hiccups): Alarm clock, Bathroom phone, Carpeting, Closet, Desk, High floor, Mirror, On-demand movies, Scale, Smoke detector, Soundproofing. Some things were as simple as the internet! Some of the rooms feel a little… dated in spots. But hey, the price reflects that, and it’s all part of the charm, right?
- The Meh Stuff: Reading light. The lighting could be better. Mirror. More mirrors, please! Socket near the bed. They could add these to the rooms and maybe make the room a little more modern.
My Recommendation (and the Imperfections):
Look, is Hon Dau Resort perfect? Nope. But it's got a ton of heart, some serious spa cred, and enough charm to make up for a few rough edges. It
Swansea's Chic 1-Bed Barn Escape: Hill End Barn Awaits!
Hon Dau Island: My Love/Hate Affair with Paradise (and Seagulls) - A Totally Unfiltered Itinerary
Okay, people, buckle up. This isn't your perfectly Pinterest-curated travel guide. This is the Hon Dau Island experience, warts and all, straight from the grimy, sand-caked heart of yours truly. We’re talking Haiphong, Vietnam, and more specifically, the, uh, rustic charm of Hon Dau Resort. Expect some highs, some lows, a healthy dose of existential dread contemplating the meaning of a perfect beach (spoiler: it’s complicated), and an unhealthy obsession with the local seagulls.
Pre-Trip Ramblings (aka the Panic Before the Calm):
- The Booking Debacle: Seriously, booking this place felt like navigating a minefield. The website was… well, let’s just say it favored cryptic Vietnamese and heavily pixelated photos. I spent an hour translating, squinting, and praying my phone wasn't about to spontaneously combust. But hey, adventure, right?
- Packing Perfection (and its inevitable destruction): Days of meticulous packing. Sunscreen? Check. Hat? Check. Enough snacks to survive a zombie apocalypse? Double-check. Then, within 20 minutes of arriving in Hanoi, half my suitcase exploded. Lesson learned: duct tape is your travel BFF.
Day 1: Arrival and the Initial Shock (and Seagull Aggression)
- Morning (8:00 AM): Finally landed in Haiphong. The journey was a blur of cramped busses and questionable street food (more on that later). The air, thick with humidity and the promise of salty sea breezes, hit me like a wet blanket.
- Late Morning (10:00 AM): Ferry to Hon Dau! The views were breathtaking, genuinely. Lush green islands rising from the turquoise sea – postcard worthy. (Except for the slight smell of… well, I’m not sure what, but someone definitely used the ferry's bathroom…). Found my first seagull nemesis. This one was particularly bold, trying to steal my banh mi right out of my hand. Aggressive little buggers!
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Check-in at the resort. The “bungalow” (and I use that term loosely)… well, let's just say it was… charmingly weathered. Think: a charmingly weathered shack with a slightly dubious AC and a questionable collection of decorative seashells. The bed was… okay. The mosquitos, however, were not okay. My initial reaction was a mix of "Wow, paradise!" and "Oh god, what have I done?"
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): BEACH TIME! Finally! Sand. Sea. Sun. My brain nearly short-circuited with happiness. The water wasn't quite the crystal-clear perfection of the brochures (again, realistic expectations are key folks!), but it was warm, inviting, and the perfect antidote to the chaos of the journey. This is where the world stops.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Sunset dinner. Seafood, naturally. Grilled squid, clams, everything. The flavors were incredible, the atmosphere was magical, and then… the power went out. Seriously? But honestly, lighting can be pretty romantic.
Day 2: Detours and Double-Downs (with a side of existential beach contemplation)
- Morning (8:00 AM): Woke up to the sound of… screaming seagulls. They're like the avian alarm clock from hell. Seriously, I'm starting to develop a real vendetta. Breakfast was, shall we say, basic. Toast. Eggs. And a lurking suspicion that the fruit was not, in fact, fresh.
- Morning (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM): The Cliffside Climb of Doom (and Revelation): Let me tell you, this was an experience. The "trail" leading up the cliffs was more like a scramble up loose rocks and overgrown vegetation. Halfway up, I was convinced I’d become seagull food. But the view from the top? MIND-BLOWING. Sweeping panoramas of the island, the sea stretching to the horizon. And in that moment, the slight discomfort of the bungalow and the bird-related aggression just… faded away. I was momentarily at peace, and this is why travel is worth it.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM): I HAD to return the beach. I did. The draw of the sun and water was undeniable. I spent hours just lying in the sun, the waves lapping against the shore. This is where I truly let go.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Honesty Hour: The resort's "spa" was… let's be kind and call it "rustic." I swear the lady giving me the massage was also the one who cleaned my room. It was a massage alright -- it was a sensory adventure!
- Evening (6:00 PM): The power stayed on! Dinner. Another seafood feast. This time, with the added entertainment of a rather persistent stray dog who seemed particularly fond of my leftovers. I couldn’t resist a little human interaction in this paradise of isolation.
Day 3: Departure (and a newfound respect for seagulls?)
- Morning (7:00 AM): One last sunrise. One last attempt to understand the seagull hierarchy. I may have even started to feel a grudging respect for their tenacity.
- Morning (8:00 AM): Breakfast. This time, I conquered the fruit - no stomach issues! A minor victory, I’ll take it.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Check out. Ferry back. A bittersweet farewell to the island, and a whole new understanding of what I need in life. (The sea, and a better-than-okay bed).
- Afternoon (12:00 PM): Hanoi-bound. Already fantasizing about my next escape. I'll book something better but I will also never forget Hon Dau.
- Evening (Ongoing): Reflecting. Hon Dau Resort wasn't perfect, far from it. But it was real. It was raw. It was… an experience. And in the end, isn't that what travel is all about? So, go. Take the ferry. Embrace the imperfections. And maybe, try to befriend a seagull, just for the hell of it. (But keep your banh mi close).
Escape to Paradise: Hon Dau Resort - Your Burning Questions (and My Ramblings)
Okay, spill the beans! Is Hon Dau actually paradise? Is it worth the trek?
Alright, alright, settle down, eager beavers. Paradise? Let's be realistic. It's *close*. Definitely a breath of fresh air compared to, say, the chaotic energy of central Hai Phong. The trek itself is... an adventure. Think boat, a little car ride, and then BAM! You've got that island vibe. Is it worth it? That depends on your patience and your tolerance for questionable karaoke at 3 AM (more on that later...). But honestly? Yeah, it's worth it. The moment you see that pristine beach with the lush greenery, you'll feel a little smug that you've escaped the 'real' world.
Me? I found myself instantly relaxed. Literally. I had been hustling and stressing about a project for a week. When I got there, it was a sudden change of pace. I was actually a little weirded out at first.
What's the accommodation like? Are we talking five-star luxury or... rustic charm?
Rustic charm is a polite term, my friends. Think comfortable, with a dash of Vietnamese "make-do." We stayed in a bungalow, and honestly, it was perfectly fine! Clean sheets, mosquito nets (thank the heavens), and a balcony overlooking the ocean. The aircon worked most of the time. MOST. One night it decided to take a little vacation of its own. Cue some sweating and a frantic search for extra fans. But hey, it added to the adventure, right? Right?!
One thing did get me, though. I’m pretty sure the bathroom tiles were originally from a different era. But, you know, character! It’s kinda endearing, actually.
The Food – Crucial Question! Fish? Fresh Seafood? Tell me everything!
Oh, the food. This is where Hon Dau SERIOUSLY shines. Fresh seafood is the name of the game. I'm talking grilled fish so tender it practically melts in your mouth. Clams simmered in lemongrass. Giant prawns that you can almost taste just *thinking* about them. Honestly, I think I gained five kilos just from breathing the air near the kitchen. And the prices? Ridiculously good value. Prepare to loosen your belt and surrender to a seafood coma. Seriously. BRING ANTACIDS. I speak from experience. I went totally overboard with an entire crab, and that was a mistake I learned the hard way; I'm pretty sure I woke up screaming for Tums.
Things to do? Besides eating and lounging on the beach (which sounds amazing, btw).
Beach is the star, no doubt. But if you're feeling ambitious, you can hike to the lighthouse. The views are spectacular, *especially* at sunset. Bring water and comfortable shoes, because it's a bit of a scramble. I swear, I aged a year doing it, but the vista was so worth it. You can also kayak (that's what I did, and I felt like I was actually *doing* something!), explore the hidden coves, or just… do absolutely nothing. Seriously, embrace the nothingness. That's the true luxury. Oh, and there's a small pool, which is perfectly refreshing when you're not feeling the salty embrace of the ocean.
Speaking of 'doing nothing' - let's talk about the vibe. Is it a party scene, or more chill? Will I need to bring earplugs?
Earplugs. BRING. EARPLUGS. Okay, I'm only half-kidding. It's mostly chill during the day. Think families, couples, people just wanting some peace. But, and this is a BIG BUT, the resort seems to have a secret alter ego after dark. And that alter ego includes... karaoke. And not *good* karaoke. Let's just say the local talent is… enthusiasm-rich. The first night, I think I was actually enjoying it, a bit. The second night? My brain turned to mush. I'm not saying it's a bad thing or a dealbreaker, but come prepared. Earplugs, maybe a strong drink, and a sense of humor are your best allies.
What's the best time to go? Any advice on avoiding the crazies?
Shoulder season is magic. Avoid the hottest months (May-August), and try to go during the week. Weekends… well, weekends get a *little* busier, especially if there's a public holiday. The best advice? Embrace the chaos! Even if it's the karaoke kind. And, if you're lucky, maybe the power will go out and you can finally get some peace and quiet. (Kidding!… mostly!).
The boat ride! Is it as magical as everyone says? Seasickness, anyone?
The boat ride is… an experience. It's not the "romantic sunset cruise" you might picture. It's more like "a working boat with a view." It can be a bit choppy, depending on the weather. I personally didn't get seasick, but I saw a few pale faces. So, if you're prone to motion sickness, pack the ginger candies or a motion sickness patch! The views, though, are spectacular. The sea, the islands… it's beautiful. Just try to focus on the scenery and ignore the faint smell of diesel. And try to get a seat that won't get soaked when the waves are extra friendly.
One thing, though: when you get off the boat, and the water is that impossibly turquoise color... you'll know it was worth it.
Okay, let's get real. Any downsides? What should I *really* know before I go?
Alright, the truth bombs. Firstly, the internet is… patchy. Don't expect to stream your favorite shows. Embrace the digital detox! Secondly, bug spray is your friend. Mosquitoes are persistent little vampires. Third, the service can be a bit… relaxed. Don't be afraid to flag someone down if you need something. And, finally, embrace the little imperfections. It's part of the charm. This isn't a polished, pristine resort. It's a real, lived-in place with a lot of heart. And that's what makes it special.
