Anantara Hoi An Resort is the best choice for couples who want to walk to Hoi An's old town every evening and come back to a proper resort. It sits on the bank of the Thu Bon River, less than a kilometer's stroll from the lantern-lit lanes of the UNESCO-listed old town. Its 92 rooms and suites are spread through low, colonial-style buildings set around gardens and a pool, so it feels calm even though the busiest part of town is minutes away on foot.
It suits couples who care more about the town than the beach: those who want to see the lanterns at their best after dark, linger over dinner by the river and skip the taxi ride back. Breakfast is included on most rates. Prices are modest for the comfort on offer.
It does not suit couples who want a beach resort or a private pool. The sea is a short ride away at An Bang. Many honeymooners split their stay between Anantara and a beach resort such as Four Seasons The Nam Hai. As a town base, though, few hotels in Hoi An match it for location and polish.
Highlights at a glance
- Less than a kilometer's walk to Hoi An old town
- 92 rooms and suites on the Thu Bon River
- River View Suites with a dedicated room host
- Temperature-controlled pool in the gardens
- Private Designer Dining set-ups for two
Why Couples Love Anantara Hoi An
Location is everything here. You can leave the hotel in the late afternoon, wander into the old town before the crowds arrive and be back on the terrace with a drink before the evening rush. On full moon nights, when the town dims its lights and the river fills with paper lanterns, being able to walk home is a gift.
The resort itself is a quiet retreat from the busy streets. The buildings are low and airy, with wooden shutters, verandas and tiled floors. Rooms face either the river or the gardens. The pool is temperature controlled, which matters in the cooler winter months. The staff are known for being warm and helpful. The River View Suites come with a dedicated room host who can help with reservations, tailors and tours.
Rooms and Suites to Book
There are three main categories.
- Garden Rooms and Suites (36 to 42 square meters) face the gardens and have indoor and outdoor living space. They are the best value.
- River View Suites (42 to 58 square meters) look across both banks of the Thu Bon and come with a dedicated room host. This is the category to book for a honeymoon, since watching the boats and lanterns on the river from your balcony is a big part of the charm.
- Anantara Suites (84 square meters) have one or two bedrooms, a choice of garden or river views and large corner balconies. Book one with a river view if you want extra space.
None of the rooms have private pools. Ask for an upper floor for the best river outlook and a quieter room.
Food, Drink and the Spa
The resort has several places to eat and drink. Hoi An Riverside is the main restaurant, with Vietnamese and international dishes and a view of the river. Lanterns is another option for dinner, while Art Space works as a bar and restaurant. Reflections Pool Bar is good for a lazy afternoon. Breakfast is complimentary on most rates.
For a special night, Anantara's Designer Dining lets you book a private dinner set up just for the two of you, with a menu planned around your tastes. That said, the old town is full of excellent restaurants and street food, so you will probably eat out most nights. The spa offers massages and treatments. A couples massage after a day of walking and cycling is an easy way to unwind.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
The old town is the main event. Walk the lanes in the early morning, when it is cool and quiet, then come back in the evening for the lanterns. Get measured at a tailor on your first day so there is time for fittings. Cross to An Hoi for riverside bars, or take a sunset boat on the Thu Bon to float a lantern together.
Beyond town, cycle out through rice paddies to Tra Que herb village, take a basket boat ride in the coconut palms at Cam Thanh or ride to An Bang beach for a swim. Couples with different interests can split a morning: one at a cooking class, the other on a photography walk. The temple ruins at My Son are best seen early, before the heat and the tour buses.
Getting There
Fly into Da Nang International Airport (DAD), which has frequent flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and some regional international routes. The drive to Hoi An takes about 45 minutes. The resort offers airport transfers, which must be booked in advance.
Once you are here, you can walk almost everywhere in town. Bicycles are an easy way to reach the countryside and beaches. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are cheap and reliable for longer trips. The old town's core is closed to motorbikes for much of the day, which makes evening walks pleasant. Wear comfortable shoes, since the streets are uneven. Pack light layers for winter evenings.
Is It Worth It?
Yes, if your priority is Hoi An itself. Rates typically start from roughly $200 to $260 a night for a Garden Room with breakfast, with River View Suites costing more. Treat those as approximate, since prices vary by season. For the location and comfort, that is good value.
The main reasons to look elsewhere are the beach and privacy. If you want a private pool or sand at your door, a resort on Ha My or An Bang beach is a better fit. Hoi An also has a rainy season from about October to December, when the river can flood the old town and the riverside hotels feel it. Outside those months, Anantara makes an excellent town base.
Insider tips
- Book a River View Suite on an upper floor for the best outlook.
- Visit a tailor on day one so there is time for two fittings.
- Time your stay around a full moon for the lantern night on the river.
- Pair two or three nights here with a beach resort for the rest of your stay.
