Sands River Villa Hoi An

Absolutely loved our 10 days at Sands River. It was the PERFECT starting point to our 4 months of travelling through Asia and an amazing gentle welcome to Vietnam. We really found our footing, caught up our jet lag and built our confidence around travelling as a new family here all in the gentlest and most supportive way. The host is truly amazing and was helpful and attentive, but also offered the perfect amount of space and privacy during our stay. She was also so kind and helpful with our adventurous 1-year-old daughter. We were wholly at peace being here and adjusting to a new country. Our room was perfectly comfortable, our bed and linen of high quality, the aircon cold, the entire accommodation kept meticulously clean and well looked after. Lots of different spaces to sit and work online. The pool is DIVINE! What made this space so special was that it felt like a home and you can tell that the quality of your stay is important to the host. As for Location, this truly was a fantastic spot to explore Hoi An, being perfectly balanced between exploring the old town, while still accessing the beach vibe (which can be totally missed in visiting Hoi An!! And is a whole part of the experience in itself). From Sands River Villa you have access to a handful of street food options, some restaurants, plenty small shops for drinks and snacks as well as a pharmacy next door. This isn’t a hugely tourist driven spot, which we loved while still having everything you needed in a very friendly neighbourhood. The lagoon back road was magic. You can also walk to one of the beaches in 5 minutes ! Renting bicycles was free and so much fun ! With them it’s easier to get to some of the other beaches. We also rented scooters from the villa most days and had a lot of fun going into the Old Town with them and exploring the rest of Hoi An. Make sure you explore the paths that go through the paddies ! Our personal recommendation is to go for sunset or the full moon rise at Miss Ha Cafe. We will absolutely recommend this place to anyone looking for comfortable, luxurious but homey and authentic accommodation, and so look forward to seeing our host Hien again. Thank you !!

We had a wonderful stay at Sands River. Before we even arrived we were contacted to ask if we needed transport. We were warmly welcomed on arrival and shown to our room which was spacious and perfect for our needs. Mrs Hien was able to take our laundry and offered to book any trips - we did the nearby coconut boats and she both booked our tickets and arranged transport for us. Breakfast is ordered each evening and served fresh the next morning at the time you like - I have been missing the pancakes ever since leaving. There are also bikes available for free hire which was a great extra for getting about, although the location is great for walking to the beach and restaurants for those preferring to stay closer. Huge thanks to Sands River, will return for sure.

Our experience at this hotel was unfortunately disappointing. We came as a family for a long weekend getaway from the city. We often stay in boutique hotels like this one when traveling in Vietnam, and we usually have a good time. When we booked, we asked for two rooms next to each other because we were traveling with children. The hotel confirmed it was possible, so we finalized our booking. Before arriving, the owner offered an airport transfer from Da Nang for 440,000 VND for a 7-seater car. It was slightly more expensive than Grab, but it was quicker as someone would be waiting for us at the airport. Upon arrival, we were surprised to find that the two rooms were on different floors — one on the ground floor and the other on the first floor. Although the owner tried to find a solution, it was frustrating to have to push and negotiate for something that had already been agreed. The next day, she moved another guest so we could have the rooms as originally booked. Once inside the room, we noticed a strong damp smell and humidity. The bed sheets also had an unpleasant odor. This is likely because the rooms are closed without proper ventilation or regular use of air conditioning — a common issue in Vietnam’s humid climate. Either you need to keep the AC running or store sheets in a dry place. We left the AC on in an attempt to reduce the humidity, but the owner kept entering our room to switch it off. She even threatened us for leaving it on. (In most hotels, keeping the AC on is not a problem. If there's a risk of electrical issues, maybe the system itself needs checking — not the guests.) When my wife mentioned the damp smell, the owner replied that my wife “must have a broken nose.” This kind of comment felt very disrespectful and unprofessional. After that, we asked that housekeeping only enter to clean and change towels, but this was not done. Breakfast was average. The juices were diluted with ice (and with water if you asked for no ice), which was disappointing, especially in a country where fresh fruit is affordable and abundant. We also asked about a guided bicycle tour in the rice fields. The owner showed us a flyer with a price of 800,000 VND per person, but offered us a “discounted” rate of 600,000 VND per person for a group of five, using the hotel’s own bikes (which were already included in the room price). That would have cost 3 million VND — far too expensive. We decided to do the ride on our own, and we’re glad we did. We even found a great coffee place with a beautiful view. I had read in another review that the owner was a bit pushy about selling activities, and now I understand why — the prices are just too high. In the end, there was a lot of tension with the owner, and we never felt truly welcome. It was a stressful experience, and we would not recommend this place to our friends in Saigon. It’s really unfortunate because the hotel has some potential — the building is nice, the location is decent, and the bed linen is of good quality. With better service and more respect for guests’ comfort and expectations, this place could be much better.

We had the most wonderful stay at Sands River Hoi An! The villa was very beautiful, clean and cool. It has a great location by the river and walking distance to the beach. It's a quick ride away from Hoi An Old Town. The wifi was strong as …

We had an incredible time, beautiful location, amazing food and the nicest hostess in the world. Thank you Hien!

Ms Hien is very nice, the room is clean and the view is spectacular. Also you can swim in the pool and enjoy the coconut trees and the lake. If you want to stay at a cozy enviroment, this is your place. Feels like home. You can book tours and trasnfer in the same place with Ms Hiens help. She is one of the wonderwomen of Vietnam.

Overall great experience, good value for money. The setting is cozy, the breakfast was a set choice but enough. The room is spacious and the mattresses were comfortable. Hien was kind, a bit pushy to my taste regarding booking various activities, and the safe box was faulty. Thanks for the enjoyment stay.

Sands River Villa is a hidden gem in Hoi An, offering the perfect blend of comfort and authentic charm. The riverside location is ideal, just a short ride from Hoi An Ancient Town, but far enough to enjoy a quiet retreat. What particularly sets this place apart and above the rest is the exceptional service. The owner made us feel like family, always attentive and happy to share local tips and recommendations. We had an unforgettable trip to Hoi An because of Sands River Villa and can’t wait to return!

We stayed in the poolside room. Lovely view over the pool which was surrounded by flowers and lanterns. Comfy beds, good shower and clean. The rivers edge is just out front where you can relax on day beds watch the little fishing boats and the sun set. Breakfast was included which is a selection of Hoi An food, omelettes and pancakes. Hien and her husband were lovely hosts. Thank you for a great stay.

Lovely homestay. Very kind and helpful people. Great location 5 minutes to the beach and on the river. The pool is lovely. Great breakfast and rooms on the second floor are lovely with a view of the river. Highly recommend booking and staying here. Loved sitting by the river in the morning and having a dip in the afternoon. 5 minutes to silk beach club or other tasty beach restaurants. Can help with excursions, bike rental ect. Great value and experience.

Do yourself a favour and stay here!! The staff are welcoming and helpful, the rooms are clean and well kept!! Pool is clean and the property backs onto the river which is sucha nice and relaxing feel. Its walking distance to plenty of food and drinks, yet quiet for good rest!!! Such good value 👌👌👌👌👌

I had the most beautiful stay with Hien at Sands River. The location is really perfect, the beach is just around the corner and the guest house looks onto the beautiful river too. Hien is such a kind and accomodating host, always offering help and a genuine smile, wishing you well. The room itself is very generous in size, very clean, I particularly loved the shower and shower pressure! I will be back again for sure! Strongly recommend staying in this perfect place.