Where to Stay in Hoi An, Vietnam: 4 Best Areas & Hotels

Planning a trip to Hoi An and not sure where to stay? You’re in the right place.

Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most beautiful cities, but the best area to stay really depends on the kind of trip you want. You could base yourself right by the lively, lantern-filled streets of the Ancient Town, or enjoy a more serene escape near the beach or the peaceful rice paddies. 

For a first visit, we generally think that Old Town and Cam Pho are the best places to stay in Hoi An, but if you’re more interested in nature or nightlife, there are some fantastic alternatives to consider. Keep on reading to find the right area for you! 

Where to Stay in Hoi An Map

Overview of the Best Areas to Stay in Hoi An

To be honest, you can’t really choose a wrong location in Hoi An, and getting around is simple. If you stay in Old Town/Cam Pho or An Hoi, you’ll be able to walk pretty much everywhere, as these areas are super central. If you stay outside of the center in Cam Chau, Cam Thanh, or Cam An, you can either use Grab to get around, or even rent a scooter if you don’t mind braving the Vietnamese traffic!

Here’s a quick overview of our favorite areas and who they’re best suited for:

• Old Town & Cam Pho – Best for first-timers – This is the best area to stay if you want Hoi An’s historic sights and cute cafés right on your doorstep. Laluna Hoi An Riverside Hotel & Spa is our top pick here, with a beautiful riverside setting and heritage decor.

• An Hoi Island – Best for restaurants & nightlife – Staying here means you’ll have the Night Market and Ancient Town just a short walk away! Lantana Boutique Hoi An Hotel is a top-rated hotel with spacious rooms and suites and a gorgeous wellness center.

• Cam Chau & Cam Thanh – Best for quiet, higher-end stays – These lush, green neighborhoods are ideal if you’d rather wake up to rice paddies than busy streets. Little Gem Hoi An Boutique Hotel & Spa is a stylish boutique stay with a gorgeous pool and plenty of space to relax.

• An Bang Beach / Cam An – Best for beaches – If beach time is your top priority, this is where we would stay, with sandy beaches and plenty of casual restaurants and bars dotted along the coast. Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa is a great choice for a resort-style stay, with lush grounds and direct beach access.

Where to Stay in Hoi An

Old Town & Cam Pho

BEST FOR FIRST-TIMERS

Pros

• Most of Hoi An’s main sights are within walking distance
• Lots of shops and restaurants nearby
• Pretty yellow buildings adorned with lots of colorful lanterns 

Cons

• This is the busiest and most touristy part of the city
• Hotels can be more expensive than in quieter areas

If it’s your first time in Hoi An, this is where we recommend staying. It’s actually where we stayed on our first visit, and it worked perfectly because we were right in the middle of the action. We loved stepping out of our hotel and immediately being surrounded by colorful lanterns and historic yellow buildings!

Most of Hoi An’s most iconic sights are in this area, including the Japanese Covered Bridge and the old merchant houses. Staying here makes it so easy to sightsee on foot, and it means you won’t need to rely on taxis or scooters. 

We especially like the Cam Pho area, which sits just beyond the busiest streets of Ancient Town. It’s ideal if you want to be central but don’t want to be right on the main tourist drag.

The only downside is that this is Hoi An’s busiest tourist area. In the evenings, the streets tend to get very crowded between January and April, which is the peak time for international tourists, or between June and August, when Vietnamese schools go on summer break. However, you can’t beat the convenience of staying in the Old Town and Cam Pho, and there’s no denying how charming it is! 

Hotel Royal Hoi An Danang – $$$

If you want to treat yourself while staying close to Ancient Town, Hotel Royal Hoi An Danang is our top luxury pick. It’s close to the river and within walking distance of the Japanese Covered Bridge, so you won’t have to sacrifice location for a fancier hotel.

The rooftop pool is the big selling point for us! You get gorgeous views over Hoi An from up here, plus there’s a rooftop bar for sunset drinks. The rooms are stylish but not over-the-top flashy, and there’s another pool downstairs if you want more space to swim.

Room prices range from $300 to $470 USD per night.

Alternatively, Little Residence – A Boutique Hotel & Spa has lots of character and a quieter location in Cam Pho, just a short walk from the Japanese Covered Bridge. We especially love the colorful interiors and peaceful indoor pool!

We also recommend Allegro Hoi An if a gorgeous pool is high on your wishlist. It’s also in Cam Pho, and it offers a fantastic pool, a sumptuous spa, and one of the best breakfasts in town. 

Laluna Hoi An Riverside Hotel & Spa – $$

We wanted to be able to walk everywhere without spending a fortune on our hotel, so we booked Laluna Hoi An Riverside Hotel & Spa. It’s right by the river in Cam Pho, and the Japanese Covered Bridge is less than a 10-minute walk away.

We felt like we got a lot for the price here, including a lovely outdoor pool which was perfect for cooling off after sightseeing – the heat in Vietnam is no joke! Our room had a balcony overlooking the river, and we were just a few minutes’ walk from the Ancient Town. The staff were super sweet, too – they really couldn’t do enough for us! 

Rooms typically start from around $150 USD per night.

If Laluna is fully booked, Hoi An Delicacy Hotel & Spa is a top-rated option just outside Ancient Town. We’d stay here just for their beautiful rooftop bar, which offers gorgeous views of Hoi An and the Hoia River, especially at sunset.

Uptown Hoi An Hotel & Spa is another central hotel that offers great value, with a rooftop pool and super attentive staff. It receives rave reviews, and a free airport taxi is included with your stay, which is a great bonus!

Hoi An Historic Hotel – $

If you want to save money but still stay right by Ancient Town, HOI AN HISTORIC HOTEL is a bit of a bargain. It’s just a few minutes on foot from the Central Market and the historic streets, so you’d struggle to find a more convenient base at this price.

We also love how much space you get here. The hotel is surrounded by leafy gardens, with a big outdoor pool in the middle, so it feels pretty peaceful considering how central it is. The rooms are fairly simple, but they’re comfortable and, to be honest, we think that’s a fair trade-off for the location and facilities!

Rooms typically start from around $100 USD per night.

Old Town Hotel is another affordable choice just outside the historic center. It’s simple but well-maintained with a pretty courtyard pool, and you’ll still be able to walk to the main sights, so it’s an ideal wallet-friendly base in Hoi An.

We also recommend HY Local Budget Hotel if you’re looking for somewhere cheap and cheerful close to Ancient Town. It’s super well-rated, with friendly staff and a fantastic location, and simple but very spacious rooms.

An Hoi Island

BEST FOR RESTAURANTS & NIGHTLIFE

Pros

• Loads of restaurants and bars within walking distance
• Just across the river from Ancient Town

Cons

• Can get busy and noisy in the evenings
• Not the best choice if you want a really peaceful stay

If you like having plenty going on in the evenings, An Hoi Island is a great place to stay. It sits just across the river from Ancient Town, so you can walk over for sightseeing during the day and come back to a much livelier atmosphere after dark. This area is popular with the backpacker crowd, and it’s home to the (in)famous Hair of the Dog bar.

Hoi An was an important trading port from the 15th to 19th centuries, and the old merchant houses and temples of Ancient Town are right across the bridge. So if you want to be central and enjoy Hoi An’s best nightlife, An Hoi is a great choice! 

The biggest draw here is probably the Hoi An Night Market, which takes over Nguyen Hoang Street each evening with souvenirs and street food. The riverfront gets busy too, and you’ll see the little lantern boats heading up and down the Thu Bon River. Oh, and be sure to eat at Morning Glory Signature, the branch of Hoi An’s most famous restaurant that sits on this side of the water.

Hoi An really comes alive after sunset, so this is the perfect place to base yourself if you don’t want to call it a night straight after dinner.

The Signature Hoi An – $$$

If you want to treat yourself while staying right by the Night Market, The Signature Hoi An is our top luxury pick. You can walk to the Japanese Covered Bridge in just a few minutes, so you’re really in the heart of Hoi An here.

We love the interiors, which take inspiration from traditional Hoi An without feeling old-fashioned, and don’t get us started on the beautiful bathtubs! There’s also a gorgeous pool area decorated with lanterns, and a spa if you fancy a massage after a long day of exploring. All in all, it actually feels very peaceful considering how central it is – and how close to all the nightlife! 

Rooms typically range from $130 to $300+ USD per night.

Alternatively, Rokas Hoi An Boutique Hotel is a cute little boutique hotel just across the bridge in Cam Pho, so you’re an eight-minute walk from the Japanese Covered Bridge and just steps away from Hoi An’s best nightlife. It has a small outdoor pool and some really spacious rooms with balconies.

We also recommend Little Hoi An if you want to stay right on the river. True to its name, it has lots of traditional Hoi An character, and we love that there’s a piano for guests to play in the lobby!

Lantana Boutique Hoi An Hotel – $$

If location is your priority, Lantana Boutique Hoi An Hotel gives you a lot for the price. It’s technically in Cam Pho, but it sits right by An Hoi Island and is only around 400 meters from the Japanese Covered Bridge, so you can walk almost everywhere.

The hotel itself has a warm, traditional feel, and we love that there’s a pool to come back to when the Hoi An heat gets a bit much. You’ll also have the Night Market just across the river, so you’ll be spoilt for choice at dinner time!

Rooms typically average around $160 USD per night.

Long Life Riverside Hotel is even closer to the action, with Ancient Town just a two-minute walk away. It has a lovely pool, and some rooms have private balconies overlooking the river, which we think is pretty dreamy for the price!

Asami Riverside Hotel – $

If you’d rather spend your money on food and cocktails than your hotel room, ASAMI RIVERSIDE Hotel is a great little budget find. While you’re on An Hoi Island, it’s just a short walk to Old Town, making this a nice and quiet base.

The rooms are simple but spacious, and some have balconies overlooking the river. There’s even a small pool, which is always a bonus, especially during the dry season.

Rooms typically start from around $75 USD per night.

For another bargain, PHỐ CHỢ ĐÊM Villa is only around 200 meters from Old Town and gets fantastic reviews. The rooms are bright and modern, and there’s a little outdoor pool tucked into the courtyard.

Cam Chau & Cam Thanh

BEST FOR QUIET, HIGHER-END STAYS

Pros

• Much quieter than Ancient Town
• Rice paddies and countryside views
• Lots of beautiful boutique hotels and resorts
• Great for cycling

Cons

• You won’t be able to walk to most of Hoi An’s main sights
• Limited restaurants and nightlife

If you want to see a quieter side of Hoi An, you’re not alone! We stayed in the Cam Chau and Cam Thanh area on our second or third visit to Hoi An (I forget exactly!), and we loved the quieter pace of these peaceful, rural neighborhoods. Instead of yellow buildings and buzzing streets, this is where you’ll find bright green rice paddies and waterways lined with palm trees. It feels completely different from staying in Ancient Town!

This is one of our favorite parts of Hoi An for cycling, and we spent an amazing morning riding through the rice fields and spotting water buffalo, stopping for coffee and food whenever we felt like it!  In Cam Thanh, you’ll also find the Bay Mau Coconut Forest, where you can take one of the famous basket boats through the nipa palms. 

In short, we think you should stay here if you’re more interested in peace and quiet than being able to walk everywhere. And anyway, you can still reach the Ancient Town and the beaches easily by bicycle, scooter, or Grab! Plus, the hotels tend to have big pools and gardens, so it’s a nice area for couples or families who want a bit more space.

Premium CGP Hotel Hoi An – $$$

If you want to stay somewhere quieter without feeling miles away from Ancient Town, Premium CGP Hotel Hoi An is a great compromise. It’s in Cam Chau, around a 20-minute walk from the Japanese Covered Bridge, so you can easily head into the center when you want to.

We especially like the outdoor pool, which is surrounded by loungers and greenery. The rooms are bright and spacious, and some overlook the pool, so it feels much more peaceful than staying right in the middle of town.

Rooms typically start from around $300 USD per night.

If you really want to splash out, Namia River Retreat – Wellness Inclusive Resort is on another level entirely, with huge private pool villas right by the river. Daily wellness is a big part of the experience here, with yoga and spa treatments built into the stay.

We also love the look of Little Oasis – An Eco Friendly Hotel & Spa, which feels very resort-y for somewhere so close to Hoi An. There’s a gorgeous rooftop pool and a free bicycle service, so you can cycle into town instead of calling a Grab every time.

Little Gem Hoi An Boutique Hotel & Spa – $$

If you like the idea of staying somewhere peaceful but still want to cycle or walk into Hoi An, Little Gem Hoi An Boutique Hotel & Spa is our top mid-range pick. It’s tucked away in Cam Chau, but you can reach the edge of Ancient Town in around 15 minutes on foot.

The rooftop pool is a definite highlight, especially after a hot morning exploring! Rooms are spacious, and most have balconies, but our favorite perk is the free bikes. Hoi An is such a nice place to cycle, so we definitely advise making use of them!

Rooms typically start from around $200 USD per night.

ZEN Boutique Hoi An – Eco-Friendly Villa is a lovely alternative if you prefer small boutique hotels to big resorts. The rooms are huge, there’s an indoor pool, and it has a really peaceful feel despite being within walking distance of Ancient Town.

We also recommend Grand Sunrise Palace Hoi An because it feels much fancier than the price suggests. There are two pools, including one on the rooftop, and the spa offers amazing massages and treatments at very affordable rates – bliss! 

Zen Retreat Hoi An – $

If you want to stay somewhere peaceful without spending very much at all, ZEN RETREAT HOI AN is a bit of a gem. It’s tucked away among the rice paddies and coconut trees of Cam Thanh, around 5 km from Ancient Town, so this is definitely one for travelers who don’t mind being outside the center.

We love the setting here! There’s a lovely outdoor pool overlooking the greenery, and some rooms have balconies with views across the water. Best of all, bikes are free to borrow, so you can cycle through the countryside or into Hoi An rather than getting a Grab every time.

Rooms typically start from around $100 USD per night.

Lancelynk Retreat Hoi An is another bargain if you want to escape the tourist crowds, with spacious rooms overlooking the coconut gardens and a pretty outdoor pool. It feels very peaceful, but Ancient Town is still only around a 10-minute scooter ride away.

We also recommend Serene Nature Boutique Resort & Spa if you want a little more of a resort feel without a huge price tag. It has a beautiful pool overlooking the greenery, free bikes, and rooms with balconies, while the rice-field setting really gives you that quieter side of Hoi An we love about Cam Thanh.

Related Read: Need help organizing your trip? See our ideal 3-day Hoi An itinerary for the best tours, restaurants, day trips, and more, all planned out for you!

An Bang Beach / Cam An

BEST FOR BEACHES

Pros

• Hoi An’s best beaches are right on your doorstep
• Loads of beachfront restaurants and bars
• Much quieter than staying around Ancient Town

Cons

• You’ll need a bike, scooter, or Grab to reach most of Hoi An’s historic sights
• Not ideal if sightseeing is the main focus of your trip

If beach time is high on your wishlist, Cam An is where we’d stay. This is Hoi An’s main beach area, and it includes An Bang Beach, which has a lovely stretch of sand lined with casual restaurants, beach bars, and smaller hotels.

An Bang started life as a quiet fishing village, and although it’s much more popular with visitors these days, it still feels pretty low-key compared to the big resort beaches you’ll find elsewhere in Vietnam. You can spend the day swimming or lounging by the sea, then grab dinner and drinks without having to head back into town.

The obvious trade-off is that you’re farther from Ancient Town. It’s still only a short ride away, though, so we don’t think this is a huge issue if you’re happy to use Grab or rent a scooter.

We’d choose Cam An for a longer stay in Hoi An, especially if you want to split your time between sightseeing and doing absolutely nothing by the sea! It’s also a great choice for families who want more space and easy beach access.

Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa – $$$

If you want to turn your Hoi An trip into a bit of a beach holiday, Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa is where we would splurge! It sits right on Cua Dai Beach, surrounded by five hectares of tropical gardens, so it feels a world away from the busy streets of Ancient Town.

The huge 45-meter pool is the big selling point for us, but you also have a private stretch of beach right outside. And you don’t have to choose between the beach and sightseeing, as there’s a free shuttle into Ancient Town.

Rooms typically start from around $200 USD per night.

Alternatively, Silk Sense Hoi An River Resort is a beautiful riverside escape in Cam An, with lots of greenery and a gorgeous outdoor pool. There’s even an organic garden, which really adds to the peaceful feel.

We also recommend Boutique Hoi An Resort if direct beach access is a must. It has its own private beach and a huge pool, while Ancient Town is only around five minutes away by taxi.

CHiEM HoiAn – $$

If you want to stay right by An Bang Beach without paying full resort prices, CHiEM HoiAn is another great pick. You’ll be just a short walk from the sand, with restaurants and cafés dotted around the neighborhood too.

We love that it still feels like somewhere you can spend a lazy afternoon rather than just a base for sleeping. There are two outdoor pools and a spa, so if you don’t fancy moving very far one day, we honestly wouldn’t blame you!

Rooms average around $120 USD per night.

Shoreline Stay is another gorgeous little beach stay, with An Bang Beach literally just steps away. The infinity pool is a lovely bonus, and there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance.

We also love AIRA Boutique Hoi An Hotel & Spa if you want something small and characterful rather than a big resort. It’s tucked into tropical gardens close to An Bang Beach, with two pools and a lovely spa for a bit of extra holiday indulgence.

Wyndham Garden Hoi An Cua Dai Beach – $

If you want resort-style facilities without the resort-style price tag, Wyndham Garden Hoi An Cua Dai Beach offers a lot of bang for your buck. It’s across the road from Cua Dai Beach, with a private beach area reached via a pathway from the hotel.

There’s a big outdoor pool, and the rooms are actually pretty spacious for the price, with some offering balconies and sea views. We also really like that bikes are free to borrow and there’s a complimentary shuttle into Ancient Town, so staying farther out doesn’t feel like too much of a compromise and you won’t end up spending a lot on taxis.

Rooms typically start from around $100 USD per night.

The Linh Seaside Villa Hoi An is a smaller alternative just moments from An Bang Beach. The rooms are bright and comfortable, and there’s a saltwater pool for when you’ve had enough sand for the day.

For a really wallet-friendly stay, An Bang Beach Dolphin Homestay is only around a two-minute walk from the beach. There’s even a little outdoor pool and free bikes to borrow, so we think you get a lot of bang for your buck here! 

Top Activities to do in Hoi An

Now that you’ve picked out your favorite area and hotel, you can plan the rest of your trip! Here are a few of our personal favoirte things we did in Hoi An that are all easy to add to your itinerary.

• Visit the Ba Na Hills – This stunning theme park is easy to access on this day trip from Hoi An. Ride an iconic cable car, see the world-famous Golden Bridge, and stop off in a charming French colonial village.

• Take a cooking class – We can all agree that Vietnamese food is some of the best out there. This cooking class is an excellent way to dive into the local culture, make some seriously tasty dishes, and have a new skill set to take home with you!

• See My Son Sanctuary – If you love history, you can’t miss this tour to My Son Sanctuary. This UNESCO-listed heritage site is full of ancient Hindu temples from the Champa Kingdom, which are awe-inspiring and full of fascinating history!

• See Hoi An’s top sights – As much as we love exploring on our own, this sightseeing tour was a hit! It was a great way to discover the city’s top sights, from temples and night markets to river cruises. We even got out of the city and explored the stunning scenery!

• Enjoy a food tour – Find Hoi An’s tastiest spots on this top-rated food tour. We loved exploring local favorite spots and learning about the region’s specialty dishes. It was delicious, informative, and fun!

Related Read: Need a few more activities? Check out our list of the best things to do in Hoi An for our top recommendations!

Thanks for reading!

Hoi An is one of my favorite cities in Vietnam. Honestly, you can’t choose a wrong area to stay here, as it’s all quite charming and central. But these top four areas will set the tone for your trip, and these hotel recommendations will ensure a fabulous place to rest!

Before you go, check out the rest of our Vietnam blogs! We love helping travelers plan a memorable trip, whether this is your first time in the country or your fifth. Here are a few related blogs you might be interested in as you plan. Cheers!

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10 Best Vietnam Shore Excursions: How to Spend Your Port of Call

Where to Stay in Hanoi, Vietnam: 8 Best Areas & Hotels