Essence Hoi An Hotel & Spa

Housed in a slightly plain, boxy building with a pale yellow facade and brown window frames, the Essence Hoi An Hotel & Spa doesn’t look like much from the outside. Once inside, though, the lobby sets the vibe for an upscale stay, with elegant colonial-style patterned floors, glass lamps with copper filament bulbs hanging from high ceilings, and stylish wooden couches with minimalist lines. The hotel originally opened in 2013 with 70 rooms spread over two buildings, a pool, a restaurant, a spa, and a fitness center. In March 2017, it added a new wing with 37 rooms, a bigger pool, and another restaurant. The design style of the new section is similar to the original structures, with lots of natural materials such as wood and coconut fibers, high ceilings, and big windows. Decor is even more stylish and elegant, with a chic combination of traditional elements such as slanted terra-cotta roofs and yellow facades, with modern touches such as black metal finishes and a gray and white color scheme. 

Although it has two pools, two restaurants, and several buildings, the property feels cozy and intimate due to its layout. While the two original wings are packed together around one of the pools, the newer wing is located in the adjacent lot, allowing for a quieter vibe. Families and couples from Australia, Europe, Japan, and South Korea make up the majority of guests here. Although kids could be heard playing in the pools when we visited, it wasn’t loud or rowdy and the atmosphere was still relaxing.

The Essence Hoi An has all the bells and whistles of an upscale hotel -- especially the new wing -- but rates are affordable by U.S. standards. Those looking to splurge may want to consider the Almanity Hoi An, which feels a touch more exclusive with a topnotch spa, gorgeous interiors, and a beautiful pool. The upper-middle-range Hoi An Historic Hotel is a good alternative for families looking for a slightly cheaper property. It has similar amenities to the Essence Hoi An (plus a staffed kids' club), and is located just two blocks from the heart of the Ancient Town. For a bit more money, the Hoi An Beach Resort is a good option for those wanting to stay within walking distance of the beach. 

The Essence Hoi An Hotel & Spa is located about a 10-minute walk from the entrance of Hoi An’s Ancient Town. There are a few restaurants and cafes on the hotel’s block, but many more can be found within a five-minute walk of the hotel towards the town. The Japanese Bridge, Hoi An’s most recognizable landmark, is an easy 15-minute stroll from the hotel, as is the night market, known for its crafts, pottery, and cute souvenirs. The heart of the charming pedestrian area -- lined with great restaurants, quaint shops, and tailors -- is just a couple of minutes farther down the street. All major historic attractions can be reached on foot, and the hotel also offers free shuttle service several times per day, along with free loaner bicycles. There's also free shuttle service to An Bang Beach at set times throughout the day. The Vegetable Village is a 10-minute drive away, and the stunning Marble Mountains can be reached in about a half-hour. Danang International Airport is a 45-minute drive away. 

The hotel has 107 rooms and suites, housed in three separate buildings (or wings, as they’re known at the Essence) set around two pools. Rooms in Wings A and B have classic Vietnamese decor, with dark wood furniture with Indochina-style lattice accents, small black-and-white photos of Hoi An street scenes, and an earth palette throughout. Beige tile floors are a little bland, but thick chocolate-brown rugs and caramel walls with white ceiling moldings add elegance. Bathrooms in these rooms are modern and sleek, with walls, floors, and sinks made of black stone, glass walk-in showers with big rain showerheads (or shower/tub combos in some cases), and wood accents in mirrors and vanities. Suites have jetted tubs.

Completed in March 2017, Wing C is the newest of the three buildings, and has the most elegant and upscale rooms of all. In this section, rooms have floor tiles accented with cute gray, black, and beige patterns, along with heavy wooden furniture. These rooms are all duplex units, with a double bed on the lofted area and an additional full bathroom. Large, luxurious bathrooms feature pedestal sinks, wooden soaking tubs, and rain showers. Ground-floor rooms have saunas, and Premium Terrace Suites have hot tubs on the terrace. All rooms and suites, regardless of where they are located, have windows to the bathrooms, complete with shutters for privacy. 

Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with international channels, scales, electric kettles with free tea and coffee, and minibars stocked with local and imported beer, sodas, sparkling and still water, and candy. Nuts, chips, and other snacks are also available for purchase in every room. Rooms in Wing C have extras such as sound systems. All but a few Deluxe Rooms have furnished balconies, and rooms in Wing C have bigger outdoor spaces, some with loungers. 

Note that street-facing rooms may get some traffic noise.

The Essence Hoi An has lovely features indoors and out. There are two pools. One pool is located behind Wings A and B, and the other is by Wing C. Both are big and pleasant with stone fountains, whirlpools, and shallower areas for kids, but the newer Wing C pool is particularly appealing, with an infinity edge and sunken plants and palm trees. There are plenty of loungers around each pool, and waiters go around the deck from time to time to take food and drink orders. 

Tucked away in the gardens and housed in three low buildings surrounded by a lotus pond with stepping stones, the spa is small but cute. It has five massage rooms (including one for couples) and a nail salon and foot massage area separated from the reception area via a wooden screen. Guest who book a body treatment can use the sauna, steam room, and whirlpool at no extra charge. The fitness center features a handful of LifeFitness cardio and strength-training machines in a spacious room with air-conditioning and big windows overlooking the gardens. Guests can also borrow free bikes for cruising around Hoi An. 

Red Bean and Temple restaurants, housed in wings B and C respectively, are the hotel’s two main restaurants. Both serve international cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and food gets great reviews from past guests. A varied, quality breakfast buffet is included in all rates, and offers an excellent range of hot Western and Vietnamese dishes, along with fresh fruit, yogurt, pastries, juices, and breads. Red Bean has a sunken bar and a cute patio with a few tables. Temple has a sleeker, even more upscale feel, with huge swings on the terrace, pool views, and piano music in the evening. Room service isn't available 24-hours, but it it served until late. 

Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Cooking classes are available for a fee. The hotel can schedule airport transfer services, and there are free shuttles to An Bang Beach and the city center.