Le Belhamy

The property is set on 24 acres of lovely gardens peppered with palm trees, colorful flowers, and tropical plants, and its serene atmosphere makes it a wonderful pick for travelers seeking some peace and quiet. The lobby and a few other of the hotel’s buildings are housed in gorgeous 19th-century wooden pavilions with thick black wooden pillars and pitched roofs. Heavy furniture decorated with ornate carvings and colorful embroidered cloths thrown over tables add lots of local charm. Rooms and villas are housed in low buildings spread over a big expense of land, and instead of one big pool, the hotel has two smaller pools, allowing for a quiet and relaxed feel throughout. 

The hotel, though, has been built over a long period of time, and investment in the new sections seems to have been to the detriment of maintenance of the original areas. For instance, the newer Garden Room section pool is pleasant and appealing, with a contemporary design and a wooden deck around it. But the older beachfront pool feels tired and somewhat forgotten. It’s a similar situation in rooms and villas: some have a fresh, elegant style, while updates in others are long overdue. Although these details may not be a deal breaker for some guests, those expecting an upscale resort may feel somewhat disappointed. We had a comfortable, relaxing stay at Le Belhamy, but it was clear from the moment we arrived that the resort needs more investment to complete the renovations, a comment we have heard over and over again from past guests.

Still, Le Belhamy has a charming, understated feel that some more contemporary resorts may lack, and is a good option for travelers looking for a quiet beach hotel relatively close to Hoi An’s beautiful Ancient Town. Those who prefer a more modern style may want to compare rates at the Boutique Hoi An Resort, which offers clean, spacious rooms, a large pool with ocean views, and a spa with a long treatment menu. In this price range, the Victoria Beach Resort & Spa has more elegant rooms, a great spa and fitness center, and a kids' club -- but the beach is nicer at Le Belhamy. A cheaper option is the Hoi An Beach Resort, which offers good rooms, two lovely pools, and more varied dining options.

Le Belhamy Resort is located on a 24-acre plot of land set along the costal road connecting Hoi An and Da Nang. There are a few other beachfront resorts, a number of small local restaurants, and a number of shops within walking distance, but the top attraction in this area is the lovely palm-fringed beach to which the hotel has direct access. The gorgeous Ancient Town of Hoi An, home to dozens of historic sights, excellent restaurants, charming shops, and hundreds of tailors, is a 15-minute drive away. The hotel offers free shuttle service to the city center several times per day. An Bang Beach, lined with hip beachfront cafes and restaurants, is five minutes away by car. The stunning Marble Mountains can be reached in about 15 minutes. Danang International Airport is about a 45-minute drive away. Airport transfers can be arranged for a fee at the front desk.

The hotel’s 131 rooms and villas vary in style and are spread over a vast area within the property. Hoi An Garden Rooms are housed in several three-story blocks set around a pleasant pool and surrounded by gardens. Villas are located closer to the beach and are housed in traditional Japanese- or Vietnamese-style stand-alone structures with private gardens. All rooms and villas are spacious and airy, with big windows opening onto furnished outdoor areas, and high ceilings that are made of wood in villas. Decor is simple, but overall elegant in all room types, with red accent walls, wood ceiling fans, and heavy dark wood furniture. Each category, though, has its own small details. Garden Rooms have gray marble-like floors and comfortable lounge chairs in red hues. Villas have handsome wooden floors, and furniture with classic lines. 

The hotel has been partially renovated, and the difference between new and old is most obvious in villas. Some are stylish, elegant, and upscale, with polished floors, appealing bathrooms with stone and wood finishes, and beautiful stone-like tiles in pools. Others, however, have older pools with basic terra-cotta decks, and tired bathrooms. Our beachfront villa was luxurious and elegant, with soaring ceilings, a large four-poster bed, and a seating area decked out in traditional Vietnamese elements. The bathroom, though huge and fitted with a beautiful deep soaking tub, had an older shower, charming but somewhat dated yellow tiles throughout, and neon lights. The Garden Rooms we saw were appealing, but also slightly rough around the edges with details such as patched-up paint on walls. Note that the mattresses are quite firm. 

In-room amenities are the same in all room types and include free (but spotty) Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars stocked with beer, soda, and water, and electric kettles with free tea and coffee. Most bathrooms have separate showers and tubs, and all rooms have outdoor areas. All villas except for Faifo and Ocean units have private pools with padded loungers and umbrellas.

The hotel has two pools, one set deep in the gardens by the Hoi An Garden Room buildings, and one pool overlooking the beach. Both pools are medium-sized and quiet, but the beachfront pool is a little tired, with a few cracked tiles around the edge. The pool in the Garden Rooms section is more modern and appealing, with tiles in two different shades of blue, a shallow area for kids, and many trees planted around it. The beach is large and lovely, equipped with a few sun loungers and thatch-style umbrellas. Each pool has a bar with snacks and drinks. 

Le Champa is the hotel’s main restaurant, serving traditional Vietnamese and international cuisines for lunch and dinner in a big pavilion between the pools. Breakfast offers a varied spread with Vietnamese, American, and continental options, including eggs made-to-order, pastries, several types of fresh fruit, and cereal. The meal is included in all room rates. Food at Le Champa gets mixed reviews from past guests; we found it to be a little bland. 

The spa is cozy and cute, with soft instrumental music playing in the background, and a fresh scent. It features several indoor rooms, outdoor pavilions by the beach, and a small, peaceful pool lined with chairs for foot massages. Couples’ rooms have wooden soaking tubs that can be used as part of the spa package. Guests who booked treatments can use the sauna, a whirlpool, and a steam room before or after their treatment. 

There are two well-kept tennis courts on-site with loaner equipment for rent, but the hotel lacks a fitness center. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort, and business travelers can use two meeting rooms. There's also a small shop that sells clothes and beach gear. Kids have access to an outdoor playground and covered game area with ping-pong and foosball.