Pham Gia Boutique Villa

Tucked away behind a small courtyard bursting with colorful flowers, the Pham Gia Boutique is a homey property owned and operated by a friendly couple. Three generations of the same family live on-site, which makes it feel more like a local home than a hotel. The lobby is the family’s living room, and has a dining table and a few couches that guests are welcome to use anytime. The only requirement is that, following Vietnamese tradition, guests remove their shoes before entering the space. Decor is simple throughout, with generic wooden furniture, off-white couches with geometric designs in red hues, and beige tiles on floors. Most rooms and the breakfast room are housed in the adjacent building, which can be accessed via the small front courtyard as well. 

Pham Gia Boutique opened in March 2014, the hotel is already planning an expansion. The owners have purchased the adjacent plot of land, and will be adding another small building to the property, complete with a full restaurant, a pool, and at least two more rooms. Construction will begin in August 2017, and the hotel is expected to be closed through November 2017. 

Even now, with no restaurant and no pool, the Pham Gia offers good value, especially due to its location within walking distance of the Ancient Town, its cleanliness standards, and its room amenities. However, those on a tighter budget may want to consider the Golden Bell Homestay, which offers a similar experience for about half the price. Location isn’t as central as at the Pham Gia, but bicycles can be borrowed free of charge, and it is closer to the beach. Hai Au Hotel is another good value pick. It has nice rooms, a pool, and a spa, and rates include a great breakfast. Travelers wanting something more upscale may want to compare rates at the Lantana Boutique Hotel Hoi An, which has stylish rooms and a pleasant pool, and is within walking distance to the city center. 

Pham Gia Boutique is located on a residential street off the main road connecting the city center and An Bang Beach. The neighborhood is busy, but made up mostly of private homes and a few small homestays and budget hotels. Several restaurants, shops, and banks can be found within a few blocks of the hotel, but there aren’t any major attractions in the immediate area. The gorgeous Ancient Town of Hoi An is a 10-minute walk or five-minute drive away. There, guests can find dozens of great restaurants, charming shops, renowned tailors, and historic attractions. Those interested in exploring the area by bike or motorcycle can rent one at the hotel for a fee. Vegetable Village can be reached in about 15 minutes by bicycle. An Bang Beach, known for its hip restaurants and beach bars, is just a little farther away along a mostly flat road. The stunning Marble Mountains are just about 25 minutes away by car. Danang International Airport can be reached in 40 minutes by car.

The hotel has nine spacious rooms, all with small balconies and plenty of light. Decor is generic, with an updated take on traditional Vietnamese style that draws heavily on dark woods set against white walls, cream-colored tile floors, and red accents on chairs and curtains. Walls are hung with either large black-and-white photos of Hoi An scenes, or colorful paintings with local motifs, such as ladies dressed in the traditional costume and straw hat. All rooms come equipped with great amenities, such as individually controlled air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, electric kettles with free tea and coffee, and minibars stocked with local and imported beer, sodas, and water. Flat-screen TVs come with free access to Netflix Vietnam. 

Bathrooms are clean and modern. They feature marble walls, cute tile floors, great walk-in rain showers, and round sinks on black counters. Hairdryers and an array of toiletries are provided in all rooms. 

Two of the hotel’s nine rooms are connected via a door, and there are also two suites, which are a little larger than standard rooms but have the same amenities. 

As expected at a value bed-and-breakfast, the features here are limited. A tasty, homemade breakfast buffet is served every morning in the small, open kitchen off the courtyard, set with just three tables. Additional seating space is available at the dining table found in the adjacent living room. The morning spread includes an array of hot and cold Vietnamese and Western items, from pho, to noodles, to made-to-order eggs, homemade yogurt, and pastries. Fresh fruit, tea, and coffee are also available daily. No other meals are served at the Pham Gia, but the hotel expects to open a full restaurant with lunch and dinner services in late 2017. Free Wi-Fi is another nice feature. Bikes are available to borrow, but there's a fee to do so -- which is rare in Hoi An.