Golden Sands Resort, Hoi An
Vietnam, Central Coast and Highlands

Located on a deserted stretch of pristine beach outside of Hoi An, the Golden Sands Resort is a large property with a superb range of facilities.

212 rooms are split into three categories; Superior, Deluxe and Beachfront Suite. The well appointed air-conditioned Superior and Deluxe rooms all have king sized beds and private terraces or balconies. The Deluxe rooms are slightly larger and have better bathrooms. Beachfront Suites are located on the edge of the beach and are the largest rooms in the hotel and come with private jacuzzis.

The swimming pool has to be one of the largest and best in the country. Running over 150 metres in length in an oblong fashion parallel to the sea, it offers serious swimming, play-pool and children's pool areas. Other facilities include an excellent spa, fitness centre, kids club, beach volleyball and tennis courts. A good range of water based sports and activities are also offered.

Dining-wise there are a number of choices within the hotel with five different restaurants offering a range of cuisine in different settings.

The overall design of the hotel is modern and somewhat generic but there are a number of authentic Vietnamese touches which add some definite charm to the property. It is not the 5* it claims to be, but it is an excellent good value hotel nonetheless. The private beach area stretches for over 600 metres and is a major selling point. There are free shuttle buses to ferry guests in and out of town - just a five minute ride away.

Superior - This is our first really 'upmarket' category. It might be a beautiful tiny hotel with very limited facilities or a 5* resort hotel with all the trimmings; but any hotel in this category will be a well-run establishment with very comfortable rooms, a strong service ethos and excellent food.

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