ABBEY:
Shining Riverside Hotel and Spa
The staff picked us up from Da Nang. At Hoi An, we only stayed at Shining Riverside Hotel and Spa for 4D3N. Our room is one of the largest with bathtub and some kind of sala. It is overlooking the hotel’s pool, rice paddies and a waterway connecting to Thu Bon River. Breakfast can be buffet or ala carte depending on the volume of guests. We had our fill of fried rice and pho. The spa is under renovation so they recommended us which spa we can try. Vi, Ai and Thuan ensured our stay is great and we have memorable experience.
Rice Paddy Cafe
It’s our plan to get a taste of different Vietnamese coffees and our hotel recommended us this cafe at Paddy Boutique House. The place is along the highway but across rice paddies hence the name. We tried their egg coffee. Unlike the other egg coffees, their egg is separated with the coffee. To eat it, you scoop the egg and dip the spoon in the coffee and into your mouth. You can sweeten the coffee with condensed milk. That is how you get your caffeine fixed.
Ylang-Ylang
We went for long walks during our stay at Hoi An to feel the vibe and observe the culture. Definitely muscle aches will be the aftermath. So we went (meaning they picked us up from the hotel and vice versa) to Ylang Ylang Spa. It was almost closing time but they still accommodated us. We were given tea and foot bath and led us to our room. The masseuse hit all the correct spots specially in back and foot. I think I slept after they cracked my back. Next thing I know I was refreshed but still want to get more sleep. One more cup of tea and off to our hotel.
Ban Mi
For our Banh Mi the experience we had it from Banh Mi Queen and Banh Mi Phuong. Both have melts-in-your-mouth barbecue pork, fresh herbs and pate tucked in charcoal-grilled, crunchy baguette. The Banh Mi Queen sandwich has an intimidating chili sauce but I can handle the heat. With sandwich this delicious we can finish three each in one sitting. I hope they can make Banh Mi in a whole baguette. Haha.
Memories of Hoi An
This attraction is already in our list going to Vietnam and our hotel recommended it also. You will be picked up, by boat, at Hoi An Ancient Town. And you will cross the colorful Moon Bridge to get to the island. Once there, you will be greeted by fountain, lights and mini shows for you to enjoy. Our ticket included our dinner which is Vietnamese chicken rice and crispy pancake.
The highlight of the evening is Hoi An Memories Show. The audience will be in a grandstand and the performers will be in an outdoor platform. The lighting and staging techniques are great and they really showcased an engaging story of Hoi An beginnings. Better to be in high seats to get a good view. What a show to cap the night.
Tuong Taylor Suit
Going to Vietnam is my chance to have a bespoke suit. Question is which shop would you get it? We looked for reviews and our choice is Tuong Taylor. Once we got eye contact with Liza and Lara we were hooked. Haha. They offer the services but not that pushy to the point that you feel you’re being scammed. They do it with finesse and have the yes attitude. You will be guided from the color, texture, measurements, until the final fitting and delivery of the suits within 48 hours. We got 3 suits for less than USD 800. I can say that I really look great with them. Pogi!
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| Hoi AN Vietnam Rice Paddy Cafe |
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| Hoi An Vietnam Shining Riverside Hotel and Spa |
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| Hoi An Vitenam Memories of Hoi An |
WILL:
Shining Riverside Hoi An Boutique and Spa
Finding a place to stay in Hoi An is pretty tricky. Why? There’s a lot of options here. Yet we preferred to stay pretty far from the Old Town area to avoid the evening public noise. We want a totally relaxed vacation and we achieved it. Our hotel room has a huge floor area, a veranda overlooking greenery fields, living area, dresser, king size bed and bathtub. It is a 20-min walk from the Old Town and only S$3.00 if you decide to hail a grab car. Their location is perfect to feel the Hoi An community area. My husband and I were blessed to choose this hotel, the staffs will take into account what you prefer in your meal, they will suggest tours that you might like and they will make you feel that they have known you for a long time. This is a 5-star hotel service and experience. Totally recommended for you to stay. In Shining Riverside Hoi An Boutique and Spa.
Rice Paddy Cafe
I equipped myself for a coffee tasting and Rice Paddy Cafe was well recommended by the manager of Shining. We were glad that we asked because this is one of the best coffee I have ever tried. At first sip, it made me realized that I am slurping one of my favourite Indonesian dessert.. The Ondeh Ondeh. The cafe ambiance laid back, of course, overlooking the rice paddy. In this kind of situation, you will ask and rethink your priorities in life. Enjoying life in its simplicity. Sitting down, people watching with your favourite cup of coffee.
Ylang-Ylang
I am quite particular on massages. It is always deep tissue massage for me and the Ylang-Ylang masseur hit those tensed muscles. I am questioning myself, “How do they know that part of my body needs a massage?”. The masseur keep on kneading every part of tissue until the pain is gone. Amazing skill. Another thing they have done amazingly is the stretching. As what my husband’s comment “Para kaming tinutuping damit”. Haha. They have free hotel pick-up and drop off. S$20 is a steal! Another recommendation from our good hotel! It was booked last minute and we totally love it when they still accepted our schedule.
Ban Mi
Hoi An has the best banh mis and we have tried the top 3. Banh Mi Phurong, Phi Banh Mi and Banh Mi Queen. The winner for me is Phi Banh Mi. It is packed with ingredients, flavour is bursting one by one and half of it is enough for a lunch. Banh Mi Queen has the best chili and Banh Mi Phurong has this light comforting taste but be warned you can finish three banh mis if you ordered this. Haha.
Memories of Hoi An
One of the ways to learn more about history and culture of a certain place is to visit their museums or watch a cultural show and the Hoi An Impression Theme Park got it both for you. The park was built replicating the Old Town and the Memories of Hoi An magnificently told the history of Vietnam’s peaceful meeting place. This is the only cultural show that I have a watched which made me feel so loved. Aaaawww. You will leave the show with light heart and smile on your face. This is one of the MUST to see in Vietnam!
Tuong Tailor
Abbey is dreamming to have a tailored suit for himself. Without a shock, that is expensive here in Singapore and we were delighted that Hoi An is one of the place to get your suit tailored just for you. Another recommendation from our hotel (Shining Riverside Hoi An Boutique and Spa), we went to Tuong Suit and immediately greeted by Lisa and Lara. We asked if they can do a certain design, if we can go for an earlier fitting schedule, of course we haggled! They only have one answer “EASY”. All our requests were swiftly granted. It is a walk in the park transaction. Imagine! We got three suits and a silk top for a price of one here in Singapore!
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Shining Riverside Hoi An Boutique and Spa
(T) 0235 3921 999
Tuong Tailor
(T) +8405103-863-573
Hoi An Memories
(T) 1900 63 66 00 - 0904 636 600