Escape to Paradise: Trieu Hoang Hotel, Quy Nhon's Hidden Gem
Escape to Paradise: Trieu Hoang Hotel, Quy Nhon - My Honest & Slightly Unhinged Review (Plus a Killer Offer!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to drop some truth bombs about the Trieu Hoang Hotel in Quy Nhon, Vietnam. And trust me, after spending a week there, I'm practically a local (in my head, at least). This isn't your sanitized, corporate robot review. This is raw. This is real. This is me, spilling the tea (or maybe the ca phe sua da - the coffee here is legit) on your potential paradise.
First Impressions (and the Slightly Hairy Arrival)
Let’s be real, getting anywhere in Vietnam can be an adventure. Finding Trieu Hoang wasn’t too bad, thankfully. We're looking at Accessibility here, and while Airport transfer is offered (thank heavens!), the walk from the car park (free, by the way, Car park [free of charge]) to the lobby was… well, let's just say my luggage and I had a slight disagreement. The Elevator was a godsend because, let’s be honest, after a long flight, stairs are the enemy. They also have a Facilities for disabled guests, which is a huge plus, but I couldn't personally assess them. My impression of Accessibility is overall positive, but, and this is important, maybe double-check specific needs with the hotel beforehand.
The initial vibe? Seriously welcoming. The staff, from the Doorman to the front desk, were all smiles. The Front desk [24-hour] is a lifesaver, but I'm also a night owl, so I always appreciate that availability. They also had Cash withdrawal but I went straight to the Currency exchange counter and got all my Vietnamese Dong. The Check-in/out [express] was cool but frankly, after the trek, I needed a proper welcome. They have Check-in/out [private]. The Concierge was supremely helpful.
Rooms: My Sanctum, My Sanctuary, My Chaos (and the Amazing Blackout Curtains!)
Okay, the rooms. Available in all rooms, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. The list is long.
I snagged a room on a higher floor (High floor). The view was chef's kiss. The Blackout curtains? Lifesavers. Seriously, they were amazing. I sleep like a baby with those things. The Bed was comfortable, well, after a long day of lounging by the pool, everything feels comfortable. They have Extra long bed, too. The Coffee/tea maker was a lifesaver. The Internet access – wireless worked like a charm. I’m someone who likes a good soak, so I was pleased to see a Bathtub and hot water.
A small confession… I’m a bit of a slob. But the Daily housekeeping crew were absolute saints, always making my space look presentable. I also kept the Air conditioning blasting. The Mini bar? Tempting, but thankfully, I’m generally pretty good at resisting temptation.
Food, Glorious Food! (and a Near-Disaster with the Spicy Noodles)
Alright, food is a huge part of the experience, right? Dining, drinking, and snacking are covered extensively here. The Trieu Hoang really does well with its food.
*Restaurants * are plentiful, boasting A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant. Pretty much everything you could want, within easy reach.
Absolutely loved the Asian breakfast. The Pho at the buffet was a godsend after one too many cocktails. Western breakfast also available for those who aren't as adventurous. The Poolside bar was my go-to for a refreshing after-swim drink, their Poolside bar is great. Happy hour? Yes, please. Coffee/tea in restaurant was always a welcome pick-me-up. The Desserts in restaurant….well, let’s just say I may have sampled a few. The Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver at 3 AM (jet lag, you know?).
And speaking of lifesavers, you can also get food to go with Breakfast takeaway service. Soup in restaurant was perfect for all the little colds that I would get. Snack bar to cover, too.
The whole experience just elevated all the senses. The tastes, aromas and sights.
Let's talk about one near-death experience: I ordered the spicy noodles. Now, I consider myself a fairly experienced eater, but HOT DAMN. Tears were streaming down my face. My mouth was on fire. I thought I might actually require the Doctor/nurse on call. But, you know what? It was delicious. It’s a testament to the quality, even when it almost kills you.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (and My Obsession with the Sauna)
Okay, so Things to do and ways to relax. The Trieu Hoang doesn't disappoint.
Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor].
The Swimming pool [outdoor]? Absolutely stunning. The Pool with view is to die for. I spent countless hours lounging there. It's pure bliss.
But the Sauna… Oh, the Sauna! They have a whole Spa/sauna setup. I might have spent an embarrassingly long time in there. The Steamroom was amazing too. Massage services were available and tempting but honestly, I was so relaxed after the sauna, I didn’t even need one. They even offer Foot bath. They have a Fitness center if you're into that (I wasn't, but it looked well-equipped). They provide Body wrap and Body scrub if your into that, too.
Cleanliness, Safety & All That Boring-But-Important Stuff (and the Hand Sanitizer!)
Cleanliness and safety are super important these days. And Trieu Hoang seems to get it.
Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment.
I was really impressed. I saw the staff cleaning constantly. The Hand sanitizer stations were everywhere. They use Anti-viral cleaning products. Hygiene certification? Check. They follow all the rules. Honestly, it put my mind at ease. I felt safe and secure, allowing me to truly relax and enjoy my vacation. The Professional-grade sanitizing services gave me peace of mind.
The Business of it All (and the Wi-Fi that Actually Works!)
Look, even in paradise, sometimes you need to check emails, right? Business facilities are well covered here.
Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
The Wi-Fi? Actually works. Praise the heavens! They have Internet (Internet access – wireless and *Internet access
Fazana Paradise: Stunning Apartment & HUGE Garden!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because you're about to get the unvarnished, slightly-hungover, and totally-not-perfect version of my Quy Nhon adventure at the Trieu Hoang Hotel. Forget pristine itineraries, we’re going for the real, messy, glorious truth.
Day 1: Arrival – The Gentle Chaos Begins
Morning (7:00 AM – 9:00 AM): Fly into Phu Cat Airport (UIH). I’d booked a "taxi" through the hotel. Big mistake. It was a dude in a beat-up Daewoo with questionable suspension and even more questionable driving skills. My stomach did a little backflip every time he took a corner. But hey, we made it! Check-in at Trieu Hoang. The lobby is… well, it's a lobby. Functional, let's say that. Not exactly a design magazine cover, but the aircon was blasting, which was a win in this humidity. The receptionist? Sweet as could be. Language barrier? Absolutely. Did we figure it out? Somehow, yes.
Late Morning/Early Afternoon (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Room reveal! Okay, it's clean. The view… not particularly breathtaking. Facing the side of another building. But honestly? After the taxi ride, just having a place to collapse was a victory. I spent the next hour fighting with the air conditioning (it’s a love-hate relationship, I swear) and trying to decipher the TV remote (Vietnamese electronics… a whole other level of complexity). Finally, after an epic struggle, I crashed on the bed. Seriously, the bed was comfy, it was all I needed.
Afternoon (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Lunch! I ventured out. The hotel recommended this little bun cha ca place (fish cake noodles) a few blocks away. OMG. I was expecting average, and I got heaven in a bowl. The broth! The fish cakes! The chili… oh, the glorious chili! I nearly ordered a second bowl, but I’m still getting my sea legs. I probably looked like a tourist disaster, but the waitress smiled and nodded. That’s the Vietnam way. Back to the hotel, a quick nap, and then a stroll around the hotel area.
Evening (4:00 PM – 9:00 PM): Beach time! Trieu Hoang is close to the beach. The sand is… well, it's sand. The water? Murky, but warm. The waves were pretty chill, great for swimming if you don't mind the "mystery things" floating. (I later found out it was seaweed.) Watched the sunset. Amazing. Just… amazing. Dinner at a seafood restaurant along the beach. Fresh, grilled squid. Beer. Staring at the stars. Perfect. This is what vacation is supposed to be. Back at the hotel, I almost fell asleep in the elevator.
Day 2: Exploring, Questionable Food Choices, and The Great Karaoke Conspiracy
Morning (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Okay, my attempt at a "cultural immersion tour" went sideways almost immediately. Tried to find this little cafe with fresh coffee. Got hopelessly lost. Ended up in a market. The smells! (In a good way, most of the time.) Saw some weird stuff (like, what is that spiky green fruit?). Bought a ridiculously oversized hat to cope with the sun. Eventually found my coffee place. The coffee? Strong. The experience? Thoroughly chaotic, but utterly captivating.
Lunch (12:00 PM – 2:00 PM): Back to the market. I had to try the street food. Found a place selling banh xeo (Vietnamese crepes). The first bite was heavenly. The second? A bit greasy. The third? My stomach started protesting. A whole lot. Let’s just say I spent the afternoon in close proximity to the hotel bathroom. I’ve learned a valuable lesson: don't go full culinary daredevil on day two.
Afternoon/Evening (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM): Nap. Needed. It. Followed by a recovery stroll along the beach because hey, saltwater cures everything. Then… the Karaoke. Ugh. This is where Trieu Hoang gets interesting. There's a karaoke bar attached to the hotel. From the very first hour I heard the sound of screaming, off-key vocals emanating from the speakers.
Evening (7:00 PM – 10:00 PM): Dinner. I was a little scared to eat. Decided to venture out. Found a quaint little place away from the karaoke bar. I ordered something safe: rice and vegetables. It was a much needed change of pace.
Night (10 PM on): The Karaoke. It’s not just a bar. It is a full-blown assault on your senses. It will test the limits of your sanity. I briefly considered checking out or moving hotels, but this is where I learned there is only one option when faced with the screaming karaoke. You have to Embrace the Madness. I am telling you…
Day 3: Departure – The Taxi of Doom, Revisited
Morning (7:00 AM – 10:00 AM): Breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Surprisingly decent. Decent, not great. Packing. Saying goodbye to my trusty oversized hat. Trying to avoid thinking about the taxi ride.
Check-Out (10:00 AM): The receptionist was incredibly nice and helpful, even though I had a full breakfast to be packed.
Departure (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM): The taxi. IT WAS THE SAME GUY. My heart started pounding the minute I saw his Daewoo. He drove even faster this time. I spent the entire trip praying, sweating, and simultaneously regretting and reveling in the chaos of my Quy Nhon adventure. I think I almost died on the way home.
Overall: Trieu Hoang Hotel? Not perfect. But in its own quirky, slightly run-down way, it was the perfect base for an imperfect, unforgettable, and truly human adventure. Would I go back? Absolutely. Just maybe not in the karaoke room… and I'm definitely hiring someone to drive me back home.
