Rom Casa Da Nang — Hotel in Đà Nẵng

TLDR: can’t trust staff, owner will try to misrepresent you.

The owner has edited his reply. The original reply acknowledged that he was mistaken in the Hostelworld review response and apologized. The edited response takes no responsibility. I think that speaks volumes for how the owner runs this business and views their responsibility to guests.

I took a GRAB from the Da Nang airport to this hostel. The driver followed me in into the hostel and insisted I give him 15K for airport fees via the tip function on the app. The receptionist and bartender translated this interaction and when I asked them if it was normal, they said yes. Grab automatically adds the fee of 10K to your final receipt so this was not necessary. I confirmed this on the Grab website. Grab conveniently only offers 10K and 20K tip options, so I had to give 20K I later talked to other travelers who said this was not normal and I was scammed.

It felt off to me, but because the hostel staff said it was standard I trusted them and paid.

When I found out later this was not normal, I posted the experience in Hostelworld. The owner/manager replied and said that the 10K fee is standard for taxis. Note that 1) I was charged 15K and 2) I took a Grab, not a taxi, as I described in my review.

The owner also said I should have asked for a manager. I suppose he is right that at this hostel I should have gone in with the assumption that the staff is untrustworthy and assume they would not try to be helpful or honest with me. I only confirmed later, when reception was shut after speaking with other travelers that I had been ripped off and the staff assisted with it.

Best case scenario they didn’t feel like it was worth it to stand up for a guest. Worst case scenario they are in on it and get a portion of the profit.

I am a solo female traveler and having a male driver follow me into where I live who also knows where I live is scary. One of the reasons I choose hostels is for the security and safety that the local staff brings. That is not this hostel.

I do not recommend staying here unless you are very vigilant with the staff, OK with not receiving help, and are prepared for the owner to gaslight you should you have any bad...

Stayed here for two nights in the female dorm and found my stay to be okay.

Upon arrival in the hostel I got checked in easily and quickly and the lady showed me to the room.

I booked this hostel due to the good reviews but honestly found it to he extremely average or even lower than other ones I stayed at. Here is why:

Improvements that could be made: -❗ Extremely dangerous "bamboo windows" in the bathroom that do absolutely nothing. If you wouldn't pay ample attention you can literally fall to your death since that bamboo construction that should prevent that is holding on by ONE tiny small metal wire; -Lack of good shower pressure; -Shower area is really hot so youllbe sweating after drying off; -No good lockers inside the room; -AC didn't really do much, the room stayed a bit hot; -The hardest matrasses I have ever slept on (and I prefer sturdy over soft); -It is a social hostel but it attracts a certain vibe of people; -Bed light didn't work; -Very tiny rooms and dusty rooms; -Depending who it at reception, they can either help you very well or be not too big of a help at all; -I might have been very blind but I did not see container lock pins between the containers that guarantees safety in case of bad/hefty weather; -The place can get a little roudy/loud since they always use the microphone for announcements and games.

Some things I did enjoy or were convenient at the hostel: -All services available (bus, taxi, Ba Ha Hills, laundry etc); -The Vietnamese ladies from reception are very kind and also honest about what is the best way to go and do things; -Earplugs available at reception for free; -Toothbrush and comb in the shower as a gift for their guests; -It is a social hostel with plenty of games and books around. -Good location; -Bar on the premises if you'd like a drink; -Real good cafe across the street that opens early; -Water refill station;

Every place has their pro's and con's, yet I have to say that in comparison to other places in Vietnam there is room for improvement and...

Da best in Da Nang! Taking the advice of a Vietnamese friend, I decided to spend a couple nights (which became several nights) in Da Nang, rather than simply carry on to Hoi An with the majority of the tourist traffic into the city's airport. I hadn't booked anything beforehand, so a quick search on Expedia suggested Rom Casa. Upon arrival, it lived up to the reviews and ratings. Split into two sections on either side of the street, the open concept hostel is made up of brightly coloured, stacked shipping containers. My particular container had plenty of light and a nice breeze coming into it. The bathrooms were clean and modern, and since they were on every floor, never seemed to be busy or crowded. Upstairs were some pretty cool chill areas with hammocks, but nobody ever seemed to be there. Downstairs there was a bar and happening hangout area, which made making friends real easy. We'd end up renting motorbikes through the hotel as well, which really made that part of the trip. It was easy to get around as it's located just minutes from the main road and beautiful My Khe Beach with Marble Mountains and Lady Buddha in either direction. Because backpackers own this part of the city, authentic food seemed to be in short supply, instead replaced by more Western choices. If you're craving local Vietnamese cuisine like I was, you'll have to walk a little further afield. A really cool place in an underrated part of the country! Wish I'd taken pictures of this...