The worst stay of my life. Misleading description, terrible noise, dirt, and a cruel owner. Ecorest is located right in the middle of a construction zone, with heavy building work on both sides of the property starting as early as 6 AM. We were woken up by excavators and pneumatic hammers breaking rocks. The noise continued throughout the day. When the owner saw our faces upon arrival, he claimed the noise was just for that day because they were cutting wood, which was a lie. He conveniently forgot to mention the construction. The room did not match the description and was dirty. All the windows and wardrobes were filthy, the walls were stained, and in some places, there was a thick layer of dust. The bathroom also left much to be desired. The room was about half the size advertised, and the photos on Booking were inaccurate. We were under the impression that we booked a two-room apartment, but it turned out to be one cramped room. The owner admitted with disarming honesty that he had uploaded the wrong photos. There is no private pool, just a shared one right by the street. The property is not beachfront, contrary to the description. Breakfasts are very basic and not particularly tasty (just coffee and eggs). The towels smelled bad, and replacing them with "fresh" ones didn’t make much difference. We had cockroaches in the room. The property offers scooter rentals for 120,000 VND. The scooter was supposed to be new, justifying the higher price (the standard is 80,000 VND), but it turned out to be an old wreck. The property houses a few animals that are treated cruelly. The owner keeps a cat in a tiny cage, so small the animal can’t even straighten up or stretch. During breakfast, you can hear the loud cries of the animal. A few days after posting my review, the owner reached out through an acquaintance to apologize for the inconvenience. They offered a refund, which I never received. This was an attempt to bribe me into removing the negative review. All the more reasons why I do not...
Read moreOur stay at Ecorest Cat Ba was one of the highlights of our trip to the island. Tucked away in a peaceful corner surrounded by lush greenery, the hotel perfectly combines modern comfort with an eco-friendly vibe. From the moment we arrived, the staff welcomed us with warm smiles and genuine hospitality that made us feel instantly at home.The bungalows and rooms are thoughtfully designed using natural materials, with large windows that let in plenty of light and offer views of the tropical garden. The atmosphere is calm and refreshing—you can truly feel the connection to nature while still enjoying all the modern amenities like air conditioning, high-speed Wi-Fi, and comfortable beds.The food at Ecorest was excellent. The breakfast spread featured fresh fruits, local dishes, and delicious coffee, and we especially loved the dinner options with homemade-style cooking and local ingredients.What made the stay truly special was the attention to detail from the team. They helped us rent motorbikes, organize a kayaking trip through Lan Ha Bay, and even recommended hidden beaches away from the crowds. The staff genuinely cared about ensuring we had the best possible experience on Cat Ba.The garden area and common lounge were ideal for relaxing after a day of exploring. Sitting outside at night, surrounded by nature and the soft island breeze, was pure serenity.Overall...
Read moreWe're total 5 families stayed at Ecorest Villa last weekend (October 26th-27th, 2024), and we had a fantastic experience. The owner, Mr. Quảng, was incredibly welcoming, and his young staffs was friendly and eager to help. The Villa also has two cute dogs that our kids loved playing with!
There’s a large parking area with easy access, and it’s less than a 10-minute walk to Tung Thu Beach. If you're visiting Cat Ba Island, we recommend heading to Tung Thu Beach since the Cat Co beaches (1, 2, and 3) tend to be small and crowded.
The food at Ecorest Villa was also a highlight; we enjoyed two delicious dinners without needing to go out to other restaurants.
A particularly memorable part of our trip happened on October 27th, our departure day, when a sudden northeast monsoon stopped the Cai Vieng ferry for safety reasons. When we returned to the villa, Mr. Quảng was very understanding—he gave us a 50% discount on our rooms and even helped us order lunch delivered directly to the Gia Luan ferry station. We had a great meal while waiting (the Gia Luan ferry to Tuan Chau, Quang Ninh was still running since it operates within the bay, though there was quite a wait due to the number of passengers).
Highly recommend Ecorest Villa for a warm, family-friendly experience on...
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