Nature Garden Ecolodge Ninh Bình — Hotel in Ninh Bình Province

Our stay was pleasant, although we did experience some inconveniences due to, mostly, poor administration. The room was spacious and beautiful, with really good decor, quite luxurious, we loved that. The bathroom as well, although we struggled to get hot water sometimes (and the last day we ran out of water for a while, but that was minor). The breakfast was homemade and fullfiling, it was half buffet (for fruit and some beverages) and half service-to-table, which was nice as well. There were plenty of options, including some occidental choices like eggs and pancakes. Everyday there was fresh fruit in the buffet and fresh juice as well. The hotel itself was good, the common areas were lovely and in the middle of nature, although there weren’t many people to give ambience, but it was definetly great. It features a restaurant (with good quality food), a massage area and a pool. The staff was cordial. At the end we left a day before because we wanted an extra day in our next destination (nothing to do with this hotel), and they were nice helping us when we asked for assistance during our check-out with getting a transportation to our transfer pickup point, they even gifted this service to us, which we are really grateful for (considering it was New Year and it was hard to get a Grab). Regarding some problems we experienced, firstly we struggled to know the information about the hotel during our stay (what services it offers, what is possible, etc.), while in the front desk there was a board with some tours and transport prices, we weren’t able to be aware of any event going on in the hotel (such as new year’s eve, which we found out because of the fireworks), any possibilty (such as room service), any wifi information, the prices of the massages, the working hours of the restaurant, etc. We only got information about what we couldn’t do and the associated fine, which was kind of unsettling. Also, we do believe they were running short of staff, since we only had one person to talk to, who was never in the front desk, and we had to search for him in the hotel because he didn’t answer Whatsapp (the number he gave us), or did answer but poorly, giving no solution to our requests until we talked in person with him. We were surprised to realise that probably we were the first guests to order food to the room (since there was no information whatsoever), and it took us really long to get their attention to order (again, by going out and searching for the person in charge, in a situation where we were both feeling sick and decided to stay in the room). The food arrived but they had no trays, just brought one plate after another and had to bring a table from the restaurant because there was not enough space for this. We laughed about it, then felt better and went out in the afternoon for some sightseeing, situation that we reported to the person in charge so they could make up the room and remove the dishes (message that he saw). What was disturbing is that when we came back (around 9pm), the dishes were still there, rotting, the room smelled like food, and everything was still the same. (We had a free dinner to claim but didn’t do it because we arrived late, and asked if it was possible to consider this food order (lunch) as that free dinner but they didn’t had the flexibility to do that. We didn’t complain as we were asking for something extraordinary.) We never experienced an hotel in which they weren’t tuned with their guests, we were actually the closest to the restaurant (they could see us from inside) and could perfectly monitor what was going on in our room (and mostly because we were telling them everything we did and required). Overall we quite enjoyed the room, but the administration inconveniences prevented us from considering it an...

We stayed here for two nights at the end of our Vietnam trip, and it was a really lovely, peaceful spot to wind down. The rooms were super relaxing—no TVs, which didn’t bother us at all. In fact, it added to the calm vibe. We especially loved the outdoor bath—it was such a cool feature (although my partner did get bitten by a centipede while using it, which was a bit of a surprise!).

Figuring out the hot water was a bit of a mission. We overheard other guests at reception saying they didn’t have any hot water at all. In our case, there was hot water, but it took a full five minutes to heat up, which was a bit frustrating. The tap setup is also pretty counterintuitive—the hot water doesn’t come from turning the tap to the left like you’d expect; instead, you have to keep it facing straight down.

Because the hotel is set in a more natural, jungle-like environment, there are definitely bugs around. If you want to enjoy the balcony (which you absolutely should—it’s incredibly relaxing), make sure to bring bug spray or you’ll end up as mosquito food. We had a cockroach and a huge huntsman spider drop by our room. It didn’t really bother us, but if you’re not great with bugs, just something to keep in mind.

The breakfast buffet was delicious—really solid options. The omelette and banana pancake were standouts. We also ate dinner at the on-site restaurant one night. It was fine—not the most memorable meal you’ll have in Vietnam, but good enough if you want something easy and close by.

The hotel is about a 15-minute drive from the nearest attractions and roughly 25 minutes from Tam Coc, which had the most stunning views in our opinion. We rented a scooter from the hotel (200,000 VND per day) and loved the freedom to explore. Just be aware that if you’re not into scooters, you’ll be relying on Grab rides, which can get a bit tedious. Also, heads-up: even though we had the scooter for less than 24 hours, we were charged for two days. They will ask you for an international driver’s license (which we didn’t have, but we were given the scooter anyway)

Viet at reception gave us some great local recommendations. The only thing we’d add to his list is to definitely rent a scooter and ride around Tam Coc. The Bear Sanctuary is a must-visit too!

The overall vibe at the hotel is very relaxed. If you’re after ultra-professional service, this might not be your place. At times, staff had their kids around—one came over to our table and picked up some of our belongings, which felt a bit odd. They might also benefit from having more staff at reception; when we were checking out, there was quite a long queue and our car service was waiting—it ended up taking 20 minutes.

Lastly, we did have a couple of items (AirPods and a belt) go missing during our stay, which was unfortunate.

All in all, a nice and peaceful stay with...

Nature Garden Ecolodge is truly a slice of heaven on Earth—an oasis of love, peace, and luxury. During our honeymoon in Vietnam, my wife and I were fortunate to stay at this beautiful place which made our trip unforgettable.

In Ninh Binh, we chose to stay at Nature Garden Ecolodge, a decision that turned out to be the highlight of our trip. Nestled about 4 kilometers from Ninh Binh City in a serene corner surrounded by nature, this charming retreat is owned by the warm and welcoming Hoan family—led by Hoan Vu, his lovely wife Thuy Nguyen, and his brother-in-law Phuc.

The property itself is heaven. The rooms are luxurious, equipped with modern amenities, and offer spacious bathrooms with bathtubs, perfect for unwinding after a long day. Each room comes with a private balcony that opens up to stunning views of the lush garden and tranquil surroundings, letting you feel one with nature while still enjoying absolute comfort.

We were so captivated by the resort’s charm that we decided to spend most of our time there, soaking in its peaceful ambiance rather than exploring outside.

When Hoan and Thuy learned we were on our honeymoon, they went above and beyond to make us feel special. They prepared a beautifully decorated room, created a heartfelt video for us, and even offered complimentary tea. Their restaurant serves delicious meals, and we thoroughly enjoyed their sumptuous breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. One morning, when we accidentally missed breakfast, they went out of their way to prepare food and fresh juice for us—a gesture that truly warmed our hearts.

What truly set our stay apart were the heartfelt conversations we shared with the Hoan family each night after dinner. Hoan and Thuy recounted how they built this retreat with love and dedication over the years, while their delightful children entertained us with their dance moves. It felt like being part of a family rather than just guests.

When my wife fell ill, Thuy went out of her way to offer us medicine and care—an act of kindness we will never forget.

We left Nature Garden Ecolodge with hearts full of gratitude and memories that will last a lifetime. The Hoan family—Hoan, Thuy and their wonderful children—turned our Vietnam trip into a story of love, connection, and humanity.

Nature Garden Ecolodge is more than just a place to stay; it’s a testament to the power of human connection. If you ever have the chance to visit, you’ll understand what I mean, and, like us, you’ll leave a piece of your...