Green Riverside Cosy Home — Hotel in Quảng Bình Province

Pros: Ms. Linh was friendly and informative on check-in and had our room ready when we arrived. The room was a good size with large beds and modern air-conditioning. Hot water and good pressure shower. Free, but warm filtered water in reception and free bicycles for 2 hours, too. We didn't use them, but others did.

Family dinner was offered every night at 7pm for guests for only 100K. We were told by other travellers it was worth it, with lots of options.

Breakfast and a drink are included with a choice of 8 options. Decent English tea, too, despite asking three times for milk. The first morning, our group had banana pancakes, they were okay, a little doughy though. I think it's just how the Vietnamese make them, as I've noticed this with Crepes and Waffles too over the last 2/3 weeks.

Upon check out, Ms. Linh thanked us for staying with her and asked if everything was okay. We mentioned the smell in the room, which we know may not be a quick fix. I'm not sure if it's drains or the extraction. Hopefully, it can be sorted before the next guests go in.

Cons: I dont enjoy writing negative reviews, but I have to be honest and hopefully as respectful as possible.

For us, the location is okay but not great. Theres other restaurants and accommodation on the main road by the river but no ATMs or Mini Marts. Wish we would have stayed in Cuo Lac instead.

It was expensive for two nights too. Im assuming it's because it's the holiday weekend (30/4 till 4/5) Costing £52/1.8Million VD. Where we've been staying in other 2-4 star accommodation for less! For example Hoi An, 3 Star, Central for 4 nights, with a pool and breakfast was £60/2 Million VD.

One of the mattresses in our room will need replacing soon. You can feel the springs in certain parts. The bathroom smelt awful. Both mornings, we were all woken up to screaming and shouting. Sounded like an adult and child. Some of us thought it was the hotels family.

There was a cheese/butter/jam & bread option that looked like grilled cheese on toast. However, when it came, it was close to what the wording said. A spreadable cheese triangle, peanut butter, and orange marmalade with a plain bread bun. The next morning, we ordered scrambled eggs on bread but was given just twos fried eggs, nothing else.

In the evenings, despite the restaurant being open, it seemed impossible to order any food or drink. There was never anyone around, except around 7pm for the family dinner.

We noticed on the day we checked out that 7 hours before, a fake Google review had been left. We then started noticing other fake reviews, which was really disappointing. Along with poor reviews about the same issues we have had recently. Reviews have also been deleted from Hostel World according to fellow travellers. Though we have been using...

Sorry for the rating but I have to be honest. I was meant to be here as a volunteer for 2 weeks but my experience was cancelled after 1 day (second paragraph has more info). About the homestay: Linh treats guests very differently than she treats the volunteers/staff. She is a sales person and her goal is to sell tours so is talkative to guests, but she is cold, blunt and demanding to volunteers. The beds are comfortable however the A/C in dorm room 3 is very bad (a common complaint). The bathroom is clean but smells weird at certain times of the day and makes the whole room smell. The 'free' bicycles are almost unusable, no air in tires, broken seats etc... town is a hot 1.5km away. The motorbike rental next door is run by Linh's dishonest brother in law. He refused to rent the same scooter that I had a day prior (I had put a full tank of fuel in it) and lied that someone else had it although I knew the numberplate and it was parked in the garage. You always have to give the key in by 10pm so i guess he does this often, they syphon out the petrol and sell it for double to guests. the scooter also had worn down breaks but he did not allow me to try another scooter. I would recommend the scooter rental across from central backpackers! 100VND for day rental and the guy is nice.

About my volunteering experience: One day after I arrived Linh told me that she did not need me because it was low season. (she has been running the homestay for 7 years and should know this before accepting someone.) The 'benefits' were not as described on worldpackers and she expects volunteers to work beyond advertised hours and without organised days off. She did let me stay a few nights for free (thankyou Linh) and without any obligations which meant i had 2 days to explore the area, but the next day she told me to work 4 hrs for her and used the accommodation to try and guilt me into agreeing to do it. This was very wrong and my experience there felt...

My partner and I had a brilliant 2 night stay at Green Riverside cosy guesthouse in August 2025.

We had booked the double room but were told we would be staying at the Green Riverside Cosy Guesthouse 2 which is a 5 minute walk from the main building. The bungalow was very nice, spacious and clean. Bed and pillow were very comfortable. Bathroom was huge and very clean but was very humid. Had hot water and all the amenities you need like soap, shower gel, shampoo, tooth brush etc. They are doing construction on the guesthouse 2 so there was some noise but not over night, the cockerel was very loud in the morning though so if that affects you bring earplugs!

The hostel has everything you need: places to chill, Ping pong, pool table (although missing balls and tips on cues), free bikes for 2 hours (which are in good condition!), free 30 min paddleboard, free filtered water, scooter rental, and you are able to use the toilet and shower and store bags after check out. The free breakfast was delicious with a good number of options to choose from (view from the rooftop at sunset is also beautiful) and the family dinner (100k) with the other guests was also delicious and a great way to meet other travellers.

What really made our stay were the family running the place, everyone was very kind, welcoming and chatty. Special shoutout to Giang who was incredibly helpful with everything. Helped us book our bus to Hue, our cave tour and recommended the duck farm, both were incredible memories of our trip! She has brilliant English and makes you feel so at home.

The price was very reasonable and although slightly out of town it was so easy to walk or cycle in to the shops/restaurants etc.

If you are staying in Phong Nha and looking at a relaxing but gentle social place to stay -...