You’ve decided to take a trip to Cat Ba Island, now you need to know where to stay. Cat Ba has all different kinds of accommodation ranging from 5-star resorts to $6 hostels. If you know my story, our RTW trip is kind of on a budget, so we looked for something affordable. Unfortunately, the hotel we stayed in on arrival was not up to par, and we cancelled our stay after the first night. We kept looking and found La Pont Hotel. I’m so happy we did. It’s not 5-star luxury, but it was exactly what we needed.
Overall Rating 4.15/5
Value – 4.75
Service – 5
Cleanliness – 4.5
Decor – 3.5
Food – 3
The Location
If you’re looking for convenience, La Pont Hotel should be your pick. It’s about a 4-5 minute walk to the center of town, and very close to some excellent local food. The best part is that it’s near all the action but situated on a hill away from the noise at night. For a family with a baby who goes to sleep early, we couldn’t have asked for better.
First Impressions
The entrance and lobby remind me of a budget hotel, or maybe an old US bank, but it was immediately blocked out by the friendly smiling faces of the receptionists. The lobby wasn’t huge, but there was a nice little sitting area to converse with other or wait for pickup.
Check in was very quick and easy. We were promptly given our keys and a map of the city. Payment is taken at checkout, as you can charge activity or food costs to your room.
The Room
I booked our room through booking.com and chose the deluxe double with city view. They also have mountain view rooms, family rooms and even dorms. The room was plenty big for us (2 adults and a 1 year old) and featured a lovely little sitting area.
The bed was very comfortable, a relief after the springy mattress the night before. The room also had blackout curtains. Those would be nice anywhere, but they were essential for our stay because the ‘city’ view meant a view of the street which was a karaoke bar across the street with crazy neon lights at night. It actually worked out well for us because Isabel liked to look at the lights early in the evening, and then the curtains blocked them out perfectly at night. Somehow we didn’t really have an issue with noise either, so that was definitely a major plus!
The Bathroom
The bathroom was not luxurious, but was great for the price we paid. It was a typical South East Asian bathroom with the showerhead being right there with the toilet and sink. But, unlike some other bathrooms we’ve experienced, La Pont Hotel’s was quite spacious. That meant that not everything got wet – major, major plus. They also provided flipflops for cleanliness and convenience.
Amenities
La Pont Hotel has all of the basic amenities that other budget hotels would have. The WIFI was great, and the room had multiple outlets for electronic needs. There was also a stocked minifridge for convenience, and the bathroom was stocked with extra toiletries.
One of my favorite places to hang out was the rooftop terrace. A quick ride up on the elevator lets out to an area with brilliant views of the mountains. There are tables and chairs to sit at under a blue tinted glass roof which provides a cool ambiance. Dan and I enjoyed sharing a beer up there while Isabel ran around.
I would say that the three best things the hotel offers are motorbike rental, daytrips/activity packages and bus tickets to other cities. All can be booked right at the counter in the lobby, and they have many options to choose from. We rented a very smooth riding motorbike & helmets for 100,000 dong ($4.39 USD). We also took a day trip around Lan Ha Bay for 320,000 dong ($14 USD). When going back to Hanoi, we purchased our ferry + bus ticket for 200,000 dong ($8.75 USD).
The Staff
I have nothing but nice things to say about the staff and service provided at La Pont Hotel. The ladies at the front desk were very kind, and often played with Isabel. They were helpful with arranging anything we needed. The breakfast/restaurant staff were also very polite and friendly, and quick to take our order.
The Food
Attached to the hotel is a restaurant and bar. Breakfast is included in your booking with La Pont Hotel and is served in the restaurant. Your options will be eggs (cooked to order), a pancake, or bread & jelly with a tea or coffee. It is a standard breakfast, but it is good. I personally really liked the convenience of not having to leave the hotel and find breakfast.
For other meals, the restaurant has an eclectic menu (as most restaurants in Cat Ba). The food is nothing over the top, but if you are feeling lazy and don’t want to go searching it’s a fine place to go. For those who enjoy a glass of wine, the bar has a variety of options.
La Pont Hotel Overall
Our stay at La Pont Hotel was very enjoyable and offered tremendous value for the price we paid. The staff is really what puts this hotel above the others. For a hotel in the center of it all, but set back on a more quiet street, it’s the place to choose.
Please let me know if you have stayed or will be staying there soon!
The Details:
Address: 64 Nui Ngoc, Cat Hai , Cat Ba, Cat Ba, Vietnam
Internet: Free throughout the hotel
Photos: Main photo provided by La Pont Hotel
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