Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Your Dream Ha Long Bay Getaway at Vinpearl!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into the glittering waters of Vinpearl Ha Long Bay! Forget those stuffy, perfect reviews – I'm here to spill the tea, the pho, and maybe a little accidental ice cream on the plush carpets (it happens, okay?) about this "Dream Getaway."
First things first: Accessibility, because who wants to struggle to enjoy their vacation?
Accessibility: Alright, so Vinpearl claims to be accessible. Claims. I didn't personally roll around in a wheelchair, but the elevator situation seemed decent, and there were ramps… mostly. The hallways were broad, and I spotted a few accessible rooms, but the devil's in the details, folks. Real talk: I'd call ahead and confirm EVERYTHING if you need wheel-in-and-go access. Don't just trust the pictures.
On-site accessible restaurants/lounges: Hmm, again, claimed. (Can you sense my skepticism, yet? Good!) I saw a few restaurants that appeared to be accessible, but the placement of tables vs. pathways was… questionable. Like someone thought it through, then got distracted by a shiny object.
Wheelchair accessible: See above. Call. Verify. (It's not a universal guarantee. I'm telling you.)
Now, let's get into the goodies: Things to Do & Ways to Relax: This is where Vinpearl really tries to shine. But does it?
Spa, Spa/Sauna, Steamroom, Sauna, Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, - Okay, so this is where they throw that massive "Luxury" word at you! So I went, I embraced the fluffy robes (a win!), and dove in headfirst. The spa? Gorgeous. The massage? AMAZING. I mean, seriously amazing. My shoulders were screaming for mercy after my flight (it took me 2 days to get there, with a layover in Tokyo. I kid you not), and the masseuse knew exactly where to hit. It was like a symphony of muscle bliss. The sauna/steam room situation? Perfect for melting all the stress away! The foot bath, which I was skeptical of, actually was surprisingly soothing. My body felt like it had been run through a car wash… and I'm talking a good one.
Fitness center, Gym/fitness: I tried to hit the gym. The equipment looked shiny and new. I intended to work out. I got distracted by the pool view and ordered a smoothie. (Hey, I'm on vacation, okay?)
Pool with view, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: The pools… well, there was a pool. And another pool. And a pool with a fantastic view of Ha Long Bay. Seriously, the view is a showstopper. I spent a good chunk of my trip just lazily floating around, pretending to be a sophisticated international spy (or, you know, just a dude on vacation). The water was the perfect temperature, and the poolside bar was conveniently located.
Cleanliness & Safety (Because, Covid. Sigh.)
Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, - Okay, they were trying. I saw staff cleaning constantly. Hand sanitizer was everywhere (thankfully). The food was individually portioned and wrapped… a little too much, if I'm being honest (tons of plastic!). I felt relatively safe, but you know… still keep your guard up.
Cashless payment service: Yeah, that's smart. I mostly just used my card. Easy Peasy.
First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: Good to have. Never needed it. (Knock on wood!)
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: The Good, the Bad, and the Pho-tastic!
Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant, A la carte in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Bottle of water: Okay, the food situation… let's just say it's… varied. The buffet was a chaotic experience I quite possibly lost a few years off my lifespan thanks to the sheer volume of people! On a positive note, the pho was divine. Seriously, the best pho I've ever had. I may or may not have eaten it every single day. (Don't judge me.)
Bar: Yeah, they had a bar. Drinks were good. Overpriced, but you expect that, right?
Happy hour: Always a good thing! It may have involved a few too many cocktails…
Alternative meal arrangement, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant: They offered it all, but you'd want to ask and make sure they could handle your requests.
Services and Conveniences - The little things that matter… or at least should matter.
- Air conditioning in public area, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Outdoor venue for special events, Safety deposit boxes, Terrace. - These were all present and accounted for. The concierge was super helpful, the elevators ran smoothly (mostly), and the housekeeping staff was on point. (I felt bad because they kept having to deal with my mess)
- Invoice provided: I didn't bother to ask for this.
- Projector/LED display, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Seminars, Shrine, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Didn't venture into these aspects.
- **Audio-visual equipment for special events, Luggage storage: ** - The basics.
For the Kids - If you are one of those families!
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: I saw kids. Lots of kids. There were pool toys, a kids' club, and generally, the place felt family-friendly.
Access & Security - Keeping you safe… kinda.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Front desk [24-hour], Proposal spot, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms: Seemed secure enough. The 24-hour security was reassuring.
- Fire extinguisher, Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: - Standard stuff.
Getting Around - Getting to the fun.
- Airport transfer, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service, Valet parking: Airport transfer was smooth and efficient. Parking was plentiful. Taxis were readily available.
Available in All Rooms - The "necessary" stuff.
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. - Okay, the rooms themselves? Pretty nice. The beds were huge and comfy. The view from my window? Stunning. Seriously, even when the weather was a bit gray, Ha Long Bay looked dreamy. The tea and coffee maker was a welcome touch (pho cravings, remember?). The free Wi-Fi was a lifesaver (duh). The water pressure in the shower could have been stronger, and I never figured out how to work the TV (and I’m usually tech-savvy!).
Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, - Wifi worked fine.
Things to see and do:
- Bicycle parking,Car power charging station: Didnt use it.
- Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Room decorations - Didn't notice, didn't care.
- Pets allowed unavailable - no pets allowed, thank goodness.
**My Final Verdict (
Cincy's BEST Kept Secret? This Holiday Inn Express Will SHOCK You!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups and prepare to have your perfectly-planned itinerary obliterated! This isn't your average, sterile travel guide. This is… my post-Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long, Vietnam, brain-dump. Let's just say it's less "smooth sailing" and more "slightly seasick but laughing hysterically at the horizon."
Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long: An Itinerary… or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Lobster (and the Chaos)
Day 1: Arrival - And the Lobster Gods Heard My Prayers
- 10:00 AM - Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), Hanoi: Ugh, the airport. Always a baptism by fire. This time, though, I was prepared. I’d downloaded ALL THE podcasts. Turns out, that was the biggest lie of all time! I still missed my pre booked airport taxi, and have to wait 2 hours for it, or the tourist bus that will take me straight to Ha Long Bay.
- 11:30 AM - The drive to Ha Long Bay: Oof. Four hours in a cramped bus? That’s a recipe for existential dread, or a nap. I chose the latter, despite the constant honking and the questionable driving skills of our Vietnamese driver. I woke up when the bus hit a pothole that seemingly swallowed the entire front wheel. Welp, here we are!
- 4:00 PM - Check-in at Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long: Okay, here we go. Gorgeous lobby, check. Friendly staff, check. The ocean… well, from here it's stunning. I'm almost expecting to be completely amazed by the view from my room. I'm totally gonna be overwhelmed.
- 4:30 PM - Room reveal! Oh. My. Word. Suite life, indeed. My mouth actually dropped open. Maybe I should have brought a camera. I have to start taking pictures right now. That sunset view? Unbelievable. And the bed? That's where I will spend the rest of my life, perhaps.
- 6:30 PM - Dinner at the Oriental Pearl Restaurant: Okay, real talk. I'm a lobster fiend. I’m not exaggerating. And the Vinpearl… the Vinpearl had lobsters. Glorious, grilled, butter-drenched lobsters. I ordered one. I ate it with unadulterated glee. Then, I ordered another. And then… well, let's just say my waiter raised a knowing eyebrow at the end. No regrets. Zero.
- 8:00 PM - A stroll on the beach: Stuffed and happy, I waddled onto the beach. The ocean's gentle roar, the sand between my toes… pure bliss. Though I may or may not have almost tripped over a rogue volleyball net in my lobster-induced haze.
Day 2: Spa Day, Pool Day, and the Great Watermelon Debacle
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast Buffet of Champions: Okay, buffet. The siren song of a buffet. I restrained myself on the pastries, which took serious will power. The Pho? Divine, and absolutely needed after yesterday's lobster binge.
- 10:00 AM - Spa Time! (and a near-catastrophe): I'd booked a traditional Vietnamese massage. Ooh, the pressure! The scent of lemongrass! The blissful… Wait a minute. Is that… a bug? I’m not going to lie, it was terrifying. I think it was a beetle.
- 12:00 PM - Pool Time!: This pool is unreal. Crystal clear water, swim-up bar, all the things. Spent a solid three hours alternating between floating and sipping cocktails. Yes, I am that person. No shame.
- 3:00 PM - The Great Watermelon Debacle: Ordered a watermelon smoothie at the swim-up bar. It arrived. It was bright, beautiful, and… chunky. Very chunky. I took a sip. It tasted like… watery, unripe watermelon. The disappointment nearly ruined my day. Thank goodness for the resilience of the human spirit (and the availability of more cocktails).
- 6:00 PM - Dinner and… Karaoke? The restaurant was okay. Nothing spectacular, but perfectly edible. The real entertainment came courtesy of the karaoke machine. Some people can actually sing. Others… well, let's just say they had a lot of enthusiasm. I, of course, jumped in. My rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" probably caused localized earthquakes. Sorry, everyone. (Not really.)
- 8:00 PM - More Beach time: My feet touch the sand, and everything feels okay. The night sky is the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen.
Day 3: Kayaking, Caves, and Farewell to Lobster (For Now)
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast! Another buffet: I made sure I ate every single piece of available fruit. The staff there is always so incredibly nice! I think they were making sure I was ok every day or eating enough.
- 10:00 AM - Kayaking in Ha Long Bay: Okay, this was the highlight. Paddling through the emerald waters, surrounded by the towering limestone karsts… breathtaking. The sheer scale of it all is humbling. I got a little lost, then found my way back, and got slightly sunburned. Worth it.
- 12:00 PM - Surprise! Cave Tour: It was a spontaneous addition to my day, and I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it. But the caves are so gorgeous and the scale is amazing.
- 3:00 PM - Lunch! Got some noodles at a street food stall. The best decision ever.
- 6:00 PM - Farewell Lobster! One last hurrah at the Oriental Pearl. This time, the waiter knew to bring the extra napkins. This time, I brought more cash for the tip.
- 8:00 PM - Last Sunset: Watching the sunset over the water? Yes, please!
Day 4: The Journey Home (and the lingering scent of saltwater and freedom)
- 9:00 AM - Pack-up.
- 10:00 AM - The dreaded drive back to the airport.
- 12:00 PM - Fly home, and begin planning my return.
Final Thoughts:
Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long? Absolutely worth it. The luxury, the views, the lobster… yes, yes, and YES. It wasn't perfect (remember the watermelon! The bug!), but that's what made it memorable. Ha Long Bay itself? A natural wonder that will leave you speechless. The staff? The friendliest people I've ever met.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. In fact, I'm already mentally planning my next lobster-fueled adventure. Let's just hope next time, I remember the bug spray. And maybe, just maybe, I'll try to avoid the karaoke. (Probably not, though.)
Rivello Apart Hotel Brazil: Your Dream Vacation Awaits!
Okay, Seriously, Is Ha Long Bay REALLY as drop-dead gorgeous as the pictures? I'm a bit skeptical.
Alright, let's be real. Photos are often… enhanced. But Ha Long Bay? Honey, *it’s* the real deal. I was skeptical too, scrolling through endless glossy images. Then I *went*. And I almost choked on my pho. Seriously. The sheer scale of it – those limestone karsts jutting out of the emerald water like a dragon's teeth… you can't fake that. It slaps you right in the face with beauty. I actually cried, a little. Don't judge. The air is unbelievably crisp, the sun kisses your skin... it's a sensory overload in the best possible way. You could spend a week just staring. And you kinda do.
Vinpearl Ha Long Bay… Is it just for the super-rich? My budget is, shall we say, "cozy."
Okay, honesty hour: Vinpearl isn't backpacking budget. Let's not kid ourselves. However, "super-rich?" Maybe not. It depends on your definition. I mean, *I* am decidedly *not* super-rich, and I scraped together enough for a few nights there. I found some deals online, and trust me, the experience is worth the splurge. Think of it as an investment in your mental health! Plus, the whole point is to *feel* fancy, right? And you definitely do at Vinpearl. The service is impeccable, the rooms are gorgeous (I mean, ridiculously so), and that infinity pool? Forget about it. You'll feel like a movie star – even if you’re mostly eating instant noodles in your room to save money (I may or may not have done that… shhh!).
Tell me about the rooms! Are they as swanky as they look in the brochures?
Swanky? Oh, honey, they're in a whole other league. I stayed in a room with a balcony that overlooked the bay. Every morning, I'd wake up, throw open the doors, and just… *breathe*. It was magic. Okay, so my first encounter with the *actual* room wasn’t perfect. I fumbled with the key card for like, a full five minutes, looking like a total tourist (which, duh, I am!). Then I tripped on the rug. Face-plant levels of clumsy. But, once inside… the bed was like sinking into a cloud. The bathroom was bigger than my apartment back home. And the view? Forget about it! You're basically living in a postcard. I actually ordered room service, just because I *could*. And those little complimentary toiletries? They smelled like heaven. Seriously, I may have packed a few extras… don't tell anyone!
Food glorious food! What's the grub situation like at Vinpearl? Is it all just boring buffet stuff?
Buffets… yeah, they have those. But Vinpearl is *so* much more. The food is phenomenal! I'm talking fresh seafood that practically jumps onto your plate, authentic Vietnamese dishes bursting with flavour, and enough variety to make your head spin. And the presentation! It's like every meal is a work of art. I had this AMAZING grilled squid one night. It was perfectly cooked, tender, with this incredible smoky flavour… Ugh, I'm drooling just thinking about it! The service is impeccable, from the warm welcome to making sure my water glass was constantly full. One minor hiccup, though. On my first night, I ordered this intricate dessert, and it took *forever* to arrive. I was starving! But hey, even royalty has to wait sometimes, right? Totally worth it in the end.
Beyond the hotel, what's there to DO? I don't want to just sit around by the pool all day (though… tempting).
Okay, the pool *is* ridiculously tempting, but you're right, Ha Long Bay offers so much more. You've got the obvious boat tours, which are a MUST. You'll cruise through the bay, explore hidden caves, swim in the turquoise water (trust me, it’s even better than it looks!), and generally feel like you’re living in a James Bond movie. Vinpearl often has tours that leave directly from their docks which makes it easy if you don't want to leave the resort. There's also kayaking (highly recommend!), visiting floating villages, and exploring the local markets. One thing I found incredibly moving was the opportunity to visit a pearl farm and learn about the process. So fascinating!...Even if you're like me and can't afford the sparkly final product! And the sunsets! Oh. My. God. Get yourself a cocktail and watch the sky explode with colour. Pure magic. Definitely make it a point to see the floating fishing villages. It makes you think about how we all really choose to live (or don't want to).
Any advice on dealing with... *other* tourists? I can get a bit… grumpy.
Ah, yes. The human element. Look, you're going to encounter other humans. Lots of them. Some of them will be… a tad loud. Some will be selfie-stick obsessed. Some will wear socks with sandals. It is what it is. My advice? Embrace the absurdity. Find a quiet corner, sip your cocktail, and enjoy the view. Try starting a conversation with someone! I made some great connections with other travelers I met. There are good people, and bad people, everywhere you go. If you're finding things difficult to deal with, go back to your room and take a nap. When I was feeling frazzled, I would just head back to my room and enjoy the quiet solitude. Deep breaths. Everyone's on vacation, trying to relax. Don't let them ruin it for you.
Is it suitable for kids? I'm travelling with my screaming, sticky-fingered offspring.
Alright, the screaming, sticky-fingered offspring. I don't have kids, so take this with a grain of salt. But from what I observed, Vinpearl seems pretty kid-friendly. They have kids' clubs, dedicated play areas, and pools designed for younger ones. The staff are incredibly patient and accommodating. And, let's be honest, the views alone might distract the little monsters (at least for a few minutes!). The boat tours are a definite hit for kids, too. However, make sure you take the time to teach them how to treat the environment with respect. So many people are drawn to the beauty, and it's important to make sure that the next generation feels that same awe. It's not a guarantee of total peace, but it's definitely a good option.
Any downsides? Anything I *shouldn't* expect?
Okay, the truth bomb. It’s not *perfect*. Sometimes, the weather isn't ideal. TheBudget Travel Destination
