Victoria Hoi An Resort Address: Hoi An Beach Hoi An Tel: 84-0510-927040 Fax: 84-0510-927041

Part of the privately-owned Victoria chain of 3 and 4-star resorts, the Victoria Hoi An is a small, pleasant beach resort just a few kilometers outside town. Previously discriminating travelers to Hoi An had little choice but to stay at the luxury Furama Resort, some 45 minutes from town. That all changed in 2001 when a building boom began along Cua Dai beach, about a 10-minute drive outside Hoi An proper. The Victoria Hoi An was the first actually built on the beach.

The Victoria is one of those resorts where room type makes all the difference. The beach front and sea view "Deluxe" rooms are spacious and decorated in one of three themes: Vietnamese, Japanese or European, representing the cultural influences that shaped Hoi An in the 18th century. We particularly like the beach front Japanese themed rooms with rock garden entrance, bamboo floors and translucent door panels. Avoid the "Superior" rooms which are rather basic and likely to leave guests disappointed.

The Victoria's best feature is its large, inviting swimming pool overlooking the beach. (Actually its best feature may be Darling, the resident elephant - but we don't recommend trying to swim with her!) The hotel offers free shuttle service to town every two hours.