Dechiu Hotel, a stone's throw from the beach in the seaside district of Hoi An, is a serene retreat in every sense of the word. The brainchild of designer TheO Pham, the hotel eschews grandeur, preferring instead to celebrate the simpler pleasures of Vietnamese craftmanship and heritage. It’s an intimate space that blends modern aesthetics with the cultural richness of its surroundings. Corridors and communal spaces act as a showcase for the emerging talents of local photographers and artists, creating a visual tapestry that connects guests with the country's artistic heritage.
The design philosophy here emphasises emotion over extravagance. The notion of 'enough' plays throughout: simplicity doesn't mean you're left wanting. Old and broken items have been given new life, each piece finding the beauty in imperfection. Reclaimed-wood doors, carved furniture and handmade linens contribute to the hotel's commitment to sustainability and a genuine Vietnamese experience. Start your day with a farm-harvested breakfast, then stroll along to enjoyable An Bang Beach, or hire a bike and go exploring in Hoi An’s beautiful riverside Unesco-listed Old Town, packed with merchant houses, tea shops and markets. Or simply cocoon yourself in its modern monastic charms. It’s hard to leave.
Highs
- Fantastic location – it’s on the shores of both An Bang and Tan Thanh Beaches, while the winding alleyways of Hoi An Old Town are a cab or bike ride away
- The nine beguiling rooms, each individually decorated, all with an understated beauty, texture and craftsmanship
- The small, friendly team are a delight - I was genuinely sad to say goodbye
- The sense of calm. Hoi An itself can be quite hectic but the design and unfussy service immediately restores a sense of Zen
- From the beautifully scented soaps to the soft linen bedsheets, and basket lampshades made by local hill tribes, there’s real mastery in the details
Lows
- Currently no restaurant onsite, but there's a choice of eateries within walking distance
- The area is popular with backpackers - there's a lively beach bar opposite and a hostel next door - so late night noise can be an issue
- No pool, but the beach is less than a minute’s walk away
- Due to the design (slippery concrete floors, exposed edges), the minimum age is 10 years old, while older guests should be aware there's no lift (though staff will help with bags)
- The rooms at the back are wonderfully shaded from the often searing heat, but that does mean they can be quite dark
Best time to go
Hoi An’s climate is divided into two distinct seasons – the dry season from February to August and the wet season from September to January. If you’re not a fan of the heat, Feb-April is warm, dry and sunny and is less crowded. But for beach lovers the best time is May to August when the thermometer can reach 40º. The wet season is ideal for budget travellers but be prepared for typhoons and floods (although we stayed in December and got away with only one quick downpour).
Our top tips
Take a boat ride on the Thu Bon River. Choose between a daytime excursion to enjoy the picturesque townscape or - even better - an evening cruise when the town is illuminated by lanterns. Many tours also offer traditional performances on board, providing an added cultural touch to your river journey.
- Boutique Hotel
- 9 rooms
- Breakfast; restaurants nearby
- Over 10s only
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Laundry Service
Rooms
There are only nine rooms and each has been individually designed with a subtle interior colour scheme – ochre, indigo blue, milky white – although they all feature distressed cement floors and walls to echo the clay-built houses of the coastal countryside.
Rooms feature queen-sized beds and showers and accommodate two people – although most also have day beds or sofa beds in case guests prefer separate beds. They face either the sea or the houses behind. The largest is the Rooftop Room, which has connecting bedrooms and sleeps four, and which also has a private terrace overlooking the sea.
The Garden Room, unsurprisingly, is sited beside the garden and has an outside meditation space, while the two Architect’s Rooms have large desks and plenty of light for those who need to work. We stayed in the Terrace Room which has a private terrace overlooking the street and across to the ocean, and another slither of a balcony perfect for drying off swimsuits. Waking up to the sunrise breaking through the palm trees opposite was pure beachside bliss. And the bed, so cosseting and homely, might just be my favourite in the world.
We also loved the Zen Rooms, laid out to be spacious and liveable, while the Wabi-Sabi Rooms are small but perfectly formed. These categories are at the back of the building, which means they lack a view and can be darker, but they're often quieter. As street noise can be an issue here, these rooms are the best choice for light sleepers.
All rooms have air conditioning, Wi-Fi and locally produced toiletries, such as the gorgeous pomegranate and green tea soap. And thanks to discreet essential oil diffusers and wax melts, the whole place smells divine!
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Coffee / tea making
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
In keeping with Dechiu's overall ethos, the vegetarian breakfast served downstairs in the bright, airy dining space, felt like food for the soul. We chose from a small menu that featured two 'western' options that stay the same (the fluffy pancakes served with fresh fruit were dangerously moreish) and a daily changing Vietnamese dish, like stir-fired noodles or mushroom Pho. There's also a selection of fresh juice concoctions (pineapple and mint, watermelon and ginger), herbal tea and excellent coffee. Just when you think you're done, a dessert comes out - usually yoghurt with fruit, and maybe some puffed rice for a bit of crunch. Lovely.
Hoi An offers an abundance of eating options, from humble street stalls to quaint riverside eateries as well as high-end restaurants. Seafood is very much a staple here and the day’s catch is always on the menu. But also try iconic dishes such as Cao Lau (noodles, pork and rice crackers), Banh Mi (savoury baguettes), Pho and Mi Quang or white rose dumplings (rose-shaped parcels filled with everything from pork to shrimp).
The Old Town is best for authentic eateries while the restaurants by the beach are more trendy and international. For something really special, go to Reaching Out Teahouse in the Old Town, where all the staff are hearing or speech impaired; you'll have to communicate a little differently, but the service is superb and it's a business well-worth supporting.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Hoi An's Unesco-listed Old Town is a short cab ride away, or a gentle half hour by bike. Stroll through the narrow streets adorned with colourful lanterns and ancient houses; visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge and the Fujian Assembly Hall; Central Market is a sensory delight with stalls selling local crafts and mouth-watering street food
- Hoi An is the home of tailoring, so bring some ideas and get some fresh new outfits made at one of the dozens of tailor shops
- Pedal through rice paddies, traditional villages, and lush landscapes. Many tours offer visits to local homes, allowing you to witness traditional crafts such as mat weaving and rice paper making
- The more active can enjoy fishing charters, scuba and snorkelling, kayaking, river rafting as well as surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing – Dechiu can assist with info and bookings
- The less active can relax on Tan Thanh or An Bang Beaches, watching the fishermen, splashing by the shore (it's often wavy), strolling between cafés
- Embark on a day trip to My Son Sanctuary, a significant archaeological site of the ancient Champa Kingdom. Marvel at the well-preserved Hindu temples and learn about the rich history of this once-thriving civilisation
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cooking classes
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Historical sites
- Kayaking
- Kitesurfing
- Private guided tours
- Scuba diving
- Shopping / markets
- Snorkelling
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Traditional cultures
- Windsurfing
Kids
Only children aged 10 and over are permitted at the hotel. Teenagers should enjoy the many cultural aspects to Hoi An, as well as being by the beach and amongst the backpacker buzz.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Rooftop Room has two queensize beds. Most of the other rooms have a day bed or sofa bed in the room so if a parent and teen are travelling together they don't need to share a bed.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Dechiu Hotel is located on the shores of Tan Thanh Beach on the edge of Hoi An, a short taxi ride away from its Unesco-listed Old Town. It's in the Quang Nam province of Southern Central Vietnam.
By Air:
Da Nang (27km) has flights from within Vietnam and SE Asia; but most European visitors fly into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and take an internal flight to Da Nang.
By Train:
Alternatively, if it's part of a longer trip, the Reunification Express train operates along the coast from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, stopping in Da Nang - a journey of 16-24 hours (with the option of overnight couchettes), so best suited to those making a proper itinerary of it. See Seat 61 for more details.
From Da Nang Airport:
You can pre-book an airport transfer, or take a taxi or minivan to Hoi An (45-90 mins journey time). We don't recommend hiring a car as driving in Vietnam is not always easy.
Airports:
- Da Nang International Airport 27.0 km DAD
Other:
- Beach 0.5 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 6 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape