Le Domaine de Tam Hai (unique hotel)
Our brief comments:
Official 'star' ratings of hotels in Vietnam are based mainly on hotels' capacity and facilities, so the only establishments eligible for the coveted status of five stars are those with many rooms, large pools, conference facilities, health centres and so on.
However, Le Domaine is one of those hotels that defy classification. As you can see, it has few of the facilities and services that you could reasonably expect to find in a five-star hotel - no satellite TV, no fitness centre, no coffee shop and so on.
Instead, you get peace and quiet on a tropical island, a large villa surrounded by a 400m2  garden of exotic trees and plants, an almost deserted soft coral sand beach and plenty more besides.
The family-owned resort opened in a 10-hectare private park on Tam Hai island, 45 kilometres south of Hoi An, during November 2004.
Tam Hai is large island about 200m from the mainland with a population of fishing communities approaching 8,000. The locals live at the opposite end of the island, leaving Le Domaine in an oasis of tranquility.
 The arrangement works well, and provides an opportunity for guests to borrow the hotel's bicycles to visit the village and visit the Vietnamese fishermen and their families.
Getting to Le Domaine involves a couple of hours drive from Hoi An. From a small wharf, a speedboat carries guests down an estuary to the island - the journey takes about 15 minutes.
The resort consists of twelve villas each with a large private garden with direct access to the beach, a restaurant and bar, and a swimming pool.
 The villas are thatched and spacious, with tasteful decor and furniture. Each is surrounded by a fenced tropical garden for complete privacy. A patio and terrace provide a view of the ocean, and each villa has direct access to the soft white sand beach.
Le Grain de Sable restaurant serves authentic French cuisine and Asian-inspired dishes - if preferred, meals can be served in the villas. Le Sofa bar overlooks the sea.
The resort offers a honeymoon package with champagne breakfasts, candlelit dinner with  champagne, and a speedboat cruise, also with champagne! Another attraction is a half- or full-day cruise to a nearby island for snorkelling, a barbeque, and relaxing in a different location.
A further distraction from the serious business of taking it easy is the opportunity to accompany the local fishermen to catch your lunch and dinner. Speedboat cruises are extra, but priced sensibly.
Bicycles are available to explore the island. The main village is about 15km from the resort - there's plenty to see on the way. The local market, pagoda and fish sauce factory are all worth a visit.
 The beach is very good and there's plenty of it. It has a low gradient which is good for children. However, care must be taken when the tide is running. It's perfectly safe up to an adult's chest depth, but there's a strong current further out. The water is clear when the tide flows, and cloudy when it ebbs due to suspended silt from the estuary.
Although it doesn't advertise itself as such, Le Domaine is very eco friendly - read more
Le Domaine is not a hotel for those who like all the creature comforts offered by large  international hotels. Nevertheless, the local tourism authority for the area holds it in high regard as a luxury resort with a high level of service. If you're looking for comfortable solitude with nothing much to do apart from relaxing in pristine scenery, it could be just the place for you.
We found time for an overnight stay on the island - the bungalows are delightful, the food was delicious and the hosts were friendly and helpful. Waking to the gentle lapping of the waves and the occasional put-put of a passing fishing boat was pure joy. We'll be going back, but next time as customers!
Inspected June 2005
Room facilities:
Room Categories |
Deluxe |
| Number of rooms |
12 |
Air-conditioner |
|
Satellite television |
|
Shower or bath |
|
Bath with shower |
|
| Bath + separate shower |
|
Personal safety box |
|
Coffee and tea facilities |
|
| Laptop connection |
|
| Free broadband access |
|
Extra bed |
|
Child's cot |
|
Room size (m2) |
57 |
View |
sea and garden |
Additional room facilities: two terraces, bathroom with patio, hi fi
Hotel facilities:
Outdoor pool |
|
Non-smoking villas |
2 |
Pool bar |
|
Non-smoking rooms only |
n/a |
| Children's pool |
|
Vietnamese/Asian restaurant |
|
Fitness/health centre |
|
International restaurant |
Sauna |
|
Patisserie/coffee shop/cafe |
|
Massage |
|
Business centre |
|
Jacuzzi |
|
Disabled access |
|
Additional hotel facilities: babysitting, bicycle hire, patrol boat for cruising, snorkelling and/or fishing, fishing and snorkelling equipment
|
