Escape to Paradise: Hese Boutique Hotel & Apartment, Vung Tau
Escape to Paradise: Hese Boutique Hotel & Apartment, Vung Tau - My Chaotic, Sparkling Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (or, you know, the ca phe sua da – Vietnamese iced coffee – because we’re in Vung Tau!). This isn't your typical, sterile hotel review. This is real life. I’m talking about my experience with Hese Boutique Hotel & Apartment, warts and all, because let's be honest, perfect places are BORING.
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- SEO Title: Hese Boutique Hotel Vung Tau Review: Paradise Found…With a Few Quirks!
- Meta Description: My unfiltered review of Hese Boutique Hotel & Apartment in Vung Tau. From accessible rooms to the pool with a view, hidden gems & honest thoughts. Read before you book!
Accessibility: The Good, The Maybe, and the "Hmm…"
Alright, let's start with the stuff that mattered most to my travel companion. And yeah, this is where things get a little…complicated. The website claimed to be accessible. And, in some ways, it was. The elevator was a godsend! Definitely a win for anyone with mobility issues. The ramps were there, though a few seemed a little…optimistically sloped. You know, the kind where you hold your breath going uphill. I've seen a few spots that could use a bit more TLC to be truly comfortable for everyone.
But the real test came when we went to the pool. That's where it got a little tricky. The entry ramp into the pool was amazing. It was so thoughtful. But getting to the pool area? Well, let's just say I'm glad my friend has a good sense of humor because navigating a few tight corners and a slightly treacherous tiled surface was more than a little nerve-wracking. Don't get me wrong, the view from the pool? Stunning. Seriously, it's the kind of view that makes you mutter "wow" under your breath. Just, maybe scope out the route first.
Overall accessibility score: 7/10. Great attempt and some real wins, but some improvements needed to be truly inclusive.
(Oh, and by the way, shout out to the concierge who always asked my friend if she needed help throughout the day, even if she did not need it. That's such a lovely extra touch!)
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: Okay, my experience was that one restaurant on-site was more accessible than another (or I'm just being a bit of a lazy tourist and didn't explore enough!)
Internet Access: Wi-Fi Everywhere! (Almost)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Yes, please! And it actually worked. No buffering hell, no frantic searching for a signal. Just smooth, speedy internet. This is a huge win! It's the little things, right? Like being able to instantly share that Insta-worthy sunset pic without a struggle. (Yes, I judge a hotel on its Wi-Fi. Don't @ me.) The internet access - LAN was one thing, but the wireless was something else. It was great overall.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: A Sensory Overload!
Okay, let's talk about the good stuff. The relaxing stuff. Because, let's be real, that's why we go on vacation, right?
- Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: I’ll be honest, I’m not a huge spa person. But my travel partner is, and she raved. The body scrub was apparently heavenly. The sauna? Hot and steamy in the best possible way. The steam room? Well, let’s just say she emerged looking like a blissful, prune-y goddess. I opted for people-watching from the pool – a perfectly acceptable form of relaxation, in my opinion.
- Spa/Massage: I did manage a massage, and it was fantastic! The masseuse was amazing, kneading away all the travel knots. I fell asleep. That's the ultimate compliment, right?
- Pool with a View/Swimming Pool [Outdoor]: The pool. Oh, the pool. That view! It's postcard-perfect. Seriously, I could have stayed there all day, just bobbing around and soaking up the sun (and occasionally pretending to be super-glamorous. Failed every time).
- Fitness Centre/Gym/Fitness: Okay, I'm not going to lie. I glanced at the fitness center. Looked clean, modern, and well-equipped. Did I actually use it? Let's just say my idea of fitness on vacation involves walking to the bar for another cocktail.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Sigh of Relief
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: Okay, let's be frank. I was a little anxious about traveling right now. But Hese did a fantastic job making me feel safe. Everything was spotless. The staff was constantly cleaning. The hand sanitizer was plentiful. (Seriously, they were everywhere). And the physical distancing? They made it work without being awkward. I genuinely felt like they were taking things seriously. Huge kudos.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Nice touch!
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms: All the usual safety stuff was in place, which gave me peace of mind.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure!
Okay, let's get to the important part: food!
- Breakfast: The breakfast buffet was amazing. Fresh fruit, delicious pastries, even a little station for made-to-order omelets. I may have eaten my weight in croissants. No regrets. They had a good range of breakfast.
- Restaurants/A la carte in restaurant/ Asian cuisine in restaurant/International cuisine in restaurant/Vegetarian restaurant/Western cuisine in restaurant: The main restaurant was fantastic. The a la carte menu offered a great selection. The food was delicious, from the local seafood (fresh, amazing!) to the international dishes (the pasta was surprisingly good). I believe there was at least one option for vegetarians. I really do not remember.
- Poolside bar: Yes! Cocktails by the pool. Need I say more? The happy hour was particularly happy.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant/Coffee shop: The coffee was good. The tea likewise. Nothing earth-shattering, but perfectly decent.
Services and Conveniences: Little Things That Matter
- Air conditioning in public area: Essential!
- Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Currency exchange: Convenient.
- Daily housekeeping: Efficient and friendly.
- Elevator: As mentioned before, a huge win for accessibility.
- Food delivery: Handy for those lazy nights in.
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service: All available, and all efficient.
- Luggage storage: Helpful for early arrivals or late departures.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always someone there to help.
- Doorman: Old-school charm.
- Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Airport transfer, Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: All there and available.
- Gift/souvenir shop: A bit overpriced, but handy for last-minute presents.
- Safety deposit boxes: Peace of mind.
For the Kids:
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal I didn't have any kids with me, but the hotel seemed very family-oriented.
Rooms: The Details Matter
My room was lovely. And, yes, let's be honest, I was very happy.
- **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, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproof rooms, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This ain't your sanitized brochure itinerary. This is the real deal – my attempt to wangle a good time in Vung Tau, Vietnam, from the cozy confines of Hese Boutique Hotel & Apartment. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable decisions, and the raw truth about my travel sanity.
Vung Tau: Hese & the Search for Inner Peace (and Decent Pho)
Day 1: Arrival - The Great Unpacking Debacle & Early Pho Fail
14:00 - Plane-y Things & Panic Airport. Okay, so the flight was a blur of tiny pretzels and existential dread. Southeast Asia! I'm doing it! Arriving was, as always, a disaster. Luggage roulette, currency confusion, and the constant, desperate hope for functional airport Wi-Fi. Got through.
- Anecdote: I swear, every time I travel, I forget how to pack. My suitcase exploded in the hotel room, a glorious eruption of mismatched outfits and the faint scent of lavender (don't judge, I have a self-care problem).
15:30 - Hese Boutique: The "Oh, Wow" Moment (Followed by Mild Panic). Found Hese, and, woah. The pictures online did not lie. Gorgeous! My apartment has a balcony with a view that could make a grumpy seagull sing. The only problem? My immediate thought was, "Can I actually afford this for the next few days?"
16:00 - Pho Quest: Disaster Strikes. First order of business? Pho. The internet promised epic pho near the hotel. I embarked, full of hope, on a short walk. Found… something. Not pho. More like…thin, watery noodles and a vague, unsettling meat product. My tastebuds wept. This could be a sign.
17:00 - Balcony Therapy & Sunset Contemplation (Mostly Panic-Related). After the pho debacle, I retreated to the balcony. The view is stunning, but the jet lag and the lingering memory of the "pho" turned contemplation into a full-blown internal monologue. "Am I cut out for this? Did I pack enough sunscreen? Is that a mosquito the size of my thumb?"
19:00 - Dinner Hunt (Round 2): Fish and Chips (Because, Comfort) Found a decent-looking seafood restaurant nearby. Let’s be real, I chose Fish and Chips. It felt familiar, comforting, and a little bit sad, but at least it was edible. The beer was cold. Needed.
Day 2: Beach Blues… and a Vespa Ramble
- 08:00 - Wake Up (Or, Try to Wake Up). The bed at Hese is so comfy. I almost didn't.
- 09:00 - Beach Day - A Mixed Bag of Delight and Dirt. Vung Tau beach… well, it's a beach. The sand is a bit gritty, the water…questionable, but the general vibe is relaxed. Spent the morning just… existing. People-watching is a sport in itself. Saw a guy trying to sell pineapples shaped like… well, let's just say it was an interesting shape.
- 12:00 – Lunch & Beach Bumming. A local beachside restaurant. Found some real food. Fried rice. And, you know… the sun. More beach, more watching, more sun.
- 14:00 - Vespa Adventure! (Almost Certain Death Edition). Okay, rented a Vespa. The guy at the rental place gave me a look that clearly said "You're going to die." He was probably right. But, the freedom! The wind in my hair! The near-misses with rogue taxis! Scared, exhilarated, and somehow still alive.
- Anecdote: I almost crashed into a water buffalo. A WATER BUFFALO. I swear, its eyes had a hint of amusement.
- 17:00 - Lighthouse Views & Existential Dread. Found the lighthouse! The view is epic, but the hike up was brutal in the heat. Got up there. All I could think was, "Wow, the sun is strong. And, what am I doing with my Life?"
- 19:00 - Dinner: Street Food Gamble (Worth it?) After the lighthouse, my stomach growled. Decided to brave the street food scene. Found a little stall with some sizzling, mystery meat and noodles. Worth the risk! The chili sauce was volcanic.
Day 3: Culture Crumbles and Back to Basics
- 09:00 - Back to reality. The beach felt a little less appealing. The Vespa adventure had left its mark (sore bum, questionable tan lines).
- 10:00 - The Big Buddha. Okay, I tried to be cultured. Went to that giant Christ statue. It was… impressive. Definitely imposing. But, I just felt a bit… meh. Like I was missing the point.
- 12:00 - Market Mayhem!! Found a local market. The smells! The noise! The bargaining! Overwhelmed in minutes. Bought some fruit. Successfully didn't buy a fake Rolex.
- 15:00 - Pool Time at Hese: The Reset. Needed a serious reset. Decided to head back to the hotel and just…swim. Hese’s pool is an oasis of calm. So much better than the slightly-murky ocean. And the sunbeds! Oh, the glorious sunbeds.
- Quirky Observation: The pool is the perfect place to watch the world go by. The other guests… a fascinating mix of yoga teachers and… well, me.
- 17:00 - The Return of the Pho-phile (Finally, Success). After two days of Pho disappointments, I got serious. Researched. Hunted. Found a place that nailed it. Rich broth, tender beef, fresh herbs. Tears of joy. Truly.
- 19:00 - Sunset Drinks & Balcony Brainstorming. Back to the balcony. The view is still amazing. Still, wondering what tomorrow brings. Wondering if I'll leave this place. This Vung Tau place.
Day 4: Departure (With a Heavy Heart, a Full Belly, and a Slightly Less Crazy Soul)
- 08:00 - Last Breakfast on the Balcony. Coffee and view of the ocean.
- 09:00 - Souvenir Shopping (Desperate Edition). Panic buying of souvenirs. The pressure! Find something, now!
- 11:00 - One last walk. One last breathe. Before the flight. The sea. The salty air. A beautiful farewell.
- 12:00 - Goodbye, Hese! Leaving the hotel. Feels so fast, so easy, and so right.
- 13:00 - Airport… and the next adventure!
Escape to Paradise: Hese Boutique Hotel & Apartment - Let's Get Real
Okay, so, is this place ACTUALLY paradise? Or is it just Instagram-filtered paradise?
Alright, truth time. Paradise? Well, that depends on your definition. Look, the beach is gorgeous – I mean, GORGEOUS. Think postcard-worthy sunsets and the waves whispering sweet nothings to the sand. But… and there’s *always* a but, isn’t there? I wouldn't say it's *perfect*. One afternoon, I was trying to capture the perfect sunset shot, and some kid decided it was the perfect time to launch a very enthusiastic, very sandy attack on me. You know, small price to pay for the view, right?
What's the vibe? Is it romantic, family-friendly, or more of a "party till dawn" kind of spot?
The vibe? A delightful mix, actually. Think… chilled-out romantic with a side of, "Hey, let's build a sandcastle and eat ice cream!" It’s defintely NOT a rave. Though I did see a couple trying to recreate "Dirty Dancing" on the beach at midnight. Bless their hearts, bless their hearts. There are families, couples, people just looking for a peaceful getaway. The best bit? You're not forced to mingle too much if you don't want to. I spent a whole day just reading a book on my balcony, and nobody batted an eyelid (except the gecko… he seemed curious).
The rooms… are they actually as nice as the photos? I’ve been burned before!
Okay, this is THE QUESTION, isn’t it? And I’ll level with you… yes. Mostly. The photos *do* make it look good, and the rooms are clean, airy, and modern. I stayed in a Deluxe Apartment. Now, the pictures made it look huge, and it was… *mostly* accurate. The balcony was a bit smaller than I'd imagined (where am I supposed to have my existential crisis now?), but the giant windows and the giant bed more than made up for it. The only tiny, tiny, microscopic complaint? Those beautiful, minimalist bedside lamps were a little…futuristic. I nearly tripped over the controls the first night, trying to turn the damn thing off!
Food! Tell me about the food! What about breakfast?
Breakfast… ah, breakfast. They *say* breakfast is included, and it’s true. It’s also… good. Not mind-blowing, Michelin-star-level, but perfectly acceptable. Think fresh fruit, eggs done in a variety of ways (though I'm a sucker for a good omelet), bread, coffee that actually tastes like coffee… You know, all the essentials. The restaurant has some delicious local dishes too, but fair warning: I ordered the seafood noodle soup one night, and the portion was so enormous I swear I think I could have swam in it. I mean, not that I'm complaining. It was delicious!
Is it easy to get around Vung Tau from the hotel?
Getting around is pretty easy. You can rent a scooter (that's my go-to in Vietnam – freedom!), grab a taxi, or even walk to some places. The hotel can arrange taxis. There are also plenty of local motorbike taxis (xe om) waiting outside to whisk you away. Honestly, experiencing the city from the back of a motorbike, you just *feel* like you're living, you know? Just hold on tight and embrace the chaos. I mean, the chaos is part of the fun… right?
What are some of the things I can do around Hese Boutique Hotel?
Okay, so, the beach is right there, obviously. Swim, sunbathe, build ridiculous sandcastles (see above!), whatever floats your boat. Beyond that, there's a ton to do. Visit the Christ the King statue (massive! And the views!), go to the lighthouse (more views!), hit up the local markets (bargaining is key!), or explore the temples. One day, I went on a motorbike tour and – I’m not exaggerating – had the best pho of my life at a tiny little roadside stall. I'm still dreaming about that pho! And honestly, just wandering around, getting lost in the little alleyways… that's half the fun. Remember to haggle at the market though, I'm serious! I ended up paying triple one day because I was in such a daze, you have been warned!
Any specific recommendations? Something I should absolutely NOT miss?
Oh, yes! For the love of all that is holy, go for a sunset walk on the beach. Seriously. Take some snacks, a drink, and a willing companion (or just yourself; it's therapeutic!). The sunsets there, they just… they're special. I've seen sunsets all over the world, and something about the light hitting the water… it's pure magic. Oh, and eat the seafood. Fresh, delicious, and cheap! Don't be shy, order everything. Except, you know, maybe not the entire menu at once, like I did.
What about the staff? Are they friendly and helpful?
The staff? Super friendly! They're genuinely nice, helpful people. They're always smiling and always ready to assist. I needed to get some laundry sorted, and it was done with record speed and they even folded it nicely. I felt a bit guilty because I'm terrible with laundry, which is a recurring theme in my life. Their English is pretty good too, which is a massive help if your Vietnamese is as appalling as mine. They made me feel genuinely welcome.
Any downsides? Anything I should be aware of before I book?
Okay, honesty time. The Wi-Fi… well, it can be a bit… temperamental. It’s fine for browsing, but if you're planning on doing a ton of work, you might want to tether to your phone. The beach can get a little crowded, especially on weekends. And sometimes, the music from the nearby beach bars bleeds into the hotel at night, but its not too bad! Don't expect total silence, especially if you're on a lower floor. But honestly those are minor quibbles. In its entirety, the experience really is worth it.
So, would you go back?
Absolutely. Without a shadow of a doubt. I'm already mentally planning my return. Even with the slightly wonky Wi-Fi and the occasional evening music. The good definitely outweighs the bad.Backpacker Hotel Find
