Looking for where to stay on Cat Ba Island? Well we got you covered! Simply have a flick through this post, choose the best place to stay for your budget and then you can get in with planning the real adventures that await you on Cat Ba Island and surrounding Lan Ha Bay.
Known as the cheaper option to Halong Bay, know that Cat Ba Island accommodation is not inexpensive because of inferior quality. Still expect magnificent views of the karst rocks sticking out of the sea and great food plus lots of additional activities exclusive to Cat Ba.
Where To Stay On Cat Ba Island
Okay, low value to high value. If you’re not backpacking and have more leeway in your budget, scroll past the first section. If however, you’re travelling on a tight travel fund, these first options for where to stay on Cat Ba Island are for you.
Budget Cat Ba Island Accommodation
Secret Garden
Situated in Cat Ba town, just a stone’s throw from Lan Ha Bay, Secret Garden is our number one choice for where to stay on Cat Ba Island as a budget backpacker. There are so many positives about this place that there’s almost too many to mention – but we’ll give it a good go.
First off, the dorms are spacious and air conditioned so you’re not going to feel like a sweaty sardine. Each bed also has a privacy curtain, individual light and personal plug sockets. If slept in a dorm before you’ll know how important these things are.
Next up the bathrooms. Not only are they consistently rated at super clean by guests, you will also be treated to a rain shower. So no excuses for letting your grooming routine slip here.
The common area is colorfully decorated and well thought out with plenty of comfy bean bag seating and a pool table. ‘Great atmosphere’, ‘chilled out vibe’ and ‘ incredible staff’ feature on the regular in the reviews for this Cat Ba Island hostel.
The Secret Garden has a restaurant on site serving a mix of western and vietnamese dishes and their cracking breakfast is only an additional $1.
But the icing on the cake if you are still undecided about where to stay on Cat Ba Island? An evening family dinner is included in the price of your stay. Which solo travellers especially rave about because they say it’s the perfect opportunity to meet people.
Cat Ba Countryside Homestay
Okay time to bring the jungle and outdoor swimming pool vibes to this where to stay on Cat Ba Island list. If nature, peaceful stay and mountain views are high on your Cat Ba accommodation these place has got your back.
The clue is in the name, but yeah this place isn’t in town. However you’ll likely want to hire a motorbike to explore Cat Ba Island anyway and this place rents them for a reasonable place. Parking is free and Cat Ba town is just a 15 minute ride away.
All rooms at Cat Ba Countryside Homestay have AC and plentiful plug sockets. Plus you have the choice of dorms or family rooms for if you’re travelling in a group, or well…with your family. The reviews evidence that it’s not a unique occurrence for guests to extend their stays.
Erm…what else? Oh yeah. Breakfast will cost you an additional quid only, there’s plenty of seating in the communal area and the bathroom is super spacious. If you’re looking for your shower to be over the toilet, as in common in much of Vietnam, this is not your place.
Cat Ba Pod Hostel
This choice of Cat Ba accommodation is exactly as it sounds, your bed is a pod. Which we know ordinarily wouldn’t float many peoples boats, but hear us out. Because dorm beds in Cat Ba Pod Hostel are are the opposite of what you may be imagining.
Roomy, comfortable, air conditioned, with individual reading lights, privacy curtains, power sockets, lockers and storage shelves, the pods are like private rooms within a dorm room.
Plus this Cat Ba hostel option is so close to stunning Lan Ha Bay, it’s literally overlooking the bad boy. Oh and there’s a reputable and reasonably priced tour company on site for all your boat and bus booking needs.
But that’s not where the benefits for this option of where to stay on Cat Ba Island end. Because not only are the bathrooms clean and spacious, they also come with a rain shower, a hairdryer and a towel. I mean come on, that shit is like gold dust to budget backpackers.
Mid-Range Places To Stay on Cat Ba
Little Cat Ba
Heading up the next level of comfort on our where to stay on Cat Ba Island list is this absolute stunner of a spot. Just a 5 minute ride out of Cat Ba town, these tranquil riverside bungalows boast stylish and spacious rooms.
Complete with AC, ensuite bathrooms and private terraces. Seriously, once you see the photos of this place you’ll be hooked.
There’s a lush green garden for your use, complete with an onsite bar and restaurant serving Vietnamese cuisine. A top brekkie is included at no extra cost. You can rent motorbikes at Little Cat Ba plus book on any tours you’d like to do.
Little Cat Ba Boat House
The similarity of the name of our next Cat Ba accommodation recommendation is no coincidence. The cute and cozy Little Cat Ba Boat House is in the same location, literally just on the river in front the Little Cat Ba bungalows.
You won’t be stationary on the river however. The point is that you take a private boat trip around Lan Hay, exploring the beautiful scenery and secluded beaches. Then anchoring up in a private spot and enjoying sunset cocktails and a fresh seafood dinner under the stars.
Previous guests say in their reviews that staying on the Little Cat Ba Boat House was ‘the best experience we have had in Vietnam’ and ‘without a doubt the best days of our honeymoon’. So yeah…
Thanh Trung Hotel
Our second choice for mid-range Cat Ba accommodation, is this fab little hotel. Conveniently located in the centre of town, you’ll be smack bang in the centre of action and there’s plenty of restaurants on hand.
Book a simple but tasty breakfast for just £1. And if you’re feeling lazy, you can even arrange with the friendly staff to have delivered to your room if you like. The soundproofed ensuite rooms are big and clean with both AC and a fan. Expect a very comfortable nights sleep.
There’s plenty of storage space so you won’t have the daily luggage wrestle and can properly style your locks with the included hairdryer. Towels are included plus some other little luxuries as standard too, such as a kettle and slippers.
Luxury Cat Ba Island Hotels & Resorts
Monkey Island Resort
Fancy drifting off to the sound of the waves in a deluxe wooden bungalow on a private beach? Well we’ve got you covered with this choice for where to stay on Cat Ba Island. Although it’s not actually located on Cat Ba, it’s on a tiny island within the crazy picturesque Lan Ha Bay.
Nicknamed Monkey Island due to the primates that you’ll be sharing the island with, this island is locally known as đảo Cát Dứa. The private resort offers transfers from Cat Ba Island so there’s no drama getting there and the place has all the mod cons and then some.
Rooms have A/C, ensuite hot spacious showers, mosquito nets, a private balcony and towels included. Plus there’s an indoor swimming pool and a restaurant serving up western or vietnamese cuisine. Oh and breakfast is included in the price.
This place is a right little slice of paradise and perfectly located for hopping in a kayak and independently exploring more of Lan Ha Bay.
Cat Ba Sunrise Resort
Rounding off our best of where to stay on Cat Ba Island list is the super luxurious Cat Ba Sunrise Resort. If you’re after treating yourself, this is the spot. Perfect ocean views run straight onto the beach and the resort has everything you could possibly need.
But just so you know, we’ll run through a few of the highlights. The hardwood floored rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated with marble ensuite bathrooms. Executive suites also contain jacuzzi baths.
It goes without mentioning, but I will, that you stay comes complete with toiletries, slippers, bathrobes, towels and a minibar. There’s a spa, a gym, a swimming pool and even a karaoke room. Told you they thought of everything.
And even then quite possibly the very best thing about this Cat Ba accommodation isn’t even in Cat Ba Sunrise Resort. It’s on the beach, out front. At night. And if you’ve never swam with luminescent phytoplankton your are in for the treat of your life…
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Yorkshire born & bred, Sarah is a professional blogger who loves to travel. Pushing her boundaries with new adventures is her jam, so you likely won’t find her in one place for too long. Also a serious Marmite addict.
