Hue's Hidden Gem: Than Thien Hotel – Your Friendly Vietnamese Escape!
Than Thien Hotel: My Hue Haven (With a Few Hiccups!) – A Messy, Honest Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Hue, Vietnam, and my stay at the Than Thien Hotel was… well, it was an experience. Let's just say it wasn't a perfectly polished Instagram post, and that’s precisely why you should listen. Because real life, and real hotels, are rarely perfect. This review is dripping with my honest-to-goodness opinions, warts and all. No sugarcoating here, folks!
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- Keywords: Hue Hotel Review, Than Thien Hotel, Vietnam Hotel, Accessible Hotel Hue, Pool with a View Vietnam, Spa Hotel Hue, Budget Hotel Vietnam, Hue Accommodation, Free Wi-Fi Vietnam, Vietnamese Hospitality
- Description: Honest and detailed review of the Than Thien Hotel in Hue, Vietnam. Includes accessibility, cleanliness, amenities, dining, and personal experiences, plus a healthy dose of opinions and real-life stories. Is this a hidden gem? Read on to find out… maybe?
(Deep Breath) Right, here we go.
Accessibility:
Alright, let's start with the good. Wheelchair accessibility is touted… and it's partially true. There's an elevator, which is a massive win. But getting around the outdoor areas? Less smooth sailing, let's be honest. Some ramps were slightly steep, and the uneven paving stones around the pool area were a test of my coordination (and my patience). I saw some Facilities for disabled guests, but I'd absolutely call ahead and triple-check the specifics if this is a major priority for you. This is not a fully accessible, polished experience. Note: This is a good start, but we need to go deeper.
- Action: Include specific examples of accessibility issues. "The ramp leading to the pool bar was a little aggressive for my grandma in her wheelchair. She managed, but it was a white-knuckle experience for both of us. They might consider a gentler slope…"
- Emotion: Express frustration and then relief. "Honestly, at first, I was a little worried. My knees aren't what they used to be, But then, the staff swooped in - so friendly, so helpful! - and made sure I was taken care of. That saved the day."
- Quirk: Make it funny. "I swear, one of those pavers tried to trip me! I nearly did a faceplant into the pool before a staff member caught me. Talk about a dramatic entrance!"
On-site accessible restaurants/lounges:
Okay here's where the wheels came off a little, in the accessible restaurant department. I didn't really see, there was the main resturant, and the pool bar. These were ok in practicality, again, not as smooth as possible. Action: Include specific examples of accessibility issues. "The ramp leading to the pool bar was a little aggressive for my grandma in her wheelchair. She managed, but it was a white-knuckle experience for both of us. They might consider a gentler slope…"
- Emotion: Express frustration and then relief. "Honestly, at first, I was a little worried. My knees aren't what they used to be, But then, the staff swooped in - so friendly, so helpful! - and made sure I was taken care of. That saved the day."
- Quirk: Make it funny. "I swear, one of those pavers tried to trip me! I nearly did a faceplant into the pool before a staff member caught me. Talk about a dramatic entrance!"
Cleanliness and Safety: (Important Stuff!)
Look, post-COVID, we're all a bit obsessed with this, right? Than Thien earns some serious points here. They were on it. Staff trained in safety protocol? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Yep. They used anti-viral cleaning products, and things genuinely felt clean. I saw hand sanitizer everywhere. They also had rooms sanitized between stays and offered room sanitization opt-out available. You could tell they were taking things seriously. The Safe dining setup was reassuring, and they had stuff like professional-grade sanitizing services (whatever those are - but it sounds good!). There were fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and security [24-hour]
- Quirk - I actually saw the cleaning staff use the sterilizing equipment!
- Emotion - I felt safe. Which has been a huge weight off my mind.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking:
Alright, this is where things get interesting, and by interesting, I mean a delightful rollercoaster of highs and lows.
- Breakfast (Buffet): They offered a Western breakfast and Asian breakfast. The buffet was massive. Mountains of fresh fruit, pho, eggs cooked every which way… the works. Look folks, I'm a breakfast person, and I ate my weight in deliciousness. The coffee in the restaurant was a little weak, I’m not going to lie but there was a coffee shop in the lobby that was alright and offered a breakfast takeaway service and Asian cuisine in restaurant. They also arranged Alternative meal arrangement.
- Dining (General): They had restaurants… plural! Including A la carte in restaurant, and Desserts in restaurant. There was also a **Poolside bar, and *Snack bar*.
- Imperfection Warning: Okay, the buffet was fantastic, but it was also busy. Sometimes you had to queue for an omelette. Tiny problem in the grand scheme of things. On the flip side, the Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver after a long day of exploring Hue.
- My Food Revelation: I tried the Salad in restaurant and Soup in restaurant, both were pretty good.
- Food Specifics: They had a bottle of water, and provided Asian cuisine in restaurant.
My Breakfast Saga:
So, one morning, I decided to be adventurous and ordered everything. I mean, everything! A huge plate of fruit, pho, pancakes, eggs, the works. The waiter, bless his heart, looked a little overwhelmed, but he brought it all with a smile. It was glorious and a little embarrassing, but hey, that’s what vacations are for, right?
- Quirk: I think I saw the other guests staring at me. I swear they were judging my breakfast choices!
- Emotion: Absolute joy at that moment. This breakfast was the highlight of my day.
- Honesty: I couldn't finish it all.
Services and Conveniences:
They really nailed it. Concierge was fantastic – super helpful with booking tours and recommending restaurants. They also had a dry cleaning service and an ironing service (essential for looking presentable in the Vietnamese heat). The laundry service too. The Facilities for disabled guests, as I have said, were partially good. There was also a convenience store in the hotel. The elevator was a lifesaver, and the luggage storage was handy before my flight. The daily housekeeping was thorough. The currency exchange was convenient. They had safe deposit boxes.
- My Biggest Convenience Win: The free Wi-Fi worked everywhere – even by the pool!
- Small annoyance: The cash withdrawal from the machine was slow.
- A small win: The elevator was a godsend with all that luggage I dragged.
Things to do, Ways to Relax:
Ah, the good stuff! This is where Than Thien really shines.
- Swimming Pool: Lovely, outdoor swimming pool with a pool with a view. It was perfect after a day of sightseeing. The view was breathtaking, honestly. Highly recommend!
- Spa/Sauna: They had a spa! Massage! Body scrub, Foot bath. Absolutely heavenly. I had a massage and it was exactly what I needed. They had a Gym/fitness, Steamroom, Fitness center, and the Sauna.
- My Relaxation Revelation: Sitting by that pool with a cold drink, watching the sun set over Hue… pure bliss.
- Room decorations were really cool.
For the Kids:
I'm not a parent, but I saw they had Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, and Kids meal.
- Quirk: The pool also had a shallow end for little ones, which I thought was cute.
Rooms:
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Toiletries, Towels, Wake-up service,
Okay, buckle up buttercups, 'cause this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is the messy, glorious, jet-lagged symphony of my Hue adventure, centered around the supposedly "Friendly" Than Thien Hotel. Here. We. Go.
Hue-llelujah! (Or, My Love-Hate Affair with Vietnam, Day 1-3…ish)
Day 1: Arrival Debacle and The Hotel That Tried (and Almost Failed) to Be Friendly
Morning (or, What Time is it, Actually? Jetlag is a Beast): Landed in Phu Bai Airport. Let's just say the flight was… long. REALLY LONG. My brain felt like cotton candy spun through a hurricane. The airport itself? Small. Charming, even. But I was a zombie. Finding a taxi? Turns out, navigating the throng of eager drivers is a blood sport. Finally, I secured a ride, mostly by pointing and grunting.
- Quirky observation: Vietnamese driving. It's a form of organized chaos. Think synchronized swimming, but with motorbikes and a complete disregard for lane markings.
Afternoon: The Than Thien Hotel - My New Temporary Prison… err, I mean, Home: Arrived at the Than Thien. The lobby? Pretty! Photos don't lie. The initial vibe was indeed "Friendly," as the hotel's claim. Checked in, which involved a lot of pointing at my reservation and a small, adorable (and I mean small) woman who clearly barely spoke English. My room? Okay. Cleanish. The air conditioning sounded like a wounded walrus. My first emotional reaction? Mild panic. This was supposed to be my "relaxing getaway," not a test of my survival instincts!
- Anecdote: Wandered around Hue's Perfume River and Citadel area. I felt like I was the only tourist that day, which was cool, but also… lonely. I ended up stumbling into a tiny café, where a sweet old lady, with a smile that could melt glaciers, served me the best iced coffee I've ever tasted. The coffee, coupled with the view of the bridge from the cafe, was the exact moment I began to fall in love with Hue.
Evening: Dinner at some local Pho joint. The broth was amazing; the spicy peppers nearly blew my head off. Nearly choked on my noodles from laughing at a kid trying to sell me a hat. Walked the streets, trying to find a spot for some ice cream, but gave up and crawled back to the hotel. The walrus AC was still in full roar.
Day 2: Imperial City and a Motorcycle Ride of a Lifetime (Or, My Near-Death Experience)
Morning: Breakfast at the hotel - a sad, sad affair. I tried the pho, but it wasn't the authentic stuff. Went to the Imperial City. The architecture is exquisite, the history… profound. Spent hours wandering around, imagining life in the old days. It was mesmerizing.
- Opinionated language: The crowds, though. Oh, the crowds! Tourist traps. But the buildings themselves? Holy Mother of Emperors, stunning!
Afternoon: The Motorcycle Adventure: This is where things really got interesting. Against my better judgment — my gut screamed NOT TO DO IT — I rented a motorbike. Okay, rented AND did it. You know, the thing you're always warned about. Me? Well, I wanted the "true" Hue experience. I'm reckless, I admit it. The rental shop guy gave all the instructions. I understood about 20%. Set off. I managed to navigate the city streets without dying (miracle). Swerved around a cow, avoided a rogue dog, and somehow didn't take out a family of seven on a scooter.
- Stronger emotional reaction: Exhaustion, relief, exhilaration all mixed into one amazing cocktail of emotions.
Evening: Local restaurants I tried were a waste of time. Ended up back at the pho restaurant from the first day, where the staff were incredibly friendly and the lady was nice.
Day 3: Tomb Raiders (Or, More Like, Tomb Tourists) and a Final Evening of Reflection
Morning: Decided to be a "cultural tourist." Visited the tombs of the emperors. They're magnificent. Grand. Peaceful, in a morbid sort of way. I swear I picked up a few ghosts while I was there. The tour guide offered me a taste of the royal family's lunch. I got sick, yet the guide kept saying, 'It is very good!"
- Messy structure alert: I got lost again, which led to a detour involving questionable street food and a very confused conversation with a vendor.
Afternoon: Back to the hotel. I needed a nap. A long, hot nap.
Evening: Sat on the balcony of the hotel, and watched the sunset over the Perfume River. It was a beautiful moment. I ordered room service. It was bland. Despite the imperfections, the chaos, and the slightly-less-than-stellar hotel experience, Hue had gotten under my skin. I felt a quiet sense of peace—and of course, a renewed appreciation for the simplicity of a good, home-cooked meal.
Day 4 (or, Leaving with a Heavy Heart and a Light Wallet):
- Morning: Packed and checked out. The cute little woman at the front desk gave me another smile, which melted my heart a bit. Said goodbye to Hue and, against the odds, I was already starting to miss the motorbike madness.
Final Thoughts:
Than Thien Hotel? It was… an experience. Friendly, in its own way. The AC? A nightmare. But Hue? Hue was everything. A chaotic, beautiful, frustrating, and utterly unforgettable experience. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Because sometimes, the messiest journeys are the ones that leave the biggest mark. That's the honest truth.
Escape to Paradise: Relaxed City Living in Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Than Thien Hotel: FAQ – Spill the Tea, My Hue Escape!
Okay, Seriously, Is Than Thien Hotel **_Actually_** a Hidden Gem, or Just Another Hotel That Needs a Good Spritz of Febreze?
The Rooms: Cozy or Claustrophobic? Spill the Deets! (And Any Bedbug Stories I Need to Worry About?)
Breakfast Time! What's the Grub Situation? Is it...Edible?
One morning, though, I swear I saw the exact same piece of watermelon from the day before. It has a slight bruise, but I'm not complaining. It goes well with instant noodles and the coffee.
Location, Location, Location! Is Than Thien Hotel Actually Convenient for Exploring Hue, Or Am I Going to Be Stuck in a Bus with Some Random Farmers?
The Staff: Are They Actually Helpful, or Just Masters of the Blank Stare?
Any Weird Stuff Happen? Like, Did You See a Ghost? Or Get Offered Something Sketchy?
The Negatives: Okay, What's The Catch? What Were the Annoyances?
Would You Go Back? And If So, What's the One Thing You'd Absolutely Do Differently Next Time?
What would I do differently? Pack more mosquito repellent. Hue is a mosquito haven at night. And maybe bring a power adapter with extra USB ports, or you'll be fighting for yours among you and your friends. Also, I’d try to learn more than three words of Vietnamese. And maybe I’Hotels In Asia Search
