WHERE TO STAY YOUR FIRST TIME IN DA NANG
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Going to Da Nang and wondering where to stay? Read on for my recommendation based on my four weeks in this vibrant and relaxed city!
I have written several “where to stay” posts lately and generally it is fairly easy to pick one or two areas of town that would be best (at least if budget allows). For Da Nang it is a little more complicated. There are several very distinct areas with their own vibe and each has advantages and disadvantages. The “best” area or hotel will really depend on you and what you are looking for. Consequently, I have organized this list a bit differently, by the experience more than the area.
To find the best area and hotel for you, look at the headings and see what kind of travler you are and what you are looking for on this trip!
Top 4 Areas for a First Trip to Da nang
1. luxury Beach Vacation with Privacy surrounded by Nature
No image of the hotel but you can see the peninsula in the distance
If you are looking for arelaxing, beach focused resort with lots of privacy and surrounded by nature the answer is very simple and just one hotel rather than an area. If you have a very generous budget (or if you don’t even know the word “Budget”), the answer is very simple: the InterContinental DaNang Sun Peninsula Resort.
For a hefty price you can stay in gorgeous surroundings with impeccable service (I did not stay there but I did read the reviews). Aside of plenty of other amenities you will find Da Nang’s only Michelin starred restaurant and you will be surrounded by pristine beaches and verdant nature.
I would highly recommend this hotel if you are looking for privacy, luxury, and a beach-centered vacation. It would be ideal for a honeymoon or family trip, especially if privacy is a concern. The hotel is located about a 30 minute drive from Da Nang’s center at the far side of the peninsula, quite a ways after Lady Buddha.
Whereas many luxury hotels have a steady stream of tourists (like me) coming to just gawk at hotel and guests, getting to the InterContinental is enough of a hassle that very few will make the effort. I definitely planned to check it out myself but it was just too far and difficult to get to!
This potential advantage is of course also the main drawback of this hotel. This is not the place to stay if you want to be immersed in the local culture or even if you just like to pop out to check out a restaurant or see some sights.
If you can afford the InterContinental you will likely not care that a Grab ride to town is over 200k VDN, but it still means you have to get a ride and spend some time travelling back and forth.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Luxury Resort | Far from town and everything else |
| Michelin-Restaurant | Limited access to restaurants/shops |
| Beautiful Beach | Expensive |
| Excellent Service | |
| Privacy | |
| Surrounded by Nature | |
| Quiet |
My personal opinion: If I had the money, I would stay there in a heartbeat!
2. Beach Vacation with Style
Marble Mountain is very close to the beach resorts – you can walk
The second option has some things in common with the InterContinental but it is an area with several different hotels to choose from at the other (Southern) end of town.
Close to Marble Mountains, you will find several very nice 4 or 5 star beach resorts. They all offer great beach access and an upscale vacation experience. Their main disadvantage is again that they are far from town. Though not as remote as the InterContinental, this area is still not ideal if you want to experience the vibrant flair of Da Nang or the many local restaurants.
The sidewalk along the beach resorts is very well maintained
Taking a Grab from here to the main beach area at My Khe or downtown Da Nang is a bit cheaper. In a pinch you could walk to the busier beach strip but it will take a while. However, this is your best bet if you want first-class international hotels and direct beach access.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Top International Resorts | Fairly far from town |
| Direct Beach Access | Limited access to local restaurants |
| Nice Pools | Not cheap |
| Not too far from Marble Mountain |
My personal opinion: These are nice hotels but I would only stay here if I was looking for a beach-centered vacation
My hotel recommendation:
Danang Marriott Resort and Spa: Very close (walkable distance) to Marble Mountain, beautiful landscaping, direct beach access, large pool, full amenities (spa, kids club etc.) highly rated. I did check this hotel out from the outside and it looked very inviting!
3. Lively Beach Experience and easy Town access
A bit farther north the beach gets livelier with many beach bars, water sport opportunities, exercise equipment, various events, private beach clubs. Think a seaside town in Mexico or Spain.
This is my personal favorite area as far as the beach goes. It feels very fun and vibrant (without being wild or garish) with great people watching. In this area you will also find a huge number of restaurants and eateries, from food trucks and beach bars right at the beach to lots of international restaurants and cafes geared to tourists and digital nomads.
This area stretches about from the Yarra Ocean Suites to slightly north of East Sea Park. Which you prefer is a matter of taste. The southern end reminds me more of a Spanish beach town with quite a number of backpackers and young people. Further north is seems slightly more upscale and trendier.
So if this is the best beach area, why don’t I just recommend staying here? While there are numerous nice hotels along the street they are all separated from the beach by the main road. They also remind me more of city hotels and while some them have a pool, these are generally not resort style pools. To be honest, this area may fall short if you are looking for luxury and a resort-style experience.
This area would be ideal if you are looking for some partying (I assume, no personal experience), lots of restaurants at different price points, plenty of shops and amenities. You are also much closer to the River/Dragon Bridge/Town areas of Da Nang (a longish walk or short Grab ride).
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Variety of well-rated hotels at different levels | Hotels are less resort-like |
| Very close to Beach | Separated from beach by road |
| Many restaurants and shops nearby | No huge pools |
| Decent access to the rest of Da Nang | Louder and less refined |
| Less expensive |
My personal opinion: Stay here if you are looking for a lively beach experience in a central location and don’t require resort amenities
My hotel recommendation:
There is a huge variety of hotels and guesthouses at all price points here. If your budget is tighter, going a block or two further from the beach will generally save money without really impacting convenience (you are separated from the beach anyway).
These are some highly-rated mid-priced properties in the first row I would consider for a future visit:
Yarra Ocean Suites Danang: This hotel is on the southern part of the main beach in a very tourist/expat centered area. Depending on your room you may have a good beach view.
Nesta Hotel Danang: Slightly set back from the road this property has a nice pool.
Stella Maris Beach Danang: The vibe here is more city than beach but it is close to my personal favorite section of Da Nang’s beach.
A bit more expensive:
M Hotel Danang: Very modern 5-star hotel with excellent ratings in a central location across from the beach.
4. Central location for Exploring and Experiencing Da nang
This final area recommendation is actually my favorite: along the river on both sides between Cau Rong (Dragon Bridge) and Cau Song Han. This is an excellent central area if you are planning to do a number of excursions and there is a large number of restaurants of all kinds and price-points nearby. You will not be stuck having to eat at your hotel if you stay here!
Here you are close to markets, shops, and nighttime-entertainment. It also will give you the most authentic Vietnamese experience. The beautiful views of the lights along the Han River are an additional plus!
The main disadvantage of staying near the river is the somewhat greater distance to the beach so I would not recommend it if you are mainly planning on beach activities. The area is likely also noisier than the properties under numbers 1 and 2.
Whereas the western side of the river has a modern, up-and-coming feel (with plenty of cool shops and cafés), the eastern side is more local but of course closer to the beach. On both sides of the river you will find a long promenade so you can go for a nice stroll in the evening.
Personally, at this time I would choose a hotel on the western (city) side over one on the eastern (beach side) as the area is slightly more polished. However, there is a huge construction project going on next to the Melia Vinpearl Danang Riverfront on the beach side. Once this gets successfully completed (i.e. finished and occupied) my recommendation would likely change.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Very central location | Further from the beach |
| Plenty of restaurants and shops nearby | More city hotels than resorts |
| More authentic feel | |
| Beautiful night-time views | |
| Long promenades to walk along |
My personal opinion: Stay here if you are looking for a more authentic local experience and plan on a mix of activities
My hotel recommendation:
I will give two recommendations, one for the beach and one for the city side. It really comes down to personal preference but either way it takes only minutes to cross the bridge!
Melia Vinpearl Danang Riverfront: Highly rated modern city hotel with great view of the river. Very close to Da Nang’s only real mall and within easy walking distance to the Dragon Bridge or to the cityside area via the bridge.
Courtyard by Marriott Danang Han River: Excellent location near the best part of the “fancier” riverside restaurants and shops. A top hotel for a more exploration based city trip!
My Overall Recommendation
Based on my 4-week stay in Da Nang, my recommendation would be:
- Choose a resort along the beach near Marble Mountain if you are looking for a beach vacation with all resort amenities
- Choose a hotel along the main beach area if you want an affordable and livelier beach vacation and don’t mind less of a resort feel
- Choose a riverside hotel if you plan on a mix of activities and prefer an authentic local vibe
- And book the Intercontinental if you are looking for a private and luxurious beach vacation surrounded by nature
The good news: even though Da Nang is spread out, Grab is very convenient and inexpensive so getting to a different part of town is easy. Just choose the location that fits your favorite vibe (and your budget).
My Thoughts for a future Stay
My AirBnB was located a couple of blocks from the river on the beach-side and I LOVED the location. It was convenient, lively, and made me feel like a local more than a tourist. I would absolutely stay there again if I visited Da Nang for a longer time.
If I just visited for a couple of days I would either book a hotel near the main beach section or at the river – depending on my exact plans. Either makes for a great base to enjoy the warmth and chill of Da Nang!
