Escape to Paradise: Thuy Tien Motel's Vung Tau Oasis Awaits
Escape to Paradise? More Like a Vung Tau Adventure at Thuy Tien Motel!
Okay, let's be real. "Escape to Paradise" is a BIG promise. Does Thuy Tien Motel in Vung Tau actually deliver? Well, that depends on what you’re escaping from. My chaotic life? Maybe. The crushing weight of existential dread? Probably not. But after a week of solid Vietnamese sunshine, seafood, and surprisingly decent karaoke, I’m ready to give you the real lowdown. Buckle up, buttercups, because this is gonna be long (and hopefully, helpful!).
First Impressions & Accessibility: (Spoiler: Mostly Good!)
Getting to paradise is always the first hurdle. Thuy Tien is, thankfully, quite accessible. They have a freaking elevator! Which, in Vietnam, is like finding a unicorn wearing a top hat. Okay, maybe not that rare, but it’s a HUGE win for anyone with mobility issues. They boast facilities for disabled guests, but to be brutally honest, I didn't see them in action beyond the elevator. More details would be amazing but it's better than nothing and one step closer to being more accessible in the future. The car park (free, thank the heavens!) was easy to navigate. I didn’t check out the airport transfer (rode a xe om - pure budget travel!), but the option exists.
Staying Connected (and Not Dying Inside):
Listen, I NEED my internet. I work remotely when I'm not eating all the food! Thuy Tien gets it! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise the tech gods! And it’s decent! I mean, I could stream Netflix (shhh!), which is a win in my book. They also offer Internet Access, Internet [LAN] if you're old-school (or just desperate to avoid Wi-Fi). Wi-Fi in public areas was also good. Did it ever drop? Sure, but generally, it's a solid thumbs up.
The Room: My Sanctuary (or Not-So-Sanctuary):
My room? Well, let’s just say it wasn't a minimalist’s dream. But that's okay! It had air conditioning (essential!), a desk (for pretending to work), air conditioning in public area, complimentary tea (nice touch!), daily housekeeping (bless these tireless people!), desk, free bottled water (drink up!), and a refrigerator (hello, late-night snacks!). I also had satellite/cable channels to distract me from the fact that I was supposed to be writing. I also had additional toilet, alarm clock, bathrobes, bathtub, blackout curtains, carpeting, closet, coffee/tea maker, complimentary tea, hair dryer, high floor, in-room safe box, interconnecting room(s) available, internet access – wireless, ironing facilities, laptop workspace, linens, mini bar, mirror, non-smoking, on-demand movies, private bathroom, reading light, scale, seating area, separate shower/bathtub, shower, slippers, smoke detector, socket near the bed, sofa, soundproofing, telephone, toiletries, towels, umbrella, visual alarm, wake-up service, window that opens.
Now, for the honesty: The room wasn't spotless. There's a lived-in vibe, let's say. But the daily housekeeping were good about it every day, made sure I had fresh linens, and overall, it was clean enough for me. Plus, it's a real testament to how close you are to the beach by a quick shower after the ocean. They also have non-smoking rooms, so you don't have to wallow in the fumes of others, while it's worth noting a smoking area available. They also have smoke alarms.
Food, Glorious Food! (And the Occasional Miss):
Okay, this is where things get FUN. Thuy Tien has a freaking restaurant. Multiple, actually! They have a coffee shop too. The Asian breakfast buffet was included, and it was… a mixed bag. Some days, the pho was incredible. Other days, the pastries tasted like last week's dreams. The buffet in restaurant offers a lot of food, and it's at least worth a try. Expect the usual Vietnamese suspects, plus some slightly questionable Western options (sorry, not sorry, but the "sausage" looked sus). They also offer Asian cuisine in restaurant.
My Absolute Favorite Moment: The Poolside Bar & Cocktail of Chaos:
Forget the spa (more on that later). My actual paradise was the poolside bar. Picture this: Bright blue water, the warm sun on your skin, and a cocktail that could curdle your blood (in a good way!). The bartenders were friendly (and hilarious) and the cocktails were cheap and… effective. I’m not sure what was in that "Vung Tau Sunset," but it involved copious amounts of rum and questionable amounts of fruit. They have a pool with view. I'm a simple woman: I love a good view while I'm wasting time. They have a poolside bar, and a happy hour!
Things to Do (Beyond Drinking Cocktails):
Okay, so the "things to do" section is a bit thin. Thuy Tien is all about the R&R. They have a swimming pool (outdoor), a gym/fitness (didn’t use it, but it looked… functional), a spa (see below for the drama), a sauna, and a steamroom.
The Spa: My Body's Very Public Breakdown:
Okay, spa time. Here's where it got… interesting. I booked a massage. The atmosphere was… let’s just say “rustic serenity.” The massage itself was… vigorous. Not painful, but definitely firm. I had a body scrub and a foot bath afterwards, which was actually pretty amazing, I felt like a new person, and not quite so embarrassed about having spent so much time at the poolside bar. I really hate to do it, but I want people to know one of the more important experiences I've had, so I'll be honest. It's worth the adventure to see the sauna. However, I didn’t experience the body wrap. Was there a spa/sauna available! Yes! Did I love every minute of it? Almost! But I had a great time!
Cleanliness & Safety: (Important Stuff!)
This is where Thuy Tien shines. In the age of, y’know, gestures vaguely at everything, they have their act together. They use anti-viral cleaning products, have hand sanitizer everywhere, and I saw daily disinfection in common areas. Rooms are supposed to be rooms sanitized between stays, so that's great! They've also got hygiene certification, sterilizing equipment, and its quite apparent staff trained in safety protocol, and while it's great to know they do all of that, one of the most important things I loved to see was their first aid kit. They also offer a doctor/nurse on call.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (More Deliciousness!):
Beyond the main restaurant, there's a snack bar (perfect for those poolside cravings). They have poolside bar. They have restaurants, the a la carte in restaurant, and the buffet in restaurant, which is great if you're like me and just want to eat all the things. If you're feeling fancy, you can get room service [24-hour]. They also have alternative meal arrangement. They offer bottle of water, and breakfast [buffet].
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter:
They have a concierge. The front desk [24-hour] was pretty good. They offer laundry service, and while I didn’t use it, it's always a bonus. They have currency exchange (helpful if you’re new to the Dong). Luggage storage is available, too. They offer car park [free of charge], car park [on-site].They offer air conditioning in public area.
For the Kids (and the Kid in You):
They say it’s family/child friendly, but I didn’t see a playground or anything. There's a babysitting service, which is nice to know. Also, there's a kids meal.
Getting Around and Other Bits:
They offer airport transfer, which is great for jet-lagged travelers. They have taxi service, which is easy. There are bicycle parking options.
The Verdict: Should You Book?
Yes! (With caveats.) Thuy Tien isn't perfect, but for the price, the location, and the basic amenities, it's a solid choice. It's got the potential for paradise, even if it's a slightly… rustic version. **The pool, the cocktails
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Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is a chaotic, glorious, and probably slightly sunburned account of my recent "adventure" at Thủy Tiên Motel in Vung Tau, Vietnam. Prepare for some serious real talk, because frankly, I'm still processing it all.
THỦY TIÊN MOTEL: Operation "Get Away From It All (and Possibly Lose Your Mind)" - A Totally Accurate (and Slightly Delusional) Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, Assimilation, and the Great Mosquito Massacre of 2024
- 14:00 (ish): Arrive at Thủy Tiên. The air in Vung Tau hits you like a wet, salty slap. Instantly. Gorgeous, right? But also… humid. Like, "hair perpetually pasted to your forehead" humid. The motel itself? Well, let's say it's got "character." Think faded paint, the faint aroma of what might be incense, and a slightly unsettling lack of air conditioning in the lobby. I booked it online. Lesson one: always pay extra for the room with the AC.
- 14:30: Check-in. The receptionist, a woman with a smile that could launch a thousand ships and eyes that have seen it all, barely raises an eyebrow at my sweaty, jet-lagged arrival. Smooth operator, she. She hands me a key that looks like it's older than me (likely is) and directs me haphazardly towards my room.
- 15:00: Room Inspection. Okay, it has a bed! And a mosquito net. That's a good sign, right? Wrong. The mosquito net is more of a suggestion. It looks like it hasn't been used since the Vietnam War (metaphorically, of course… I think).
- 15:30 - 17:00: The Great Mosquito Massacre. This. Was. Epic. (Or maybe just traumatizing. Still deciding). I swear those mosquitos were genetically engineered for maximum annoyance. They came in waves, buzzing like tiny, angry helicopters. I armed myself with a travel-sized can of bug spray (thank god for that foresight, even if I did look like a total tourist). I fought. I lost. I retreated under the mosquito net, which, as mentioned was more of a decorative item than a functional one. I finally gave up. The buzzing had won.
- 17:00-18:00: Meltdown/Recovery. Sulking for a good hour. I needed a drink. Badly.
- 18:00: Solo Beer Run. Found a little bia hơi (fresh beer) place down the street. It was a total dive with plastic chairs and the world's friendliest dog, but the beer (and the escape from the mosquitos) was pure gold. Suddenly, Vung Tau wasn't so bad.
- 19:30: Dinner at a local seafood place. Ate something I think was grilled squid. Delicious. Didn't realize I'd ordered the entire thing. It stared back. It had to be eaten. I still can taste the salt and the slightly chewy texture. Definitely don't regret that.
- 21:00: Attempted early night, failed. Mosquitos are back. They're relentless. Sigh.
Day 2: Beach Bumming, Breakdown, and the Pursuit of Coffee Nirvana
- 07:00 (ish): Woke up to the sound of the ocean and… the mosquito swarm. They're persistent little devils.
- 08:00: Breakfast at a local street stall: Banh mi (delicious Vietnamese baguette sandwich) with fried eggs and that lovely Vietnamese coffee. Seriously, that coffee deserves its own religion.
- 09:00 - 12:00: Beach time! Vung Tau beach is a mixed bag. Beautiful sand, crashing waves… and a whole lotta people. Negotiated a beach chair, slapped on sunscreen (learned my lesson from the sun burn incident of 2020). There was a little too much staring happening, but hey, the ocean is gorgeous. I mostly laid there and thought about all the things I should be doing back home.
- 12:30: Beach Lunch. Ordered some seafood. Maybe this squid thing is a theme. Realized I was very far from my comfort zone. And possibly on the verge of a total melt down.
- 14:00 - 15:00: Coffee Quest. Needed a serious pick-me-up. Vung Tau, it turns out, has a coffee culture that's seriously impressive. Found a little cafe with amazing iced coffee, and sat in the shade, people-watching, and trying to stop the impending existential crisis.
- 15:30: Nap Time (Required). The humidity, the mosquitos, the sheer newness of everything… it was all catching up to me. Spent an hour in my room, attempting to actually sleep, failing.
- 17:00: The City: I had a scooter, and decided to take on the city. It was amazing. All the locals, the food, the shops. Not the tourist stuff. I bought a hat.
- 19:00: Dinner and a local market: Found a place that served noodle soup. The flavors were an explosion in my mouth. I got to see a local market. It was wonderful.
- 21:00: Back to the hotel to fight another mosquito war.
Day 3: Farewell (Finally!), and a Promise to Return (Maybe… Eventually)
- 07:00: Wake up. The mosquitos were relatively quiet. Victory?
- 08:00: Head to the beach one last time. Decided to try some people watching, and to enjoy the ocean.
- 09:00: Breakfast at a recommended place. Ordered more banh mi, because when in Rome… or, you know, Vung Tau.
- 10:00: Checked out. The receptionist gave me a small smile. Maybe she knew exactly what I'd gone through?
- 11:00: Heading Home. As I settled into the bus, I couldn't help but feel a strange mixture of exhaustion and excitement about everything that happened during this trip.
- 12:00: Reflecting. As I look back on the experience, I can't help but think of everything that happened, and I'm left to wonder, what do I do next?
The Verdict:
Thủy Tiên Motel, you were… an experience. Would I recommend it? Mmm, maybe. If you're looking for pristine luxury, a silent night, and mosquito-free bliss, maybe look elsewhere. But if you're after authentic, chaotic, and slightly sweaty Vietnamese experience, this is it. And, despite the mosquitos and the slightly questionable décor, yeah, I'd probably go back. Just… maybe with industrial-strength bug spray and a better mosquito net strategy. And definitely, definitely, another coffee.
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Escape to Paradise: Thuy Tien Motel - Your Vung Tau Oasis...Maybe? (FAQ - Let's Get Real)
So, what's the DEAL with Thuy Tien Motel? Is it actually "Paradise" or just...Vung Tau? (and is that good?)
Okay, you’ve piqued my interest. What kind of room should I *really* get? And what should I avoid like the plague?
Is the food any good? Because vacation can live or die on that question!
Beach access? Tell me EVERYTHING.
What’s the vibe? Is it family-friendly? Party central? Somewhere in-between?
Any random, off-the-wall tips or things I NEED to know?
Would you go back? Be honest!
