Ninh Binh Valley Homestay

STAY AWAY!!! It is a rip off!

Mountain views..but place is so far away that it takes time away from other things especially given how bad the road to the place is.

STAY AWAY!! Don't fall for the reviews - I cannot understand how this place got these good reviews. Something is corrupt. Read below before you book- 1. Anything above $5 per room (not per person) is not just high but it is a rip off for this super basic place. 2. Once you get there - you are their captured customer with NO options. Far away from other food, motorbike etc. rental options they can charge you high. Everything is charged in dollars. Beer is 1-1.5$, you can get the same beer for under 15k vnd in rest of the city. Motorbike is 10-30$, there are places in town which rent for 100K vnd (or little over 4$). The bikes are not well maintained either. 3. Yes the mountain views are good. But there are so many beautiful places to see in Ninh Binh. So you can only look at the views once in the morning. By 5.30pm its pitch dark with ample number of mosquitoes..thanks to stagnant water right next to it. 4. The path (not a road) to the place is horrible. You need to be back by 5pm (what do u then do?) so that you can drive on it..it is quite hard even during day time. Imagine what happens after it rains. No taxis come here or they drop you 2 kms away where the path starts. The place conveniently cashes in on this by arranging for you $7 car ride. Lot cheaper for a taxi if you stayed somewhere else. 5. Food is horrible. Stick to basic noodle soups. All items have a ton of oil and no taste. Even omelette has a TON of oil - just lift it to see underneath (and don't bother asking for less oil - it is impossible). Again no other food options anywhere near. 6. Service is poor as well. I literally got two spoons of coffee and when I mentioned that the drip is not working..the woman just said "ya" and walked away. 7. This is a homestead just for namesake. There is one girl (that is employed) that basically interacts with all the guests. You just see the guys in the family sit near the table and smoke with a big bong all day - you will see them do this first thing in the morning and also in the evening when you are there.