Santorini's Twin? Unbelievable Ha Long Bay Awaits in 2021!
Santorini's Twin? Unbelievable Ha Long Bay Awaits in 2021! - A Frankly Exhausting, Yet Exhilarating, Review
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from… well, let's just say a place that thinks it's Santorini, but is actually clinging precariously to the stunning, yet slightly less photogenic, beauty of Ha Long Bay in 2021. They're calling it "Santorini's Twin," which, frankly, is a bit ambitious bordering on delusional. But hey, I’m here to tell you what it’s REALLY like. And trust me, it's a rollercoaster.
Keywords Stuffing Zone (SEO, baby!): Ha Long Bay, accommodation, hotel review, Vietnam, Santorini, spa, wellness, swimming pool, restaurant, accessibility, Wi-Fi, COVID safety, family-friendly, luxury travel, budget travel, Asian cuisine, Western cuisine, a la carte, buffet, room service, fitness center, car park, airport transfer. (Okay, I’m done now. Promise.)
Before We Dive In: Accessibility, Oh Sweet Lord…
Right, first things first: Accessibility. Let me be blunt. While they claim to have facilities for disabled guests… let's just say they've got the spirit, but the execution? Not always there. Wheelchair accessible areas are… present, but navigating them feels a little like a treasure hunt. The ramps are sometimes a bit steep (heart palpitations warning!), and I saw one elevator that looked like it was about to give up the ghost any second. But hey, they try! The Elevator is there, which is a huge plus compared to some places I've seen. Facilities for disabled guests are… visible, but might require a little extra help. It's not perfect, but it's moving in the right direction.
On-site Restaurants & Lounges - Fueling the Adventure (and the Doubt):
Okay, the Restaurants are a whole story in themselves. Let's start with the good. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was surprisingly good. I had a bowl of pho that actually brought a tear to my eye (possibly exhaustion-related, but still delicious!), and the spring rolls were addictive. There's also a Western cuisine in restaurant option, for those missing home. I stuck to the Asian for the most part, except for the Breakfast [buffet].
And now… the buffet. OH. My. Goodness. It was a logistical masterpiece, and also a bit of a chaotic nightmare.
Breakfast in Room: A Necessary Luxury (Sometimes):
Thank heavens for Breakfast in Room service! It was a lifesaver on some of those mornings where the buffet felt like navigating a minefield. Sometimes I just wanted to hide in my room and eat my eggs in peace.
The Buffet - A Ballad of Eggs, Chaos, and the Search for Coffee:
The Buffet in restaurant itself was… intense. You had the usual suspects: eggs (scrambled, fried, omelets – bless them!), pastries (some questionable, some surprisingly good), fruit (mostly fresh, always appreciated), and a whole host of Asian delicacies. The problem? It was busy. Like, "fighting for a waffle" busy.
The Coffee/tea in restaurant situation was a particular source of daily anxiety. The coffee, when you could find it, was… fine. The tea? Hit or miss. Finding a clean table was also a minor Olympic sport. I swear, some days it took longer to find a table than it did to eat!
Okay, I gotta mention the Happy hour. Drinks by the pool? Yes, please. Cheap cocktails? Absolutely. It was a welcome respite after a long day of… well, everything.
Dining Details:
- A la carte in restaurant: Offered, but I'm more of a buffet gal.
- Room service [24-hour]: A lifesaver for late-night cravings!
- Snack bar: Handy for a quick bite.
- Poolside bar: The best place to be during happy hour.
- Coffee shop: Needed more coffee, but it did its job
Cleanliness & Safety - The COVID Circus (And You're the Clown):
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room… or rather, the hand sanitizer station in the lobby: COVID-19 Protocols. They were trying. Really, truly trying.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Appreciated.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Hygiene certification: Checked. Though I did see a staff member sneeze without covering their face. Minor thing, right? (I hope…)
- Individually-wrapped food options: Mostly there.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Attempted, with varying degrees of success (good luck at the buffet!).
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yes.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Seemed to be.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Supposedly.
- Shared stationery removed: Yep.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: They looked it. (Though, I did find a stray sock under the bed. Don't ask how I saw it.)
- Safe dining setup: They spread the tables as much as possible.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Looked shiny.
So, kudos to them for the effort. But let's be honest, in a post-pandemic world, these things are the bare minimum.
Rooms, Glorious Rooms… (And the Occasional Mystery Sock!)
My room… was decent. Not "Santorini-esque" by any stretch, but comfortable enough. And thank the gods, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and Internet access – wireless were reliable.
- Air conditioning: Crucial.
- Blackout curtains: Slept like a log.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential for the morning, and probably helps keep me from going insane.
- Hair dryer: Saved me from looking like a drowned rat.
- Refrigerator: Always a plus.
- In-room safe box: Good for peace of mind.
- Non-smoking: Yes.
- Satellite/cable channels: Didn’t watch TV, but they were there.
- Private bathroom: Absolutely necessary, especially after the buffet.
- Wake-up service: Never used it. I'm a master of waking up at 5 a.m. regardless.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (or, How I Survived "Santorini's Twin"):
Okay, let's talk about the good stuff:
- Swimming Pool: Yes, it has a view. And yes, it was bliss, even if it wasn't the Aegean Sea.
- Gym/fitness: Had to work off some of the buffet calories. It did its job.
- Spa/sauna: Needed. Desperately.
The Spa Experience - My Personal Paradise (and the Reason I Survived):
The spa was my sanctuary. My happy place. My… well, you get the idea.
The Massage was… transformative. I opted for the full body, and it was exactly what I needed after a few days of navigating the chaos. I almost fell asleep (and I probably did for a few minutes!).
I also indulged in the Body scrub and the Body wrap. My skin felt like silk afterward. Really, the spa was the saving grace of the whole trip.
- Foot bath: Delightful.
- Steamroom: Heavenly.
Services and Conveniences - The Little Things That Matter (Or That I Forgot About):
- Air conditioning in public area: Crucial.
- Concierge: Helpful, when you could find them.
- Currency exchange: Convenient.
- Daily housekeeping: Kept my room from becoming a disaster zone. (Mostly.)
- Elevator: Thank goodness.
- Ironing service: Didn’t use it.
- Laundry service: Used it.
- Luggage storage: Handy.
For the Kids - Keeping the Tiny Humans Happy (and Away From My Coffee):
- Babysitting service: Available.
- Family/child friendly: Yes.
- Kids facilities: Definitely there.
- Kids meal: Options.
Getting Around - The Great Transportation Struggle:
- Airport transfer: Book it. Save yourself the hassle.
- Car park [free of charge]: Did I mention it was free?
- Taxi service: Available, but be prepared to haggle.
Final Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Honestly? Probably. Despite the imperfections, the chaos, the questionable coffee, and the constant feeling of being slightly bewildered, there was a certain charm to "Santorini's Twin." The stunning views of Ha Long Bay, the delicious food (sometimes!), the spa, and the sheer audacity of the whole thing… it was
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the glorious, chaotic mess that was my 2021 trip to New Santorini in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. Forget those perfectly curated Instagram feeds – this is the REAL deal. Prepare for sunburned shoulders, questionable food choices, and a whole lotta "holy crap, I can't believe I did that."
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Pho Debacle (and some existential dread)
- Morning (7:00 AM Vietnam Time): Landed in Hanoi, fueled by lukewarm airplane coffee and the unwavering belief that I could conquer jet lag. Let me tell you, jet lag conquered me. I was a zombie. A very, very sleepy zombie.
- Morning (8:00 AM): A pre-arranged taxi (booked online, naturally, I'm a modern traveler!) whisked me away to the pier to get to New Santorini. The driver, bless his heart, didn't speak a lick of English and thought "loud music" was the perfect cure for my zombie-ness. Think blaring V-Pop – it was a sensory overload.
- Late Morning (10:00 AM): Arrived in Ha Long, and the first glimpse of the bay… breathtaking. Seriously, jaw-dropping. Towering limestone karsts jutting out of the emerald water. Okay, maybe not as clean as the photos suggest…but still! Holy moly.
- Lunch (12:00 PM): Pho. Oh, the Pho. I'd built it up in my head. The ultimate Vietnamese experience. Found a bustling little place near the pier, brimming with locals. Ordered a classic, the broth simmered for hours, the noodles perfectly springy. (Here's where it went sideways.) They didn't have any napkins, and the broth was piping hot and the meat wasn't really cooked through. I felt like that meme of a guy sweating and holding a tiny tissue and praying the bathroom wasn't busy. Sigh. My stomach, not quite as adventurous as my spirit, gently protested. This was a sign, my friends, a sign!
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Checked into the… let's call it "charming" hotel. (That's code for "needs a bit of work"). The air conditioning sounded like a dying walrus. But the view from the balcony! That, at least, was spectacular. Started to feel a bit of an existential crisis. Was this… it? Was my life just going to be a series of slightly disappointing experiences?
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): Exploration of the hotel pool. It had a vague hint of chlorine and a distinct lack of sun loungers. I sat on the edge, watching a group of giggling Vietnamese kids. They seemed to be having the time of their lives. Suddenly, the existential crisis felt much less important.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Decided I wasn't going to let the pho incident get me down. Found a seafood restaurant. Ordered everything. Too much, obviously. Ate the local grilled fish. Amazing. Completely redeemed myself.
- Night (8:00 PM): Stumbled back to the hotel, fueled by seafood and a newfound appreciation for the weirdness of travel. Fell into bed, exhausted, and slept like a very content baby walrus.
Day 2: The Kayak of Contemplation & Karaoke Crack-Up
- Morning (8:00 AM): Breakfast at the hotel. The "international buffet" was a glorious train wreck of dubious pastries and mystery meats. I stuck to the fruit. Smart choice.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Kayaking through the karsts. This was the reason I'd come! The water was calm, the sun was shining, and the scenery was… breathtaking. We spent the morning weaving between the karsts. Utter bliss. We spent like an hour on the water. It started beautiful, but then the silence made me think. Did I want to be in my job? How many more years until retirement? Was I happy?
- Lunch (12:00 PM): Ordered a pack lunch and ate on the beach. The guy at the beach was selling coconuts. A perfect midday snack.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Trying to find a spot to lounge. Most places were booked or had more tourists. I decided to just relax and watched the people. A group of men were trying to catch fish with what looked like nothing more than some twine and a plastic bottle. They didn't catch anything, but they seemed happy.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): Feeling a bit burnt, so I retreated to the hotel room. Showered (thankfully, the water pressure was decent today!), and read a book for a while. The quiet was welcome.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Found a karaoke bar. Honestly, it was terrible. Off-key singing, a sticky floor, and questionable song selections. But it was amazing. I belted out a terrible rendition of an 80s power ballad. I think I offended everyone. Somehow, it was one of the best nights of the trip.
- Night (9:00 PM): Snack from a local cart, back to the hotel, and a good, hard sleep.
Day 3: The Cave of Wonders (and More Seafood!)
- Morning (9:00 AM): A guided tour to the Sung Sot Cave, also known as Surprise Cave. It was…surprising! Huge, with incredible rock formations. I had to duck around some loud tour groups. The guide was a little bored with his job, but the cave itself was spectacular.
- Lunch (12:00 PM): Had some seafood in the pier and tried to take my mind of the previous pho incident. The food was really good
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): More boat tours to see more of the karsts. So many options. I realized that I might just love the way the water changes colors. The water around the karsts became vibrant and magical.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Found a street food stall. The options were plenty and interesting but I ended up eating the safe option: fresh spring rolls and rice. They were so good.
- Night (8:00 PM): Back to the hotel, with the feeling that I was missing out on the wild side of the city.
- Night (9:00 PM): Back to the room, exhausted, and slept like a content baby walrus.
Day 4: Departure & The Bitter Truth (and a Small Triumph)
- Morning (7:00 AM): Packed. Checked out. Said goodbye to the walrus-style aircon.
- Morning (8:00 AM): Last-minute souvenir shopping. Ended up buying a ridiculous hat. Because… why not?
- Morning (9:00 AM): The taxi ride back to Hanoi. The driver gave me a mixtape of V-Pop. I just closed my eyes and enjoyed the ride (kidding.. I didn't have an option).
- Lunch (12:00 PM): One last attempt at pho in Hanoi. Determined to end on a high note. Success! Finally, the perfect bowl!
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Off to the airport.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Flight home.
Quirky observations, emotional reactions, and the messy bits in between:
- The language barrier: My Vietnamese (nonexistent) versus the locals' English (variable) made for some hilarious moments. Pointing, miming, and a whole lot of laughter were the universal languages.
- Unexpected kindness: Everywhere! Smiles, offers of help, and genuine warmth from the Vietnamese people.
- The food: Okay, the pho situation was a disaster, but the fresh seafood was incredible! And I discovered a love for spring rolls.
- The heat and humidity: Brutal. I sweated through everything. My hair was a frizz ball. But the weather helped me appreciate the cold when I returned to my country.
- The "realness" of it all: Okay, my hotel wasn't perfect, and some things went wrong, but that's travel. That's life. And it's what makes it memorable.
So, there you have it. My wildly imperfect, wonderfully messy trip to New Santorini in Ha Long Bay. Was it perfect? Absolutely not! Would I go back? In a heartbeat! It was a reminder to embrace the chaos, laugh at the mishaps, and find the beauty in the unexpected. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm suddenly craving pho… with extra napkins.
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So, You Think Ha Long Bay is Santorini's Doppelganger? Hold My Beer (or Pho)!
Look, I'm not gonna lie. The whole "Ha Long Bay: Santorini's Twin" thing? It got me. Hook, line, and sinker. Marketing genius, right? But is the hype real? I'm here to tell you… maybe. And probably not. Let's untangle this beautiful mess of a comparison, shall we? Prepare for a rollercoaster of opinions! And maybe some drool-worthy descriptions of Vietnamese food. Just saying.
Okay, Okay. Santorini... White Walls, Blue Domes. Ha Long Bay... WHAT exactly?
Alright, alright. You're thinking whitewashed cliffside villages, sunset cocktails, the *oooh* and *aaah* of Instagram. Ha Long Bay? Think… emerald waters studded with thousands of limestone karsts – giant, jagged islands jutting out of the sea. It's like a prehistoric Dr. Seuss book came to life. It's *visually* stunning. Think James Bond villain lair meets magical floating garden. The "Santorini" part? Well, they both have *views*. And boats. That's about as far as the similarities go, honestly. One is about luxury, the other, a raw, natural, somewhat... *scarier* beauty.
But... Those Photos! Aren't the Colors Similar? That Emerald Green...
Okay, okay, you got me. Some photos? Yeah, the light *can* catch the water just so, and it's otherworldly green. But here's the thing: In Santorini, the color palette is largely controlled. White, blue, maybe a pop of bougainvillea. Ha Long Bay? Nature's gone wild. The colors are more chaotic. Think: Jade green, charcoal grey, a splash of rust from the boat, and this weird, almost metallic sheen on the water when the light hits it just right. It's vibrant, alright but the comparison is superficial, like comparing a perfectly manicured rose garden to a wild, untamed jungle. Both beautiful, but fundamentally *different*.
The Food! Santorini's got AMAZING seafood. What's the Ha Long Bay grub situation?
Oh. My. God. The food. Forget Santorini for a second. We're talking FRESH. Like, caught-this-morning-and-probably-still-wriggling-a-little fresh. Remember that "raw" beauty I mentioned earlier? The food follows suit. I got to try this incredible grilled squid on one of the smaller boats, you know, the kind that wobble a little bit. It. Was. Divine. And pho? Forget about it. The best pho of my life, slurped on the deck of a junk boat while watching the sunrise *over* those karsts. Santorini's got its fancy little seafood restaurants. Ha Long Bay's got the soul of Vietnam on a plate. No contest, team Ha Long Bay all the way. Just... watch out for the street food vendors. My stomach and I had a *brief* disagreement involving a questionable spring roll, but that's *my* fault. Still, 10/10, would happily risk food poisoning for another bowl of pho.
So, is Ha Long Bay just a cheap knock-off of Santorini?
Absolutely not! That's insulting to Ha Long Bay. It's like saying a majestic tiger is just a knock-off of a housecat. Ha Long Bay is unique, raw, and beautiful in its own right. The comparison is just a marketing ploy. The cost? Yeah, it's definitely cheaper than Santorini, which is a bonus! But the experience? Different. Dare I say, more *real*? Santorini is polished. Ha Long Bay is…wild. You're surrounded by nature's power. There's a genuine feeling of being somewhere *special* not just a curated experience. You might encounter some less-than-sanitary bathroom situations, and the boats can be a bit crowded, but that's part of the charm, right? It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, but in the best way possible.
Tell me more about those boats! Do I get to sleep on a boat? Is it romantic?
Okay, the boats. This is where it gets… interesting. Yes, you can absolutely sleep on a boat! That's the core of the Ha Long Bay experience, I’d say. If you *really* want the proper experience, go for a junk boat cruise. Some are luxurious, with all the bells and whistles (and potentially questionable air conditioning). Some are a bit…rustic. We went for the slightly-less-luxurious option (budget travel!) and I loved it! We picked a boat with a rickety-old wooden deck.
The romance level? It depends. For me? High. Waking up to the sunrise over the karsts, sipping coffee on the deck, watching the fishermen…it’s magical. BUT. Be prepared for the potential for boat-sized problems. (Rattling pipes, questionable wifi, and the constant clanging of the generator can all be part of the fun.) My romantic moment was slightly interrupted by a cockroach, but you know, it happens. And after the initial scream, the view was amazing. The other travelers? They gave off a mixed array of vibes; from a group of overly enthusiastic Australians who were clearly too friendly to a couple who seemed ready to murder each other after 2 days, the human element is very apparent on a boat. But the boat itself, with its creaks and groans, was so much more romantic than any sterile hotel room could ever be.
What about the activities? Are there any things *to do* besides just staring at rocks?
Staring at rocks is a valid activity, but yes, there are other things! Kayaking is an absolute MUST. Paddling through the emerald water, weaving between the karsts... It's like being in an adventure movie. You can visit caves – some are beautifully lit, some are more…rustic. (Bring a flashlight, just in case.) There are opportunities for swimming (the water can be a bit chilly, FYI). You can visit floating villages and see how people live on the bay. It's a fascinating experience, and a real eye-opener. But mostly? It’s about the view. Find a quiet spot on the deck of your boat, and just…breathe. Because damn, the views are worth it all. Even the dodgy toilets.
Should I go to Ha Long Bay? And… is it really like Santorini?
Go! Absolutely, positively go! But go because it's Ha Long Bay, not because it's Santorini's twin. Embrace the chaos, the beauty, the food, and the possible cockroach encounters. Forget perfect Instagram shots, live in the moment, and remember to pack anti-diarrheal medicine. And is it like Santorini? No, not really. It's its own amazing, unique thing. Think of it this way: Hotel Search Trek
