Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh

We stayed here as a family of seven and booked two rooms. The location is beautiful, the pool is excellent, and the gym is very good. However, several aspects could be improved. The staff’s English level is very limited — at the restaurant, the waitresses did not understand our order. We paid over $250 for average-quality food at the evening restaurant. The checkout process was stressful; after we had already paid, we were asked to pay for additional items in cash. I believe the staff are underqualified and would benefit from better training — for example, clearing tables more promptly and welcoming foreign guests in a way that reflects the fact that tourism is a key part of the local economy. This is not unique to this hotel, as we have experienced similar issues at other 3- and 4-star hotels in Vietnam. In addition, both rooms experienced clogged drains after the first night. Overall, it is a very nice hotel in a stunning location, but service quality and staff training should be improved to match its potential.

We can recommend this hotel / resort to anyone that likes relaxing, good food, great service, clean rooms and a very natural nice ambience, see pictures. The spa is very big, professional and one of the best we have seen. You can also do craft workshops, that are recommendable and fun! And last but not least we enjoyed the indoor pool a lot too, no need for sunscreen, quiet, relaxed and cool.

It was my first visit to this special place, yet it quickly became my favorite spot from my 30 years of exploring northern Vietnam. The warm kindness I experienced here made my stay truly comforting, with thoughtful services and well-maintained infrastructure. As I approached the entrance, I was greeted by six thousand twenty-five delicate paper cranes hanging and softly illuminated, creating a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere that immediately put my mind at ease. A simple gesture from the staff, offering to fix my loose coat buttons so I could feel more confident for my upcoming meeting, truly touched my heart. Entering the room, I can see the exceptional architecture inspired by traditional northern landlord homes; the wooden frames blend seamlessly with contemporary Western-style furniture, offering a harmonious and inviting environment. The restaurant and convention center are thoughtfully connected. Both are sheltered under a large tiled roof that rises gracefully from a staircase and is surrounded by tranquil water, reminiscent of a castle from Mandarin's history. What I found especially endearing is that the resort dedicates the ground floor of the reception building for its staff to rest and enjoy moments of relaxation. This act speaks volumes about their caring and considerate spirit.

A great stay - everywhere clean and all amenities on hand (umbrellas hats etc) set up for a relaxing stay - shuts down at 10pm but the karaoke room is bookable until late. Food at the restaurant is excellent - there are places nearby that are lovely ( the golden rice) but the restaurant on site is better. Taxis around the area are easily available.

Loved this place!! So peaceful and clean with beautiful staff. Lower stars for location because it is quite a long way from anything. We were only here for two days so we ended up spending quite a bit on taxis to get to everything. In saying that, we would love to spend a few days just staying at the resort because we really loved it. Thanks for having us!

This place is incredibly peaceful, located very close to the Van Long Nature Reserve. Outside the resort, you’ll only find small local shops and restaurants, which makes the atmosphere authentic and relaxing. We chose to have dinner at the hotel’s own restaurant, where the waitress Yen is simply fantastic — friendly, attentive, and always ready to make your meal special.

The hotel has amazing design with all facilities, located in a rural setting. Room was spacious and nice. However the hotel is obviously old and shows its age. Some of the facilities are also not available perhaps due to lack of demand.|Pool and bar area is nice. Spa was disappointing, as the staff lacked experience. The restaurant has nice decor and menu, but the food is just OK. Nothing to write home about. Breakfast area is nice and the staff provide good service.

Emeralda Resort is a real gem, with true hospitality: going beyond the normal call of duty! Sending ginger tea to perk up my elderly Mom, who was feeling under the weather, organising for a Nurse checkup & medicines for her & sending staff to the village to pick up some products for her was beyond wonderful! The bar shuts at 10 but the staff very sweetly, cling filmed more drinks for us to take to our room. The food was amazing, with a whole list of local delicacies that we couldn't get enough of! The resort is indeed stunning with an outdoor & heated indoor pool with lots of paths, parts to explore & several photogenic spots. There's more to explore nearby as well, villages, UNESCO Heritage sites etc.