The Island Lodge - Mekong Delta

We spent two nights at the Island Lodge. It was a very luxurious place to stay, but it didn't really work for us. When we booked it we had not realised that it would be two hours from our previous stop by car, and we hadn't realised that the Mekong Delta was in fact quite a highly populated area ond one with a lot of industry. Ironically, we felt more isolated because there were houses nearby and industrial plants just across this vast branch of the Mekong. We were not able to just go out of the gates for a walk in the jungle.||Many features of the hotel, though, were excellent. We were given a friendly welcome by Michel, the French owner who lives on site. There are a lot of elements of French colonial style including various old artefacts around the restaurant area and a splendid old map of Indo China on the wall. There were many books about the area as well as other books for guests to read. My favourite was a collection of old photos of Saigon with modern views of the same locations. ||Our bedroom (one of only 12) was spacious and comfortable. We found the mosquito net over the bed very hard to tuck in but perhaps we succeeded as we did not suffer from any bites. We failed to use the capsule coffee machine properly as there were no instuctions. The wooden washbaisns in the bathroom were not a good idea. Soapy water remained in the corners which could not have been very hygienic.||The restaurant offered a fine dining experience incorporating elements of Vietnamese cuisine. On the second evening of our stay there was live music during dinner. Unfortunately we were right by the band which was in my opinion over-amplified. It made me feel dizzy and quite unwell. I had to move into the garden and then go to bed. Breakfast was a la carte rather than the usual buffet, but provided a good selection including eggs and a basket of French-style bread and croissants.||The swimming pool was excellent, bigger and deeper than most hotel pools. There is not much shade in the area around it in the morning but we spent some time in the shaded Pavillon Rouge. ||I am sure that many people will be perfectly happy with the Island Lodge but it just wasn't the right place for us.

We were recommended The Island Lodge and arrived for lunch to a very warm welcome. Lunch was delicious and well priced. The hotel is beautiful, with wonderful views over the Mekong. The pool area was an oasis…. Wish we’d known about this as we would have loved to have stayed here! An oasis of calm and tranquility!

A little oasis on the Mekong. |Wonderful to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a few days and relax in this idyllic location. |Pool is great with views over the river and the service is first class. |We took advantage of the bike rentals to explore the quiet lanes on the island which was fascinating.

Big thanks to Michel, Apple and the team. We, unfortunately, arrived here with two sick children (that we weren't aware of at the time of arrival, but soon became apparent) that were only 4 & 7 years old and the staff were more than accommodating. Long story short, we had to go to hospital for our son the following day he was so unwell and Apple and Jung came along with us to help. It was a very distressing time for my wife and I, and had they not been there to help with interpreting and supporting us, it could have been awful. We did get to enjoy the fruits of this fantastic establishment after a couple of days of rest and very much appreciate what you did for us. All of the restaurant and bar staff are excellent. Jung (I am sorry if I have mispelled your name), you are such a good human. I wish you all the best.

I can only describe the Island Lodge as Paradise. It is a beautiful boutique hotel built and designed by the owner Michel. Michel has done an amazing job, his attention to detail in designing the hotel is second to none with each piece of furniture and artwork carefully selected by Michel.|Our room was gorgeous, a huge, very comfortable bed and a wonderful balcony overlooking the pool and river. It was so relaxing to watch the daily river life with the boats passing, I could have happily sat there all day. It was also immaculately clean.|The pool was also fantastic, so clean, with an abundance of sun loungers and shaded places to sit. We enjoyed walking around the beautiful gardens which are so well maintained, a credit to the gardener.|We ate every meal at the restaurant, Le Comptoir de Marthe et Edouard. Breakfast was a delight with fresh orange juice, fresh fruit, a croissant basket with wonderful warm bread and then anything you wished from the a la carte menu. I am really missing those delicious breakfasts. Lunch and dinner were equally excellent with a menu offering French, Vietnamese or Western food. All the food we had was outstanding, a big thank you to the chefs and those working in the kitchen for producing such delightful meals.|Also a big shout out to Michel's team. Ms My his assistant was extremely helpful with any requests we had and Mr Lam and Mr Chuong on Reception were so welcoming when we arrived, made great cocktails for us each evening and organised tours and bikes for us.|Ms Bi, Ms Luyin, Ms Hom and Ms Ngaoh were so friendly and kind serving all our meals, chatting to us and helping us try to learn some Vietnamese, such lovely ladies, we will miss you all.|Whilst at the Island Lodge we went on two tours with Mr Kha. The first was by small boat rowed by the lovely hotel gardener and his wife around the island. Mr Kha was a brilliant guide, pointing out so many interesting facts about the river life. We were offered coconut milk to drink and fruit which was so fresh and delicious. I loved this trip and would a 100 per cent do it again.|We were so impressed by this tour, the next day we booked a sunset tour with Mr Kha.|We saw where sugar candy was made, visited a local market, had a lovely lunch of fresh fruit and saw local singers. We also saw where honey was produced and purchased some Royal jelly. We wish we had left more space in our suitcases as there were so many lovely items we would have liked to purchase. On the return trip the sun was setting and it was absolutely beautiful. Thank you Mr Kha for these two brilliant tours.|We also hired bicycles from the lodge and rode around the Island. It was fantastic meeting local people and getting a real insight into island life.|We would recommend anyone considering a trip to the Mekong to stay at the Island Lodge. Michel is such a gentleman and he has an amazing team, whom he calls The Family, Thank you all of you for such a wonderful time.

The Island Lodge Hotel offers a truly excellent stay. The rooms are beautifully designed with many nice interior details, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Both breakfast and dinner are outstanding, with high-quality ingredients and great flavors. A lovely touch is the departing gift, which adds to the overall wonderful experience. A perfect place for a relaxing getaway!

Attention to detail for every little thing to make a stay relaxing and enjoyable. We were picked up by electric buggy from the entrance (the Lodge offers the opportunity to approach by the river, this would have been a great way to arrive), and offered |welcome drinks and fresh fruit in the cool and elegant reception area. Michel the owner welcomed us personally, and he is justifiably proud of all he has achieved in this lovely place. |All the staff were extremely friendly and helpful, and all seem genuinely keen for guests to have a relaxing time. |We stayed in a garden villa, beautifully appointed, includes coffee maker and electric kettle for enjoying a cuppa in the room. The room is just so amazing, a bed with mosquito curtains - a big surprise was having the bed ready when we got back from our delicious dinner. A huge bathroom with rain shower, and handmade soap.|The little touches such as drinking water in the rooms, little treats (all local made and beautifully packaged) made this a very special stay. The rooms have air con but with the mozzie net we were able sleep with the doors open to the rainy night.|The cocktail menu is extensive and the food was excellent. |I highly recommend this place - my only regret is that we didn't stay for longer - it is a marvellous place to disconnect and decompress, we will be back!

Very nice retreat. Style is casual, relaxing place, French style. Staff is very nice, room is large and super clean. Very small resort. Only 14 rooms total. Access by boat