“Welcome to Pu Luong Eco Garden”, the concierge dressed in black uniform greets us with a warm smile as we walk up the hotel steps.
The hotel is perched quietly on top of the hill, overlooking an incredible view of the Pu Long Valley. The infinity pool is easily the main highlight and just looking at the water’s reflection you cannot help but want to dip your feet in the water. I know I did!
It was only the first day of my 3 day Pu Luong Nature trekking and Ninh Binh tour and this was where we’d be spending the night. After a 3hr journey from Hanoi, all I wanted to do was relax as soon as we reached the hotel.
Spending the next two days here was one of the most relaxing experiences I’ve ever had. Located in Pu Luong Valley, an area that is remote and sees fewer tourists, the hotel is blessed with a view of the mountains in every direction.
It's just you, the pool and the picturesque scenery right in front of you.
From the hotel’s name, you would have guessed that it’s eco-friendly. In fact, as an active member of the economic development of Pu Luong and owned by Eco Travel Go Green Vietnam, it sees it as their duty to be ecologically responsible.
Everything built at Pu Luong Eco Garden are made only with local and natural materials. The rocks, wood, and bamboo are used sparingly and are all sourced from the Reserve.
The fairly new property has only been open for two years and has been a hit with travelers seeking a comfortable and peaceful escape from the bustle of the city.
Our room was gorgeous! The pictures speak for themselves– the huge king size bed, marble bathroom, and the ambient furnishings. The coolest thing was the view from our balcony from day to night.
At the night the pool lit up in multi colors and by day we were greeted with a view that looked like we walked into a postcard!
Sunrise at Pu Luong Eco Garden
As recommended by the lovely hotel staff, we woke up just before 6 am to see the sunrise. For me, seeing the sunrise is quite a special moment. I recall traveling far to see the sunrise at major sites such as Bagan in Burma and the Kruger National park in South Africa. So far, this has been the easiest to reach with only a few steps from my room!
I was really glad to find out that the infinity pool uses stream water passing along the Retreat and no chemicals are added. Thank goodness for no chlorine.
We had found ourselves unable to leave the pool area even when our personal tour guide called us to lunch.
The food was delicious! Local dishes were prepared and different for every meal. We had vegetables that I couldn’t even pronounce and tried banana blossom salad for the first time. To my delight, the waitress told me the vegetables are organically grown in their own garden and all the ingredients are locally sourced. Wouldn’t it be great if every hotel shared their green philosophy!
The pool isn’t the only place where you can enjoy the views. The restaurant balcony is a perfect place to enjoy a nice cup of coffee or even have yourself a barbeque.
In case you’re wondering what else is there to do here, the hotel organizes tours. From trekking, cave exploration, bamboo rafting, to visiting ethnic villages, whatever you’ll be doing, you’ll be immersed in one of the most remote and tranquil places in Vietnam. You’ll also experience what it’s like to live a local and learn all the various way to grow the vegetables.
Returning from a morning trek on day 2, we brought back a bouquet of flowers we made in the nature reserve.
We wished we could have stayed longer, with all the tour activities head that wasn’t possible. I’m glad we explored the valley and the ethnic villages, otherwise, we would have sipped cocktails all day at the hotel.
I would 100% come back to Pu Luong Eco Garden for the weekend. What made the stay so memorable were the staff’s friendliness, and their effort to take care of us. Not to mention how tranquil we felt staying here. The Pu Luong Eco Garden is your perfect get away retreat in the most picturesque location.