Our discovery of Avana Retreat was an absolute jaw-dropping experience. The waterfalls, the lagoons, and the lush vegetation create a setting that feels almost unreal. Everything is beautifully integrated into nature — it’s both spectacular and deeply peaceful. Relaxing in the infinity pool with su…
Avana Retreat
Avana Retreat is a luxurious nature-immersive resort in Mai Chau, offering stunning valley views, exceptional service, and a wealth of complimentary activities. While the remote location and premium pricing are expected, the food quality and menu flexibility receive mixed feedback. Overall, it delivers a memorable, high-end escape for those seeking tranquility.
✓What guests love
- Breathtaking natural setting with waterfalls, rice terraces, and lush jungle integrated throughout the property.
- Spacious, well-designed villas with panoramic views and thoughtful in-room amenities like daily fruit, snacks, and champagne.
- Exceptional, warm service from staff, many of whom are local villagers trained in-house, praised for attentiveness and genuine hospitality.
- Extensive complimentary activities including yoga, batik painting, candle making, guided village hikes, and daily 60-minute spa massages.
- Heated infinity pool (Cloud Pool) with stunning valley and waterfall views, plus a hidden lagoon and waterfall trail.
- High-quality farm-to-table dining with emphasis on local Northwest Vietnamese cuisine, though menu variety and pricing draw some critique.
!Worth knowing
- Food and drinks are notably more expensive than elsewhere in Vietnam, and some guests found the dinner menu limited or the set-menu format restrictive.
- Remote location requires a 3.5-5 hour drive from Hanoi on winding roads; staying on-site for meals is essentially mandatory.
- Some staff have limited English proficiency, occasionally causing minor communication challenges.
- Certain villas near internal pathways offer less privacy when windows are open, and a few guests noted bugs as expected in a jungle setting.
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Hotel highlights
Guest profile
Rating breakdown
Guest reviews
Avana is a beautiful property with the sound of waterfalls throughout property! The staff are friendly, well trained and aim to please!
What a slice of heaven on earth ..wish I could stay there forever ..one of the best holidays ive ever had, fantastic service, beautiful property maintained impeccably, great food .. you just cannot go wrong with this place
Amazing hotel! Super friendly staff, such a beautiful place. Just make sure to bring a jacket if you go there during winter ;)
We had a fabulous stay at Avana Retreats - this was our best hotel over the 2.5 weeks we had in Vietnam. Resort: absolutely stunning set within lush greenery and offering beautiful views. The waterfall and stream running through the resort and spa area are super unique. Room: the room was amazing …
Beautiful property, lovely staff and excellent services! A must stay!
Avana is a nice luxury resort in the Northwest highlands of Vietnam. There are some very beautiful natural sceneries within the resort and nearby. Our villa was spacious and secluded high on the hillside. The restaurant, spa, and gym are nice facilities. The multi level infinity pools are long enoug…
We spent three nights and four days at the Avana retreat in Mai Chau Vietnam. Our experience was incredible. The retreat is incredibly well located along the hillside. It is very secluded and very elegant. The restaurant is outstanding. The staff is very friendly and very accommodating. The villas a…
Everything was absolutely perfect. I planned my wedding proposal at Avana Retreat, and it went even better than I could have imagined. Khuong, our host, was incredibly responsive, kind, and professional, and everyone at Avana was amazing and attentive. The landscape is absolutely unique — breathtaki…
Y'all better hurry to visit Avana Retreat before it gets too popular or they realize that they can charge much more. We visited for four days/three nights right before Christmas as a part of a trip to Vietnam and Thailand - We had a wonderful time! Breakfast is included and it's an amazing spread …
My husband and I stayed here for 3 nights at the end of our month long honeymoon trip in Thailand and Vietnam. We wanted to end with a bit of luxury and relaxation after a chaotic month and that’s exactly what we got! Avana is about 4-5hrs from Hanoi depending on traffic, the drive is stunning if i…
We had such a magical stay here! This place is definitely a 5 star experience. The ride there was quite comfortable and our driver although very quite kept us safe. We came here to celebrate my partners birthday. I booked a junior suite which was super spacious and perfectly decorated. We loved wa…
Our anniversary trip to Avana Retreat was such a spectacular treat for both of us. It’ll stay as a truly memorable experience for a long time to come. Everything was so awesome, and our retreat host Khuong made it even more special for us. We highly recommend this place for a restful and quiet retre…
A truly magical place - a retreat in every sense of the word. While it is a 4-4.5 hour drive from Hanoi it is worth it in every way. Luxurious 5 star service and facilities set in such a beautiful valley it is hard to see how it can be bettered. The 2 bedroom bungalow that we had was amazing - no TV…
Spent 2 nights - sublime! Gorgeous, large, well appointed rooms, beautiful grounds, golf cart service throughout, wonderful spa.
Great experience, i went here with my family and the resort is full of activities for family. It is healing and relaxing, great place to stay away from noises and stress
A place dreams are made of. Special thanks to Quy at the front desk to give us some amazing local recommendations.
An incredible place. Nature in the middle of a hotel and not the other way around. The service is amazing. One of the nicest places I have ever stayed at.
I just spent the weekend at Avana Retreat, and I have to say it exceeded my expectations. I was impressed by the service here. It deserves to be the best resort/retreat in the northern region. I’ll definitely come back
Everything here is designed for your relaxation and comfort. The setting is fantastic, and the spa is incredible. The staff is attentive and discreet, with a special mention for Miss Li Nguyen who greeted us with a smile throughout our stay. MERCI !
The best 5 star luxury resort in Hoa Binh province, the beautiful landscape and good service All staffs are welcome us , friendly and helpful They always smiling and Good hospitality The room is nice and comfortable, boutique style with Ethnic cultural and economy The forest very close there and the…
A wonderful experience from start to finish. A big thank you to Tang for the beautiful village tour.
Our stay at Avana Retreat was nothing short of magical — truly a paradise on earth. Nestled in a secluded location, this resort offers an exceptional blend of tranquility, natural beauty, and thoughtful design that makes it a perfect escape from the outside world. I highly recommend dedicating your…
amazing architecture and interiors, waterfall is breathtaking, staff were awesome :) the kayak experience was very fun also
One of the best service resort/retreat. Rates vary in a year but you can sometimes find good deals. It was a pleasure to stay here.
We celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary here, and I’m so happy we chose this place. Honestly, the photos online don’t show how beautiful it really is. Everything, from the rooms to the nature surrounding you, to the waterfall view while swimming in one of the best heated pools, was incredible.…
A stunning luxury resort in a truly magical location. This is the place to go to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with the world. I highly recommend explaining the surrounding villages if you can.
From check-in to check-out: incredible!!!! Such attention to detail, beautiful spacious rooms, delicious food - definitely pricier for Vietnam but you get what you pay for! Would come back in a heartbeat 😍
This is the most fabulous place to stay. All the rooms are amazing and staying here is a very luxury experience. The hotel go above and beyond to make everyone’s stay enjoyable and arrange loads of great complimentary activities every day for guests to enjoy. We did yoga, batik paining and candle ma…
10/10. Absolutely incredible. My vacation here was truly satisfying. From the moment we arrived, the resort staff greeted my family with warmth. The check-in was straightforward and quick. I participated in local activities and experienced nature while being surrounded by trees and wildlife. The f…
My experience of saying in Avana retreat was much beyond the expectations! Everything - the accomodation, the territory, the food and specificly the service - was just perfect! It's definitely one of the best, not to say the best, resorts I've ever stayed! I loved how thoughtful all the details were…
In every detail they are the best. All they do is to satisfy us maximum. A true unforgettable excellent experience
Wonderful feeling of being immersed in nature when experiencing at Avana Retreat The room is very clean, luxurious, warm with a bold Northwest style design. Orchid Spa: the treatment rooms are located along the waterfall, you can relax with herbal massage, while feeling the sound of the stream like …
Honeymoon highlight has been staying at Avana Retreat. The perfect place to rest and recharge after hectic Hanoi. We upgraded to the suite with the private pool with the most stunning view. It was so special. All the activities felt relaxing and high end like candle making, weaving, massages (highly…
Wow! What an amazing experience. My wife and I came here for our honeymoon, and it was our favorite place in Vietnam. The staff treated us like royalty, the lush jungle outside our room was breathtaking, and the relaxing atmosphere was everywhere you went. The food was absolutely amazing as well. T…
Avana Resort truly exceeded my expectations. The property is absolutely beautiful, with stunning architecture and a serene, well-preserved natural setting. Everything feels fresh, new, and carefully designed to offer a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle. One of the most remarkable aspects …
I stayed at Avana Retreat at the end of June, and it was exactly as described – surrounded by a beautiful natural landscape, with spacious rooms and extremely attentive staff. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking to unwind and relax
I don’t usually write hotel reviews, but I felt compelled to make an exception for Avana Retreat. From the moment we arrived until the final moments of our stay, the staff went above and beyond to make us feel at home, offering impeccable service with warmth and kindness. The food was another highl…
Hi this is mubeen Ahmed, from pakistan, wanna visit your resorts in mid June 2025 As we are Muslim Alhamdullilah n only have halal food, so what options do you have ? Please inform regarding weather in mid June Thanks Waiting for your reply Mubeen Ahmed n Uzma Mubeen
Very well looked after, plenty of inclusions on villa stayed, good variety of snacks & drinks throughout the day. Guests had the best view out of all villa. Butler was on hand to assist to every whims. Very impressed. Thank you to all Teams.
Very special. Huge beautiful rooms, unique setting, wonderful service, good excursions around. Highly recomended
Avana was more than anything we could have imagined! The views were incredible, the food was wonderful and the staff is some of the nicest we have ever had. I am Vietnamese and this was my first time in Vietnam and to Avana, and we are were so impressed by the hospitality and service. I have never b…
Before booking Avana, I was worried whether the on-site restaurant would be good. I was pleasantly surprised at its quality! As a family of 4, we ordered 3 different northwest vietnamese sets + some extra dishes, and they were phenomenal. The ingredients and cooking were refined, and some of the bes…
A 5* Slice of Paradise – Pure Bliss at Avana Retreat! From the moment we arrived at Avana Retreat, we knew we had found something truly special. Our villa was pure perfection—spacious, beautifully designed, and with panoramic views that made every sunrise feel like a dream. Waking up to the sight …
The Avana retreat is amazing - the only thing I would change is booking more nights, you really don’t want to leave! Everything from the moment we booked was so smooth till checking out. Amazing rooms, tours, activities and all. Thank you to Yen and Trinh for their excellent service!
When our family made the reservation, we were quite concerned about the relatively high cost. However, when we arrived at Avana and were warmly welcomed by the resort staff, we believed that the price was absolutely worth it. The resort is spacious, nature-friendly, and completely peaceful, making …
Some places leave an impression, and then there’s Avana Retreat—a place so magical that words hardly do it justice. If it’s not already ranked among the top retreats in the world, it absolutely should be. But honestly? It doesn’t need the recognition. It’s a sanctuary, pure and simple. From the mom…
I laughed out loud to the reasons people gave for rewarding this hotel 1 star! The place is simply amazing. The staff are on another level. Their politeness, efficiency and professionalism knew no bounds. The location, the food, the atmosphere of serene calmness which abounded throughout was on anot…
Spending time at Avana Retreat was an unforgettable experience, easily ranking among the top three luxury resorts we’ve ever visited. From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the thoughtful details, unparalleled beauty, and the genuine care of the staff. The level of attentiveness from the…
Wow! Four Seasons service! What more can I say! Fantastic experience! Fantastic resort located in wilds of Mai Chau! We did the village tour upon arrival! Our local guide is from the area and had a lot of knowledge about the flora and faun! He gave us an explanation of how the different pla…
Astonishingly magical haven- stunning retreat amidst the jungle and paddy fields. Beautiful setting of the grounds amongst waterfalls- bliss and a contrast after the bustle of Hà Nội. Service is impeccable and staff are very friendly. Food, drinks and cocktails are all delicious. Incredible stay- wi…
What an amazing experience to stay . Beautiful property,great hospitality,tasty food . So many things to do - fishing , swimming , candle making , batik painting , waterfall walk. Great please to be with kids since they have so many activities
Magical place for a relaxing stay, made extra special by the local staff and remote but serene location. Accommodation, food and wine are all of high standard. Worth the trip from Hanoi which whilst quite long and mountainous also offers some beautiful scenery of rice fields and rural life. We hope …
What an experience! Limited no. of rooms, with lots of space, large windows & outdoor seating to enjoy the hill views! They even have a vegetarian menu options for breakfast & meals. The vegan spring rolls, vegan raw banana salad, vegetarian avocado toasts are a must try. The cloud pool is simply am…
I had an amazing experience at Avana Retreat! The natural beauty of the surroundings, combined with the luxurious accommodations, made it a perfect getaway. The staff was incredibly attentive, ensuring that every detail of our stay was perfect. The food was delicious, and the spa treatments were tru…
Highly recommended. Attentive staff, great food, healthy breakfast, stunning view and very quiet. A true escape from the hustle and bustle. There were many things for kids to do beside kids club. Overall a 5 stars experience.
The hotel is good. Staff is pleasantly and friendly. The room is gorgeous and big. The restaurant is excellent and the food is good and fast. Swimming pool is very clean. A bit far from Hanoi
I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Avana Retreat in Mai Châu, Vietnam, and it was an experience to remember. The retreat stands out for its great friendly staff and exceptional service, making every moment enjoyable and comfortable. The views from the retreat are nothing short of amazing…
We visited Avana last month. I can’t believe this place is exactly as beautiful as all the official pictures show. And every facility detail is well maintained. Dinners are good, breakfasts are great, spa(deep tissue massage) is excellent. All complimentary activities are well-designed and all worth…
Incredible remote property that you could spend you're whole stay at without leaving. Beautiful campus, large cozy rooms, great f&b amd activities with convenient schedule of events. We enjoyed hiking through the local villages as well - so lovely amd friendly!
There are not enough words to say how truly special this place is. We were greeted with the friendliest, most efficient and attentive staff. At your arrival, you immediately feel the sense of calm luxury as you are greeted with fresh drinks and fruit as you are introduced to this beautiful property.…
We had an unbelievable 3-night stay at Avana Retreat on our honeymoon and we wished we could have stayed longer. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, and the experiences are fantastic. We highly recommend the cooking class and the jeep tour, as well as a visit to the bamboo forest to feed …
We had a wonderful stay. Although we landed in Hanoi a few hours later than scheduled the team was extremely accommodating. The hotel is located in a very quiet area and the villas are gorgeous. Food is great and staff is absolutely amazing. Thanks to Anne and everyone else that we had the pleasure …
Our family had a blast spending a few nights here in this magical healing place. We were a bit hesitate at first since our kids have never been to a forest place like this. It turned out they loved every minute of it. There were tons of activities for families can do - candles making, jeep cars, mi…
We had an incredible stay at this hotel! The location is pristine, offering a perfect escape to connect with nature. The staff went above and beyond, ensuring every detail was perfect. Highly recommend for a fantastic experience.
Location is a bit far out but a great gateway , where you can be restored both spiritually and mentally ! The staffs here are exceptionally friendly and lovely , Most villa are hidden among nature and is indeed a marvel as staying here is living with nature itself. Foods are superb and enjoyable ! T…
If you are considering to book this, then do it. It was a magical experience and in every level the best it can be. What distinguishes this place from others is that the relationship between the staff and the guest seem to be in perfect balance and the staff seem to be happy and well taken care of. …
Utter magic, I cannot believe a hotel like this exists. The setting is STUNNING water falls, tropical jungle, butterflies everywhere. The staff are so attentive and kind. The design and little details are so well thought out, the buildings feel totally in harmony with the nature surrounding them. A …
My recent stay (3D2N) at Avana Retreat was enchanting, offering a harmonious blend of spacious accommodations and a rich cultural experience inspired by the ethnic groups of the northwest. The attention to detail in every design aspect showcased the dedication to creating a perfect match between com…
We initially reserved a two-night stay at Avana Retreat, yet our experience was so exceptional that we promptly extended our visit by an extra night. The hotel's remarkable location is matched by its outstanding service, stunning villas, and a truly breathtaking pool. Exploring the various nooks of …
TL:DR: 3 years old luxury nature retreat 3.5h from Hanoi, with good food, well trained and friendly staff, outstanding rooms and a infinity pool out of this world. Dont miss this gem + the infinity pool is one of a kind, and provide a stunning view of the nature + spa is superb, located in the midd…
An unbelievable experience in mai châu at Avana, and well worth the journey to get there. One of the best resort pools in recent memory. Everything in the resort was thought out to the smallest detail, beyond my expectations. Will be back guaranteed.
A must go if you spend time in Vietnam. Incredible resort with a stunning pool and great views. Good add-on activities incluye yoga and breathing classes (really recommend the latter). Service was great. You download an app at your arrival to your villa and can call for a “buggy” that will come in …
Amazing resort in beautiful location! At Avana Retreat you stay in small villas around the resort. There is a main hall for dining, a spa, an outdoor infinity pool and view points. You can also dine at the waterfall or on your own balcony. The resort offers many different activities. I tried the yo…
Amazing location. Fresh Mountain Air. Excellent swimming pool with stunning view🤩😍🏞⛰️ Spa quiet expensive. Good so so ( not amazing), good cocktails 👌🏻 🍸🍹 Staff super friendly, great atmosphere. Recommending Jeep tour 👌🏻
We took motorbikes around the area and stopped at Avana Retreat for lunch. We sat outdoors by the waterfall & ordered fresh spring rolls, duck breast with orange sauce, cave mushroom soup, and grilled eggplant with crispy onions. We met the chef, Nam, who told us he uses excusively local ingredients…
We had a memorable and wonderful time at Avana! The staff is excellent and we liked the fact that 90% of the staff is local. Some more fantastic things are the following: - the Yoga classes with a magnificent view - the choice of handicraft workshops - beautiful crafted bungalows (earth-wall and rat…
Xin Chào Le and the Avana team, Thank you for the tranquil and peaceful retreat, and most importantly, showing us a side of Northern Vietnamese hidden cultures and warm hospitality. We totally enjoyed our stay here, and we are grateful for your constant pampering and responsiveness to every whims a…
We’ve been travelling in Vietnam for over a month, this was hands down the best hotel we were at! There’s not enough words to describe how amazing it is, from the room, the staff, the cleanliness, facilities everything was thought of. My only remark is that the food at the restaurant (the dinner) ca…
Outstanding and perfect place for relaxing trip in Northen part of Vietnam. However, the quatily of food menu should be much improved as the menu is designed only for set. Why cant we order the Vietnamese food seperately, but have to eat the set menu?
We had a lovely stay at the retreat, really enjoyed the warm smiles and excellent service from the team, starting from the moment we stepped into the pick up vehicle departing Hanoi till the time we left. Special thanks to Mr Khuong - our attentive, personal host for the entire stay, Mr Duc - the re…
In conclusion, this is a resort that I would like to give 11 out of 10 !!!!!! I had great time here for 4 days. Even though I was here 4 days, it is not enough to enjoy all services. I can say that if you want to stay here, please be here more than 4 days at least. The facilities are great and the…
Heaven on earth One of the most amazing resort finds in the 2 years that we’ve been in Vietnam. A waterfall runs through the 15 hectare property replete with a fishing pond, stilt house, chicken farm, rice fields,duck pond, an amazing spa by the water fall, library, heated pool with a bar - there’s…
Really beautiful and peaceful place nested on the mountain slopes, with a lovely hospitality from the entire team. However I thought the food to be inconsistent and below average. The choice of pop songs as a musical background was also not the right vibe for the place. Still, I think it was more th…
In short, this was the best hospitality experience I have ever had! The staff (90% of whom are locals) was extremely polite, professional and helpful. Food and drinks are exceptional. We tried both Vietnamese and Western cuisine and every dish was awesome, from local pork to wagyu ribeye steak. We w…
Really nice resort in a heart of the nature. It has awesome views from rooms and pool too. Pool is designed as rice terrace. There is also beautiful waterfall in the middle of the resort. Surely you have to prepare to pay premium for all of that but it's worth it. Only thing which needs an improveme…
I have to say something very important for us as a expats in Vietnam for the time being , as we can't really travel out of the country because of corona, the Avana retreats it's the most amazing and beautiful spot for us in the country so far . We totally love it, the place the employees the Reser…
Pro: - Mesmerizing views of mountains and valley - Great local specialty dishes at the restaurant - Couldn't-be-nicer staff - Architecture that blends seamlessly with a calming nature: stream, waterfall, forest... Con: - Bugs, as the place is in the middle of the jungle. The resort should provide b…
This place should get 5 stars. The room was amazing and luxurious. The service from the staff was uniformly excellent. So what went wrong ? Simply put the food service did not live up to the high standards you'd expect. Now if you enjoy eating dead animals, you'd probably have a different opini…
First and foremost, I would like to thank the staff at Avana Retreat for making our stay extra special and memorable while providing excellent hospitality and service. From the sales reservation team to the front office, buggy drivers, F&B, and spa departments, the staff truly impressed us. It is a …
Firstly the pros: - Great view, wonderful atmosphere of the surrounding nature - A variety of activities - Really great spa, very professional - The room decor is marvellous - Private pool villa is amazing- allowing us to enjoy our stay peacefully - Yoga is really relaxing and has a nice view - An …
5 stars for the room which was the Fern Grand mountain suite that was large with a balcony and views, the service which was excellent and super responsive, the gorgeous pool which was blissfully quiet (most of the time) and the location which was remote and although a good 4+ hour drive from Hanoi. …
We had an amazing stay at Avana retreat. The place is gorgeous, you will be completely immersed in nature and in the mountains surrounding. A very peaceful environment with a very kind service. The spa is out of this world and they propose a lot of activities to do. The food service is a bit slow so…
An hidden gem in Vietnam! Away from the touristic areas of Vietnam, this secluded mountain resort is the place to go for nature lovers. Opened just a year and a half ago, they have done an amazing job at integrating the hotel with the surrounding nature while creating a true understated luxury envi…
One of the best stay I ever had in Vietnam. It was unreal and beautiful. I think the food needs work. It was expensive but it didn’t match the quality to be worth it to eat. I really wish they took surveys from their customers at the restaurant about what they can do to improve themselves.
Four day stay late January 2025: First couple of days, service was great (friendly staff, thoughtful turn-down service); last day and a half one of the worst hotel experiences ever ... and we are frequent travelers. First few days nice buffet breakfast, last day a la carte consisted of stale toast a…
My wife and I had a 3-day, 2-night experience at Avana Retreat resort. I am a frequent traveler, and this was my first time trying a retreat-style resort. Before writing this, I genuinely pondered whether our review about Avana, with its 160 staff members, 90% of whom are local, would impact their w…
I recently stayed at Avana, a luxury hotel charging over $1,000 per night, and my experience was deeply disappointing. While the hotel ultimately offered a room upgrade and a free massage on the second day of my two-day stay, it was a case of too little, too late. This offer came on our last night …
They privatised the waterfall. Nature shall not be closed to the public!
Had many issues with this hotel which lack commercial sense. And left earlier even if I paid for a longer period. It is 4 hours drive from Hanoi, does not worth it. It is a trap. Very far from a retreat experience that I was expecting. Will definitely not come back even for free. They did not stop…
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