| Only a few years ago Cat Ba Island was a virtual | | | | to the afternoon chaos of the main beaches. |
| paradise / wasteland, depending on what side of | | | | As yet, spa facilities are very basic with small |
| the development divide you stood, with few | | | | 'jacuzzi'. Which is more like a small indoor pool, and |
| hotels of that elusive 'International standard. The | | | | massage options limited to 'foot' or 'body' and sold |
| town has certainly come on in some | | | | in hour and half hour blocks. Saunas are also on |
| not-inconsiderable steps since and these days the | | | | offer, in rooms surrounding the jacuzzi area. |
| view from the approaching hydrofoil is that of a | | | | Rooms come in two basic varieties, Superior ($90 |
| nearly-built up holiday hotspot, with some hotel | | | | night) and Deluxe ($110/night), with several suites |
| towers rising well over 10 stories and looking | | | | in a separate building and one $500 a night |
| almost ill at ease against the verdant backdrop of | | | | President Suite, a multi-room apartment with huge |
| the island. | | | | private balcony. |
| Cat Ba water park resort is less obtrusive than | | | | The standard rooms are comfortably sized and |
| the high rises and crowded buildings of the town. | | | | decked out in white wicker. All have private |
| Though the swimming pool can be seen from the | | | | balconies overlooking the sea and are the kind of |
| sea there's a more seamless look to the place. It | | | | light and breezy space you hope desperately for |
| doesn't jar with its surroundings. | | | | when booking at a beach resort - a perfect |
| Cat Ba water Park resort has the all-important | | | | complement to the gorgeous view. |
| things a resort should have and a few nice extras | | | | The seemingly large selection of TV channels is, in |
| you'd wish more did have. Set only a couple of | | | | fact, small. Unless you're a fan of state-run |
| minutes' walk to the main beach, the | | | | television, of course. The mini-bar offers a little |
| densely-packed Cat Co 1, and sharing the sand of | | | | more than many hotels', with small small bottles |
| its kind-of private beach with it, Cat Ba water | | | | of spirits along with the two cans of Tiger beer |
| park resort has those out-to-see views that can | | | | and soft drinks. |
| cost much more in other places. Less than a year | | | | Cat Ba Water Park Resort has three restaurants, |
| old, it's already doing well, with an exceptionally | | | | the western Captain's Cup, a mainly al fresco |
| friendly staff which exude genuinely warmth | | | | dining experience which includes seating in the |
| more than enforced civility, perfectly-main-tained | | | | prow of a ship and overlloks the private pool, the |
| surrounds and the kind of laid-back feeling the | | | | Asian-style Seashare restaurant and the |
| larger hotels can occasionally struggle to inspire. | | | | upper-level Pirate's Grill. |
| With two generously sized swimming pools, one | | | | A set menu at the Captain's Cup will set you back |
| public and other solely for guests, plus plenty of | | | | 120 000VND and consists of a salad, a soup, a |
| space to recline and relax under blue umbrellas, | | | | main and a fruit plate. This being Cat Ba Island |
| Cat Ba Water Park Resort makes a nice break | | | | there is an obvious focus on seafood. |
| from the congestion of the town in summer | | | | Cat ba Water Park Resort is still quite obviously |
| months. | | | | finding its feet, but already the place is a relaxing |
| The water park, with two water slides looping | | | | way to spend a few days away from the city, or |
| down to a pool filled with big, floating toys, is open | | | | a luxurious alternative to sleeping on-board a boat |
| to the public for an entrance fee of 80000 VND. | | | | at Ha Long Bay. |
| Despite this it remains relatively calm compared | | | | |