If a bamboo hut on a deserted beach on a remote island sounds like Nirvana, then the Quan Lan Eco Resort is the place for you.

Getting to Quan Lan Island is an adventure in and of itself. There is a local ferry at 1.30pm from Halong City to Quan Lan Island which is the third stop on a 4 hour cruise which takes you through the dramatic karst waterscape of Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long. The higher price that a foreigner pays for the ferry is quite official and not an unauthorised rip-off. Be aware that the gangplank onto (and off) the ferry is narrow and has no handrail. I asked for, and received, helping hands to assist me (I have a mobility handicap) and survived without falling off into the water!

There will probably be a tuk tuk at the dock, but the resort is only about 1km away. Locally it is known by the ATI name. From the road you walk on a brick path up and over a couple of wooded sand dunes to the reception building.

The individual huts are scattered... more