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Where to Stay in Con Dao: The Best Hotels & Areas for Every Budget

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Con Dao is small and peaceful island just outside Ho Chi Minh, and it’s much less developed than places like Phu Quoc. But don’t think that means there’s not a huge amount of nice places to stay, because there is. Con Dao actually has a huge selection of hotels and resorts spread all over the island, it even has one of Vietnams best hotels with the only private beach in all of Vietnam

Most of the accommodation on Con Dao is concentrated around Con Son town, which is where you'll find plenty of restaurants, cafés, the market and many of the island's historical sites. Then there are a handful of beachfront resorts outside town if you're looking for more peace and privacy.

I personally loved Con Dao because it still feels like an authentic place where you can slow down. Many of the beautiful islands in Vietnam have been filled with tourists, cable cars and Adventure parks, and that’s of course fine for those who want that, but if you’re looking for a more authentic spot Con Dao delivers.

So, where should you stay in Con Dao? For most travellers, staying in or close to Con Son town is the easiest option. You'll have more restaurants and cafés nearby and it makes exploring the island very straightforward. However, if your main goal is a relaxing beach escape, staying at one of the island's resorts can be a completely different experience.

In this guide, I'll take you through the best areas to stay in Con Dao and some of the best hotels and resorts in each, from budget-friendly guesthouses to the famous Six Senses Con Dao.

Con Dao

Quick Answer: Where Is the Best Area to Stay in Con Dao?

If you don’t have time to read the full article, here is a quick breakdown.

Con Son town is the most convenient choice for first-time visitors, food lovers and anyone who wants to explore the island rather than spend their entire trip at a resort.

An Hai Beach and the southern side of town are good if you want to be close to the beach while still being within easy reach of restaurants and the centre.

Dat Doc Beach is where you'll find Six Senses Con Dao. This is the choice for those looking for a secluded luxury escape where the resort itself is a big part of the holiday.

Below are the three best hotels on Con Dao I would check out first.

The Secret Con Dao
The Secret Con Dao

This is one of the more upscale options close to town and is a good choice if you want the comfort and facilities of a larger hotel without staying at a remote resort. It’s close to the waterfront, and has a large swimming pool, restaurants, a spa and modern rooms.

Check prices and availability

Six Senses Con Dao
Six Senses Con Dao

For the ultimate luxury stay on Con Dao this is the obvious place. The resort has of private villas overlooking the sea with its own pool. It's surrounded by nature and sits directly along a long stretch of private sandy beach, so you get to wake up somewhere genuinely secluded.

Check prices and availability

Khách sạn Thái Bình Hotel
Khách sạn Thái Bình Hotel

This is a great option if you're looking for comfortable, affordable accommodation close to the beach. Located just a two-minute walk from An Hai Beach, this family-run hotel offers clean, modern rooms, a restaurant serving breakfast and a private beach area.

Check prices and availability

Map of the Best Hotels in Con Dao

Below you'll find a map where I've pinned my favourite hotels in Con Dao to make it easier for you to navigate when you're looking for where you want to base yourself.

Con Son Town – Best for First-Time Visitors

If you're visiting Con Dao for the first time, staying in Con Son town is probably the easiest option.

This is where you'll find the largest concentration of restaurants, cafés, shops and smaller hotels. Many of the island's historical attractions, including the former prison sites and museums, are also nearby.

I really like the idea of staying in town on Con Dao because you're not completely dependent on your hotel for food and entertainment. You can rent a scooter or take the bus to head out to explore during the day and then come back to town for dinner.

The town itself is quiet rather than busy, but very charming, so don't expect a nightlife scene like you'll find in Ho Chi Minh City or even Phu Quoc. Instead, evenings here are about seafood restaurants, cafés and taking a walk along the waterfront.

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Best Hotels in Con Son Town

The Secret Con Dao
The Secret Con Dao

This is one of the more upscale options close to town and is a good choice if you want the comfort and facilities of a larger hotel without staying at a remote resort. It’s close to the waterfront, and has a large swimming pool, restaurants, a spa and modern rooms.

Check prices and availability

The Mystery Con Dao
The Mystery Con Dao

This is a good mid-range option in town, particularly if you want a comfortable hotel with a swimming pool without spending luxury-resort prices. The rooms are spacious and the hotel has a more boutique feel than some of the larger properties on the island.

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Hotel De Condor
Hotel De Condor

If you prefer somewhere smaller and more personal, this is worth looking at. This property has a quieter atmosphere and a garden setting, while still being close enough to town to make exploring easy. It's particularly appealing if you want something that feels more like a small local hotel than a large resort.

Check prices and availability

Con Dao

An Hai Beach – Best for Beach Access

If being close to the beach is important to you, look around An Hai Beach.

An Hai is just south of Con Son town, so you get a nice combination of beach access and convenience. You can spend the morning swimming or relaxing on the sand and still get into town for dinner without a long journey.

This area is particularly useful if you don't want to stay at a remote resort but still want to wake up close to the sea.

One thing to remember when booking accommodation in Con Dao is to check exactly what the hotel means by "beachfront". Some properties are directly on the sand, while others are across the road from the beach.

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Best Hotels around An Hai beach

Con Dao Resort
Con Dao Resort

This is one of the more established beachfront options on the island. The property sits directly by the sea and offers a more traditional resort experience, with rooms and bungalows, a swimming pool and access to the beach.

Check prices and availability

Tan Son Nhat Con Dao Resort
Tan Son Nhat Con Dao Resort

This is a great option if you want to stay directly by the beach without going all the way up to luxury-resort prices. The property has beachfront accommodation and is within easy reach of the town and restaurants.

Check prices and availability

Khách sạn Thái Bình Hotel
Khách sạn Thái Bình Hotel

This is a great option if you're looking for comfortable, affordable accommodation close to the beach. Located just a two-minute walk from An Hai Beach, this family-run hotel offers clean, modern rooms, a restaurant serving breakfast and a private beach area.

Check prices and availability

Con Dao

Best Resorts on Con Dao

If you want to visit Con Dao with the dream of just relaxing and barely leaving the resort, there are couple of really nice ones here.

Just outside town you’ll find Six Senses and Poulo Condor, both excellent choices, just in different budget ranges.

The only downside is that you’re not in walking distance to the restaurants and shops in the city. But that might be part of the point, and if you want to head in to the city it’s just a short drive.

Poulo Condor Boutique Resort & Spa
Poulo Condor Boutique Resort & Spa

This resort is surrounded by tropical gardens and has a more intimate, colonial-inspired style, with spacious villas, a swimming pool and access to a secluded beach. It's a particularly nice option if you want the feeling of staying at a proper resort but don't want to spend Six Senses-level prices.

Check prices and availability

Six Senses Con Dao
Six Senses Con Dao

For the ultimate luxury stay on Con Dao this is the obvious place. The resort has of private villas overlooking the sea with its own pool. It's surrounded by nature and sits directly along a long stretch of private sandy beach, so you get to wake up somewhere genuinely secluded.

Check prices and availability

How Many Nights Should You Stay in Con Dao?

I'd recommend spending at least three nights in Con Dao.

Three days gives you enough time to explore the historical sites, visit some of the island's beaches, take a hike or boat trip and still have time to slow down.

If you really want to relax, four or five nights would be even better. Con Dao isn't somewhere I'd recommend rushing through. Part of the appeal is having a day where you don't have a strict plan, getting on a scooter and seeing where the road takes you.

Con Dao

Final Thoughts: Where to Stay in Con Dao

For most travellers, I think staying around Con Son town makes the most sense. You'll be close to restaurants and cafés and have an easy base for exploring everything the island has to offer.

But if you're visiting Con Dao specifically to switch off, I'd definitely consider spending a few nights at one of the island's resorts. There is something pretty special about waking up surrounded by jungle and turquoise water and having a quiet beach almost on your doorstep.

And if your budget allows for a serious splurge, Six Senses Con Dao is the kind of place that can turn a trip to an already beautiful island into a completely different experience.

Whichever you choose, I would give yourself enough time to actually enjoy Con Dao. This is not an island I'd visit just to tick off a few sights before moving on. Slow down, rent a scooter, explore the beaches, eat plenty of seafood and leave some time in your itinerary to do absolutely nothing.

Plan Your Trip to Con Dao

Hopefully this guide has given you everything you need to plan where to stay in Con Dao. To make planning the rest of your trip even easier, I've included all the resources I personally use when I travel.

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Every recommendation is based on tools and services I genuinely use and would recommend to friends and family.

By using these links you help me continue to create free travel guides like this one.

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-Ingrid

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