Pullman Ninh Binh review: a stylish new reason to linger in northern Vietnam

For many travellers, Ninh Binh is one of northern Vietnam’s great surprises. Just a couple of hours south of Hanoi, its limestone karsts, winding rivers, and emerald rice fields have earned comparisons with Halong Bay, albeit in a landscape best explored by bicycle, sampan and on foot. During my visit, it quickly became apparent that this is a destination worth spending several days discovering. As Ninh Binh matures beyond a day trip from Hanoi, the internationally branded Pullman Ninh Binh has recently opened its doors, and we checked in to check it out.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

We review Pullman Ninh Binh

Hotel snapshot

Hotel name: Pullman Ninh Binh
Location: Ninh Binh, Vietnam
Address: 128 Le Thai To Street, Xuan Thanh Urban Area, Hoa Lu Ward, Ninh Binh
Number of rooms and suites: 283
Brand: Pullman (Accor)
Date opened: 20 April, 2026
Design style: Contemporary, light-filled and quietly sophisticated
Family amenities: Kid’s Club on-site
Wellness facilities: Pullman Spa, rooftop and 5th floor outdoor pool, plus 20-metre indoor pool, fitness centre, tennis court
Prices from: £65 per night, depending on room and season.

The arrival

Long before I reached its front doors, Pullman Ninh Binh had already announced itself. Rising 29 storeys above the city, it has become an unmistakable landmark. From the moment you step inside, Pullman Ninh Binh establishes an unexpected sense of grandeur. A soaring, light-filled lobby rises the equivalent of three storeys, softened by sculptural lighting and an enormous abstract artwork inspired by flowing water. Rather than feeling cavernous, the adjoining public spaces create a natural progression through the hotel. 

Lumi Lounge sits beneath a suspended bronze ceiling that brings warmth and intimacy to afternoon tea or informal meetings, while neighbouring Food ConneXion echoes the surrounding destination through large-scale artworks depicting Ninh Binh’s distinctive rice fields. Together, the spaces feel cohesive rather than showy, combining generous proportions with enough warmth to encourage guests to settle in.

The rooms

Pullman Ninh Binh features 283 contemporary rooms and suites, each with a private balcony overlooking the city or surrounding mountains. All generously sized with the entry-level Superior Rooms starting at 50 sqm, and designed as personal sanctuaries with natural textures, greenery, and open vistas. 
 
My 80m² Deluxe Suite struck an appealing balance between openness and privacy. A separate living room provided welcome breathing space before the bedroom, making the suite feel genuinely residential rather than simply oversized. Meanwhile, a work desk, chaise longue, and private balcony each encouraged different ways to unwind throughout the day. 

Floor-to-ceiling glass between the bedroom and bathroom enhanced the sense of space, yet blackout curtains transformed the sleeping area into a restful sanctuary after dark. The freestanding bathtub was an indulgent touch. Even the bathroom amenities feel considered rather than generic and come courtesy of C.O. Bigelow, whose exclusive Elixir White collection reinforces the hotel’s contemporary aesthetic.

Whether relaxing on the balcony with a morning coffee, soaking in the bath or settling into the lounge, my attention was continually drawn to the limestone peaks and lush landscape of Trang An. Rather than competing with its surroundings, the suite quietly frames them, making Ninh Binh itself the focal point of the stay. 

Wellness

Pullman Spa was still being completed during my stay, with an opening scheduled for late 2026. While current wellness offerings are more limited than guests might expect from a new five-star hotel, the facilities already in place cater well to both active travellers and those simply looking to unwind. 

The fifth floor offers separate indoor and outdoor pools with a well-equipped fitness centre and yoga studio. If there’s one facility that guests shouldn’t miss, it’s the rooftop pool. Wrapping around three sides of the 29th floor, it offers uninterrupted views across Ninh Binh’s lauded landscape and expanding city skyline. It’s less a place for swimming laps than watching the changing light at sunrise or sunset, when the vistas become every bit as memorable as the hotel itself. 

Food and drink

At the time of my stay, Pullman’s dining program was still evolving, with the highly anticipated Mad Cow Wine & Grill and Hoa Thuy Tien Cantonese restaurants scheduled to open later in 2026. Even so, the existing venues provided an enjoyable rhythm to each day. 

Breakfast at Food ConneXion comfortably caters to both Asian and Western tastes, though I found myself returning to the self-serve bánh mì counter and live pho station each morning. Dinner introduced me to a regional speciality: slow-braised Ninh Binh mountain goat, whose restrained fermented soybean jus complemented fragrant galangal and lemongrass. 

During the afternoons, Lumi Lounge became my regular retreat after exploring the surrounding countryside, with an expertly prepared espresso-based iced coffee a welcome reward. 

Evenings, meanwhile, were best reserved for Bublx Champagne Bar, where indoor and terrace seating share sweeping views across the city skyline. After watching the sun sink behind the limestone peaks from the adjoining rooftop pool, I settled into an impeccably balanced Old Cuban cocktail that has since found its way into my own repertoire.

Frequently asked questions: Pullman Ninh Binh