Franz Eliz
Mua caves are one of Ninh Binh’s must-visit attractions. The attraction, located in the Trang An World Heritage complex, covers 4 hectares of land that includes beautiful millions of years old limestones and caves. Exploring the area can take a couple of hours and can be best enjoyed early during the day or in the evening before sunset.
The attraction is accessible via Mua Caves Ecolodge, a beautiful resort in Ninh Binh, also known as Hang Múa Ecolodge. Mua Caves Ecolodge is ideal for those looking to stay closer to Mua Caves. Hotel guests can easily visit the caves to catch both the sunrise and sunset.
I spent two nights at Mua Caves Ecolodge with my friend Joey during the summer, sometime in May 2022. Here are my thoughts on our stay at the resort. I’ll also share my rating at the end of the article, so keep reading.
A Beautiful Resort Close to Mua Caves
Even though my friend Joey and I visited Ninh Binh for the second time, we never had the chance to visit Mua Caves. So, we were excited about our trip to the attraction. It’s one of the most popular attractions in Ninh Binh.
Joey recommended staying at Mua Caves Ecolodge as the caves are within the same area as the accommodation. It’s not very far from Trang An, either.
Mua Caves Ecolodge Guests Get Free Access to Mua Caves
The perk of staying at Mua Caves Ecolodge is the easy access to Mua Caves. Before accessing the resort, guests must go through a gate/checkpoint. There’s a ticketing counter in the area. Since we were guests at Mua Caves Ecolodge, we didn’t have to pay for a ticket to access Mua Caves.
Note: The entrance fee for Mua Caves is VND100,000 per person, which includes parking. So, if you come to Mua Caves by bicycle, don’t bother paying more for parking.
Spending the night at Mua Caves Ecolodge also meant we had more time to explore Mua Caves. Guests can explore Mua Caves for sunset or sunrise, or do both if they like. Initially, Joey and I wanted to catch both sunrise and sunset. However, we ended up visiting in the evening only. We started our trip at the caves at 5 p.m.
The Hotel Rooms and Facilities Are Satisfactory
I thought the room we had was lovely even though it looked old-fashioned. It had two queen-sized beds.
There was a bathtub in the bathroom. Since it was summer, we didn’t care for a bath. The bathtub and shower are a unit, so we had to stand in the bathtub during showers. Next to the bathtub was a window where we could see rocks and branches. There was also a rubbish bin and a laundry basket in the bathroom.
Overall, we had a good night’s sleep. Our room was cosy, with a well-serviced air conditioner. Other amenities provided were towels, combs, a safe, WiFi, some snacks, and water bottles.
Costume Rental Is Available at the Property
On our way up to the mountain, we came across women dressed in beautiful dresses. I guess they were dressed up for the trip. Many people take Insta-worthy photos on top of the mountain in nice dresses. Walking up can be a challenge if the dress is long. Nevertheless, that didn’t discourage people from dressing at their best. Mua Caves are also an ideal place for bridal photography.
Later, I learned that Hang Múa offers costume rentals to make it easier for visitors to choose what to wear for their memorable shots.
The Resort Offers Spa Services To Help Guests Unwind
We tried Mua Caves Ecolodge’s spa services. Overall, I think they were alright. I had better spa experiences elsewhere for cheaper. Nevertheless, it’s an option worth considering if you’re looking to enjoy a night spa right before bed. The spa’s atmosphere was alright. As for the staff, they seemed warm and friendly.
I advise that you avoid doing a spa session close to closing time so as not to rush. Check how long your spa session would take. Ours took about 2 hours.
We were served with refreshments. The refreshments looked delectable, but we had them in a rush so that the staff didn’t have to wait too long for us. It was already past closing time.
You Can Request Send and Pick-Up Services
If you don’t know how to ride a bicycle, you can request a motorbike service, but it’s not cheap. Suppose you choose this route, make sure to make your discussion clear to avoid misunderstandings.
Do I Recommend Mua Caves Ecolodge?
I recommend Mua Caves Ecolodge to anyone who wants to stay closer to Mua Caves. The fact that the hotel and caves are in the same area makes accessing Mua Caves convenient for guests. It’s even more convenient for those planning to visit Mua Caves during both sunset and sunrise.
Would I return to Mua Caves Ecolodge? Yes, I think so, despite some misunderstandings between my friend and the hotel staff. But I’d probably return only when there’s a good deal. We had a good deal on our hotel room, probably because Vietnam just reopened its borders. Otherwise, the price of a night stay at Mua Caves Ecolodge could cost close to US$100 at least. For single or budget travellers, such a price might seem too much.
Last time I checked, Mua Caves Ecolodge’s breakfast wasn’t bad, either. The hotel’s surroundings are lovely, with cute decorations around, making the accommodation an ideal place to bring kids.
At night, Mua Caves Ecolodge is lighted with bright, colourful lanterns, making walks feel more fun and somewhat safer. The hotel offers bicycle and motorbike rental, making it easy for guests to explore nearby areas.
Final Thoughts
Consider Mua Caves Ecolodge if you don’t mind spending a little more on your accommodation in Ninh Binh and want to stay closer to Mua Caves. The view from the top of the mountains is spectacular whether in the morning, afternoon, or evening. By staying at Mua Caves Ecolodge, you can have more time to explore Mua Caves, especially if you plan to capture Ninh Binh’s gorgeous sunrise and sunset.
