CASA RIO: Enchanting private Holiday House along quiet river

About Keith Symington

We are Keith and Huong, residents of Hoi An since 2013. Keith is a marine conservation and fisheries management consultant, originally from Toronto, Canada. He has worked in Vietnam since 2004 with WWF and other organizations. Huong is from Haiphong and owner/designer at Villagecraft Planet, a fair trade textile company specializing in eco-friendly materials. We have two wonderful daughters (born 2009 and 2014). With Casa Rio, we wanted to create a holiday space for kindred spirits, based on our own impressions of what makes a great holiday home. We think Casa Rio is a perfect Hoi An home base for many varied travel styles - from travelling families to solo adventurers and everything in between. We are always available and happy to share with you our tips and suggestions. We are also at your service in designing personalized itineraries incorporating environmental tourism, cultural heritage, wellness and other specialized themes befitting the unique interests of our guests.

Keith Symington purchased this house in 2018

Why Keith Symington chose Cam Chau

When we first stepped through the gates of this property we loved it immediately. We were intrigued by the striking originality and traditional design, and of course the idyllic setting on the river. Having resided in Hoi An for some time, we knew the property was inside a section of Hoi An zoned for protection (largely due to the flood-mitigating functions of the Do River), and therefore would not be subject to the kind of rapid over-development seen in other picturesque locations around the town. The peacefulness and serenity of this little stretch of laneway along the river seemed really quite remarkable...no cars, bikes or horns. Ahhhhh......... We recognized this was a hidden gem, and after purchasing the property began planning and implementing what would be a nearly two-year renovation process - including a completely new back section with spa bathroom and modern bedrooms, full restoration work on the wooden house, custom carpentry, open-air kitchen with peninsular bar, custom interior design, traditional artisan soft furnishings and fabrics, and other renovations. For the exterior, both the front and back yards were completely re-landscaped with gardens, lawn, flowers beds, fruit trees and other plants seeded and raised. It was a true labour of love! In September 2019 our private house by the river - Casa Rio - was ready with open doors to receive travelers from all over the world.

What makes this house unique

We think a few unique benefits set Casa Rio apart: - Ideal location situated in between the Old Town (2.5 km) and beach (1 km) ... a lovely and off-the-beaten-trail haven to come home to after busy days touring around the town, beaches or other sites; - Unparalleled peacefulness in a section of Hoi An that is zoned for environmental protection; - A focus on "the little things" and pleasing amenities, from luxury features like a spa bath and highest-quality linens, to conveniences such as washing machine access, strong (free) wifi, stocked food pantry, and fully equipped kitchen, to safety features (First Aid kit; extinguisher and smoke alarm etc.); - Guests receive a complimentary food and bevergae basket... to help them get settled in until they can shop themselves; - Two bicycles are available on-site (complimentary), and we can easily arrange for additional rentals as required; - We support guests with extensive guidance on local markets, grocery shopping, home delivery services (i.e. fruits, vegetables, restaurants) as well as any and all advice on Hoi An activities, beach scene, town scene, sightseeing, shopping, restuarants and bars - Guests receive the entire house... no shared areas or confinements. It's all yours!