Vietnam remains relatively undiscovered when compared to the more mainstream Asian tourist destinations such as Phuket in Thailand. As a result, this wonderful country still has many unspoilt corners to explore.
All of the luxury resorts we have picked below are within a 30-minute drive from Danang International airport and within an hours drive of the famous and iconic cities of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. History buffs should visit the historic site of My Son, an ancient Hindu temple, 70 kilometres from Da Nang. But there is no shame in simply lazing your days away in your luxury resort and here are our top picks.
Palm Garden Beach Resort and Spa
Palm Garden Beach Resort and Spa (pictured) is set in 12 acres of landscaped tropical gardens with a beachfront location. It is the tropical gardens that we particularly love about this resort. Paths wind past tranquil lily ponds and 400 species of palm trees and plants before ending at a beautiful stretch of golden beach which is the largest private resort beach in Cua Dai. The gorgeous lagoon-style pool nestles within the greenery of the gardens and is the perfect place to relax with a cocktail.
Hoi An, a UNESCO world heritage town, is just 5 minutes away, where you can explore fascinating temples, pagodas, shops and homes along with ordering some hand-made tailored suits and dresses which can be turned around in less than a day!
Five restaurants and bars, including the Terrace Café which serves an incredible breakfast, will keep you fed and watered. We love the Colibri Beach Restaurant which has a spectacular panoramic view of Cua Dai Beach and serves barbeque seafood, Vietnamese cuisine and Italian specialities. The Contino Bar is another highlight with a live band in the evenings, and the Breeze Bar is perfect for sunset drinks as it is right on the beach.
Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort
We visited and reviewed the Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort in 2017. The resort sits on 39 hectares of land on the Danang Sun Peninsula, which stretches from the high entrance point all the way down to a 700 metre stretch of private beach on a bay. The resort is surrounded by lush forests which are nicely preserved and incorporated into the resort design to create a forest by the beach.
Guests are taken to their rooms and around the resort by golf cart. All the regular rooms and suites are housed in bungalows lining the various levels with a design that was inspired by Vietnamese temples.
At sea level, there is a long stretch of private beach with beach chairs and umbrellas along with the Barefoot restaurant which overlooks the sandy beach. To the right of the restaurant sits the heated the resort pool and the L_o_n_g Bar. On top of the L_o_n_g bar is the L_o_n_g pool, an infinity pool which is bigger than the resort pool, but is not heated. The L_o_n_g pool is flanked by loungers and cabanas.
Usefully there is a Club Lounge at this Intercontinental with both indoor and outdoor seating, and three meal services a day – breakfast, afternoon tea as well as evening cocktails and canapes.
A complimentary shuttle bus will take you from the resort to Danang city and Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage City about 30 minutes away from Danang.
Fusion Maia Resort Da Nang
Fusion Maia Resort Da Nang is a beachfront boutique hotel in Central Vietnam, just a 10-minute drive from Da Nang Airport. This hotel is brilliant because it offers all-inclusive spa treatments, so there is no excuse not to be deeply pampered.
Beyond the spa, you can play golf at the Danang Golf Club or Montgomerie Links, just two of many championship courses nearby. Shop in the nearby Unesco World Heritage town of Hoi An (using the 3x daily complimentary hotel mini bus) for hand-made clothing and silk lanterns.
The 87 pool villas boast their own private pool and courtyard garden and have a modern design. The All Inclusive Spa which is also included in all room rates, has 22 treatment rooms and two beauty salons and you can choose from manicures and massages to all-out pampering sessions,
Five Restaurants serve Vietnamese fusion dishes in a contemporary setting or on the sea-view terrace. You can even ask for your romantic meal to be served on the beach.
However, even with all these activities on offer, daytime lounging at the resort infinity pool, is the main pass time at Fusion Maia Resort Da Nang. The double cabanas on the lawns around the pool are the perfect place to drift off. Cool down with alternating dips in the pool and the ocean which seem to merge into one as the sun sets.
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