Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

Last spring, I enjoyed a great holiday in Vietnam, where some resorts far exceeded my sky-high expectations (and rank among the best hotels I have ever stayed at). Today, I am publishing my very last trip report about that vacation. I hope you are not suffering from a Vietnam fatigue by now :-). You can read all my trip reports here:

• Review: Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class Düsseldorf to Singapore
• Review: Singapore Airlines A330 Business Class Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City
• Review: The Reverie Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
• Review: Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa
• Review: Vietnam Airlines ATR-72 from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao
• Review: Six Senses Con Dao
• Review: Evason Ana Mandara, Nha Trang
• Review: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
• Review: Amanoi, most exclusive hotel in Vietnam
• Review: Avani Quy Nhon Resort & Spa
• Review: Anantara Hoi An Resort
• Review: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An
• Review: Banyan Tree Lang Co
• Review: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (today)
• Review: Cathay Pacific A350 Business Class Hong Kong to Düsseldorf

Today (October4, 2017): Review of Sofitel Legend Metropole (Vietnam).

• Location: Google Maps
• Address: 15 Ngo Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, 010000, Vietnam
• Hotel website: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
• Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso

Situated in the heart of Hanoi with its leafy boulevards and lakeside pagodas, this colonial-style hotel is ideally placed within walking distance to the famous Hanoi Opera House. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has been Hanoi’s legendary landmark since its establishment at the turn of last century and has always proved a popular rendez-vous spot for both business and leisure travelers. The hotel offers 364 rooms and suites, spread over two wings: the original grandeur is preserved in the historical Metropole wing, whereas the Opera wing offers a neo-classic elegance. Other facilities include French, Vietnamese and Italian restaurants, three bars, a heated swimming pool, and the luxurious Le Spa du Metropole.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi features in my top 10 lists of the best luxury hotels in Vietnam and the best historic hotels in the world.

In this review (more info below my slideshow & Youtube clip):

• Pros & things I like
• Cons & things to know
• My verdict
• Tips for future guests & save money
• Best time to visit
• How to get there
• Photos

*** Get the most out of your (luxury) trip to Vietnam with my online Vietnam travel guide ***

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi enjoys an excellent location in Hanoi’s Old Quarter – also known as the ’36 streets and guilds ‘ – and is a short walking distance from many historical and cultural landmarks of the Vietnamese capital, such as the famous Paris-style opera house. Hanoi, one of the most beautiful of the colonial Indochinese cities, is often the start or end point of a trip to Vietnam (and so it was for me), and what a great welcome or farewell it is. Simply oozing charm and bustling with life, Hanoi is an eclectic blend of East and West, a glamorous mix of authentic Sino-Vietnamese culture with a French ‘joie de vivre’ ambience.

• The hotel is divided into two wings and also feel like ‘two hotels in one’, with both wings centered around a charming inner courtyard (with garden and pool). The historic Metropole wing was inspired by classic French architecture with a hint of local Vietnamese style. The more contemporary Opera wing was added from 1994-1996, along with the Metropole Center office tower, whose offices were converted to additional hotel rooms in 2008. The Opera wing creates a harmonious blend between the historic and modern elements of the hotel, and great care was taken to respect the rich heritage of the site while installing the state-of-the-art technology. But the Metropole wing is the star of the property, and stepping inside its multi-storey lobby with wood walls, bamboo furniture and elegant chandelier is like a journey back in time.

• The hotel’s past is riddled with history, one that is enriched with tradition. The hotel was opened in 1901, when it was constructed with a French Colonial architectural style in mind by its talented designers by André Ducamp and Gustave-Émile Dumoutier. The hotel was the first venue in Indo-China to show motion pictures. Following a period of independence in Vietnam during the 1950s, the property was later handed over to the Vietnamese government and renamed as Thong Nhat Hotel, meaning Reunification, and used as the government’s official guest house. During the Vietnam war, an expansive bomb shelter was built to protect guests in a safe space during air strikes. After the property gradually fell into disarray, it was restored to its former grandeur before being opened as a Pulman hotel in 1992 and later moving from the Pullman to the Sofitel chain with also the addition of the modern Opera wing.

• When you stay at the Sofitel Legend Metropole, you will follow in the footsteps of the rich and famous: since its opening in 1902, the hotel has welcomed celebrated authors, actors, ambassadors and heads of state. Angelina Jolie, Catherine Deneuve, Jane Fonda, François Mitterand and George W Bush have all been guests here. Somerset Maugham wrote The Gentleman in the Parlour at the hotel. Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard spent their honeymoon at the Metropole in 1936 after getting married in Shanghai. And Graham Greene stayed at the hotel in 1951 while writing The Quiet American. During the Vietnam war, the famous folk singer Joan Baez composed her song ‘Where Are You Now, My Son?’ within her hotel room, with the sounds of an air raid audible in the recording’s backdrop.

• The hotel features 364 rooms and suites. The historic Metropole wing has 106 rooms and three legendary suites which are named after famous hotel residents and visitors (Graham Greene, Charlie Chaplin, and Somerset Maugham). The contemporary Opera wing offers 236 rooms (including 12 premium room with a terrace opening into a garden feature), 18 suites, and one so-called grand prestige suite. While Metropole wing rooms are charming but smaller, the Opera wing rooms are larger and have all been individually furnished and decorated in a neoclassical style. During my visit, I stayed in a luxury room in the historic wing, which – albeit small – featured a richly sculptured decor distinctive of 1920s France and most importantly, was immediately available at 6 am, when I checked in after my night train adventure from Hue to Hanoi (kudos to the hotel staff for allowing such an early check-in).

• The historic Metropole wing and the modern Opera wing embrace a lovely and romantic courtyard at their center. Here, you find the rooftop garden balcony ‘Le Balcon’, which forms a welcome green oasis in the heart of the hustle and bustle of Hanoi. Complimentary Yoga (Mondays and Wednesdays) and Tai Chi (Tuesdays and Thursdays) classes are offered here from 7 to 8 am – the perfect way to stay in shape and relax the spirit.

• Below the balcony, one finds a lovely heated pool, which makes swimming possible year round, even in Hanoi’s colder winter months. The pool is surrounded by several loungers with a covered pool bar – called the Bamboo Bar – at its end. Located in the hotel’s inner garden and directly accessible from the pool, is ‘SOFit’ the hotel’s luxury fitness center which is exclusively reserved for hotel guests.

• Located in the center of the hotel, adjacent to the charming garden courtyard and pool, is Le Spa du Metropole, which blends harmoniously into its historic environment and enjoys a solid reputation as the best wellness center in Hanoi. Each massage area is private, allowing guests to meditate, recharge, and make the most of the spa experience. Using top products, such as Sisley, Clarins, Ytsara and Laurent Severac, Le Spa has diverse facilities: two themed spa suites for couples, six individual spa suites, one manicure and pedicure room, steam bath, sauna, showers, a relaxation room, and reception.

• The Metropole three restaurants represent some of Hanoi’s most famous dining venues, each offering a different exotic experience. Le Beaulieu – just like the hotel more than 100 years old – is the hotel’s signature restaurant and has the best French fare in this corner of the world. Spices Garden is located in the Opera wing and offers Vietnamese cuisine. Angelina is also located in the Opera wing and is an Italian restaurant and lounge that may soon be replaced by a different dining concept (or so I heard). The hotel also has 3 bars: La Terrasse brings Parisian-style to the sidewalks of Hanoi; Le Club Bar treats guests to its famous chocolate buffet and cool jazz performances; and, finally, Bamboo Bar brings poolside lounging to the next level.

• Located on the seventh floor of the Opera wing, the Club Lounge is for exclusive use of Club Metropole guests, offering exceptional and personalize service, beginning with express check-in and ending with departure services. At the lounge, guests can savor a typical French breakfast or complimentary tea, coffee and drinks, which are served all day long. In the afternoon the Club Lounge hosts a high tea; in the evening it serves cocktails.

• The hotel features two shopping arcades with luxury retails (e.g. Hermes), one in a corridor of the Metropole wing’s lobby and one along the courtyard that connects the Opera and Metropole wing. Two shops are worth a mention. One of Hanoi’s finest French delicatessens, L’Epicerie du Metropole offers an appealing array of high-end imported European items as well as best homemade goods; the grocery is also renowned for gourmet delicacies, such as macaroons, homemade ice creams and chocolates of the finest quality. La Boutique provides a selection of exquisite Vietnamese lacquered goods and pottery made by skilled local craftsmen, a wide range of hand-tailored clothing, accessories, jewelry and linen as well as many Metropole signatures gifts and history book.

• The hotel is managed by the Sofitel Legend brand, which represents a small collection of stately heritage hotels and palaces found in iconic cities around the world. Each landmark property in the collection is historic, some dating back centuries, and all with an enchanting backstory. These exclusive hotels are legendary places, and they’ve played host to legendary people. When you check in to one of Sofitel Legend’s luxury hotels, you’re stepping into a timeless story that’s still unfolding to this day. Other Sofitel Legend hotels are found in Amsterdam (Netherlands; read my review here), Xian (China), Aswam (Egypt), and Cartagena (Columbia).

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is the best hotel in the Vietnamese capital (although there is not much competition at the moment). The property is very popular with both locals and tourists because of its historic character, green courtyard with pool, fine dining venues, modern comforts and Asian-French flair. Yet, you need to know the following when considering a stay here:

• The rooms in the historic wing are charming but small (too small and cramp for some) and those facing the busy boulevard in front of the hotel may suffer from street noise. If you are a light sleeper, I recommend you to book a room with a view on the courtyard or a room in the Opera wing, which is located on a quieter street.

• Beware when booking an excursion via the hotel. Although not the fault of the hotel, we booked a Halong Bay excursion via the tour desk in the lobby (which is managed by a third party), and although the scenery during the boat trip was mind-blowing, the excursion itself was poorly executed and the food offered on board was bad (and definitely not worth the excursion’s heavy price tag of $250 USD per person).

MY VERDICT

• Location: 8/10
• Design: 8/10
• Pool: 8/10
• Rooms: 8/10
• Food: 9/10
• Breakfast: 9/10
• Spa: 9/10
• Service: 9/10
• Value for money: 9/10
• Overall experience: very good: 8,5/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Save money: read my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, whether it’s booking a room at the cheapest price or receiving complimentary VIP perks (e.g. upgrade, breakfast, resort credit, etc …).

• Save money: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, $75 USD food & beverage credit, and afternoon tea with chocolate buffet or a glass of champagne in Bamboo bar or Le Club bar per person for maximum of 2 people).

• Save money: If you book an AccorHotels (= mother brand of Sofitel) hotel online on any AccorHotels Internet site and find (within 24 hours) an equivalent offer on another website for the same hotel at a lower price, AccorHotels will honor the lower rate and give you a further reduction of 10%. All you need to do is submit a claim form.

• Room tip: if you are a history buff, you need to stay in the old wing. But make sure to opt for a courtyard facing room to avoid any noise from the boulevard.

• Vietnam travel guide: get the most out of your (luxury) trip to Vietnam with my online travel guide.

• Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Hanoi has a distinct winter and summer season. The mostly dry winter lasts from November to April and generally starts warm and sunny until December, after which cold winter weather sets in, accompanied by often persistent mist in coastal areas and frost in the mountainous area around Sapa north of Vietnam. The hot, humid and wet summer lasts from May to October, with peak rainfall from July to September. In general, March/April and October/November are the best months to visit the North in warm temperatures and under blue skies.

HOW TO GET THERE

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is located a 30 minute drive from Noi Bai International Airport, the main airport serving the Hanoi area. Click here for a list of airlines that offer direct flights to Hanoi.

*** Follow me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

The post Hotel review: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (Vietnam) appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

Last spring, I enjoyed a great holiday in Vietnam, where some resorts far exceeded my sky-high expectations (and rank among the best hotels I have ever stayed at). Today, I am publishing my last but one trip report about that vacation. You can read all my trip reports here:

• Review: Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class Düsseldorf to Singapore
• Review: Singapore Airlines A330 Business Class Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City
• Review: The Reverie Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
• Review: Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa
• Review: Vietnam Airlines ATR-72 from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao
• Review: Six Senses Con Dao
• Review: Evason Ana Mandara, Nha Trang
• Review: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
• Review: Amanoi, most exclusive hotel in Vietnam
• Review: Avani Quy Nhon Resort & Spa
• Review: Anantara Hoi An Resort
• Review: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An
• Review: Banyan Tree Lang Co (today)
• Review: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
• Review: Cathay Pacific A350 Business Class Hong Kong to Düsseldorf

Today (September 26, 2017): Review of Banyan Tree Lang Co (Vietnam).

• Location: Google Maps
• Address: Cù Dù, Lộc Vĩnh, Phú Lộc, Thừa Thiên–Huế, Vietnam
• Hotel website: Banyan Tree Lang Co

Located in Central Vietnam, Banyan Tree Lang Co is a ultraluxe, beach-front resort that comes with dramatic vistas spread across a rugged landscape. Here, you can feel the warm waves of the East Sea tickle your toes, and raise your gaze to behold the magnificent stretch of the Truong Son Mountain Range. Guest can choose from palatial laguna, beachfront, or hillside one to three bedroom villas, all coming with their own enormous swimming pool. Surrounded by eco-diverse mountains, spectacular national parks and awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Sites, guests can explore the cultural riches of Indochina, relax on the golden beach or indulge in a time-honoured Asian spa treatment.

Banyan Tree Lang Co features in my top 10 lists of the best luxury hotels in Vietnam, and my favorite Banyan Tree hotels & resorts in the world.

In this review (more info below my slideshow & Youtube clip):

• Pros & things I like
• Cons & things to know
• My verdict
• Tips for future guests & save money
• Best time to visit
• How to get there
• Photos

*** Get the most out of your (luxury) trip to Vietnam with my online Vietnam travel guide ***

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• The ultraluxe Banyan Tree Lang Co resort enjoys a magnificent, remote setting on a 3 km (1,8 mi) long and very wide, red colored beach along the emerald blue East Sea, with the lush greenery of the Truong Son Mountain Range as a backdrop. Formally known as a tranquil hinterland, the rugged landscape surrounding the resort feels majestic and surreal, and is visually striking because of the sharp contrast in color palettes of the natural elements. The secluded location definitely ranks among the most beautiful hotel settings in Vietnam, and it’s not hard to see why this holiday spot was historically favoured by Vietnam’s former royal family (who lived in nearby Hue).

• The resort is located a 75 minute drive north from Da Nang International Airport, either by a complimentary shuttle bus which runs on a fixed time schedule or by private car (which is currently charged at $75 USD one way). As you approach the resort, the unappealing urban agglomeration of Da Nang will give way to everything you imagine rural Vietnam to be, with rice paddies, grazing water buffaloes and trickling streams against the backdrop of a staggering mountain range. If you booked a private transfer during daylight, make sure you ask your driver to take the Hai Van (sea cloud) Pass between Lang Co and Da Nang, which climbs to an elevation of 500 m (1600 ft) affording stupendous coastal panoramas.

• The Lang Co development echoes the ethos of Laguna Phuket, Banyan Tree’s flagship integrated resort community in southern Thailand (which I reviewed here). The unique crescent-shaped Lang Co bay – which offers privacy and exclusivity – includes not only the Banyan Tree hotel, but also an Angsana branded hotel, a 18-hole championship golf course designed by Sir Nick Faldo, private villas and residences available for sale, convention facilities, and a plethora of recreational activities. Some might find the construction of a massive resort in this pristine spot of untouched nature rather disturbing from an ecologist’s point of view, but fortunately, Banyan Tree Lang Co’s development is as sensitive to ecology and culture as it is to the needs of its guests.

• Although they share the same beach, the Banyan Tree and Angsana hotel are two separate entities, each one with its own facilities (e.g. spa, pool, restaurants). Banyan Tree is the most exclusive property aimed at the discerning traveler, while Angsana provides a range of recreational activities and suited for families and friends. While Banyan Tree guests can freely roam and explore Angsana, the opposite does not apply providing extra exclusivity to the premium property. The only exception is the access to the hotels’ restaurants which are open to guests of both properties, doubling your dining options (more on that below).

• The resort grounds are extensive, but getting around is effortless as complimentary bikes are provided for the duration of your stay in addition to a very efficient buggy service operated by the hotel staff. The Banyan Tree resort and its sister property, Angsana Lang Co, are also connected by an artificial waterway that meanders along the lagoon, with colourful hand-made lanterns and an authentic Vietnamese bridge along the way, a reference to the rich culture to be found in the nearby old town of Hoi An, a UNESCO world heritage site. A small boat ferries guests between the two resorts on a complimentary basis, and it’s quite fun to observe the resort from a different perspective.

• The resort and its fabulous welcome pavilion make an overwhelming first impression upon arrival: after a drive of several km/mi on a purpose-built road that cuts through the base of the surrounding hills, you reach the resort’s lantern-lit gate that gives way to a majestic courtyard, where a magnificent banyan tree – the symbol of the ultraluxe Banyan Tree brand – takes center stage. From here, a covered bridge lined by pottery leads to another stylish courtyard built around a reflective water pond, where one finds the high-ceilinged reception area, the hotel bar, a boutique shop and several terraces looking out over the surroundings. A majestic staircase descends towards an enormous palace-style door that gives direct access to the resort’s rectangularly shaped pool, two restaurants, and the beach.

• The stunning architecture and design pays homage to the artistic heritage of past Vietnamese dynasties and the cultural richness of the region. Open courtyards, clay tiled pitched roofs, and wood rafter ceilings in both the communal areas and villa accommodations are inspired by traditional garden houses of the nearby imperial city of Hue. Throughout the property, latticework wall panels, massive wood doors, stone walls and enormous chandeliers are modelled after design elements and patterns that decorate Hue’s citadel walls. The earth-toned interiors of the resort continue the authentic Vietnamese aesthetic themes with Lotus motifs, Asian calligraphy, silk embroideries, accents of regal purple adorn fabrics, bamboo furnishings, colorful murals, and artisanal ceramics.

• The resort features 49 enormous pool villas, consisting of 32 one-bedroom lagoon pool villas that are set in lush private gardens and 17 one-bedroom beach pool villas that dot the shores of Canh Duong beach. During my holiday, I stayed in a one-bedroom beach pool villa, which was set in its own private and partly walled garden that offered some snippets of sea views through the foliage. The bedroom featured a king-sized bed draped in 1000-thread-count cotton sheets, a ‘hidden’ dark-wood desk behind the bed, and an enormous wall painting of lotus flowers. The bathroom was set in the back of the villa, with his and her sinks featuring Banyan Tree’s signature seaweed motif, a rain shower, and a standalone bathtub. Amenity kits with essentials for personal hygiene were provided. The villa’s highlight was the swimming pool in the garden with ample space for swimming, paddling or simply floating around; there was a jacuzzi in one end of the pool while the other end featured an elegant sala pavilion with daybed.

• On the rocky outcrop that overlooks the northern end of the beach, the resort offers several hillside residences – some of them not finished yet – which present an array of ownership opportunities. Taking inspiration from Vietnamese traditions and culture, these stylish one-, two- or three-bedroom villas feature private plunge pools, beautiful furnishings, and spacious sundecks. Because they are nestled on a hill at an altitude of 25 to 86 m (82 to 282 ft) above sea level, these villas enjoy phenomenal views of the beach, the mountains, the East Sea, and the beautiful sunrise.

• The wide range of dining options includes 4 restaurants within the Banyan Tree and a further 3 in the next door Angsana Resort, which can be charged back to your villa. Banyan Tree’s signature restaurant Saffron is not to be missed because of its crafted menu of traditional, mouth-watering Thai dishes cooked with a modern touch. Saffron takes the most of its hilltop position with its wraparound veranda that offers panoramic views of the bay. The resort’s second restaurant, Water Court, is located below the reception area and overlooks the pool area; it is a contemporary open-concept dining venue that serves Vietnamese and international cuisine. Then, there’s Azure, a beachfront, poolside restaurant that serves old-fashioned Italian recipes at lunch time. Finally, Thu Quan is the Banyan Tree’s authentic Vietnamese bar that not only offers an exciting atmosphere but also an exquisitely crafted all-day snack menu alongside an impressive tea selection.

• The extravagant breakfast buffet is served at the poolside Water Court restaurant, where several cooking stations around the open kitchen display an abundant spread of belt-loosening world-class fare (cheeses, sushi, pastries, cold meats, chilled fizz). There are also a large selection of yoghurts, Bircher muesli, fresh fruits, coffees, and teas.

• The Laguna Lang Co Golf Club, an 18-hole, par-71 championship course designed by Sir Nick Faldo, delivers a golfing experience that can be enjoyed by skilled and novice players alike. The club is vastly unique in the region and the distinction of the course lies in its variation. Starting in a rice-paddy environment, the course has been cleverly routed alongside woodlands at the base of a stunning mountain range, through sand and waste areas, to the oceanside and back to the clubhouse, with magnificent views of the whole exotic, bucolic landscape.

• As you would expect from a Banyan Tree resort, there is an award-winning world-class spa on site, with private treatment pavilions located alongside a tranquil lagoon. With remedies containing fresh, aromatic ingredients picked from the tropics such as prune, pandanus and butterfly peas, your senses will be reawakened under the gentle guiding touches of Banyan Tree Spa therapists, who have all been trained at the Banyan Tree Spa Academies in Phuket (Thailand) and Bintan (Indonesia).

• Although the paradisiacal resort grounds will make it very difficult to drag you out of the domain, there is plenty to do and explore in the surroundings should wanderlust hit. Within easy reach of three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the imperial city of Hue, the charming old town of Hoi An and My Son’s historical ruins – culture aficionados will be satiated. The world’s largest known cave passage, Hang Son Dong, is also nearby. Those with a bent for the physical will also find joy in a wide range activities, such as exploring Lang Co by mountain bike, ATV or guided trek.

• The hotel is managed by the Banyan Tree hotel group, one of the best global luxury hotel brands. The Banyan Tree hospitality company, which was established in 1994, has its roots in Singapore and provide naturally luxurious, ecologically sensitive, and culture-aware experiences for the discerning traveler. I have previously reviewed the equally superb Banyan Tree properties in the Seychelles (my favorite!), Koh Samui, Phuket, and the Riviera Maya.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Banyan Tree Lang Co is one of Asia’s most exclusive and grandest resorts, and the design, natural setting and beach will make a tremendous impression on even the most discerning traveler. Although it’s a great place to pamper and luxuriate all, it’s not perfect and here’s why:

• The resort is tucked away in what seems like the middle of nowhere, but, in a way, that is what makes it so unique – secluded, private, quiet and serene with its own amazing beach, great dining options, and exclusive facilities. Although the isolated location is part of the appeal for most guests, it’s important to emphasize that the resort is removed from almost everything, so you won’t find any restaurants, shops or night life within a half hour drive of the hotel.

• While the staff at the hotel is always friendly and will try all they can to make your stay as enjoyable as possible, service is not always very efficient and sometimes inconsistent. This is especially true at the pool area, where service was virtually non-existing during my stay although waiters were around. There are also some language barriers with some members of the staff. While I love the Banyan Tree brand, I have often found their service to be one of their few weak points or even Achilles’ heel if you want to call it that way: the service tries hard but just misses the mark and is definitely not in line with the exceptional service found at some of Banyan Tree’s direct competitors (such as Four Seasons and Six Senses).

• While the breakfast at Water Court was exceptionally good and Saffron offered some of the best Thai food I ever had, I felt the other dining options lacked a little ambience and served good but not mindblowingly excellent cuisine (something you would expect for the price tag). What I missed the most was the absence of an authentic Vietnamese eatery on site where one could sample the host country’s mouthwatering dishes in an intimate setting. That said, the  Banyan Tree offers two dining options outside of the resort grounds that cater to guests in search of an autentic culinary experience: set on top of floating docks, Viet Long Restaurant keeps its seafood fresh in the waters below within nets, while Bé Thân Restaurant is located in Lang Co Town and serves an extensive range of fresh seafood specialties.

• Construction of some of the hillside villas and residences – that are for sale – are not finished yet. The outside is complete but the inside is just a shell. While you won’t notice any of that while on the beach or when staying in a lagoon or beach villa, the unfinished villas may be a sight for soar eayes when staying in one of the hill pool villas nearby.

MY VERDICT

• Location: 8/10
• Design: 9/10
• Pool: 8/10
• Rooms: 9/10
• Food: 8/10
• Breakfast: 9/10
• Spa: 9/10
• Service: 9/10
• Value for money: 8/10
• Overall experience: exceptional: 9/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Save money: read my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like Banyan Tree Lang Co, whether it’s booking a room at the cheapest price or receiving complimentary VIP perks (e.g. upgrade, breakfast, resort credit, etc …).

• Save money: Banyan Tree guarantees that every reservation booked through its website will have the lowest room price (including all taxes and fees) publicly available on the internet. If you find a lower rate within 24 hours of making a booking, Banyan Tree will be happy to match the rate and give you an additional 10% discount on your stay. All you need to do is submit a claim form.

• Room tip: there’s not much difference in room layout, although the different room categories come with different views. For a room with a fabulous view, you need to book a hill pool villa which overlooks the ocean, beach and mountains. The lagoon rooms are located along a tranquil lagoon although not all of them offer complete privacy as you look across the lagoon into the villas of other guests. Beach pool villas are completely private and enjoy some vistas of the ocean in the distance through the dense foliage.

• If you booked a private airport transfer during daylight, make sure you ask your driver to take the Hai Van (sea cloud) Pass between Lang Co and Da Nang, which climbs to an elevation of 500 m (1600 ft) affording stupendous coastal panoramas.

• Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Typical for the tropical climate of Vietnam, Lang Co enjoys warm weather year round with a distinct rainy and dry season. The rainy season lasts quite long from September to January, and the constantly heavy showers may put a damper on your wonderful trip. In addition, there’s always a risk for typhoons and floods. On the other hand, the dry season lasts from February to August. The best time to visit the area is the first months of the dry season when the weather is mild and beautiful with moderate temperature, low humidity, and blue skies. If you enjoy sunbathing, I recommend to delay your trip to April or May. From June, temperatures start to soar, making it too hot for most tourists.

HOW TO GET THERE

Banyan Tree is located a 75 minute drive north from Da Nang, the largest city in central Vietnam and the most important gateway to access Central Vietnam. There are frequent direct flights to Da Nang Airport from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, as well as international arrivals from Beijing (Northern China), Kunming (Yunnan, South-west China, Shanghai (central China) Singapore, Pakse (Laos), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia),  and Seoul (Korea). Click here for a list of airlines that offer direct flights to Da Nang. It’s also possible to get to Da Nang by train from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

A complimentary shuttle from/to the airport is available for all hotel guests. Alternatively, guests may opt for a private car transfer from $75 USD. WiFi is available onboard both transport options. Reservations must be made through the hotel 24 hours in advance.

*** Follow me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

The post Review: Banyan Tree Lang Co Resort (Vietnam) appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

Last spring, I enjoyed a great holiday in Vietnam, where some resorts far exceeded my sky-high expectations (and rank among the best hotels I have ever stayed at). You can read my trip reports here:

• Review: Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class Düsseldorf to Singapore
• Review: Singapore Airlines A330 Business Class Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City
• Review: The Reverie Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
• Review: Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa
• Review: Vietnam Airlines ATR-72 from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao
• Review: Six Senses Con Dao
• Review: Evason Ana Mandara, Nha Trang
• Review: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
• Review: Amanoi, most exclusive hotel in Vietnam
• Review: Avani Quy Nhon Resort & Spa
• Review: Anantara Hoi An Resort 
• Review: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An (today)
• Review: Banyan Tree Lang Co
• Review: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
• Review: Cathay Pacific A350 Business Class Hong Kong to Düsseldorf

Today (September 20, 2017): Review of Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai (Hoi An, Vietnam).

• Location: Google Maps
• Address: Block Ha My Dong B, Điện Bàn, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
• Hotel website: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai
• Tip: enjoy complimentary VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso

Embellishing heritage with Four Seasons flair, Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai is a harmonious ode to coast, culture and community in Vietnam’s UNESCO-strewn centre. Along a seemingly infinite stretch of sand – hailed by Forbes as one of the best beaches in the world – a strand of sophisticated, visually striking villas lines the dramatic beachfront. Inspired by 2,500 years of history, The Nam Hai’s architecture and interior design present a dramatic play on wind and water inspired by ancient feng shui philosophy and the grandeur of the Tu Duc royal tombs of Hue. All of the 100 private retreats are elegantly finished with Vietnamese lacquer and diaphanous silk, reflecting the soul of Vietnam’s cultural heartland and illuminating the spirit of all who visit. The resort’s central area wraps around three tiers of infinity swimming pools – one of the most stunning hotel pool areas in the world.

Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai features in my top 10 lists of the best luxury hotels in the world, the best luxury hotels in Vietnam, and my favorite Four Seasons hotels & resorts in the world.

In this review (more info below my slideshow):

• Pros & things I like
• Cons & things to know
• My verdict
• Tips for future guests & save money
• Best time to visit
• How to get there
• Photos

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai is Central Vietnam’s premier resort, combining spectacular beachfront living with the true spirit of Indochina. The sophisticated resort enjoys a convenient location 30 km (18 mi) south of the international airport of Da Nang (which is Vietnam’s third city) and 11 km (6 mi) north of the charming old town of Hoi An, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. One of Vietnam’s most famous attractions, the ancient imperial city of Hue and its citadel – a must visit – is a 2 hour drive away. The resort’s extensive, 35-hectare grounds are a zen-world away from the urban area that surrounds them, as they are discreetly tucked away behind a quiet section of Vietnam’s most (in)famous sand – China Beach – where US troops landed during the 70s ferocious war.

• Upon arrival, mind-boggling first impressions of the world-famous resort are quickly established as you ascend the few steps towards the open-sided reception pavilion, which offers a great view of the resort and its myriad of majestic staircases and enormous pools that stretch for more than 0,5 km (0,3 mi) towards the beach at the horizon. From here, you’ll also be struck by the resort’s massive size, although its layout is quite simple once you know your way. A U-shaped complex of pavilions that embraces the central reception area and a water pond houses a stylish indoor lobby (with work stations and a library), a meeting room (which boasts a cosy setting for social events), and the resort’s main dining venue – Café Nam Hai – with its rooftop bar. Below these pavilions, you find the magnificent, beachfront pool complex with a second dining venue – La Sen – on the side, while the resort’s 100 accommodations are set in five beachfront, horseshoe-shaped sandy inlets – three on one side of the main reception and two on the other side. The gym and the stunning spa are located in separate facilities close to the lobby.

• The astonishing sleek decor – which will leave you speechless the moment you enter the resort – is the epitome of designer chic and the result of a collaboration between three industry-leading figures: the hotel’s founder Adrian Zecha (who is better known as the hotelier behind Aman, the world’s most exclusive hotel brand), French architect Reda Amalou, and Indonesian interior designer Jaya Ibrahim. The clean and minimalist lines of dark granite, grey stone stairs, white walls and wooden floors contrast sharply with the garden’s lush greenery and the cobalt-blue of the East Sea, turning the resort’s look into a fest for the eyes. When Four Seasons took over the resort in 2017, the Four Seasons style was deftly applied by adding a subtle touch of vibrancy with the brand’s signature blue colour.

• Although the resort features a contemporary decor as described above, the design also celebrates traditional Vietnamese temple architecture, discernible by split-level rooms and raised platforms in the gardens which serve different functions throughout the day. Pagoda-style roofs, palm-trees decorated with handmade lanterns, and enormous reflective water ponds pay homage to thousands years of Vietnamese history and culture. The resort’s contemporary interpretation of Vietnam’s authentic traditions also recreates an impressive ambience that is somewhat reminiscent of the royal grandeur of the country’s elegant palaces to be found at the nearby imperial city of Hue.

• The resort’s three massive swimming pools cascade down three levels from the open-air reception to the beach, and form the most spectacular pool area I have ever seen at any resort in the world. Flanked by loungers, palm trees, water features and manicured gardens, each pool has an infinity edge that beautifully merges with the East Sea beyond. The uppermost family pool is comfortably heated year-round, making it ideal for little ones. One level below, somewhat out of sight, is a long narrow lap pool, which is open to guests over 16 years of age. Also geared towards adults, the lowermost olympic-sized pool is surrounded by a sleek line of lush palm trees, representing a vast haven for rest and relaxation, just a few steps up from the beach.

• The resort’s 100 sumptuously appointed, stand-alone villas – 60 of them with private pools – are all thoughtfully positioned to optimize ocean views and phong thuy (feng shui) principles. The villas are located in clusters of coconut groves on each side of the lobby and range from one-bedroom villas to five-bedroom luxury compounds. During my holiday, I stayed in a one-bedroom villa, which is the lowest room category. The spacious room featured a unique layout with a raised central platform wrapped in gossamer netting complete with a padded divan, king-sized bed, sunk desk area and a bedside bath with a lacquered eggshell cover. The sleek decor was enriched by traditional Vietnamese elements, such as vaulted ceilings with sections of bamboo and lattice paneling. At the back, there was an expansive open-plan bathroom with two sinks, an indoor rain shower, and a romantic enclosed garden with another rain shower. Towards the front, the villa opened to a small private garden with direct access to the beach cove.

• Selected items in the room’s minibar (e.g soft drinks and beers) are offered on a daily complimentary basis: 2 Coco Cola’s, 1 Diet Coke, 1 Sprite, 1 tonic water, 1 soda water, 4 still waters, 2 Hanoi Premium beers, and 2 Saigon Special beers. Minibars are daily replenished.

• The resort features two outstanding restaurants: Café Nam Hai and La Sen. Cafe Nam Hai is located near the lobby and pairs refined Asian design with contemporary fine dining with a focus on Indian food and innovative Asian fusion cuisine. Interspersed with carved wooden screens, tables are spaced inside around the buzzing open kitchen and outside on a shaded wooden deck. The other dining venue, lantern-lit La Sen, is next to the olympic pool and offers snacks during the day – such as stone-baked pizzas, local fishermen’s catch and Vietnamese comfort foods, including banana flower salad with smoked duck – while it offers authentic Vietnamese cuisine at night with traditional musicians enhancing the serene setting. I highly recommend the ‘cao lau Hoi An’, a delicious steaming rice noodle soup with chillies and succulent pork.

• The breakfast buffet is displayed around Café Nam Hai’s open kitchen and bursts with Western and Asian items, complemented by a full à la carte selection. The buffet is truly spectacular with tons of fresh fruit, fragrant Vietnamese broths, cheese, cold meats, yoghurts, freshly-baked breads, and an assortment of Danish pastries. During high occupancy, an additional breakfast buffet is set up at La Sen restaurant’s open kitchen, so the restaurants never feel very crowded.

• The resort has direct access to China Beach, a marvelous stretch of gold sand, described by Forbes as one of the ‘best beaches in the world’. The beautiful sweep of fine sand runs all the way up north to the city of Da Nang, located 30 km (18 mi) further away. Its name was introduced by the Americans during the war, when soldiers would be sent here for some relaxation from bases all over the country. The Vietnamese call sections of the beach by different names though, and the beach in front of the hotel is called Ha My Beach. Although the beach is public, it feels very private and exclusive. Several loungers are placed under umbrellas close to the shore and a beach bar – where one can lounge in a hanging chair or doze on a daybed beneath soaring palms – brings a chilled-chic vibe to the sands of Ha My Beach.

• In a beautiful setting perched over a lotus pond, The Heart of the Earth Spa is a haven of calm, connection and compassion. Inspired by renowned Vietnamese Zen master, scholar and peacemaker Thich Nhat Hanh, the Spa centres on the awareness that we are not separate from the Earth but at one with her, and that by aligning with nature’s rhythms, we can improve harmony within ourselves and between humanity and the planet. The spa treatments are offered in the privacy of eight lake-side villas, each one of them coming with an overwater relaxation pavilion. The therapists make use of crystal singing bowls tuned to 432 Hz – the harmonic intonation of nature – and focus on simple breathing techniques to attune body and mind to the Earth’s heartbeat.

• The service is top-notch and extremely efficient, as you would expect from one of the world’s most exclusive hotel brands. As with all Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts worldwide, the staff knows your name from day one. They will go out of their way to please you and nothing is too much trouble.

• To keep kids entertained, the resort offer a selection of games and books in the complimentary kids club, located on site.

• The resort features a sunlit health club, which includes all the latest cardio and strength-training machines plus free weights. A steam room, sauna and ladies’ and gentlemen’s changing rooms are also available.

• Once a fishing village – with a historic temple preserved on site – the resort presents an authentic connection to the region through inspiring on-site activities, from a cooking academy and tennis lessons to exhilarating water sports and cultural excursions. The range of motorized watersports on offer is especially impressive, with the X-jet blades being a highlight for many guests.  With these revolutionary under-foot jetboards, you transform into a superhero by ‘flying’ above the water and progressing to all sorts of aerial acrobatics.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

The Four Seasons The Nam Hai is without any doubt one of the most exclusive beach resorts in Vietnam. The ultra-stylish design, phenomenal pool area, residential villas, exquisite fine dining options, and wide range of land and water activities will make every stay here a truly memorable event. It would be hard to find any faults with this resort, but you may want to know the following nonetheless when considering a stay here:

• The resort’s magnificent lush gardens contrast sharply with its rather unappealing urban surroundings, although you probably will never notice that since the chances are very high you will never leave the resort boundaries. There is really nothing of interest (e.g. shopping, restaurants) around the resort within walking distance. That said, the good news is that the resort offers four daily complimentary shuttles to Hoi An, where history buffs, art lovers or shopaholics will find nirvana on every lantern-lit street corner.

• This is a massive resort, not only by the scale of the resort grounds, but also by the number of accommodations. While it never feels very crowded (since the domain is so expansive with many guests choosing to lounge at their private pool), the resort somewhat lacks an intimate ambience which is so typical of smaller Four Seasons hotels or Aman resorts, such as Amanoi, which is located in southern Vietnam near Nha Trang.

• Food at the resort as well as spa treatments and activities are expensive and priced according to the ultra-chic standard and legendary fame of the resort, which may come as shock for Vietnam (but you should know that going in). Cheaper eateries and massages are available in nearby Hoi An, which offers a great selection of restaurants and spa salons to suit all budgets and tastes.

• There are few steps in the dimly-lit villas, which may represent a hidden danger that I experienced myself (I fell, albeit without any grave consequences). It makes the villas not ideal for people who have difficulties with stairs, although the resorts grounds themselves are very accessible with plenty of buggies and bicycles to get around.

MY VERDICT

• Location: 8/10
• Design: 10/10
• Pool: 10/10 (I would rate the pools an 11 if I could)
• Rooms: 10/10
• Food: 10/10
• Breakfast: 9/10
• Spa: 10/10
• Service: 10/10
• Value for money: 9/10
• Overall experience: exceptional: 9,5/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Save money: read my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like The Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, whether it’s booking a room at the cheapest price or receiving complimentary VIP perks (e.g. upgrade, breakfast, resort credit, etc …).

• Save money: enjoy complimentary VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (upgrade on arrival, daily continental breakfast, $100 USD resort credit, early check-in and late check-out).

• Save money: Four Seasons guarantees that every reservation booked through its websites will have the lowest room price (including all taxes and fees) publicly available on the internet. If you find a lower rate within 24 hours of making a booking, Four Seasons will be happy to match the rate. All you need to do is submit a claim form.

• Room tip: all villas are excellent it’s worth splurging on a villa that features its own pool and direct access to Ha My Beach, since the lower room categories don’t come with a pool and only offer access to an artificial sandy cove.

• Vietnam travel guide: get the most out of your (luxury) trip to Vietnam with my online travel guide.

• Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Typical for the tropical climate of Vietnam, Hoi An enjoys warm weather year round with a distinct rainy and dry season. The rainy season in Hoi An lasts quite long from September to January, and the constantly heavy showers may put a damper on your wonderful trip. In addition, there’s always a risk for typhoons and floods. On the other hand, the dry season lasts from February to August. The best time to visit the area is the first months of the dry season when the weather is mild and beautiful with moderate temperature, low humidity, and blue skies. If you enjoy sunbathing in tropical temperatures on the resort’s famous beach, I recommend to delay your trip to April or May. From June, temperatures start to soar, making it too hot for most tourists.

HOW TO GET THERE

Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai is located a 30 minute drive south from Da Nang, the largest city in central Vietnam and the most important gateway to access Central Vietnam. There are frequent direct flights to Da Nang Airport from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, as well as international arrivals from Beijing (Northern China), Kunming (Yunnan, South-west China, Shanghai (central China) Singapore, Pakse (Laos), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia),  and Seoul (Korea). Click here for a list of airlines that offer direct flights to Da Nang. It’s also possible to get to Da Nang by train from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

*** Follow me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

The post Review: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai (Vietnam) appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

Last spring, I enjoyed a great holiday in Vietnam, where some resorts far exceeded my sky-high expectations (and rank among the best hotels I have ever stayed at). You can read my trip reports here:

• Review: Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class Düsseldorf to Singapore
• Review: Singapore Airlines A330 Business Class Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City
• Review: The Reverie Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
• Review: Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa
• Review: Vietnam Airlines ATR-72 from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao
• Review: Six Senses Con Dao
• Review: Evason Ana Mandara, Nha Trang
• Review: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
• Review: Amanoi, most exclusive hotel in Vietnam
• Review: Avani Quy Nhon Resort & Spa
• Review: Anantara Hoi An Resort (today)
• Review: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An
• Review: Banyan Tree Lang Co
• Review: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
• Review: Cathay Pacific A350 Business Class Hong Kong to Düsseldorf

Today (September 6, 2017): Review of Anatara Hoi An (Vietnam).

• Location: Google Maps
• Address: 1 Pham Hong Thai Street,, Hoi An City, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
• Hotel website: Anantara Hoi An

Scenically positioned on the banks of the Thu Bon River, Anantara Hoi An Resort is a charming boutique retreat in the historic Vietnamese port town of Hoi An, a UNESCO world heritage site since 1999. Designed with French, Dutch, Chinese and Japanese influences that reveal Hoi An’s fascinating cultural diversity, split level rooms and suites open onto porches with comfortable daybeds, overlooking the river or a garden courtyard. When not exploring the old city, Anantara’s guests can delve into Vietnamese culture with language, lantern making and cookery classes, or simply laze by the pool.

In this review (more info below my slideshow & Youtube clip):

• Pros & things I like
• Cons & things to know
• My verdict
• Tips for future guests & save money
• Best time to visit
• How to get there
• Photos

*** Get the most out of your (luxury) trip to Vietnam with my online Vietnam travel guide ***

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• Situated on the banks of the Thu Bon River, Anantara Hoi An Resort is just a 10 minutes stroll or a 5 minute bicycle ride from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An, wich represents an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its decline in the later 19th century ensured that Hoi An has retained its traditional urban character to a remarkable degree. The town reflects a fusion of indigenous and foreign cultures (principally Chinese and Japanese with later European influences) and comprises a well-preserved complex of more than thousand timber frame buildings, with brick or wooden walls. At night, the central streets are beautifully lit by quaint, hand-made and old-fashioned lanterns, making it an atmospheric and beautiful spot.

• If you want to broaden your cultural horizon, the hotel is also ideally located to explore two other UNESCO World Heritage sites in the area. The My Son UNESCO World Heritage Site – often dubbed Vietnam’s Angkor Wat – is one of the foremost Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia, and only a one hour (47 km or 30 mi) drive from the resort. The other UNESCO site, the Imperial City of Hue with its famous citadel, served as the capital of Vietnam until 1945 under the Nguyen Dynasty, the last royal dynasty of Vietnamese history, and is located a 2 hour (130 km or 80 mi) drive from the resort. The hotel organizes excursions to both sites.

• With ornate balustrades, terra-cotta tile roofs, and high curved ceilings, Anantara Hoi An resembles a grand French colonial-style mansion, making this boutique hotel the most stylish place to stay in the vicinity of Hoi An’s old town. Although the charming architecture may look old and authentic, the hotel was built less than 20 years ago. The contemporary, airy and elegant interiors are fused with local Vietnamese design elements and feature graceful French, Dutch, Chinese and Japanese influences, reflecting Hoi An’s fascinating cultural diversity.

• The resort features a compact layout, with the rooms and suites spread across two L-shaped buildings that are set among lush tropical gardens besides the river. From the arrival pavilion – where the luggage is collected and tagged before being delivered to the room at check-in – it’s a short walk through a pleasantly green courtyard to the open-sided, colonial-style lobby, which has a small boutique shop on the side. Across the courtyard from the lobby, you find two restaurants and the spa (more on that below). The swimming pool is located in its own river-side courtyard (although the pool area was under renovation during my stay and closed off from the rest of the resort). A public promenade runs between the resort grounds and the river.

• All 93 rooms and suites enjoy either garden or river views. During my vacation, I stayed in a ground-floor Junior Garden Suite. On the outside, the room featured an attractive al fresco porch area, which was a great place to relax and enjoy the tranquil garden scenery after a day of sightseeing in Hoi An. The split level suite had a lower level with a sofa and a work desk, and an upper level with two twin beds (although you can also book this room type with a queen bed configuration). The mid-room balustrade, shuttered windows, and ceiling fan lend the suite a colonial flair. The neutral colour palette of white walls and sandstone floor was given a touch of vibrancy with orange cushions and lampshades. The small but functional bathroom was laid out in mosaic tiling and featured a shower, one sink and a toilet.

• The resort has two restaurants, which are located opposite the lobby in one of the colonial-style wings. Hoi An Riverside Restaurant is open for lunch (light snacks) and dinner (delicious Western and Asian cuisine), and features a gorgeous art deco inspired interior reminiscent of a Parisian brasserie; the dining venue also has a lovely terrace overlooking the river, where outdoor tables are shaded by leafy trees and cooled by a gentle breeze. Lanterns Restaurant is located on the first floor above Hoi An Riverside Restaurant and is only open for breakfast, which is served as a grandiose buffet with live cooking stations.

• Located in the vibrant street side courtyard of Anantara Hoi An Resort, O’malleys is the only Irish style pub in Hoi An town, serving a range of cold beer selections including Guinness, with pool tables, foosball, dart boards and big screens televising international sports. O’melleys also serves light fare such as hamburgers, poached prawns, braised pork belly, pork ribs, chicken wings, triple cooked chips, and onion rings.

• When you’ve had enough exploration, you can always retire to the resort’s private spa, which is one of the best spas in town. It offers a range of nourishing scrubs and wraps, heavenly massages and rejuvenating facials. The intimate and cozy facility, which is tucked away in a tranquil corner of the resort near the restaurants, features four treatment rooms, each with a private bath, and also one couple’s treatment room. Manicure and pedicure treatments are provided in a garden cabana overlooking the Thu Bon River.

• Complimentary bikes are provided to guests for the duration of their stay. These can be used to go on excursions or to travel to the nearby beaches of Cua Dai and An Bang (5 km or 3 mi away).

• The hotel management and resort staff are absolutely charming and very friendly. Every one I met was smiling and seemed to go the extra mile. IMHO, it is the staff that turns a stay at Anantara Hoi An into a memorable event.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Anantara Hoi An is by far the best and most stylish place to stay in the old town of Hoi An, a place that almost certainly will end up on your Vietnam itinerary since its one of the country’s top tourist attractions. Nevertheless, it’s important to set your expectations right and you need to know the following when considering a stay here:

• Although Hoi An’s beaches can be easily reached by bicycle or boat from Anantara’s private jetty, the hotel does not offer the same vibe as a beach resort. It is a boutique resort in the center of a city, although its riverside setting offers peaceful surroundings. If you are in need of sun kissed sands, I recommend to stay in one of the area’s ultraluxe beach resorts and visit the town of Hoi An on a tour. However, when you’re a history buff, art lover or shopaholic, you will find nirvana on every lantern-lit street corner in Hoi An and you’re better off staying at Anantara resort which has the old town at its doorstep. Or you can do like me, and stay one night at the Anantara resort to explore the old town, and then move to the coast for a few days of pure relaxation.

• The pool area – located in its own courtyard – was under renovation during my stay, and guests that were in need of a dip were provided access to a pool of a resort nearby. However, by the time you read this review, the pool area has reopened and it looks a genuinely sophisticated place on photo. There’s also some construction going on behind the pool area on a neighbouring property, which can cause some noise disturbance during the day, although this is beyond the control of the hotel.

• Ananantara Hoi An is a 5-star hotel, but unfortunately, the hotel does not really compare to the ultraluxe resorts in the wider Hoi An area, such as the astonishing Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai (Hoi An), the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort (Da Nang), and Banyan Tree Lang Co Resort. Although the Anantara Hoi An Resort lacks the extravagant facilities of these sublime beach-front hotels, it tries to make up for that with its convenient old town location, boutique atmosphere, colonial style, and superb staff.

• The culture and heritage that the UNESCO World Heritage Site status for Hoi An Ancient Town was trying to preserve has long since gone. Its UNESCO status put Hoi An on the travel map, causing a massive influx in tourists, with the result that most houses in the old town have been sold by the community to speculators and shop owners to be used for commercial purposes. The former community, and with it their culture and heritage, has gone and in their place are endless tailors shops, restaurants, and art galleries. That said, although Hoi An lost a lot of its authenticity over the past decade, the town still retains some of its former, grandiose and mystical allure.

• River proximity means that the clatter of passing boats may cause some noise annoyance at night and in the early morning, disturbing light sleepers.

MY VERDICT

• Location: 8/10
• Design: 7/10
• Pool: not applicable (under renovation during my stay)
• Rooms: 7/10
• Food: 8/10
• Breakfast: 8/10
• Spa: 7/10
• Service: 9/10
• Value for money: 8/10
• Overall experience: good: 7,8/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Save money: read my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like Anantara Hoi An, whether it’s booking a room at the cheapest price or receiving complimentary VIP perks (e.g. upgrade, breakfast, resort credit, etc …).

• Save money: Anantara Hoi An guarantees that every reservation booked through its websites will have the lowest room price (including all taxes and fees) publicly available on the internet. If you find a lower rate within 24 hours of making a booking, the resort will be happy to match the rate and give you an additional 10% discount on your stay. All you need to do is submit a claim form.

• Room tip: Light sleepers should request a room away from the river and street side to avoid occasional noise disturbance.

• Vietnam travel guide: get the most out of your (luxury) trip to Vietnam with my online travel guide.

• Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Typical for the tropical climate of Vietnam, Hoi An enjoys warm weather year round with a distinct rainy and dry season. The rainy season in Hoi An lasts quite long from September to January, and the constantly heavy showers may put a damper on your wonderful trip. In addition, there’s always a risk for typhoons and floods. On the other hand, the dry season lasts from February to August. The best time to visit the town is the first months of the dry season when the weather is mild and beautiful with moderate temperature, low humidity, and blue skies. If you enjoy sunbathing on famous beaches near Hoi An like Cua Dai Beach or An Bang Beach, I recommend to delay your trip to April or May. From June, temperatures start to soar, making it too hot for most tourists.

HOW TO GET THERE

Hoi An is located a 30 minute drive south from Da Nang, the largest city in central Vietnam and the most important gateway to access Central Vietnam. There are frequent direct flights to Da Nang Airport from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, as well as international arrivals from Beijing (Northern China), Kunming (Yunnan, South-west China, Shanghai (central China) Singapore, Pakse (Laos), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia),  and Seoul (Korea). Click here for a list of airlines that offer direct flights to Da Nang. It’s also possible to get to Da Nang by train from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

*** Follow me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

The post Review: Anantara Hoi An Resort (Vietnam) appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

A couple of weeks ago, I enjoyed a great holiday in Vietnam, where some resorts far exceeded my sky-high expectations (and rank among the best hotels I have ever stayed at). You can read my trip reports here:

• Review: Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class Düsseldorf to Singapore
• Review: Singapore Airlines A330 Business Class Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City
• Review: The Reverie Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
• Review: Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa
• Review: Vietnam Airlines ATR-72 from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao
• Review: Six Senses Con Dao
• Review: Evason Ana Mandara, Nha Trang
• Review: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
• Review: Amanoi, most exclusive resort in Vietnam
• Review: Avani Quy Nhon Resort & Spa (today)
• Review: Anantara Hoi An Resort
• Review: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An
• Review: Banyan Tree Lang Co
• Review: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
• Review: Cathay Pacific A350 Business Class Hong Kong to Düsseldorf

Today (August 30, 2017): Review of Avani Quy Nhon Resort & Spa (Vietnam).

• Location: Google Maps
• Address: Ghenh Rang, Bai Dai Beach, Tp. Qui Nhơn, Bình Định, Vietnam
• Hotel website: Avani Quy Nhon

Sheltered by a golden beach and soaring cliffs, Avani Quy Nhon Resort & Spa, located along Vietnam’s south central coastline, offers a tropical beach and spa retreat generous in spirit and beauty. Upon arrival, guests have a seamless view of the deep blue ocean. Colorful, wooden fishing boats anchored in the bay add to the exotic ambience. This is pure Vietnam – unpretentious and alluring. The spacious comfort of each of the 63 Avani Deluxe Studio Rooms and Avani Junior Ocean Suites comes with muted shades of mint and white with splashes of aubergine that offer a soothing palette and contemporary comforts. Apart from visits to the 11th century Champa ruins, divine spa treatments, and long siesta’s, there is little else to do other than stroll and swim.

Avani Quy Nhon Resort & Spa features in my top 10 list of the best luxury hotels in Vietnam.

In this review (more info below my Youtube clip & slideshow):

• Pros & things I like
• Cons & things to know
• My verdict
• Tips for future guests & save money
• Best time to visit
• How to get there
• Photos

*** Get the most out of your (luxury) trip to Vietnam with my online Vietnam travel guide ***

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• Avani Quy Nhon enjoys a somewhat off-the-beaten-path location just outside the town of Quy Nhon on Vietnam’s south-central coast. Still untouched by mass tourism, Quy Nhon is a pleasant, lively and very clean city, featuring grand boulevards and a lovely seaside promenade. Although largely ignored by most first-time visitors to Vietnam, Quy Nhon enjoys a great and convenient location when you are touring the whole country, since the town is located halfway between the popular resorts towns of Nha Trang and Hoi An, making the area a great place for a one- or two night stay to break up the otherwise nine-hour over-land journey between these two towns.

• The resort enjoys an idyllic setting, nestled between a pristine beach and orchard covered mountains. The hotel buildings are located on a rocky promontory overlooking a wide and very picturesque gold-sand beach, which is the most stunning beach in the vicinity of Quy Nohn, an area not particularly known for the beauty of its shoreline. Although the beach itself is not private, it’s somewhat sheltered from the outside world since the beach is located in its own cove and surrounded by large boulders, so you won’t encounter a lot of locals or tourists here. A couple of very comfortable loungers on the beach are reserved for hotel guests only.

• Avani Quy Nhon is an intimate boutique resort, featuring a simple but convenient layout due to its small scale. The L-shaped main building houses the lobby, a sitting lounge, a fancy bar, and the main restaurant. Below the lobby, you find a well-equipped gym as well as a play room, which is the place to hang out for teenagers who want to brush up on their ping-pong and snooker skills, or play PS4 game consoles with friends. The lobby building embraces a lovely courtyard with reflecting water pond, that gives way to a timber pool deck overlooking the sea and beach. Only a short stroll from the lobby, the accommodations are located in three low-rise wings set along the beach. The spa (cf below) is set back in the forest behind the resort.

• The resort’s decor underwent an extensive overhaul in 2015, so everything looks fresh and new. The arrival lobby, restaurant and bar, and all guest rooms and suites were all refurbished to meet the Avani brand’s contemporary image. New walkways and decking were installed all around the resort and the pool. The high-ceilinged and open-space lobby is especially beautiful because of its rather sleek design, making a dramatic first impression when you arrive at the resort, an experience enhanced by the views of the reflecting water pond, the vast infinity pool, and the shimmering ocean at the horizon.

• The resort features 63 Deluxe Studio Rooms & Junior Ocean Suites, with all accommodations enjoying views of the ocean and beach. The Deluxe Studio Rooms are located on levels 2 and 3 of the accommodation wings, while the Junior Ocean Suites are located on the ground floor. During my holiday, I stayed in a  Junior Ocean Suite. Simple but functional in design, the room featured a queen size bed, a separate sitting lounge, and a balcony with a hanging basket seat, perfect for soaking in the views. The bed, albeit small in size, was perfectly positioned to watch the sun rise over the South China Sea each morning. The open-plan bathroom could be closed off from the bedroom with a curtain and featured 2 sinks, a toilet, and a rain shower with an oversized glass bay window overlooking the beach and sea.

• The resort’s only swimming pool is an oval-shaped, fresh water pool, positioned on the edge of the promontory. Although it fools yourself into thinking it’s an infinity pool, it’s not a true infinity pool since there’s still a deck with dining tables behind the pool. Nevertheless, the impeccably clean pool enjoys stunning vistas of the ocean and the beach below. A dozen loungers with soft cushions are set up along the pool, some of them shaded by overhanging vegetation, and there’s a separate kids pool on the side.

• The treehouse-esque spa is nestled on the forested slopes of the hills behind the beach. Flowering trees and greenery abound, guests walk along a stone path towards the spa’s reception although the hotel staff can also drop you there by buggy. The spa boasts five outdoor treatment bungalows and three indoor treatment suites set amid the lush gardens. The spa also has a Japanese dry sand and salt sauna, and holds yoga and tai chi sessions on its deck.

• Dining at the resort is always a satisfying pleasure. Overlooking the ocean, Tre restaurant is the resort’s only dining venue. The space was completely redesigned during the resort’s refurbishment in 2015 and upgraded with brand new features, furniture, lighting and kitchen facilities. The indoor space flows into a lovely outdoor terrace with some dining tables from where to enjoy al fresco dining accompanied by terrific ocean views. The restaurant serves both asian and western cuisine. In the morning, breakfast is served here as well, either in the form of a small buffet complemented by an a la carte menu (in case of low occupancy) or a large buffet with live cooking stations.

• The resort offers a host of leisure activities and excursions including Vietnamese cooking classes, sea kayaking and deep-sea fishing. Guests can also enjoy a tailor-made picnic lunch with a leisurely stroll, swim or spot of snorkelling at the resort’s private island, only a 10-minute journey away via a traditional coracle boat. 

• The Avani brand is part of the Minor Hotel Group, which also manages the more famous and luxurious Anantara brand. The Minor Hotel Group was founded by US born William Heinecke, who entered the hospitality industry as a minor, hence explaining the name of his company. The Bangkok-based company currently has more than 140 hotels, resorts and serviced suites in 22 countries across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, South America, African, and the Indian Ocean. The Minor Hotel Group is one of the largest hospitality and leisure companies in the Asia-Pacific region.

• Avani Quy Nhon is currently the best resort in Quy Nhon and surroundings, although that may change when its brand-new Anantara sister resort – Anantara Quy Nhon – opens next door in 2018. Besides its two properties in Quy Nhon, the Minor Hotel group also manages 3 other hotels in Vietnam: Anantara Mui Ne, Anantara Hoi An (which I will review next week), and Avani Hai Phong.

• The Avani brand focuses on a younger public, offering a stylish and modern resort experience at budget-friendly rates. It’s not different at Avani Quy Nhon, which is one of the most affordable luxury properties in Vietnam. With room rates often under $200 USD per night, the resort offers great value for money.

• Peppering the hillsides and valleys around the city of Quy Nhon in central Vietnam are venerable relics of the lost Champa civilisation that dominated the country’s centre and south between the 2nd and 15th centuries. Despite the towers’ status of an architectural marvel, the temples’ remoteness means that travellers venturing further afield to explore them are likely to have the spectacular sites all to themselves. Guests staying at the Avani Quy Nhon resort can take advantage of a full-day Champa tour conducted by a local travel guide, either perched on the back of a motorbike in true Vietnamese style or in the comfort of an air-conditioned car.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Avani Quy Nhon is a great five-star hotel, perfect for spending a few days chilling along the pool or on the beach, especially when you want to break up the long journey between Nha Trang and Hoi An or when you want to explore a lesser know corner of Vietnam. However, the resort may not appeal to everyone and you need to know the following before considering a stay here:

• While the resort is undeniably five stars, it’s not as exclusive and luxurious as most other properties I have previously reviewed on my blog, including the best resorts in Vietnam. That said, the resort does not pretend to be among Vietnam’s elite resorts and it only charges a fraction of the price that you will pay for Vietnam’s top-end properties. The price you pay for one night in Amanoi could get you one week in the Avani resort.

• While enjoying an off-the-beaten-path location in Vietnam, the hotel does not offer a remote experience. A busy coastal road runs behind the property (causing some traffic noise that can be heard inside the spa, which is located closest to the road), and there are hundreds of fishing boats present in the bay in front of the hotel, although this adds to the charm of the location. More troublesome is that two tall antennas are clearly visible at the horizon, indicating that you are close to a city although the city itself is out of sight.

• During my visit, a dozen loungers were set up along the pool and another dozen on the beach. I assume that there may be not enough loungers to accommodate all guests when the resort operates at full occupancy, although it may be that the staff had stored most loungers during my visit, since I stayed during the low season when only few other guests were present at the hotel.

• The spa offers terrific, reasonably priced treatments. But although I enjoyed the massage, I kind of felt exposed and not at ease since the open-sided treatment room was located close to and in plain view of guests  and staff members present in the spa’s reception area and/or walking on the paths around the spa.

MY VERDICT

• Location: 8/10
• Design: 8/10
• Pool: 7/10
• Rooms: 7/10
• Food: 8/10
• Breakfast: 8/10
• Spa: 9/10
• Service: 10/10
• Value for money: /10
• Overall experience: very good: 8/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Save money: read my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like Avani Quy Nhon, whether it’s booking a room at the cheapest price or receiving complimentary VIP perks (e.g. upgrade, breakfast, resort credit, etc …).

• Save money: Avani Quy Nhon guarantees that every reservation booked through the Minor Group hotel website will have the lowest room price (including all taxes and fees) publicly available on the internet. If you find a lower rate within 24 hours of making a booking, the resort will be happy to match the rate and give you an additional 10% discount on your stay. All you need to do is submit a claim form.

• Room tips: all the rooms have beautiful ocean views, but the rooms on the highest (3rd) floor have the best vistas and come with high ceilings. Those on the ground floor come with more space (suites) and have a balcony. Views from some rooms, however, are blocked by coconut trees.

• Vietnam travel guide: get the most out of your (luxury) trip to Vietnam with my online travel guide.

• Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Central Vietnam, where Avani Quy Nhon is located, experiences a weather pattern that is influenced by both the North and the South. The wet season starts in September and continues through January, after which the dry, sunny weather returns. Quy Nhon is surrounded by green mountains though on three sides and the ocean on the fourth, which protect the area from the effects of the worst typhoons that batter the coast further north in the rainy season.

For more information on the best time to visit Vietnam, visit my Vietnam travel guide.

HOW TO GET THERE

Quy Nhon Airport, or Phu Cat Airport as it is known locally, is a 50-minute drive from the resort, and operates daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Click here for a list of airlines that have direct flights to Quy Nhon Airport. You can also catch daily trains from Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, or take the regular bus service from Nha Trang. The hotel can arrange pick-up service:

• Airport Resort Transfer USD 65++ one way for up to 5 guests with luggage in luxury van
• Train Station Transfer USD 65++ one way for up to 5 guests with luggage in luxury van

Transfer price above is inclusive of WiFi, mineral water and light snacks. Booking this transportation easy – just e-mail the hotel on quynhon@avanihotels.com or call +84 56 384 0132, preferably at least 24 hours before you arrive.

*** Follow me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

The post Review: Avani Quy Nhon Resort & Spa (Vietnam) appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel and/or flight review.

Last April & May, I enjoyed a great holiday in Vietnam, where some resorts far exceeded my sky-high expectations (and rank among the best hotels I have ever stayed at). You can read my trip reports here:

• Review: Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class Düsseldorf to Singapore
• Review: Singapore Airlines A330 Business Class Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City
• Review: The Reverie Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
• Review: Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa
• Review: Vietnam Airlines ATR-72 from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao
• Review: Six Senses Con Dao
• Review: Evason Ana Mandara, Nha Trang 
• Review: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
• Review: Amanoi, the best resort in Vietnam (today)
• Review: Avani Quy Nhon Resort & Spa
• Review: Anantara Hoi An Resort
• Review: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An
• Review: Banyan Tree Lang Co
• Review: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
• Review: Cathay Pacific A350 Business Class Hong Kong to Düsseldorf

Today (August 23, 2017): Review of Vietnam’s most exclusive hotel, Amanoi. 

• Location: Google Maps
• Hotel website: Amanoi
• Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso

In 2013, Aman brought the brand’s signature sleekness to its debut resort in Vietnam, a contemporary beachside resort alongside a full-service Aman Spa overlooking spectacular Vinh Hy Bay in Nui Chua National Park, northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. The luxury hotel’s polished, slate pagodas peek out from a lush green landscape; its infinity pool segues into the sea; and its spa rests by a lotus-blossom-dotted lake. Amanoi offers total privacy in beautifully designed accommodations that are located in 31 pavilions, a number with private swimming pools, and five Aman residences, all positioned on the hillside with impressive views. The off-the-grid property designed by world-famous architect Jean-Michel Gathy positively encourages calm contemplation, whether lounging by the cliffside pool or at the elegant beach club, or surrendering to the tranquillity of the Aman Spa – set by a lotus-filled lake with a floating yoga pavilion.

Amanoi features in my lists of the hottest luxury hotel openings of 2013, the 10 most fabulous luxury hotels in Vietnam, the 10 most astonishing beach retreats in Asia, the 10 best things to see and do in Vietnam, and my favorite 10 Aman resorts in the world.

In this review (more info below my Youtube clip & slideshow):

• Pros & things I like
• Cons & things to know
• My verdict
• Tips for future guests & save money
• Best time to visit
• How to get there
• Photos

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• Derived from the Sanskrit for ‘peace and ‘noi’ meaning place, Amanoi enjoys a dramatic location along the spectacular and rugged coastline of Vietnam’s southern Ninh Thuan Province. Separated from the world by miles of pristine wilderness, the ultraluxe resort is located inside the Nui Chua National Park on a wide, mountainous promontory which projects into the South China Sea. The beachside sanctuary boasts spectacular views of the protected waters of Vinh Hy Bay, which is part of a marine reserve surrounded by unique rock formations. The wild beauty of Amanoi’s surroundings spans ecosystems from tropical dry forest to lush ravines, and will knock you off your feet.

• The feeling of being far away from the civilized world and the stress of daily life is palpable throughout the resort, since Amanoi is removed from Vietnam’s often over-touristy urban resort centers. But despite its remote setting, the resort can be easily reached via a 75-minute drive from Cam Ranh Airport, which serves the popular Nah Trang area and receives regular flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Danang, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Tokyo, Bangkok, and Seoul. While almost all visitors who arrive at Cam Ranh head north towards Nha Trang’s megalomane beach resorts, the lucky few who stay at Amanoi are driven in a luxury car 75 minutes in the opposite direction towards the lush forests and towering cliffs of Nui Chua National Park.

• Although Amanoi’s massive resort grounds rank among the most expansive in the world, the resort layout itself is quite convenient once you know your way. The rooms – located in stand-alone pavilions – are positioned on the hillside or around an inland lotus-filled lake where you also find the wellness center. Down the hill is a stylish beach club with restaurant and pool, overlooking a private stretch of gold sand beach. But the resort’s eye catcher is the Central Pavilion, which occupies the highest point in the resort and is home to the lobby, main restaurant, bar, library, boutique shop (which sells traditional Vietnamese lacquerware and other handmade items) and a second, even more stunning swimming pool.

• Upon arrival, guests are met by the resort staff with a welcome drink and cold towel at the lower level of Amanoi’s architecturally stunning Central Pavilion. From here, two broad and majestic staircases lead up to the Central Pavilion’s top floor which affords breathtaking views of the turquoise sea and green mountains. The first impressions of Amanoi’s lobby space are more reminiscent of a holistic sanctuary or sleek museum than a hotel. It makes each arrival at the resort an unforgettable, gracious and astonishing experience.

• Amanoi’s designers managed to meld the hotel infrastructure imperceptibly with the majestic topography of the landscape, with the resort’s curves discretely emerging from the green canopy. Featuring Aman’s signature style, the resort’s decor is the epitome of architectural minimalism, both on the inside and outside, and combines traditional Vietnamese influences and centuries-old antiques with natural materials and contemporary elegance. Amanoi is designed by the team of fellow Belgian Jean-Michel Gathy, the master architect behind some of the world’s most iconic hotels, such as The Setai in Miami, One & Only Retih Rah in the Maldives, the Marina Sands hotel in Singapore, and several other Aman resorts.

• Guest accommodations consist of 31 stand-alone pavilions, almost half of them equipped with private pools, and five private residences, all strategically spaced out, ensuring plenty of privacy. There are several accommodation categories to choose from. Mountain and Lake Pavilions offer picturesque views of either the surrounding mountains or the lake, while Mountain Pool Villas offer similar views alongside private swimming pools. Ocean Pavilion are located on the hillside and offer expansive ocean views of Vinh Hy Bay and the East Sea, with Ocean Pool Villas having the added luxury of a private pool. Two pavilions come with their own private spa, so-called Spa Houses (more on that below). Each one of the five Aman residences consists of four or five free-standing bedroom pavilions, as well as living and dining pavilions and a large 120m2 private swimming pool. Residences enjoy butler service in addition to an in-house cook, who meets all guests’ needs, including the preparation of Vietnamese or Western cuisine in the villa’s private kitchen.

• During my holiday, I was upgraded to a spectacular, so-called Mountain Pool Villa (Villa #6). The villa, which could be opened on two sides by pushing enormous pocket doors into the walls, drew on the grace of Vietnamese design by offering a combined bedroom and living room area. The airy space was equipped with an oversized king-size bed, writing desk, LCD TV with international channels, sound docking system, mini-bar, espresso machine, and a cozy seating area with one sofa and two loungers. The open-plan bathroom, which could be closed off from the bedroom with two pocket doors, featured a large bathtub between two sinks, with on one side an enclosed toilet and on the other a rain shower which had a sliding door towards the garden and large timber deck. The latter featured a magnificent private pool, which was heated and came with underwater lighting for night swimming.

• Amanoi’s two Spa Houses are the first of their kind in Asia. The Thuy Lien Spa House (meaning Lotus Spa House in Vietnamese) borders Amanoi’s tranquil lotus lake while the An Son Spa House (meaning Peaceful Mountain Spa House in Vietnamese) affords serene vistas of the national park. Both provide guests with completely private facilities together with one or two beautifully appointed guest pavilions. Facilities include a double treatment room, a contemporary Hammam or a wooden-clad Banya, a 15 m (50 ft) swimming pool, relaxation deck, outdoor dining area, steam room, cold plunge pool and Jacuzzi. Guests staying in a Spa House enjoy a daily Hammam or Banya treatment, a daily 90-minute Aman or Vietnamese massage, breakfast, and return airport transfers.

• Surrounded by million-year-old granite cliffs, the magnificent beach club is located a 10 minute buggy ride from the Central Pavilion along a private patch of gold sand beach. Designed to maximize the stunning views of Vinh Hy Bay, the Beach Club offers a restaurant (open for lunch only), that is outfitted in the resort’s superb minimalist design and wrapped by a large, black tiled infinity pool. Several pairs of very comfortable loungers are placed on the beach and perfectly spaced so that your privacy is never compromised. A range of water sports is available, such as Hobie Cats and kayaks which are perfect for exploring the caves and inlets around the bay. If you are a beach person, you will never want to leave here.

• Amanoi’s guests are spoilt for choice with two fabulous infinity pools, in addition to the private pools in the villas. The largest pool, 400m2 in size (or 130 ft in length), is located at the Beach Club and overlooks the gold sand beach and the turquoise waters of the marine conservation area around Vinh Hy Bay. The most spectacular pool though is the dramatic cliffside, 140m2 infinity pool, located around the corner of the Central Pavilion; this pool is lined with black volcanic rock and offer stupendous and mesmerizing views of the rocky shoreline. It’s without any doubt one of the most beautiful infinity pools I have ever seen during all my years of traveling, and it demonstrates how well thought the superlative design of the resort is.

• Amanoi’s superb wellness center is a destination unto itself, a retreat within a retreat, offering a journey of reawakening and relaxation via ancient healing modalities (e.g. Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda) and modern spa treatments. Surrounded by the rolling hills of the national park, the wellness complex lies beside a lotus-filled lake. Facilities include five double treatment rooms, all with unique double bathtubs, private dressing areas and showers. Two hydrotherapy suites, each equipped with a heated stone treatment table, steam room, Jacuzzi and cold plunge pool, are complemented by hand and foot therapy rooms and a finishing salon. Unique chemical-free spa products are used in a treatment menu drawing on Vietnamese traditions. The spa complex also comprises a spacious, state-of-the-art fitness center, a Pilates Studio, and a gorgeous lakeside Yoga Pavilion at the bottom of the spa’s majestic staircase.

• Service is impeccable and attentive without being intrusive, as you would expect from an Aman resort. There’s a staff count of four staff to one guest. Rooms are cared for continuously through out the day and the staff magically knows when you’re not there. I did not have any issues with the English standards of the staff. Most speak excellent English, and miraculously, there is always someone popping up to address you in English when confronted with one of the few staff members that is not so fluent in English.

• Amanoi has two restaurants, both of them serving exquisite food. Set in the heart of the property on the Central Pavilion’s top floor, the main restaurant features soaring columns and has no walls, bringing the outside in. It has an elegant air-conditioned room, which might be a welcome respite from the humid climate, although you may prefer shady alfresco dining on the terrace which comes with terrific views. At night, the dining venue serves Vietnamese specialties (such as handrolls with shrimp and pork and beef pho noodle soup) in addition to continental cuisine, while an à la carte breakfast is offered each morning.  The chef is passionate about his work and takes time to speak to guests about their individual tastes and preferences before preparing a meal. The restaurant at the Beach Club is only open for lunch, and it offers light meals – such as salads, burgers and catch of the day – accompanied by the pristine sand and the gentle sounds of the surf.

• Amanoi is a self-contained luxury oasis, representing everything that its mother brand Aman tries to achieve: tranquility, exclusivity, and a sense of place. Aman is the world’s most exclusive hotel brand and the company manages a fabulous collection of intimate properties across the globe. The brand is known for the understated elegance of its resorts, exquisite attention to detail, minimalist design, heartfelt service, and otherworldly locations.

• Among Aman’s habitués is a group of passionate repeat customers who call themselves ‘Aman junkies’ (count me in) and whose travel plans are determined by Aman locations. It’s a misconception that Aman junkies are always incredibly wealthy people: I prefer to spend my money on two nights at an Aman resort than two weeks at any other resort, as you pay for a unique and life-long memory. In all honesty and without exaggeration, an Aman resort makes some Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton resorts look like a mediocre Holiday Inn hotel.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Amanoi is the most exclusive resort in Vietnam and also my favorite Aman resort in the world. The phenomenal resort blew me off my feet, and the scale, design and setting are stunning beyond words. It’s a hotel I found very hard to fault. In fact it’s nearly perfect, but you may want to know the following nonetheless when considering a stay at Amanoi:

• Amanoi sprawls across 100 acres of dense forest and rocky outcrops. Because the resort grounds are so spread out – they rank among the most expansive in the world – it does take some time to get around, although a very efficient buggy service is provided with waiting times reduced to the absolute minimum. The rooms, spa, Central Pavilion, and Beach Club are all located a 5 to 10 min gulf card ride from each other, so it does require a bit of organization to plan your schedule during the day. I believe that the resort experience and guest mobility would be enhanced by providing bikes or gulf carts to the guests for the duration of their stay (although the hilly terrain may make that option difficult and right-down dangerous)

• Although it was probably an anomaly not in line with Aman’s overall superb service, the hotel driver who dropped me off in Nha Trang after my stay displayed a reckless behaviour on the road, despite me asking him to slow down. This is Vietnam, where the lines between traffic safety and danger are not drawn very clearly, but nonetheless, it was the only car transfer in Vietnam where I felt uneasy because of the high speed and repeated overtaking on the narrow winding coastal road. To give you an idea: the route from Amanoi to Nha Trang takes about 2 hours by car, but I was dropped off in less than an hour.

• The resort has one main restaurant, located in the Central Pavilion, and a less formal dining venue at the beach if the weather allows. The menus did not change during my 3 day stay. So, the food options are a be limited when you consider a longer stay at Amanoi. Perhaps that the addition of daily specials, destinations cuisines, and/or private dining experiences would solve this problem.

• This off-the-grid place is as remote as it gets. Amanoi is located about a 2 hour drive from the nearest urban center, Nha Thrang, but IMHO, that’s a good thing. It is the perfect place to visit if you want to decompress for a few days. However, if you like night life and action-filled holidays, you may find yourself disappointed, since the Aman brand appeals to a different type of traveler.

• Yes, the hotel is extremely expensive according to Vietnamese standards, but it’s an Aman hotel, the world’s most exclusive hotel brand, where holiday budgets come to die. You should know that going in. The most important thing is that when you can afford it, you will not be disappointed with the unique experience that awaits you. It’s a place you will never forget.

• Be prepared to become an Aman junkie as this will raise the bar for all your future trips.

MY VERDICT

• Location: 10/10
• Design: 10/10
• Pool: 10/10
• Rooms: 10/10
• Food: 10/10
• Breakfast: 10/10
• Spa: 10/10
• Service: 10/10
• Value for money: 10/10
• Overall experience: exceptional: 10/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Save money: read my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like Amanoi. Book a room at the cheapest price and/or receive many free perks!

• Save money: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. villa upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and one complimentary lunch for two).

• Room tip: any accommodation type at Amanoi is bound to be a showstopper, but Ocean Pavilions with private pools are worth the extra price.

• Vietnam travel guide: get the most out of your (luxury) trip to Vietnam with my online travel guide.

• Read my tips for preparing your trip in time. Please check with your nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate prior to travel. Generally, visas are required to enter, exit or transit through Vietnam. A visa on arrival can be obtained with a pre-approval letter procured through travel agents. Exceptions include passport holders from a select number of countries counting Russia, Japan, South Korea, Scandinavia and ASEAN member countries.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Amanoi’s own micro-climate makes it ideal for travel year round weather-wise. The five star resort is located in the southern part of Vietnam, near Nha Trang, the driest part of the country with very little rainfall. Amanoi experiences a long hot summer from March to October. From mid-November till the second half of February the wind can be very strong and sometimes there is a lot of rain. The Ninh Thuan Province is known to have one of the best climate in the country, with average temperatures ranging from 22ºC to 35ºC (70°F to 95°F). The area is protected by mountain ranges, which means that storms are rare. Approximately 250 days of the year are sunny.

HOW TO GET THERE

Amanoi is located a 75 min drive from Cam Ranh Airport (CXR), which services Nha Trang. Click here for a list of airlines that offer direct flights to Cam Ranh Airport.

*** Follow me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***

The post Review: Amanoi, the most exclusive hotel in Vietnam appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel and/or flight review.

Last April & May, I enjoyed a great holiday in Vietnam, where some resorts far exceeded my sky-high expectations (and rank among the best hotels I have ever stayed at). You can read my trip reports here:

• Review: Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class Düsseldorf to Singapore
• Review: Singapore Airlines A330 Business Class Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City
• Review: The Reverie Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
• Review: Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa
• Review: Vietnam Airlines ATR-72 from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao
• Review: Six Senses Con Dao
• Review: Evason Ana Mandara, Nha Trang
• Review: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay (today)
• Review: Amanoi, the most exclusive hotel in Vietnam
• Review: Avani Quy Nhon Resort & Spa
• Review: Anantara Hoi An Resort
• Review: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An
• Review: Banyan Tree Lang Co
• Review: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
• Review: Cathay Pacific A350 Business Class Hong Kong to Düsseldorf

Today (August 9, 2017): Review of Six Senses Ninh Van Bay (Vietnam).

• Location: Google Maps
• Address: Ninh Vân, Ninh Hòa, Ninh Vân, Vietnam
• Hotel website: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
• Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay enjoys a spectacular setting in a dramatic bay that gives the feeling of being on an exclusive private island resort in the East Vietnam Sea. Impressive rock formations, a coral reef, a golden sand beach, a playful stream and the towering mountains behind, all add to the sense of being luxuriously at one with nature. The spa resort presents the reality of the destination, with an architectural style incorporating traditions of Vietnam. The 59 superb accommodations – done in Six Senses signature eco-chic design – are all personal villas with private plunge pools. The restaurants at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay serve international and local favourites plus East meets West specialties complemented by the best local seafood.

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay features in my top 10 lists of the most spectacular hotel bathrooms in the world, the most astonishing beach retreats in Asia, and the best luxury hotels in Vietnam.

In this review (more info below my Youtube clip & slideshow):

• Pros & things I like
• Cons & things to know
• My verdict
• Tips for future guests & save money
• Best time to visit
• How to get there
• Photos

*** Get the most out of your (luxury) trip to Vietnam with my online Vietnam travel guide ***

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• Six Senses Ninh Van Bay enjoys one of the most magnificent hotel settings on earth. The resort is located in a dramatic bay, at the end of a lush, mountainous peninsula, across the water from the busy holiday-resort town of Nha Trang in southern Vietnam. The crescent-shaped cove features a long stretch of gold sand beach and is backed by towering mountains clad in jungle vegetation, giving the feel of being on a private island and adding to the sense of being intimately at one with nature. Impressive rock formations on both sides of the beach overlook the East Vietnam Sea.

• The resort provides the ultimate seclusion as it is accessible only by water. Getting there is not difficult, although it does require a bit of a journey. From the nearest international airport (Cam Ranh), it takes 60-minutes by resort car – which has onboard WiFi – to the Six Senses jetty. Nha Trang – the closest town to Ninh Van Bay – is only 15 minutes away from the jetty. From the boat dock, it is a 20-minute scenic boat ride to resort itself with snacks being served onboard. The shared speed boat ride departs according to a fixed schedule, but you will never have to wait very long and the resort has a small lounge near the jetty where you can wait in all comfort for the boat departure.

• Despite being massive in scale, the resort has a simple and convenient layout. The central area on the beach near the jetty features a bar (which also functions as the welcome pavilion upon arrival), the activity center, an open-air lobby, several boutique shops, one of the 3 restaurants (‘Dining By The Pool’), and the main pool. The southern slopes of Six Senses Ninh Van Bay are home to the resort’s main dining venue (‘Dining By The Bay’), which is an enormous, fairytale-like, ocean-front, wooden complex that also houses a sunset bar, kid’s club and play room. Hidden in the northern hills and only reachable by 100+ precipitous steps, you’ll find the resort’s signature restaurant, Dining By The Rocks. The villa accommodations are tucked away in various locations along the rocky peninsula.

• The resort is a mind-blowing masterpiece of eco-friendly design, reflecting Six Senses’ signature chic style. The rustic, understated and elegant interiors blend perfectly with the subtropical outdoors and exude an ambience of tranquility and a Robinson Crusoë-esque lifestyle. All hotel buildings, including the villa accommodations, are built using local materials (e.g. wood, bamboo and stone), topped with a palm-leaf roof, decked out in stylish bright cushions, and decorated with simple but chic and sometimes funky furniture. This is barefoot luxury at its best, albeit in a low-key and environmentally conscious way.

• There are 59 beautiful thatched and spacious villa accommodations that will take your breath away. They all come with gorgeous wooden interiors and private outdoor plunge pools. There are several villa categories according to the location: some are set on the hill with views across the bay, several are dotted along the beach, while others are built into the rocks with steps straight down into the sea. During my holiday, I stayed in a two-level beachfront pool villa, which provided generous personal space with its own garden, plunge pool and direct access to the sandy shore. The ground floor featured a master bedroom with an absolutely stunning en-suite bathroom (more on that below). The upper floor featured a shaded, open-sided living area with brightly cushioned sofas. The  villa embodied the perfect Robinson Crusoe hideaway, albeit a modern version with all kind of technologies present to meet the comforts of nowadays travelers, such as flat-screen TV, DVD player, coffeemaker, minibar, wine cellar, A/C (bedroom only), complimentary WiFi, and safe.

• The stunning bathrooms at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay deserve a separate mention as they rank among my favorite hotel bathrooms in the world. Most bathrooms are semi-open-air spaces, with both indoor- and outdoor showers, and feature a rustic, somewhat antique decor with bamboo railings, whitewashed walls, thickly cushioned teak day beds, and two separate copper sinks on wooden vanities. The bathrooms’ eyecatchers are the freestanding, beautiful handcrafted wooden bathtubs. In line with Six Senses’ ecofriendly policy, plant-based natural toiletries in ceramic jars are provided to all guests.

• Set amidst the luscious greenery and granite stone synonymous with the Ninh Van peninsula, the three-bedroom ‘hilltop reserve’ is most exclusive villa in the resort, providing families and groups with an unparalleled 180-degree westward view of the bay, Nha Trang city and the adjacent mountains. Arrival at the villa – which comes with a large living area and dining room – is along a winding path through granite boulders and jungle. The villa’s oversized, climate-controlled infinity pool is the resort’s largest offered in a villa, at 818 square feet (76 square meters) stretched beside the sun deck designed to welcome up to 10 sunbathers.

• The expansive resort grounds behind the beach are well maintained yet retain a wild feel reminiscent of an untouched virgin jungle. Winding paths, roped walkways, and small bridges over picturesque creeks invite you for some exploration of the thick forest, with the sound of the emerald ocean and birdsong as a constant backdrop. Because the resort grounds are so spread out, guests get bikes for the duration of their stay, or can make use of complimentary buggy service.

• As already mentioned above, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay features three excellent restaurants, which offer memorable dining experiences. Located alongside the main swimming pool, the barefoot Dining By The Pool restaurant features an open kitchen and serves international and Vietnamese dishes during the day, while it occasionally opens at night for themed buffets. The hilltop Dining By The Rocks, which specializes in contemporary fusion dining, is the resort’s special-occasion eatery; it features an outdoor space with a wooden deck offering breathtaking sea views, in addition to an intimate indoor space that can also doubles as a wedding chapel. The main restaurant, Dining By The Bay, features a varied menu and spans over two levels with open views across the bay. The ambience downstairs is cozy with a bamboo ceiling, whereas the upstairs with its high thatched roof offers an al fresco dining experience. Adjacent to Dining by the Bay is a cozy bar, furnished with an assortment of relaxing daybeds and bar stools, that offers stunning views of the sunset and remains open until the last guest leaves.

• The delicious buffet breakfast is served at Dining By The Bay and offers a wide and impressive spread of fresh tropical fruit, cereals, juices, sparkling wine, breads, pastries, and local specialities in addition to a temperature controlled room with cheeses and cold meats, plus live food stations where hot dishes (e.g. eggs, pancakes, waffles) are freshly prepared.

• The fantastic spa – a sanctuary for all the senses – is tucked away in the jungle up the hills and features an all-wood interior design. It is accessed via some step stones over a lovely pond. Traditional Vietnamese therapies and Six Senses signature treatments and customized detox programs are available to suit every individual guest’s needs. In addition to the eco-rustic treatment rooms where you will feel at one with nature, the spa is equipped with yoga pavilions, a gymnasium and spa retail gallery. This is thé place to have a massage since the Six Senses brand is word-famous for its spa treatments (the company manages 28 luxury spas around the globe).

• The resort’s crescent-shaped, one-mile long (1,6 km) beach is composed of fine, gold-coloured sand. It’s perfectly safe to swim here in the delightfully warm sea. The narrow strip of sand is lined by thick tropical vegetation, so most of the beach villas are out of sight. In addition to the sunbeds that dot the beach and which belong to the beachfront pool villas, there’s a small beach club near the private wooden jetty, with a couple of loungers under natural thatch parasols; towels and sunscreen are provided. Behind the beach club is a large swimming pool that’s surrounded by padded sunbeds and wraps around the Dining By The Pool restaurant, although you will never find many guests here since each villa is equipped with its own private plunge pool.

• The resort is managed by Six Senses, a hotel and spa management company that currently comprises 11 resorts and 28 spas under the brand names Six Senses, Evason and Six Senses Spas. Six Senses was recently awarded the title of world’s best hotel brand by the prestigious Travel & Leisure magazine. The company  operates resorts in far-flung locations of incredible natural beauty that are known for their distinctive design and wellness programs. The brand was founded by Sonu Shivdasani, the CEO of Soneva (my favorite hotel brand in the world), and although Soneva and Six Senses now flourish independently, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay’s design and setting resembles the Soneva resorts in the Maldives (Soneva Fushi) and Thailand (Soneva Kiri).

• Besides Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Six Senses also manages two other resorts in Vietnam: Six Senses Con Dao, which is located in a gorgeous archipelago a 40 min flight south of Ho Chi Min City, and Evason Ana Mandara, which is the only beachfront property in downtown Nha Trang. All three properties are highly recommended (although Evason Ana Mandara is not as luxurious as the other two), but if you are short on time, then put Six Senses Ninh Van Bay on top of your bucket list since it is the best resort among the 3 Vietnamese Six Senses properties.

• As with every Six Senses resort, each villa has its own Guest Experience Maker (GEM) or butler, who is on call 24 hours a day. This guarantees an exceptional level of service during your stay.

• Sustainability is on top of the resort’s agenda with numerous practices to minimize negative and embrace positive impacts. The eco-friendly policy focuses on energy efficiency, water and waste management, social commitment, protecting natural surroundings, air quality and noise control. For example, the resort has its own organic garden that grows herbs, vegetables, fruits and flowers, for use in the incense-fragranced spa as well as the restaurants.

• There’s a deli corner next to the Dining By The Pool’s open kitchen, which features an ice-cream parlor with unlimited and complimentary scoops for all guests (during daylight hours only).

• Outdoor movie screenings can be enjoyed on the private beach. The cinema operates twice a week (weather permitting).

• Six Senses Ninh Van Bay not only offers the perfect location for relaxation, but its proximity to Nha Trang and its prime position in a calm and sheltered bay, means that you can enjoy many activities and excursions on water and on land. The Experience Center near the arrival jetty offers activities which range from scuba, paddle boarding, hobiecat sailing, kayaking, waterskiing, wake boarding, fun tube, fishing trips and boat charters. There also a nice reef in front of the resort which is great for snorkeling.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is without any doubt one of the most exclusive and magnificent resorts in Vietnam and Asia. The low-key but high-style resort features an incredible setting, fabulous villa accommodations, wonderful spa, amazing restaurants, and top-notch service. It would be very hard to dislike to the exceptional resort, but there are a few things you need to know when booking a stay here:

• The transfer by road and speedboat to the resort from Nha Trang’s international Cam Ranh Airport takes around 90 minutes, and although it’s convenient (with even WiFi onboard the car), the transfer is not included in room rate. At the moment, Cam Ranh Airport transfer fee to/from the resort by shared minivan or car and speed boat is charged at $45 USD per person per way.

• Due to the architecture and the set-up of the resort, with many stairs to negotiate in certain areas, stays for very young children and physically challenged people are not recommended in hill top pool villas, water pool villas, rock pool villas, and the rock retreat. If you have difficulties walking, I advise you to book a single level, beachfront villa.

• The resort grounds are very spread out and the ultra-secluded hill top villas are a fair way out, but bicycles and golf buggies are always available.

• The food and spa treatments are expensive for Vietnam, but not expensive when compared to other 5 star hotels in the region.

MY VERDICT

• Location: 10/10
• Design: 10/10
• Pool: 8/10
• Rooms: 10/10
• Food: 9/10
• Breakfast: 9/10
• Spa: 9/10
• Service: 9/10
• Value for money: 9/10
• Overall experience: exceptional: 9,5/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Save money: read my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. Book a room at the cheapest price and/or receive many free perks!

• Save money: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).

• Vietnam travel guide: get the most out of your (luxury) trip to Vietnam with my online travel guide.

• If you have difficulties walking, I advise you to book a single level, beachfront villa, since most other villa types can only be accessed via stairs.

• The resort’s most expensive villa types, water pool villas, have with wooden steps leading directly to the sea and are an excellent launch pad for snorkelling enthusiasts.

• Booking one of the 35 Beachfront Pool Villas is a good choice since these accommodations were refurbished in 2016, with refreshed interiors sporting lighter toned furnishings for a more modern and lighter feel.

• Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

• Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Like most of Southeast Asia, Vietnam varies from warm to very hot throughout the whole year. There are four annual seasons: cool and dry between November and February; (very) hot and dry between March and May; hot and wet between June and August; and cool and wet between September and early November. The best time to visit is the cool and dry season, when the weather usually benefits from a pleasant dry heat and the surrounding countryside is still green from the rains. In general, autumn travel in Nha Trang is not recommended as heavy rain, tropical storms and typhoon may occur.

HOW TO GET THERE

Upon arriving at Cam Ranh Airport (CXR), which serves Nha Trang (the closest town to Ninh Van Bay), guests with reservations will be met and transfer arranged. It takes 60-minute by car to the Six Senses Lounge in Nha Trang City. It is then a 20-minute boat ride to Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. Cam Ranh Airport transfer fee to/from resort by shared minivan or car and speed boat is charged at $45 USD per person per way. Click here for a list of airlines that have direct flights to Cam Ranh Airport.

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The post Review: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay (Vietnam) appeared first on the Luxury Travel Expert.

Last April & May, I enjoyed a great holiday in Vietnam, where some resorts far exceeded my sky-high expectations (and rank among the best hotels I have ever stayed at). You can read my trip reports here:

• Review: Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class Düsseldorf to Singapore
• Review: Singapore Airlines A330 Business Class Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City
• Review: The Reverie Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
• Review: Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa
• Review: Vietnam Airlines ATR-72 from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao
• Review: Six Senses Con Dao
• Review: Evason Ana Mandara, Nha Trang (today)
• Review: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
• Review: Amanoi, the most exclusive hotel in Vietnam
• Review: Avani Quy Nhon Resort & Spa
• Review: Anantara Hoi An Resort
• Review: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An
• Review: Banyan Tree Lang Co
• Review: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
• Review: Cathay Pacific A350 Business Class Hong Kong to Düsseldorf

Today (August 2, 2017): Review of Evason Ana Mandara, Nha Trang (Vietnam).

• Location: Google Maps
• Address: Beachside Tran Phu Boulevard, Tp. Nha Trang, Vietnam
• Hotel website: Evason Ana Mandara

Evason Ana Mandara is Nha Trang’s only in-town beachfront resort, nestled between a magnificent bay and a bustling coastal street. The resort’s 74 guestrooms are set in semi-detached garden villas offering classic Vietnamese touches amidst a tropical oasis. Dining options include Vietnamese and international cuisine, with many ingredients sourced from local markets. A superb spa presents an array of specialty treatments, traditional therapies, beachfront aerial yoga and sensory journeys, providing truly relaxing and revitalizing wellness encounters. The family-friendly resort, which is managed by the famous Six Senses brand, offers a diverse range of excursions, beach volleyball, water-activity, PADI dive center, and the Kid’s Club.

In this review (more info below my Youtube clip & slideshow):

• Pros & things I like
• Cons & things to know
• My verdict
• Tips for future guests & save money
• Best time to visit
• How to get there
• Photos

*** Get the most out of your (luxury) trip to Vietnam with my online Vietnam travel guide ***

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• Nha Trang is Vietnam’s most famous resort town thanks to its magnificent stretch of gold sand. However, if you dream of going from your plush bed straight into the East China Sea for a swim, you can only do that at Evason Ana Mandara, since that’s the only hotel in downtown Nha Trang located directly on the sand. All other hotels – including the more recently built InterContinental Nha Thrang resort – are separated from the beach by the busy Tran Phu Boulevard.

• The informal beach resort stretches along 0,5 km (0,3 mi) of palm-fringed beach, and is tucked away in lush gardens, shielded from the traffic noise and lively streetscape of Tran Phu Boulevard. Although the bustling city is in the hotel’s backyard, a peaceful and secluded sanctuary will await you the moment you enter the resort grounds. The property offers a level of tranquility that’s not matched by any other hotel in Nha Trang city.

• The resort features a low-rise concept, reminiscent of a traditional Vietnamese village, which is a welcome alternative for the high-rise buildings that now dot the shore in Nha Trang. Natural materials have been used to build the resort and decorate the interiors, with rattan chairs, wood loungers, whitewashed bar tables, stone foundations, and terracotta tile roofs fusing traditional Vietnamese accents with contemporary design.

• At the hotel’s heart is a breezy reception pavilion, which is an open-sided space with dark wood cushioned chairs and tables under a high ceiling. The lobby overlooks a lily ponds packed with exotic koi fish and a small wooden bridge in the lush gardens. The lobby space also houses several on-site boutique shops, the activity & excursions center, a bar, an art gallery displaying works of local painters, and a charming library, which features a large choice of newspapers, magazines, and books. The lobby is also connected to one of the resort’s two dining venues, Pavilion restaurant (more on that below).

• Evason Ana Mandara offers 74 semi-detached suites and guestrooms within 17 traditional Vietnamese-style villas, which are set in the lush, tropical gardens on each side of the lobby. The resort accommodation is evocative of a traditional, serene Vietnamese village blended with modern refinement. During my holiday, I stayed in a so-called ‘deluxe sea view room’, which had French windows that opened onto a cozy, shaded terrace with partial views of the sea. The room, which came with two single beds in mosquito netting, featured a cottage-style decor, with high thatched ceilings and rustic Vietnamese hardwood furniture above the tile floor. The ensuite bathroom featured two sinks, a toilet, a full-sized bathtub, and a rain shower.

• Resort guests are spoilt for choice with two generously sized, beach-front pools. The pool near the lobby, which comes with a jacuzzi, is perfect for families with younger children. The far end of the property features an even larger pool, which has an inviting drop off blending with the horizon of the East China Sea. Daybeds and cushioned lounge chairs with umbrellas are set around both pools and encourage poolside relaxation.

• The property – a wholly Vietnamese owned enterprise – is managed by Six Senses, one of my favorite luxury hotel brands in the world. Six Senses is a hotel and spa management company that currently comprises 10 resorts and 28 spas under the brand names Six Senses, Evason and Six Senses Spas. Each of the Six Senses properties is supported by a leadership commitment to community, sustainability and wellness. Six Senses operates two other properties in Vietnam as well: ultraluxe Six Senses con Dao and – my favorite – Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. It’s important to know that Evason Ana Mandara is the least exclusive of the 3 Vietnamese Six Senses properties, reflecting the more budget-friendly character of the Evason brand.

• The seaside Six Senses Spa Nha Trang offers specialty treatments together with an extensive menu of traditional therapies, providing a truly relaxing and revitalizing experience to rejuvenate the senses. Skilled therapists create sensory journeys for guests, with a range of holistic wellness and pampering treatments using only natural products. The spa also offers Aerial Yoga which brings together stretching, breathing and meditation with gymnastics and aerial arts.

• The resort has two excellent beach-front restaurants. The Pavilion restaurant is located near the lobby and serves gourmet dining focusing on local cuisine. Once a week, it is transformed into a street market, highlighting authentic regional Vietnamese food from around the country. Each morning, the Pavilion restaurant is also the scene of a terrific breakfast buffet, which comprises several food stations. The other dining venue – Ana Beach House restaurant – is located along the infinity pool and specializes in seafood and Mediterranean fare.

• The hotel is located right on Nha Trang’s famous golden sand beach. The beach itself is fully public though it is far enough away from the main drag that few venture here. Several sun loungers under thatched umbrellas are available to hotel guests only. Remarkably, before sunrise and after sunset, it are mainly Vietnamese people who make use of the beach and swim in the sea, while European and Russian tourists largely outnumber the Vietnamese nationals during the day.

• There is a host of activities for the whole family at Evason Ana Mandara. The resort offers tennis, biking, gym fitness, beach volleyball, exciting moonlight cruises and much, much more. On Evason Ana Mandara’s tranquil beach, you will also find a onsite five-star PADI accredited diving center where the experts know many great diving and snorkeling sites. The islands surrounding Nha Trang offer exciting, adventurous trips and fishing excursions. Close by is some of Vietnam’s astounding countryside, with steep mountains and plush green paddy fields seemingly electrified by the sun.

• Eco-friendly and sustainable policies are at the core of the resort’s business, serving up organic, locally sourced food where possible, recycling and offering free bicycles for touring, employing local staff, and running charity schemes to improve locals’ quality of life.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

The 5-star Evason Ana Mandara enjoys an excellent reputation as the only beachfront property in Nha Trang town. It’s the perfect choice for a family holiday. There are some things you need to know though when considering a stay here to make sure that your expectations are met:

• The 74 rooms and suites are housed in 17 villas, which are located quite lose to each other. However, the tropically lush vegetation offers a high degree of privacy, so there’s not really something to be worried about.

• Although the hotel is right in the middle of a town, you will not notice that as the hotel is tucked away in a lush oasis of tropical vegetation. However, although the resort is a tranquil spot, hotel areas and rooms closer to the busy Tran Phu Boulevard behind the property may pick up a bit of street noise.

• Nha Trang’s beach is very busy and crowded, although the stretch of public beach in front of the hotel feels more quiet and more exclusive.

• The property is less luxurious and also considerably cheaper when compared to its more famous Six Senses sister properties. Although managed by Six Senses, the Evason brand is more budget friendly and caters to a different public, although there’s no denying that the property is still 5 star and does not compromise on comfort. However, if you expect the same level of luxury as at other Six Senses hotels, you may end up disappointed.

• Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang is an older property. It opened 20 years ago, in 1997, and although facilities are very well maintained, the rooms and communal areas could use a little refurbishment in certain areas.

MY VERDICT

• Location: 7/10
• Design: 7/10
• Pool: 8/10
• Rooms: 7/10
• Food: 8/10
• Breakfast: 8/10
• Spa: 9/10
• Service: 9/10
• Value for money: 9/10
• Overall experience: very good: 8/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Save money: read my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like Evason Ana Mandara. Book a room at the cheapest price and/or receive many free perks!

• Room tip: request a room away from the busy coastal street behind the hotel.

• Vietnam travel guide: get the most out of your (luxury) trip to Vietnam with my online travel guide.

• Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Like most of Southeast Asia, Vietnam varies from warm to very hot throughout the whole year. There are four annual seasons: cool and dry between November and February; (very) hot and dry between March and May; hot and wet between June and August; and cool and wet between September and early November. The best time to visit is the cool and dry season, when the weather usually benefits from a pleasant dry heat and the surrounding countryside is still green from the rains. In general, autumn travel in Nha Trang is not recommended as heavy rain, tropical storms and typhoon may occur.

HOW TO GET THERE

Nha Trang is situated 840 miles (1,350) kilometers from Hanoi (HAN) and 280 miles (450 kilometers) from Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). Vietnam airlines operates flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Danang (DAD) on most days, according to schedule. Upon arriving at Cam Ranh Airport (CXR), it takes approximately 30-minutes by car to Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang. Guest with reservations will be met at the airport by a resort host. Cam Ranh airport transfer fee to and from resort by shared van are $25 USD per room per way. Guests also have the option of private transfer at $61 USD for two to three persons per way, per vehicle.