Stairway to heaven

Perched on a mountain slope where monkeys still run wild and overlooking a private bay bordered by a beach that stretches for 700 metres, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is nothing short of paradise. 

“Many guests wonder why our lobby is so small,” comments Mai Anh Du, the hotel’s director of PR & Communications, as she lead a group of reporters around the facilities. “The design is deliberate as it helps guests take full advantage of nature”.

Modest it may be for a hotel recognised as the world’s Leading Luxury Resort 2015, but the lobby is decidedly stylish and yes, Mother Nature in all her glory is breathtaking particularly when viewed from the terrace, which also looks out over the sparkling bay.

The oversized sofa beds in the balcony zone are so inviting that we stretch out and relax with a welcome drink while waiting for the check-in process to be completed.

I climb into a buggy for the journey down to my room on the Sky Level, one of four created by leading architect, interior designer and landscape architect Bill Bensley to mirror the theme “Myth Meets Luxury”. The highest level of the 37-hectare resort is Heaven, which is home to the lobby, while the other two are named Earth and Sea respectively. All are connected by funicular lifts designed to look like boats and manned by friendly and attentive lift operators dressed in Vietnamese costume.

The distances between the various resort facilities mostly require a long walk and thus buggies are available to transport guests. I called for buggy service several times during my stay at the resort, and on each occasion was told my transport would arrive in 10-15 minutes. If by chance the buggy could make it sooner, the front desk would call to make sure I was waiting in front of the building.

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort features 200 luxury rooms, suites, penthouses and villas, all characterised by classic Vietnamese decor and a bold colour palette of black and white. Every room is spacious, boasting at least 70 square metres of utility space.

My classic room featured a large double bed covered with pillows and, surprisingly, a mirror shaped like a vase above it. which makes you feel as though you are in a vase. Wood plays the dominant role in the décor with the desk, cabinets, wardrobes and balusters giving the space a warm ambience. 

The wardrobe is cleverly deigned to be opened from both bedroom and bathroom. The bathtub is large and luxurious and you can open the curtains to take in the view while soaking or showering.

The balcony is the perfect place to chill out and admire the azure sea while listening to the waves lap against the shore. 

But there’s plenty to be enjoyed outside the rooms including the Harnn Heritage Spa, which delivers soothing treatments inside private villas. The fine-dining restaurant La Maison 1888 is the only place in Vietnam to feature a three-star Michelin chef while Citron comes with private dining booths in the form of Vietnamese conical hats that appear to be floating over the hillside 100 metres above sea level.

Though InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is quite a distance from Danang town, complimentary daily shuttles ensure that gets can enjoy both the city’s bustling streets and the world heritage site of Hoi An. 

 

AT A GLANCE

High point: Private bay with breathtaking view

Low point: No convenient access to other parts of Danang, except via private transfers or the hotel’s complimentary shuttle buses

Find it: Bai Bac, Son Tra Peninsula, Danang, Vietnam

Call it: (+ 84 511) 393 8888

Browse it: http://danang.intercontinental.com/