InterContinental Danang review: coastal cool in central Vietnam

Around 30 minutes up a long winding hill climb lies the Da Nang outpost of the InterContinental Hotels Group nestled in the pristine Son Tra Nature Reserve. Nearby is the more well-known Hoi An, but being a little less famous means fewer people flocking to the exquisite beaches in the area.

Designed by American architect Bill Bensley, the hotel is set into a lush hillside of tropical forest rolling down to an arc of palm-fringed golden sand, a bit large to call a cove but banked on either side by limestone boulders. The beach itself (like all in Vietnam) is open to the public, but with miles and miles of sandy spots around it doesn’t see many non-resident visitors. Indeed, you’ll seldom share the beach with more than a few others.

Why come here?

The hotel echoes the architecture of Vietnamese palaces and temples – a restrained, monochromatic palette of whites, greys and near-black teak, vaulted ceilings, open to the elements where possible, the environs providing all the colour. The grand entranceway (after a few monkeys have greeted you, waiting at the gate house) is cavernous, leading through to spectacular views of the bay and the ocean beyond. A few solitary boats dot the sea which is flat as a pancake, clear and deliciously cool.

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For all its grandeur, the devil is in the detail at the hotel with subtle decorative flourishes throughout, heavy marble carved lights and statues and giant animal carvings.

A funicular, designed like the traditional “junk” style sailboat, runs up and down the resort across its three levels – named “heaven”, “sky” and “sea” – ferrying guests back and forth through the ornate, vibrant and lavish gardens.

Rooms and suites

There are 189 rooms and suites at the InterContinental Danang, including a collection of penthouses and residential villas. Rooms are located in a central “block” with suites dotted around the hillside. Buggies are on hand to whisk you down stone paths, judiciously lit at night to bring a bit of all that surrounding jungle in. The dark and enticing teak theme extends to the accommodation – a lesson in subtlety, nature doing the talking – huge windows lead out onto sprawling balconies providing incredible ocean views; you might have to share yours with some inquisitive monkeys.

Bathrooms are, well, wonderfully OTT. Dark marble his-n-her sinks, vast, deep mirrors, a rainfall shower that drains away through the teak floor and a huge stone tub big enough to swim in. Toiletries are classy – Acqua di Parma – soaps are delightfully old school in scent, part of the Eau Sauvage crowd, all of a sudden back in vogue.

Eating and drinking

The focal point for dining is the Citron restaurant; a sprawling buffet of Western, Eastern and local dishes catering to the mixed clientele. The fruit displays the provinces it is sourced from – a nice touch. The Vietnamese local dishes were our favourite – bánh cuốn a stand-out – sheets of thin, fermented rice batter filled with minced pork and wood-ear mushrooms, served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce and lettuce and herbs for wrapping. Get here early to snag one of the outdoor tables, modelled after traditional “nón lá” (Vietnamese hats), upturned, with spectacular views across the bay. There are great buffets here in the evenings too with everything from Wagyu sliders to fresh grilled satays and various packages with unlimited drinks.

There’s a buffet beachside barbecue at the Barefoot restaurant which is fun and attracts a crowd, as well as the Long Bar where you can eat your lunch from well-shaded day-beds while great discs overhead waft a cool breeze down and keep bugs away. The jewel in the hotel’s crown is Maison 1888 by Pierre Gagnaire. High-end ingredients and fabulous service are let down a little by quite dated food. The wine matching, however, is faultless.

What to do

There are two pools located at the edge of the beach – one for families with kids – and just nearby is a great kids’ club with plenty of stuff to do for all ages with pool tables and ping pong for bigger kids and adults. Opposite the kids’ club is a gym with a resident personal trainer and plenty of classes throughout the day for those wanting to keep fit. The beach is well kitted out with sun loungers and plenty of complimentary watersports and also has a coracle, the traditional basket boats of the region, to take guests out for a spin.

If the sea and the sun get too much, the hotel has its own cinema. For some proper R&R head to the Mi Sol Spa. Cocoon-like pods are spread around a lagoon and are a lesson in tranquillity. There’s also a Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio by Bastien Gonzalez, nail tech to the stars.

William Leigh was a guest of InterContinental Danang. Room rates start from £462 per night including breakfast for two. Villas start from £1,155 per night. Son Tra Peninsula, Danang 550000, Vietnam; danang.intercontinental.com