We have reviewed Vietnam’s best luxury hotels and resorts, including the major cities and tourist areas of Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hoi An.
Vietnam remains relatively undiscovered compared to the more mainstream Asian tourist destinations such as Phuket in Thailand. As a result, this wonderful country still has many unspoiled corners to explore. In no particular order, here are the best luxury hotels and resorts in Vietnam.
1. Fusion Resort Cam Ranh – All Spa Inclusive
Perched atop a 28-meter high sand dune overlooking the azure waters of Cam Ranh Bay, and with Fusion’s unique “all-spa-inclusive” and “breakfast anywhere, anytime” services, Fusion Resort Cam Ranh is the down-to-earth alternative for those looking for five star quality without the formality, and routine of a traditional hotel or resort.
Fusion Resort Cam Ranh, (pictured above), is a beachfront boutique hotel in Central Vietnam that lies just a 10-minute drive from Cam Ranh Airport and offers a shuttle service from/to Nha Trang City. This hotel is brilliant because it offers all-inclusive spa treatments and 74 stunning pool villas with their own private pools and courtyard gardens, so there is no excuse not to be deeply pampered.
Occupying a pristine strip of Long Beach between Cam Ranh and Nha Trang, with an oceanside cocktail bar for the grown-ups, indoor and outdoor activities for the kids (including kids pool with waterslide, an indoor playroom with games, art classes, cinema, weekly pizza classes and a farm school on weekends), a contemporary restaurant and outdoor dining area for families and couples alike, plus romantic beachfront or in-villa dining also available, this resort has it all.
The Maia Spa by Fusion Resort Cam Ranh enjoys Fusion’s innovative approach to wellbeing, providing a varied menu of re-energizing “Natural Living” experiences, each delivered from the heart by their highly skilled therapists and using only the highest quality products available. Fusion’s “All-Spa Inclusive” Service, offers guests daily access to massages, facials, body scrubs, body wraps, and decadent beauty treatments with everything included in the room rate.
Guests can also enjoy movement therapies such as yoga, and tai chi, and daily meditation sessions. Plus they even have yoga classes for kids or why not play a round at the KN Golf Links course nearby.
The resort also boasts a free-to-use Technogym Fitness Centre with saunas and steam baths, two outdoor Yoga Pavilions, an air-conditioned Yoga Studio, a brand new floodlit tennis court; a selection of shimmering, turquoise outdoor swimming pools; and the Maia Boutique filled with a range of hand-picked, locally sourced products with everything from clothes to candles and artwork.
Even with all these activities on offer, daytime lounging at the resort infinity pool is the main pass time at Fusion Resort Cam Ranh. The double cabanas on the lawns around the pool are the perfect place to drift off. Cool down with alternating dips in the pool and the ocean which seem to merge into one as the sunsets.
In terms of dining, the resort boasts numerous restaurants and bars: the Fresh poolside restaurant and terrace serves the healthiest and freshest Vietnamese and international fair; The Zen Bar with its gorgeous views enjoys a daily happy hour and serves artisanal cocktails, chilled beers, tropical juices, and smoothies throughout the day and into the evening. The hotel also offers seasonal Beach BBQ’s under the stars.
There is also In-Villa Dining, delicious Home-made Pizzas and an “Anywhere, Anytime” breakfast, where guests can enjoy an a la carte breakfast in any of the restaurants, or in the privacy of their villa or suite, by the pool, or even down on the beach at any time of the day or night.
Fusion Resort Cam Ranh resort’s source of food is their Farm. This is one of the largest resort farms in Vietnam. Using earth-friendly and sustainable growing practices, they encourage biodiversity and focus on the health of the soil. You will find all their homegrown vegetables on the restaurant menus, and the encourages guests to pick their own fruit and vegetables and collect free-range eggs for breakfast. Young visitors can also attend Fusion Farm School on weekends and experience first-hand how we care for our animals.
The Homegrown Garden offers a wonderfully diverse selection of raised-bed vegetable gardening, herbs, and tropical fruits. What better way to connect with nature than to pick your own fresh fruit and vegetables each day? Guests are encouraged to visit the garden anytime and should they wish, a chef will prepare anything they forage.
It’s no wonder the resort has won so many awards including Best Luxury Hotel/Resort in Asia in the 2018 Luxury Lifestyle Awards as well as the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award 2018.
2. InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Vietnam
We visited InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort in January 2017. It is located in a superb setting, with brilliant facilities and service, and may well be one of the best resort hotels in Vietnam.
The Intercontinental Danang is located near the back of the Son Tra Peninsula, which is also known as Monkey Mountain. It is a 30 minutes’ drive away from downtown Danang and the Danang International Airport. Danang is located along the coast of Central Vietnam.
The resort is surrounded by lush forests which stretch down to the beach. The entrance to the resort, which sits on 39 hectares of land, is near the top of the Son Tra peninsula. The sprawling resort uses the sloping terrain to incorporate the buildings on 4 levels – Heaven, Sky, Earth, and Sea.
The check-in building is located by the conference center and has a terrace offering a great overall view of the majestic resort and the beautiful beach. Next to the concierge area is the teen center, Project VN, which has a pool table, some video games, and board games. There is also a small gift shop here selling some local craft products and souvenirs. Neat cobblestone paths offering gorgeous views, lead away from the check-in area and wind down to sea level.
Guests are taken to their rooms and suites by golf cart. Regular rooms and suites are housed in the bungalows lining the various levels. The color scheme is white walls and black wooden pillars, inspired by Vietnamese temples. Ornate carvings of dragon, elephant, lion, and lotus flower motifs can also be found in the rooms.
We tried the terrace suite on the Sky level. The room opened to a triangular-shaped partition space with a study table behind the bed, and storage areas along the walls. The bathroom and shower room were separately located on the left after the entrance. The shower room featured two sinks, a circular-shaped tub and a nice shower area with an overhead rain shower. The bathroom amenities were from HARNN, a luxury Asian brand.
At the back of the room was the king bed and television. A sliding door opened to the huge terrace which had some lounge seats, a high table, and offered great views of the ocean and the soothing sound of the waves. Inside the room was also an aroma diffuser, creating a pleasant, relaxing ambiance.
As the resort is very spread out, guests have to call the operator to send a buggy to get around. This generally takes about a 10-minute wait.
There are numerous dining venues within the ressort and another interesting feature of this resort is the cable car system called the Nam Tram, which goes from the bottom of the resort at the Sea level to all the various other levels.
The Club Lounge of the resort is in a small separate building with indoor and outdoor seating. The lounge is intimate and has three meal services a day, breakfast, afternoon tea as well as evening cocktails and canapes. One day, I had the afternoon tea service and was offered a good combination of Asian and western food. Tea and coffee were also available. In the evenings, the cocktail reception has a good variety of wine, hard liquor, beer and bubbly drinks; champagne, and even blanc de blancs! There was also a small buffet with finger food, on top of the selection of hot canapes served.
Other facilities that are available in the resort include differently themed karaoke rooms located one story below Citron restaurant as well as the few retail shops at the Heritage Village. The resort also has daily activities for guests of the resort such as yoga, tai chi, cooking classes, craft classes, movies, and karaoke.
There is also a daily trekking trip to explore the flora and fauna of the Son Tra nature reserve. They also have a complimentary shuttle bus from the resort to Danang city and Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage City about 30 minutes away from Danang. The shuttle bus takes 2 trips a day, which provides ample time to do a day trip to Hoi An.
3. Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An shines a light on Vietnam’s central coast and cultural heartland. Its 35 hectares of landscaped gardens edge a private 1-kilometer stretch of Ha My Beach, one of Forbes’ “best beaches in the world”.
Situated 30-kilometers south of Da Nang, the Resort offers a gateway to three extraordinary UNESCO sites – Hue’s Imperial City, the temple sanctuary of My Son, and enchanting Hoi An – complemented by spectacular beachfront living.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An has 100 sleek villas positioned to optimize sea views and phong thuy (feng shui) principles. They range from luxury one-bedroom villas to vast five-bedroom compounds, including 8 specially extended family villas and 40 pool villas. Villa interiors feature a raised central platform wrapped in gossamer netting complete with a padded divan, king-sized bed, and bedside bathing area with a lacquered eggshell bath. All have outdoor rain showers; some have private grounds with a swimming pool and direct beach access.
Each room is equipped with in-room bathtubs, rain shower, hairdryer, in-room safe, flat-screen LCD television, Bose sound system, iPods and Sound Dock system, wireless Internet access, in-room bar, Espresso machines and tea-making facilities, Movies On-Demand and more.
In terms of dining, Cafe Nam Hai overlooks the water gardens and serves International and Asian Fusion plus delicacies from the tandoor oven. Lá Sen features inventive Vietnamese flavors, daytime stone-baked pizzas, and local fishermen’s catch in a breezy setting by the sea.
The Bar is on the upper level of Cafe Nam Hai and offers an inspiring selection of refreshments in stylish, low-lit interiors or on the ocean-view balcony. The Beach Bar serves Asian tapas and Central Coast-inspired cocktails against sparkling sea views, with hanging chairs and daybeds beneath soaring palms.
The Resort’s central area wraps around three tiers of infinity swimming pools, Family, Olympic, and Lap, flanked by the pristine white beach, where exhilarating water sports include X-Jetpacks, wake-boards, and jet-skis.
The Nam Hai Cooking Academy, supported by its own onsite herb and vegetable farm, shares the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine with guests and professional global culinarians, while The Heart of the Earth Spa offers incredible treatments grouped into three wellbeing lessons (Stability, Creativity, and Non-Judgement), each featuring crystal singing bowls to attune to nature’s rhythms.
The Chuon Chuon Kids’ Club is a mini-resort of its own complete with wading pool, mini loungers, shaded sandy play area, and multiple indoor zones. The Health Club also has sauna and steam rooms, four tennis courts, a badminton court, and a half-size basketball court.
Of course, there is no Four Seasons rewards program, but if you are a regular guest of the Four Seasons or even want to try this iconic brand for the first time, you can take advantage of loyalty style benefits at Four Seasons hotels for no extra cost by booking your next stay via our luxury travel concierge.
4. Amanoi
Named for the Sanskrit-derived word for ‘peace’ and noi meaning ‘place’, Amanoi is a tranquil retreat situated on a beautiful white-sand beach overlooking spectacular Vinh Hy Bay.
Nui Chua National Park protects an area of more than 29,000 hectares of pristine coastal and marine habitats in Ninh Thuan Province, northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. Amanoi is situated on the dramatic coastline of this National Park.
After an incredible and beautiful drive through Nui Chua National Park, guests ascend the stairs to Amanoi’s Central Pavilion. The panoramic views of Ninh Thuan Province, the sea and the coastline are jawdropping.
The Central Pavilion sits on top of the hill and is inspired by a traditional Vietnamese communal hall. Within this hall, you will find the Restaurant, Bar, and an expansive terrace, all with breathtaking views.
The resort’s Library offers a range of reading materials in several languages and there is a boutique featuring a selection of traditional Vietnamese lacquerware, handmade jewelry and local bronze, copper, pottery, and ceramic items, as well as resort apparel, in case you forget anything.
The Cliff Pool is next to the Central Pavilion along with a beautiful swimming pool. The second swimming pool is found at the Beach Club, on the edge of the white-sand beach. This second pool also offers dining and lounging areas and a range of water sports equipment.
The resort’s Aman Spa is set on a tranquil lake and surrounded by the National Park’s verdant hills. Amanoi’s fitness options include a spacious, light-filled Gymnasium, a Pilates Studio, and a lakeside Yoga Pavilion. There are also two outdoor tennis courts and a number of scenic hiking, running and trekking routes on nearby.
5. Six Senses Con Dao
Six Senses Con Dao is the first luxury resort in the remote Con Dao archipelago, designated a national and marine park, Six Senses’ eco-modern design pays homage to its pristine location. Relax with a Vietnamese spa treatment or improve your yoga practice, then dine on fresh-caught seafood.
35 contemporary one-bedroom pool villas and 15 multiple-room residences include butler service and a private infinity pool. Ocean View Deluxe Pool Villas are the best for privacy and honeymooners, with their own infinity pools and great views.
The Experiences Team can arrange for some of the best diving in Vietnam, along with rainforest hikes, fishing trips, and activities for kids. Every host at Six Senses Con Dao is committed to actively improving the ecological and carbon footprint of the resort and spa operation.
The resort possesses a unique construction that reduces its environmental footprint. 50 villas incorporate more than a thousand teak carvings with butterfly-style roofs designed to minimize the use of air-conditioning and maximize airflow throughout the resort. Six Senses Con Do also installed a solar panel system in every villa to save power as much as possible.
In collaboration with National Parks, Six Senses Con Dao has become the proud custodians of selected clutches of turtle eggs to protect the eggs from being poached from nests at neighboring islands.
Six Senses Con Dao also organizes monthly beach clean-up activities at various beaches in Con Dao archipelago, provides complimentary hamlets, runs monthly environmental workshops to raise environmental awareness, and teaches English for local children.
6. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
Six Senses Ninh Van Bay sits on a dramatic bay that feels like an island, with impressive rock formations and overlooking the sea. A golden sand beach and towering mountains mix frame this family-friendly. The architectural style incorporates the traditions of Vietnam. The 62 accommodations are all personal villas with private plunge pools.
The restaurants at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay serve international and local favorites plus East meets West specialties complemented by the best local seafood, including lobsters and king prawns, and with fresh organic produce grown in the temperate climate of Dalat. You can lounge on daybeds with drinks from the wine cave, or healthy fresh juices and favorite libations from the bar.
Six Senses Spa at Ninh Van Bay is a sanctuary for all the senses. Traditional Vietnamese and Six Senses Signature treatments, customized detox programs, and advanced oxygen therapies are available to suit individual guest’s needs. In addition to the breath-taking treatment rooms where guests feel at one with nature, the spa is equipped with yoga pavilion, a gymnasium, hair salon, and spa retail gallery.
Six Senses Ninh Van Bay not only offers the perfect location for relaxation, but its proximity to NhaTrang and its prime position in a calm and sheltered bay means that guests can enjoy many activities and excursions on water, underwater at the coral reef, and on land.
7. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
A prominent fixture in the heart of Hanoi since 1901, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi beautifully combines French art de Vivre with elegant Vietnamese touches. Located just steps from the Opera House in Hanoï’s French Quarter, this legendary property brings guests into intimate contact with the opulence of another era. You can surround yourself in heritage as you stroll through stately corridors and explore its dramatic past. Daily tours of Metropole’s Path of History and the bomb shelter with historians are offered exclusively for guests staying at the hotel.
The hotel features 364 rooms and suites and excellent meeting and events facilities. The SoFIT by Sofitel gym, situated in the hotel’s inner garden, has been completely redesigned to become a prominent luxury fitness center in Hanoi. The spacious 400 m² Le Spa du Metropole is a calming sanctuary overlooking the charming garden, courtyard, and pool, featuring private massage areas, thematic spa suites for couples, manicure, and pedicure booth, and a humid zone with steam bath.
In terms of dining, guests can choose between the Parisian-inspired cafe La Terrasse, the popular poolside Bamboo Bar, the Vietnamese restaurant: Spices Garden, the multi-award-winning French restaurant: Le Beaulieu, the bespoke cocktail bar, whiskey lounge, and restaurant: Angelina, and the colonial-inspired Le Club Bar famous for its afternoon high tea and evening jazz performances, there’s truly something to make every gastronomic journey a memorable one.
8. Park Hyatt Saigon
Park Hyatt Saigon is one of the best hotels in Ho Chi Minh City and has a French Colonial feel. It is also one of the cheapest Park Hyatt hotels in the world costing 15,000 World of Hyatt points per night or just over $200 USD per night if you are paying. This is very cheap when considering the extraordinary level of luxury offered by this hotel.
The hotel was actually used as a base for the US military during the war in Vietnam. This hotel is where the real-life DJ Adrian Cronauer made his war-time daily broadcast “Good Morning, Vietnam”, made famous in the film named after this famous phrase.
The foyer of the Park Hyatt Saigon drips with crystal chandeliers, polished wood flooring, and heavily scented floral arrangements, and the entire hotel is immaculately presented.
245 sophisticated hotel rooms and 23 suites, with polished wooden floors, ceiling fans, and the same colonial feel. King-sized beds are covered in white linens, and marble bathrooms have tubs and separate rain showers. Park Deluxe rooms have their own private terrace with direct access to the pool and are the rooms to pick.
The large outdoor pool lazes in the middle of tropical gardens and is a great place to waste the day or to dine out in the warmth. There is also a fitness center and the Xuan Spa which features four private single treatment rooms and embraces the Mekong Delta’s essences, with fresh herbs, local grains, and fruits
The signature restaurant: Square One, features authentic Vietnamese and French cuisine. While Opera offers traditional Italian dishes prepared in a large open kitchen and served in a cozy trattoria setting. Head to 2 Lam Son, the liveliest nightspot in Ho Chi Minh City for a great night out. On the weekends, rock out with their DJ until late and unwind with a refreshing signature martini or glass of champagne.
You can also listen to live performances by resident musicians every evening at the elegant Park Lounge, which also offers a French-inspired Afternoon Tea buffet. There’s more too; After 5, a new concept on the terrace of Square One restaurant offering craft beers, mouth-watering bites and refreshing cocktails; and the Pastry Boutique with sumptuous cakes, sweets, and pastries.
9. The Reverie Saigon
The Reverie Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is an unconventional yet sparkling hotel. The interiors are like marmite, but love them or hate them, they are ultra-luxurious and it is worth taking a trip to Saigon to take a look.
The Reverie Saigon invokes dreamy contemplation of palaces and chateaus and the public spaces dazzle. Furnishings have aristocratic designs and fine linens and walls are textured with Italian silk. Serene views over Saigon River are overrun by this Italian extravagance, and fine Italian decorators have individually appointed each of the rooms and suites.
There are three restaurants, The Royal Pavilion (Chinese), R&J (Italian) and Café Cardinal (French) – and The Long @ Times Square is a ground-floor café with a 48-meter bar counter that vaults the distance between Dong Khoi Street and Nguyen Hue Boulevard.
The Spa spans 1,200 m² on two floors, with 10 treatment rooms, a beauty salon, and luxurious designs. The hotel also has a 120 m² gym and a 24-meter pool.
The Reverie Saigon has set a glorious stage. The blend of colors may well make your eyes water and your brain hurt, but in a world where homogeneity seems encouraged, it is uplifting to find an outlandish hotel that makes you go “wow”.
10. Four Seasons Hanoi
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts will soon bring elegant design to Hanoi’s historic district and grand luxury to this town, overlooking the tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake. Four Seasons Hotel Hanoi at Hoan Kiem Lake will be found in the heart of Vietnam’s capital city.
The new hotel will offer views of Hoan Kiem Lake and the bustling streets leading to the Old and French Quarters and will be located a short walk or scooter ride from many museums and galleries, shopping, and the city’s vibrant culinary scene.
“Hanoi is an incredible city, with a great deal to offer international and local travelers, and we look forward to expanding in the region with first-time partners BRG Group on this exciting project. This is a fantastic opportunity to offer travelers a Four Seasons experience in Hanoi, with partners who are truly passionate about the future of this city, and this hotel in particular,” said J. Allen Smith, President, and CEO of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
Designed by international award-winning firms WATG Architects and SRSS Interior Design Studio, Four Seasons Hotel Hanoi at Hoan Kiem Lake will draw from the French Colonial inspirations that are characteristic of Hanoi and include 95 rooms and suites as well as a spa and fitness center, pools, and event and meeting spaces.
Joining the dynamic culinary landscape in the city, Wimberly Interiors, experts in cosmopolitan design will develop the dining and lounge offerings, including an all-day restaurant, lounge, and rooftop bar.
Four Seasons Hotel Hanoi at Hoan Kiem Lake will be the company’s second location in Vietnam, joining Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An which we have reviewed above.
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