Monkeys, a funicular and superb views: A overview of the InterContinental Danang Solar Peninsula Resort in Vietnam

Examine-in

The day earlier than check-in, I obtained the next electronic mail from the lodge:

I responded, noting our anticipated arrival time and explaining that we had two consecutive reservations and would favor to maintain the identical room. However, I mentioned we would be prepared to alter rooms if essential to get a greater room for the 2 paid nights (restricted availability had compelled us to guide a higher-category room for the paid nights). I received the next response, which incorrectly listed my standing as Platinum Ambassador (I am Diamond Ambassador) and jogged my memory of the three p.m. check-in time:

We reached the resort shortly earlier than 3 p.m. An agent on the entrance gate checked our names in opposition to a visitor record earlier than permitting our Seize into the resort. Upon arrival on the check-in constructing, a employees member led us to a comparatively crowded room for check-in. Fortunately, there was sufficient employees to deal with the crowds, and we accomplished the check-in formalities rapidly.

One good thing about InterContinental Ambassador membership is a assured one-category room improve. For this keep, the resort upgraded us to a terrace suite with an ocean view for all three nights. This room sort is one class above the room sort we booked for our two-night paid keep and two classes above the room sort I booked for the opposite single evening of our keep. Primarily based on charges once I booked our two-night paid keep, the terrace suite with ocean view value about $88 per evening greater than the panoramic ocean view room we would booked.

Nonetheless, the resort did not assign us simply any terrace suite. The property has 4 ranges operating down a cliff — Sea, Earth, Sky and Heaven — and we have been assigned a terrace suite within the highest part, Heaven. After getting a fast overview of the lodge’s structure on a map and a greeting from the resort supervisor, a employees member escorted us to our room in a golf cart.

The room

We seemingly received top-of-the-line terrace suites, as we had a wonderful view over the resort from the Heaven degree and have been near the restaurant the place breakfast was served in addition to the Nam Tram (the resort’s funicular railway that connects all 4 ranges). At try, one of many brokers famous that the resort usually assigns this room to Ambassador members.

A writing pad, lamp and a welcome fruit plate have been on the big desk close to the doorway. To the appropriate of the desk was the minibar with an assortment of wines, liquors and non-alcohol drinks out there for buy.

To the left of the desk was the espresso and tea space. I’ve a delicate spot for motels and airport lounges with particular person teapots, so I used to be thrilled to discover a small teapot with two cups, an illy espresso machine and a water kettle.

Throughout from the tea and low space was a big closet that had a design impressed by native temples, with two doorways that opened outward. Contained in the closet have been:

• 12 hangers (two of which held plush InterContinental robes).
• An iron and ironing board.
• Two pairs of fluffy slippers.
• A basket for the shoe cleansing service that incorporates a shoe horn, shoe brush and shoe mitt.
• A seaside bag with two pairs of sandals and a Vietnamese-style hat.
• Emergency mild and mosquito repellent plug-in machine.
• Secure.
• Baggage for laundry and dry cleansing.

On both aspect of the big closet have been baggage racks, every with a two-shelf cupboard overhead.

On the opposite aspect of the desk was the mattress with nightstands to both aspect, every with a lamp. Behind the mattress on the headboard have been mild switches and the don’t disturb and make up room buttons. Beneath the mattress have been energy shops. I discovered the mattress extraordinarily comfy; it had a agency mattress with a feather topper.

Throughout from the mattress was a mounted 41.5-inch TV. The TV had about 24 stay channels, most of which have been in English. Under the TV was a window seat. And behind the window seat have been shutters that you may open. In case you accomplish that, you may look out to the balcony.

To the appropriate of the window seat was a sliding door to the spacious balcony, which had spectacular views. Our balcony had two lounge chairs. My favourite place to sit down, nevertheless, was in one of many taller chairs across the surfboard-shaped desk. This desk was a wonderful place to work or take pleasure in a drink whereas soaking within the views.

There are monkeys on the resort, although — so the agent who confirmed us to our room after checking in cautioned us to double lock the patio door after we weren’t exterior. She mentioned the monkeys have discovered find out how to open the door if it is solely locked as soon as.

Lastly, the lavatory was to the appropriate of the desk by the doorway. First, you will see a small room with only a rest room.

Previous the bathroom room and a sliding door was the primary space of the lavatory, which had two sinks and loads of counter area. There was a scale underneath the counter, a field containing a comparatively weak Valera hair dryer and one other field containing numerous facilities (comb, cotton swabs, toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving package, a bathe cap and cotton pads).

To the left of the sinks was a formidable bathtub. We had a wonderful view over the resort from our tub. Sadly, it did not maintain water nicely (the drain did not appear correctly sealed), so we needed to sometimes high off our baths. Subsequent to the bathtub was the bathe, which had a hand-held wand bathe head and an overhead rainfall bathe. Small containers of Harnn Mystique shampoo, conditioner, physique wash and moisturizer have been set out on a pedestal subsequent to the bathe.

There are two small points you ought to be conscious of, although, relating to the rooms at this resort. First, noise simply is available in from the room’s entrance door. The visitors in an adjoining room have been early risers and chatty, so I wakened every morning as they left their room. Secondly, the resort is in a jungle setting, so you could sometimes discover bugs — we encountered a cockroach and a spider — in your room.

A be aware about accessibility

IHG would not promote any handicap-accessible rooms on the InterContinental Danang.

And loads of steps and steep paths all through the property will make it troublesome for mobility-limited visitors to totally benefit from the resort. For instance, there is no strategy to attain the pool above the L_O_N_G Bar with out climbing stairs. However, in the event you’re comfy with restricted stairs and driving in a golf cart, you should still have an gratifying keep.

Meals and beverage

Throughout my keep, there have been three eating places and one bar open on the resort. The resort additionally provided room service. I attempted all of the out there choices.

Observe that each one the costs talked about on this part are earlier than taxes, service and gratuity. The costs cited do not mirror the 20% low cost we received on non-alcoholic drinks and meals at Citron and Barefoot because of my Diamond Ambassador standing.

Citron

Citron is within the Heaven part of the resort close to the Membership InterContinental Lounge and the Nam Tram. This restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. And sure, that is the venue on the InterContinental Danang that provides round tables with panoramic views that you just might need seen on the resort’s web site.

We loved dinner at Citron on our first evening. The dinner choices have been principally Vietnamese, with the menu separated into North, Central and South Vietnamese delicacies.

I ordered the Vietnamese-style free-range rooster with mint salad from northern Vietnam for 349,000 Dong (about $15) as an appetizer. I used to be impressed by the salad’s mild dressing, tender rooster and recent style. I additionally appreciated that some salad substances got here from the on-site nursery. And we each liked the nice and cozy, recent bread with lemongrass butter served together with the appetizer.

I initially ordered pho from northern Vietnam for 399,000 Dong (about $17) for my fundamental. Our waiter famous that I might get this dish as a part of the breakfast buffet the following morning, although, so I modified my order to Quang noodles from central Vietnam for 488,000 Dong (about $21) since our waiter mentioned this was his favourite dish. The noodles have been tasty and recent, however the pork was fattier than I appreciated.

As an IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite, I chosen the day by day breakfast as my welcome amenity at check-in. That method, we have been in a position to benefit from the full breakfast buffet every morning at Citron for no extra value. If I would opted so as to add on breakfast for 2 visitors whereas reserving, it could have value us $77 extra per evening.

I used to be impressed by the range out there on the breakfast buffet, together with ample American, European, Asian and Vietnamese choices. There have been a number of stations the place you may get made-to-order eggs, pho and a particular native dish that modified day by day.

I attempted a little bit little bit of every part throughout my three breakfasts, discovering the bread, fruits and Asian choices to be the most effective.

La Maison 1888

La Maison 1888 is the resort’s premier restaurant, that includes French specialties with a Vietnamese affect from French chef Pierre Gagnaire. Gagnaire was named finest chef on this planet by his friends with Michelin stars in 2015 as a part of the Le Chef Journal awards, and is the pinnacle chef and proprietor of the Michelin three-starred Pierre Gagnaire restaurant in Paris.

La Maison 1888 is on the Earth degree subsequent to the Nam Tram. The restaurant solely gives three meal choices: a three-course, four-course or five-course set menu. The three-course set meal value 2,899,000 Dong (about $124) earlier than taxes, service, gratuity and drinks. In the meantime, the four-course meal value 3,599,000 Dong (about $154) and the five-course meal value 4,299,000 Dong (about $184).

I made a decision to splurge on a meal at this restaurant on my second evening. Earlier than I even indicated I’d have the three-course meal, a server introduced six canapes. I appreciated how the server described every canape, together with the order wherein I ought to eat them. For me, the highlights have been the frothy and lightweight soup with pea sauce and the breaded shrimp with garlic sauce.

After the canapes, a server introduced over a menu and let me select whether or not I needed three, 4 or 5 programs. I went for the three-course one and took the chef’s advice of medium-rare Wagyu beef. The restaurant can adapt by providing a three- or four-course vegetarian menu in the event you do not eat meat.

My first course consisted of pate en croute with roasted almonds and recent coriander, banh mi and a coriander mint sorbet. The crust pastry across the meat pie was delicate but tasty, and the banh mi was recent with a candy, tangy sauce and shredded veggies.

The spotlight of my second course was the Wagyu beef tenderloin, which was flavorful and velvety. I do not regularly eat pink meat, however this tenderloin was wonderful. Nonetheless, the flavour of the sauce served with the tenderloin was a distraction — I discovered the meat tasted higher with out it. The croquettes served alongside the tenderloin have been crisp on the skin and creamy inside.

Lastly, the third course consisted of a number of totally different desserts. The lemon sorbet, sadly, overwhelmed the plate of Vietnamese fruit, and the olives within the strawberry dessert have been surprising. However I liked the sunshine but crunchy flan topped with puffed rice. And the chocolate biscuit was a wealthy finish to my meal.

Barefoot

On our final evening, we ate dinner at Barefoot, the causal Western restaurant at Sea degree by the seaside. We confirmed up with out a reservation, however the hostess was in a position to put together a wonderful desk searching on the seaside inside a couple of minutes.

The menu included loads of grilled choices, however I had the ocean bass ceviche for 329,000 dong (about $14) and the vegetarian pizza for 368,000 dong (about $16).

The ceviche wasn’t how I anticipated, because it was virtually too spicy for me to eat and contained lengthy strips of sea bass as an alternative of small items. Nonetheless, the pizza was wonderful — with an ideal crust and scrumptious cheese — which made sense as soon as our waiter mentioned the chef was Italian.

L_O_N_G Bar

L_O_N_G Bar is subsequent to the household pool and straight under the Lengthy Pool. This bar is 50 meters lengthy and seemingly takes inspiration from Lengthy Bar at Raffles Lodge in Singapore. You will discover the identical ceiling followers as at Lengthy Bar in Singapore, however the decor at L_O_N_G Bar is way brighter. Plus, L_O_N_G Bar gives views of the seaside from the swinging chairs, big day beds and a pool desk.

L_O_N_G Bar hosts a buy-one, get-one blissful hour each evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There is a particular blissful hour menu, however there are sufficient decisions to fulfill most individuals. You do not have to get two of the identical drink both — you get the cheaper drink comped in the event you purchase two totally different drinks. I loved the pina colada, however in the event you’re on the lookout for essentially the most alcohol to your cash, contemplate the margarita.

The resort additionally hosted a ten,000-step problem throughout my keep, which supplied a complimentary wholesome drink per day per individual on the L_O_N_G Bar in the event you confirmed a health tracker with greater than 10,000 steps for the day. I walked a big quantity most days on the resort, so I loved a complimentary wholesome drink on two nights of my keep. The wholesome drink part of the menu provided detox drinks and smoothies; I attempted the mango smoothie one evening and a carrot smoothie the opposite evening.

The bogs in the identical constructing because the L_O_N_G Bar are additionally value visiting. The mirrors are mesmerizing, and the lads’s urinal makes use of an fascinating waterfall design. And, at the very least within the girls’s restroom, there is a bathe in a single stall that you should utilize if it is advisable try of your room however wish to proceed having fun with the pool.

Room service

I ordered room service mid-day at some point and had the crispy crab cake ball appetizer for 349,000 dong (about $15), the Hoi An rice fundamental for 449,000 dong (about $19) and a soda for 140,000 dong (about $6). After I known as to order, the employees member quoted me a wait time of 40 to 45 minutes. So I used to be stunned when a employees member delivered my meal 18 minutes later.

The kitchen didn’t rush the cooking, although. The crabcakes have been deliciously ready and splendidly complimented by a chili sauce. In the meantime, the Hoi An rice was the right mixture of recent and filling because of all of the greens.

Facilities

The InterContinental Danang Solar Peninsula Resort sprawls, with most buildings solely housing a dozen or so rooms. You’ll be able to ask for a buggy to choose you up, however I normally most popular to stroll. The Nam Tram and a 365-step stairway between Heaven and Sea make it straightforward to get round with out utilizing buggies in the event you favor.

The Nam Tram is an attraction in itself. There was by no means a look forward to the Nam Tram throughout my keep, moreover generally needing to attend for it to reach from one other station. Nonetheless, be aware that the Nam Tram would not run 24 hours a day, so you could must take a buggy late at evening or early within the morning.

At Sea degree, there are two pool areas. One is the shaded backyard pool space that is family-friendly. This space additionally has a big, neat-looking chilly jacuzzi (or plunge pool, I suppose) for adults.

The second pool space is above the L_O_N_G Bar and consists of an infinity pool overlooking the seaside and resort. There’s additionally an infinity jacuzzi space that’s bubbly however not heat.

At Sea degree, there is a lengthy personal seaside for the resort. You will discover ample seaside chairs with umbrellas and attendants that may carry you chilly water bottles. There was additionally loads of complimentary sunscreen and aloe out there.

You will additionally discover a water sports activities tent providing kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and a windsurfing board that you may borrow for no value after filling out a type.

In the identical constructing because the L_O_N_G Bar is an indoor fitness center. And simply exterior the L_O_N_G Bar is an outside fitness center space. The indoor fitness center incorporates extra gear than the out of doors fitness center — together with boxing gloves — however each areas embrace cardio and weight gear.

Additionally in the identical constructing because the L_O_N_G Bar is the Planet Trekkers child’s membership, which is complimentary for visitors with children 4 to 12 years previous.

On the Sky degree, you will discover the Bensley Outsider Gallery with art work by the architect and designer of the resort, Invoice Bensley. A employees member is inside to reply questions or help you with buying art work.

And on the Heaven degree, you will discover a quiet leisure pavilion.

On the Sea degree close to the Nam Tram is the reception constructing for the Lagoon Apa and the Pedi:mani:remedy studio. You’ll be able to guide massages on the spa reception, and that is additionally the place you will meet for any massages or therapeutic massage workshops.

The Lagoon Spa occupies its personal space of the resort — by a lagoon, appropriately sufficient. The blue buildings are remedy huts.

Service

Total, the service was wonderful on the InterContinental Danang Solar Peninsula Resort. From restaurant employees to gardeners, we continuously discovered pleasant and welcoming employees.

Most employees appeared motivated to make visitors blissful at any time when potential. When the opposite couple who joined us for the therapeutic massage class requested for a lesson in massaging their little one, the teacher tailored. And when the opposite couple in our wildlife workshop did not seem on time, the information for the workshop apologized to us and drove to choose up the couple earlier than beginning the workshop quarter-hour late. Likewise, the hostess ready a desk inside a couple of minutes after we confirmed up for dinner at Barefoot with out a reservation.

We did not have any points speaking with the employees in individual. However, virtually each interplay we had with resort employees over the cellphone went poorly. For instance, once I known as to guide on-site actions, the concierge virtually hung up earlier than I might guide a second exercise (and he did not permit me to guide a 3rd as he appeared overly desirous to get off the cellphone). And after we known as for ice, we needed to repeat our request a number of instances earlier than the agent understood we needed ice as an alternative of a buggy.

The cellphone points did not cease right here, although. Our cellphone rang a number of instances all through our keep, with the caller hanging up after a couple of rings or shortly after we picked up. In a single case, an agent spoke softly once I picked up however then hung up after I mentioned hey. Particularly since our in-person interactions have been so good, it was disappointing to have such poor experiences over the cellphone.

Total impression

The InterContinental Danang Solar Peninsula Resort is gorgeous, and I totally loved my three-night keep. Briefly, in the event you’re on the lookout for luxurious and the associated fee is not prohibitive, the InterContinental Danang is a superb possibility that I extremely advocate.

I did not go away the resort throughout my keep since I needed to maximise my time there. However, I would fallen in love with the My An neighborhood of Danang when visiting the town a number of instances between Cathay Pacific mistake fares again in 2019. So I returned to the neighborhood for a couple of nights after testing of the InterContinental.

Room charges — each in factors and money — fluctuate tremendously on the InterContinental Danang all year long. In case your funds is restricted, contemplate touring when charges are comparatively low and add on a couple of nights in Danang metropolis earlier than or after your InterContinental keep.