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South China Morning Post

Coastal luxury and fine dining at Vietnam's InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort

Our trip to Da Nang begins with a touch of drama. We narrowly avoid storm-induced delays as we depart Hong Kong, but when we touch down the sun is shining and a gentle breeze sweeps over the seaside Vietnamese town – a stark contrast to the torrent we left behind. We're spending the weekend at the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, and apparently we couldn't have arrived soon enough. Villas at the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort offer privacy and seclusion. Photo: Handout Stepping out of the airport, we settle into the cushy Mercedes-Benz sent to pick us up. The drive to the resort is a quick half-hour, with scenes of buzzing streetside cafes and shops, and of tourists ambling from their hotels to the nearby beach, melting away to a view of the city skyline as we wind up Son Tra Mountain, then to nothing but the greenery of the Son Tra Nature Reserve. Chain-link fences bedecked with cheeky monkey decorations greet us as we approach the resort's entrance. Advertisement Guests of the resort can enjoy tours of the surrounding Son Tra Nature Reserve. Photo: Handout Fans of The White Lotus might experience a certain amount of deja vu as they step into the resort. A decade and a half ago, before the property opened, this was all just rainforest. Now, if the architecture, interior design and landscaping have a sense of familiarity, it could be because they're by Bill Bensley – the mastermind behind the Four Seasons Koh Samui, aka the IRL Thai hotel from season three of the hit TV show. He even worked on the two properties at around the same time. Black and white – referencing the concept of yin and yang – is the main colour palette, with bright splashes adding a sense of the playful and contemporary. Local inspiration abounds, from the entrance through to the property's six restaurants and 189 rooms, suites and villas. The entrance is styled after quintessential Vietnamese temples, while Michelin-starred La Maison 1888 is French colonial, and the beachside Barefoot restaurant emulates a traditional local fishing hut with its wooden structure and thatched roof. Terrace suites at the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort offer ample living space. Photo: Handout The resort sprawls across 39 hectares within the nature reserve, with each of the four levels that cascade down the hillside to the beach accessible by the Nam Tram, the property's cable car. Big spenders can look to the villas, which come with several bedrooms, larger dining spaces and private plunge pools. We check in to one of the club terrace suites, and are immediately blown away by the panorama of rolling hills and the South China Sea. Every room on the property boasts such a view, in fact, as well as its own outdoor terrace with dining area. But the best vantage point is a seat at one of Citron restaurant's coveted outdoor booths. Shaped like inverted versions of Vietnam's iconic non la conical hats, the booths offer uninterrupted views of the bay, making you feel as though you're floating on air. Panoramic views from the non la-inspired tables at Citron restaurant. Photo: Handout At Citron, the resort's Vietnamese restaurant, guests can enjoy central Vietnamese favourites, from Hue beef noodle soup to ca phe muoi: coffee featuring a decadent, salted cream top. Citron also serves up a daily buffet breakfast and a Sunday champagne brunch. Barefoot, meanwhile, offers grilled seafood, meats and vegetarian options right on the beach, while French fine dining features at La Maison 1888. The beachside Long Bar and classy Buffalo Bar, located next to La Maison 1888, round out the food and drink offerings.