THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN, JULY 25-26, 2015

www.theaustralian.com.au/travel

TRAVEL & INDULGENCE 11

CHECK IT OUT SUN PENINSULA RESIDENCES, DANANG, VIETNAM

ACCOMMODATION BUZZ

The InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort

in Vietnam has opened three new luxury residences,
perfect for families or groups of friends holidaying
together. As gateway to three UNESCO World
Heritage sites, including Hoi An, the city of Danang
is rapidly developing as a key tourism centre.
The InterContinentals new beachfront Sun
Peninsula Residences, designed by acclaimed
Bangkok-based architect Bill Bensley, are tucked
away in a corner of the resort above the propertys
private bay on the Son Tra Peninsula with sweeping
views over the East Sea and direct beach access.
Opened last month, the residences operate as a
resort within a resort, and while the swish interiors,
influenced by traditional Vietnamese architecture
and French colonial whimsy, tally with the
InterContinentals overall look, guests here enjoy a
host of exclusive services. These include a dedicated
chef, on hand to cook whatever you fancy, an on-call
chauffeur, butler, customised touring and nearby
helipad. The five-star treatment continues when

guests depart: the resort operates a dedicated airport

lounge complete with mini day spa at Danang
International. The new private enclave has two
three-bedroom residences with private pools and one
two-bedroom residence. The villas can be booked
separately or linked to form one enormous suite. The
dining pavilions, living areas and bedrooms in all
three villas claim uninterrupted ocean views.
Guests also have access to all the facilities of the
197-bedroom InterContinental, including a fitness
centre and award-winning day spa.

include Citron, with private dining booths affording

far-reaching views, and Barefoot, located on the
beach and serving dinner by torchlight.
DINING OUT: Madam Lan for traditional Vietnamese

fare and Red Sky for a steak.

ASK THE CONCIERGE: If you fancy a bespoke

wardrobe, the old town of Hoi An, famous for its

tailors, is 30km away, but concierge Thang Le says
you dont need to venture that far. Check out
Viettown Silk in Danang City (Tran Phu St).

DONT MISS: Danangs show-stopping Dragon

Bridge, spanning the River Han, as it spews fire and

great plumes of water in a spectacular after-dark
show on weekends.

CHECKING IN: Residences from $US2890 ($3920)

low season. More: Danang.intercontinental.com.

ALSO TRY: Beach House, One&Only Hayman

DINING IN: In September, the Michelin three-star

chef Pierre Gagnaire will take over the

InterContinentals signature La Maison 1888, one of
the best restaurants in town. Other resort eateries

Island, Queensland; The Fleming Villa, GoldenEye,

Jamaica; Residence Villas, Four Seasons Resort Bali
at Jimbaran Bay.
CHRISTINE McCABE

V1 - AUSE01Z70TR

The AKARYN Hotel Group has

paired with Singapore design
outfit Manor Studio to develop an
all-suite hotel in Chiang Mai,
Thailand; the 30-room akyra
Manor Chiang Mai opens August
1 in the northern citys bustling art
and food precinct with rates from
THB4200 ($166) Six Sensess
first resort in Europe has opened
in Portugals beautiful Douro
Valley featuring 57 guestrooms,
suites and villas, a Wine Library
with large stone terrace where
classic films can be enjoyed al
fresco by the fire pit, and an
enormous day spa offering grapebased treatments NSW
National Parks has opened a
charming, restored cottage in the
Royal National Park, one hour
south of Sydney; sleeping up to six
in three bedrooms. Hill Top is
ideally positioned for
bushwalking and swimming The
Mandarin Oriental, Paris, has put
the razzle-dazzle into themed
hotel packages, offering guests of
its 4600 ($6764) per night
Diamond in the Sky deal a
Bucherer diamond pendant;
youll also enjoy top floor suite
digs and breakfast in your room
Hong Kong-based Peninsula is
laying the groundwork for a hotel
in London; plans have been
submitted with the Westminster
City Council for a 190-room hotel
to be built on Grosvenor Place in
ritzy Belgravia, replacing a 1960s
office block.