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

Reserving

Location

The InterContinental Danang Solar Peninsula Resort is simply exterior Danang, Vietnam, and a couple of 40-minute drive from town’s airport with out visitors. The resort is distant, so do not count on to hop into city rapidly or to eat exterior the property simply throughout your keep. There aren’t any eating places or outlets close to the resort. Mainly, when you test in, you are just about right here to remain. When you wished to take a day journey to Hoi An, for instance, you’d face a couple of one-hour drive every means.

My husband and I snagged a experience by Seize’s ride-hailing app from the Danang airport to the resort for 282,000 Vietnamese Dong (about $12). Nonetheless, the resort would not permit ride-hailing apps to select up company, so to go away the property you will have to e-book a non-public switch ($99 plus taxes and costs one-way to or from the airport) or use a cab from Vinasun, the resort’s accredited taxi supplier.

When it was time to take a look at, the taxi the resort referred to as charged us 360,000 Dong (about $15) to go to the My An neighborhood in Danang metropolis. A Seize would have been 231,000 Dong (about $10).

Test-in

The day earlier than check-in, I obtained the next e mail from the resort:

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 stated 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 e-book a higher-category room for the paid nights). I acquired 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 checklist 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 night time of our keep. Primarily based on charges once I booked our two-night paid keep, the terrace suite with ocean view price about $88 per night time 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 working down a cliff — Sea, Earth, Sky and Heaven — and we had been assigned a terrace suite within the highest part, Heaven. After getting a fast overview of the resort’s format 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 acquired the most effective terrace suites, as we had a wonderful view over the resort from the Heaven stage and had 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 sometimes assigns this room to Ambassador members.

A writing pad, lamp and a welcome fruit plate had been on the massive desk close to the doorway. To the precise of the desk was the minibar with an assortment of wines, liquors and non-alcohol drinks accessible for buy.

To the left of the desk was the espresso and tea space. I’ve a gentle spot for inns 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 had 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 seashore bag with two pairs of sandals and a Vietnamese-style hat.
• Emergency gentle and mosquito repellent plug-in system.
• Protected.
• Baggage for laundry and dry cleansing.

On both aspect of the massive closet had 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 had been gentle switches and the don’t disturb and make up room buttons. Underneath the mattress had been energy shops. I discovered the mattress extraordinarily snug; 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 dwell channels, most of which had been in English. Under the TV was a window seat. And behind the window seat had been shutters that you possibly can open. When you accomplish that, you may look out to the balcony.

To the precise 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 once we weren’t exterior. She stated the monkeys have realized methods to open the door if it is solely locked as soon as.

Lastly, the toilet was to the precise 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 principle space of the toilet, which had two sinks and loads of counter house. 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 had been set out on a pedestal subsequent to the bathe.

There are two small points you need 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 company in an adjoining room had been early risers and chatty, so I wakened every morning as they left their room. Secondly, the resort is in a jungle atmosphere, so chances are you’ll sometimes discover bugs — we encountered a cockroach and a spider — in your room.

A observe 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 tough for mobility-limited company to totally benefit from the resort. For instance, there is not any strategy to attain the pool above the L_O_N_G Bar with out climbing stairs. However, in the event you’re snug with restricted stairs and using in a golf cart, you should still have an fulfilling keep.

Meals and beverage

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

Word 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 acquired 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 simply might need seen on the resort’s web site.

We loved dinner at Citron on our first night time. The dinner choices had 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 gentle dressing, tender rooster and contemporary style. I additionally appreciated that some salad elements got here from the on-site nursery. And we each beloved the nice and cozy, contemporary bread with lemongrass butter served together with the appetizer.

I initially ordered pho from northern Vietnam for 399,000 Dong (about $17) for my foremost. 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 stated this was his favourite dish. The noodles had been tasty and contemporary, however the pork was fattier than I preferred.

As an IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite, I chosen the every day breakfast as my welcome amenity at check-in. That means, we had been in a position to benefit from the full breakfast buffet every morning at Citron for no extra price. If I might opted so as to add on breakfast for 2 company whereas reserving, it will have price us $77 extra per night time.

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

I attempted a bit of 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 greatest chef on this planet by his friends with Michelin stars in 2015 as a part of the Le Chef Journal awards, and is the top chef and proprietor of the Michelin three-starred Pierre Gagnaire restaurant in Paris.

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

I made a decision to splurge on a meal at this restaurant on my second night time. Earlier than I even indicated I might have the three-course meal, a server introduced six canapes. I appreciated how the server described every canape, together with the order during which I ought to eat them. For me, the highlights had been the frothy and light-weight 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 wished 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 contemporary coriander, banh mi and a coriander mint sorbet. The crust pastry across the meat pie was delicate but tasty, and the banh mi was contemporary 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 continuously eat purple meat, however this tenderloin was glorious. 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 had been crisp on the surface and creamy inside.

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

Barefoot

On our final night time, we ate dinner at Barefoot, the causal Western restaurant at Sea stage by the seashore. We confirmed up and not using a reservation, however the hostess was in a position to put together a wonderful desk looking on the seashore 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 nearly too spicy for me to eat and contained lengthy strips of sea bass as a substitute of small items. Nonetheless, the pizza was glorious — with an ideal crust and scrumptious cheese — which made sense as soon as our waiter stated the chef was Italian.

L_O_N_G Bar

L_O_N_G Bar is subsequent to the household pool and straight beneath the Lengthy Pool. This bar is 50 meters lengthy and seemingly takes inspiration from Lengthy Bar at Raffles Resort in Singapore. You may discover the identical ceiling followers as at Lengthy Bar in Singapore, however the decor at L_O_N_G Bar is far brighter. Plus, L_O_N_G Bar provides views of the seashore from the swinging chairs, large day beds and a pool desk.

L_O_N_G Bar hosts a buy-one, get-one joyful hour each night time from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There is a particular joyful hour menu, however there are sufficient selections to fulfill most individuals. You do not have to get two of the identical drink both — you get the inexpensive drink comped in the event you purchase two completely different drinks. I loved the pina colada, however in the event you’re searching for essentially the most alcohol on your cash, take into account the margarita.

The resort additionally hosted a ten,000-step problem throughout my keep, which offered 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 supplied detox drinks and smoothies; I attempted the mango smoothie one night time and a carrot smoothie the opposite night time.

The loos 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, not less than within the girls’s restroom, there is a bathe in a single stall that you should use if you’ll want to try of your room however need to proceed having fun with the pool.

Room service

I ordered room service mid-day in the future and had the crispy crab cake ball appetizer for 349,000 dong (about $15), the Hoi An rice foremost for 449,000 dong (about $19) and a soda for 140,000 dong (about $6). After I referred to 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 had been deliciously ready and splendidly complimented by a chili sauce. In the meantime, the Hoi An rice was the right mixture of contemporary 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 may ask for a buggy to select 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 want.

The Nam Tram is an attraction in itself. There was by no means a look ahead to the Nam Tram throughout my keep, in addition to generally needing to attend for it to reach from one other station. Nonetheless, observe that the Nam Tram would not run 24 hours a day, so chances are you’ll have to take a buggy late at night time or early within the morning.

At Sea stage, 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 seashore and resort. There’s additionally an infinity jacuzzi space that’s bubbly however not heat.

At Sea stage, there is a lengthy personal seashore for the resort. You may discover ample seashore chairs with umbrellas and attendants that may deliver you chilly water bottles. There was additionally loads of complimentary sunscreen and aloe accessible.

You may additionally discover a water sports activities tent providing kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and a windsurfing board you could borrow for no price after filling out a kind.

In the identical constructing because the L_O_N_G Bar is an indoor gymnasium. And simply exterior the L_O_N_G Bar is an out of doors gymnasium space. The indoor gymnasium incorporates extra gear than the out of doors gymnasium — 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 company with children 4 to 12 years outdated.

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

And on the Heaven stage, you will discover a quiet rest pavilion.

On the Sea stage close to the Nam Tram is the reception constructing for the Lagoon Apa and the Pedi:mani:treatment studio. You may e-book 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 therapy huts.

Service

General, the service was glorious on the InterContinental Danang Solar Peninsula Resort. From restaurant staff to gardeners, we always discovered pleasant and welcoming employees.

Most employees appeared motivated to make company joyful each time attainable. When the opposite couple who joined us for the therapeutic massage class requested for a lesson in massaging their youngster, the trainer 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 select up the couple earlier than beginning the workshop quarter-hour late. Likewise, the hostess ready a desk inside a couple of minutes once we confirmed up for dinner at Barefoot and not using a reservation.

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

The telephone points did not cease right here, although. Our telephone rang a number of instances all through our keep, with the caller hanging up after just a few 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 stated hiya. Particularly since our in-person interactions had been so good, it was disappointing to have such poor experiences over the telephone.

General impression

The InterContinental Danang Solar Peninsula Resort is gorgeous, and I completely loved my three-night keep. Briefly, in the event you’re searching for luxurious and the price 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 wished to maximise my time there. However, I might fallen in love with the My An neighborhood of Danang when visiting town a number of instances between Cathay Pacific mistake fares again in 2019. So I returned to the neighborhood for just a few nights after trying out of the InterContinental.

Room charges — each in factors and money — fluctuate tremendously on the InterContinental Danang all year long. In case your finances is restricted, take into account touring when charges are comparatively low and add on just a few nights in Danang metropolis earlier than or after your InterContinental keep.