Download - La Residence Hue on Asia Spa March 2012
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Its December, the middle of the rainy season in central Vietnam.
As my plane taxis to a stop at Danang International Airport, I can
see de-commissioned MiG ghter jets in dilapidated hangars
alongside the runway. Their presence might be odd given that the
conict which the Vietnamese prefers to call the American War
ended 40 years ago, but visitors will have no doubts as to who runs
the country now. The airport terminal is a small building which has
seen better days. In the late 1960s, Danang airport was the busiest
in the world. Just next door, they are putting nishing touches on aspanking new four-storey terminal, and in two weeks time, I will
be departing via that terminal.
Welcome to Danang! My name is Jack, announces the
driver sent to pick me up, courtesy of Hyatt Regency Danang.
Along the way, Jack lls me in on the latest developments since
I last visited a few years ago. Over there is Chi Lang Stadium
where we have our football matches, he proudly points out.
And here is another ve-star resort coming up, he gestures as
we turn into the street running parallel to the beach facing the
South China Sea. I counted no less than a dozen luxury resorts
and condominium projects including the massive Danang
Beach Resort development with its Greg Norman-inspired golf
course.
Left, right and centre, Danang is a work-in-progress. Foreign
occupying forces who ed the city decades ago are mostly back
and eager to stake a claim on China Beach, a white sandy
strip outside Danang made famous by American television. In
fact, Danangs beaches are ranked among the Worlds Most
Luxurious by Forbes magazine. The authorities had hoped that
the city would be the next Phuket but thats wishful thinking and
many are glad that things did not go down that route.In recent years, Danang, located right smack in the middle of
the country, is regaining its reputation as an R&R destination for
tired souls seeking respite from the frantic pace in the big cities.
Danang may be Vietnams third largest city, but tall buildings are
rare and trafc is leisurely. Here, you will not nd the chaotic
swarm of motorbikes with horns blaring like in Hanoi or Ho
Chi Minh City. Within a 100km radius, there are three UNESCO
World Heritage Sites: the romantic ancient city of Hoi An, the
former imperial capital Hue and the My Son historical ruins.
Besides its pristine beaches, the central coast is well-known
for its sumptuous seafood, and lately, an increasing number of
resorts and golf courses. Between Danang, Hoi An and Hue, you
are truly spoilt for choices when it comes to wellness retreats.
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vietnamcentralfnding balance in
writer/photographer Pete Wong
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Vie Spa at Hyatt Regency Danang ReSoRt & Spa
When Hyatt Danang opened for business a few months ago, it
showed the world just what can be achieved given the will and
resources. The impressive contemporary architecture seems to
embrace the ocean that it faces and is a refreshing departure from
resort designs along the coast. Guests wake up in rooms with modern
interiors of pine-coloured wood panels, sliding mirror doors and
natural stone bath tubs and have to remind themselves that they
are not in Phuket or Bali. There are 200 guestrooms, 174 apartment
units and 27 three-bedroom villas, so you can imagine how big
the resort is. Their restaurants serve great Vietnamese and western
cuisines so you need not have to worry about dining outside the
resort.Vie Spa, located away from the main building, has a fountain out
front and an inviting lobby. On the menu are signature packages,
facials, massages, scrubs, wraps, baths and so on. Their sessions can
last between two and four hours and include a light Vietnamese
meal. Treatments are done in secluded villas with an outdoor bath
tub, in case you need to take a dip before your session.
danang.regency.hyatt.com
Maia Spa at FuSion Maia Danang
When the resort opened less than two years ago with its all-inclusive
spa concept, many thought that it could not be done. The high
occupancy at the resort proves otherwise. The waiver of separate
charges for spa sessions seems to be hitting the right note as many
guests are seen smiling cheek-to-cheek and taking as many as three
sessions a day. Breakfast can be had at any time of the day, too, and
if thats not enough, you can also hop onto their complimentary
shuttles to Hoi An for dinner. The resort is like a modern village
with a relaxed setting and guests can choose either a pool suite,
spa or beach villa all will have an inviting four-poster bed and
in-house lap pool. Resort staff, called Fusionistas, are mostly young
and energetic and their exuberance tends to rub off on you.
The Maia Spa is a separate facility with its own pool, waterfall
and cosy treatment rooms. Friendly spa manager, Natalie, ensures
that new treatments like Ayurveda healing and reiki are added tothe already extensive menu from time to time. Recommended is the
Fusion Feeling package which should be followed by meditation.
Their best and strongest therapist would be Van but it may not be
easy to book her. www.fusionmaiadanang.com
tHe Spa at tHe naM Hai, Danang
For many years, Nam Hai held pole position as the most luxurious
resort in Danang. That may not be the case now with newer resorts
nipping at its heels but its architecture remains impressive, and its
ocean view stunning. The award-winning villa interior is mostly
black granite, and most activities revolve around the bed that you
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never want to get out of, with the television at your foot and the bath
tub behind the headboard. Guests villas are spread across the vast
32-hectare site, and there are no walls separating them, so privacy
can be an issue, especially with workmen working in the garden
outside. Resort grounds may be huge, but you are never more than
a few steps away from the beach.
Over at the spa grounds, the reception opens up to a view of
the lagoon framed by palm trees and six oating villas where
treatments are done. The spa ritual is practised to perfection with
careful attention to details towels are warmed and the bed is
heated. On the menu are stimulating polishes, romantic bathing
ceremonies, rejuvenating beauty regiments and therapeutic
massages. If you need a strong therapist, ask for Loan.www.ghmhotels.com
LiFe Spa at LiFe HeRitage ReSoRt Hoi an
Time stands still in the ancient city of Hoi An where century-old
shophouses, temples and clan houses are still preserved in the
historical district along the Thu Bon river, recognised by UNESCO
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THIS PAGE: Inside the treatment room at Fusion Maia Danang; Regency pool at Hyatt
Regency Danang Resort & Spa; Spa Relaxation Pavilion at The Nam Hai; Spa oils atThe Nam Hai. OPPOSITE PAGE: Inside one of the spa villas, Hyatt Regency Danang
Resort & Spa by Pete Wong. OPENING PAGE: Thu Bon river, Hoi An by Pete Wong.
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THIS PAGE: Jacuzzi inside spa treatment room at Pilgrimage VillageBoutique Resort & Spa, Hue. OPPOSITE PAGE: Friendly spa therapists
at Fusion Maia Danang; Massage at Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa.
2012 AsiaSpa
as a World Heritage Site. Life Resort is conveniently located on the
edge of the old district and you are within walking distance to all
the attractions. On a typical day, you wake up to the sound of shing
boats chugging lazily down the river loaded with their daily catch
of tourists, which are more lucrative than sh nowadays. The local
market is just outside the resort entrance or you can take one of
the resort bicycles to cycle around town. Life cant get any better.
Over at Life Spa, you can opt for their signature packages, bath
rituals, body wraps and so on. The team of therapists are friendly
and chatty. If you have 80 minutes to spare, try their Harmony of
Energy which incorporates seven massage techniques. After your
session, try their mouthwatering seafood platter at the in-house
restaurant or take a ve-minute walk along the river to the nearbylocal steamboat restaurants for a sumptuous meal.
www.life-resorts.com
VictoRia Spa at VictoRia Hoi an BeacH ReSoRt &
Spa
Victoria Hoi An does not compete with the bigger boys in terms
of grandeur or luxury. Rather, it is happy being a Vietnamese-style
boutique resort sandwiched between the sea and the river. If you
take the sea-facing villas, you are practically just a few steps away
from the ocean perfect for early morning strolls along the beach.
Located on Cua Dai beach about six km from downtown Hoi An,
quiet solitude is assured, but whenever you feel the urge, retail
therapy is not too far away either. Room interiors are simple but cosy
with timber ooring, lanterns and a Japanese tea corner.
The spa is located at the main building and they have all the
usual choices on the menu the longest being the Indulgence
package, lasting over four hours, which includes a caviar facial.
You may want to book ahead if you want their better therapists and
avoid the busy period in the late evening.
www.victoriahotels-asia.com
VeDana Spa, piLgRiMage ViLLage Boutique
ReSoRt & Spa, Hue
Couples who want privacy but dont want to venture too far out ofthe city should consider Pilgrimage Village, located just 15 minutes
from downtown Hue. Here, you will nd yourself surrounded by
jungle where birds chirp merrily by day and amorous frogs call
out for mates by night. Guests hole up in villas or bungalows tted
with rustic wooden furniture, four-poster beds and timber ooring.
Vedana Spa, which resembles a zen garden, plays a central role
in the resort, offering sanctuary and relief to tired pilgrims with a
host of treatments designed to nurture the mind, body and spirit.
Visitors going to the spa around sunset when the light comes on
usually take a minute to savour the visual treat before walking along
the wooden platform to the impressive spa entrance surrounded by
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THIS PAGE: Preparing for dinner at the Lagoon View villa, Vedana Lagoon Resort & Spa;
Vietnamese massage with cupping at La Residence Hotel & Spa Hue; The pool at La
Residence Hotel & Spa Hue. OPPOSITE PAGE: Scenes of Central Vietnam by Pete Wong.
water ponds. Besides the romance packages for couples and the
standard massages and scrubs, several wellness programmes are
on-going including complimentary tai chi, yoga, chakra cleansing
and guided meditation led by resident naturopath, David.
www.pilgrimagevillage.com
VeDana WeLLneSS & Spa, VeDana Lagoon ReSoRt
& Spa, pHu Loc
Vedana is a brand new resort perched on the edge of Tam Giang
lagoon, the largest in Vietnam. Located in Phu Loc, a small town
almost midway between Hue and Da Nang, you will have to take
a slow 45-minute ride to get there from Hue. Rural scenes of localmarkets and villages are a bonus along the way. Upon arrival, you
will be rewarded with a postcard view of shermen on boats going
about their business and mountain silhouettes in the background.
Guest villas are scattered across the resort grounds, some over the
waters and some on the hillside. Their hill-top honeymoon villa
comes with a private pool, but take the lagoon view villa if you
enjoy sunsets.
The spa is located in one of the water villas and is richly
decorated with marble from the nearby Marble Mountains in Da
Nang. Therapists are mostly new and still nding their way, but the
management is keen on implementing wellness programmes in the
near future. It might take a while for the palm trees to take shape
and for the resort to earn its place as a spiritual wellness retreat,but its picturesque location is already winning points. Vedana and
Pilgrimage Village Hue share the same owners, and shuttle service
between the two resorts is complimentary.
www.vedanalagoon.com
Le Spa at La ReSiDence HoteL & Spa Hue
Vietnam was once ruled by emperors, and no visit to the region
would be complete without a visit to the royal palaces, tombs
and mausoleums scattered across the former imperial city of Hue.
Located along the banks of the famed Perfume River, which cuts
across the city, is La Residence, an architectural tribute to the art
deco age popular in the 1920s.
In a separate wing of the hotel is Le Spa, which has been offeringhoney and milk baths as well as massages in all forms to weary
travellers after a tiring day visiting the sights around town. For royal
treatment, ask for their latest Vietnamese massage with cupping
its safe even for those with hairy backs. The treatment starts with a
relaxing massage followed by about 10 minutes of cupping using
re. All you feel is a tingling sensation and the sound of the suction
cups being lifted off your back, really nothing to worry about as
this procedure has been done for hundreds of years. You will be in
safe hands if you ask for Tam, their best therapist and spa manager,
who has been playing with re for more than six years.
www.la-residence-hue.com
1612012 AsiaSpa