la residence hue on asia spa march 2012

8/2/2019 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

la residence hue on asia spa march 2012

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