THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN, JULY 25-26, 2015www.theaustralian.com.au/travel TRAVEL & INDULGENCE 11

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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 InterContinental’s new beachfront Sun Peninsula Residences, designed by acclaimed Bangkok-based architect Bill Bensley, are tucked away in a corner of the resort above the property’s 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 InterContinental’s 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 the197-bedroom InterContinental, including a fitness centre and award-winning day spa.

DON’T MISS: Danang’s 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.

DINING IN: In September, the Michelin three-star chef Pierre Gagnaire will take over the InterContinental’s signature La Maison 1888, one of the best restaurants in town. Other resort eateries

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 don’t need to venture that far. Check out Viettown Silk in Danang City (Tran Phu St).

CHECKING IN: Residences from $US2890 ($3920) low season. More: Danang.intercontinental.com.

ALSO TRY: Beach House, One&Only Hayman Island, Queensland; The Fleming Villa, GoldenEye, Jamaica; Residence Villas, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay.

CHRISTINE McCABE

CHECK IT OUT SUN PENINSULA RESIDENCES, DANANG, VIETNAM

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 city’s bustling art and food precinct with rates from THB4200 ($166) • Six Senses’s first resort in Europe has opened in Portugal’s 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 grape-based 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; you’ll 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.

ACCOMMODATION BUZZ

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