Sunshine and seclusion

With almost 40 hectares of meticulously preserved mountainside in the Son Tra Peninsula Nature Reserve overlooking Bia Bac Bay, the Da Nang Sun Peninsula is built vertically up a lush cliff.

High style design meets the mastery of a traditional Vietnamese temple here in what’s considered by many, a design masterpiece.  

The resort is the work of famed American landscape architect, architect and interior designer Bill Bensley who can take credit for over 200 hospitality projects in 50 countries. Here, in Da Nang’s pristine coastal jungle. Bensley has undeniably created one of the most intimate places to hide away. 

Cascading down four levels through a rainforest slope to a secluded private beach, the Intercontinental Da Nang Sun Peninsula Resort sits in a beautiful garden setting with unobstructed views of the sparkling bay.
Residential villas linked to the resort’s stunning shoreline by a modern-day version of an old fashioned fernacular train play host to world leaders, celebrities and discerning travellers. Their private butlers cater to every whim serving breakfast, special afternoon teas and evening cocktails.

By day, activities include a hands on Vietnamese Cooking Class, heavenly afternoon tea or Sunday brunch at Citron, a bright, airy space soars 100 metres over the landscape on the resort’s highest level that combines Vietnamese motifs with bright colourful details. Of special note: look up at the ceiling in the buffet area, where each of the backlit panels features a pen-and-ink drawing of one of Vietnam’s many indigenous birds. Guests can soothe body and soul at Mi Sol Spa, spend time hiking or wandering along the hills spiral staircases taking in the powerful views. 

Come evensong there are intimate stargazing niches in the most charming of spots, time at long bar with its fifty meters of cocktails, wine and light bites and fine French cuisine by Michelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire at La Maison 1888. Most notable: The Gagnaire Grand Dessert …six desserts in one with traditional French pastries meeting classic local flavours in a visual and mouth pleasing masterpiece. 

ihg.com/intercontinental

 

We’re off to Monkey Mountain

Monkey Mountain Da Nang is famous for stunning seaside mountains with high biodiversity and is vital to the red-shanked Douc Langur (Pygathrix nemaeus) population. The Intercontinental Da Nang Sun Peninsula Resort is one of the few resorts that has a full-time Zoologist. Observing these creatures in their natural habitat is the highlight of the eco-wildlife tour. This is also a destination for bird watchers. With over 100 bird species. Including the Blue Rock Thrush, Green-eared Barbet, Racket-tailed Treepie, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Crimson Sunbird, Olive Back Sunbird, Black-throated Laughingthrush, White-crested Laughingthrush, Laced Woodpecker, Black Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Shrika, White bellied Eagle, Lesser Fish to name a few. 

Get our newsletter

Get monthly updates with unique HomeFront updates and stay up to date with tips and trends

The Meandering Epicurist

Aline Nasseh Chocolatier A former pastry chef from Brazil, Aline is the Jackson Pollock of chocolate. But perhaps that’s not surprising given her heritage and background. Her intricate splattered and splashed vibrant tropical colours probably owe a debt to her

Top Uses for Your Spare Room:

You Can Transform Your Extra Space into Something Extraordinary. Ah, the spare room. That mysterious, oft-forgotten space that somehow ends up becoming a dumping ground for all the random things you can’t quite figure out what to do with. You

Field Notes

Fit like Ronaldo? Erakulis is his new app Think this Portuguese footballer is in fantastic shape all round? Now it’s your turn to let him and his team help you in breaking bad habits, improving your focus and getting mind

Overheard

Saudi Arabia’s Dream of the Desert  Running north from the capital city of Riyadh to Al Qurayyat, on the border  of Jordan the Dream of the Desert, will be the Kindgom’s first luxury train. Covering 770 miles, the train will

Bella Cucina says splurge…

Classic charm goes minimalist  Asolo’s long island has capacious units on either end with open shelving in a lacquered open-pore Cuba finish. arredo3.com   5 tips to get the look: For some its’ extravagant. For other’s it’s a small daily

HF Spa Diaries

Affordable ‘tweakments’ The fear of negative outcomes or medical complication, along with the desire for frequent uplifts, has caused a surge in demand for non-surgical cosmetic treatments. Once the secret of the rich and famous, there’s now a swath of