Story: Tanya Joslin
At a glance
A spectacular luxury beach resort in central Vietnam, nestled amidst pristine rainforest with exclusive access to a private beach and bay, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort features a design-led heritage aesthetic, expansive views, and a celebrated French restaurant. Located on the aptly named ‘Heaven’ level, the grand entrance sets the scene for an unforgettable romantic getaway underpinned by Vietnamese hospitality.
Location
Vietnam’s east-coast hub of Danang (or Da Nang) is close to some of the area’s most fascinating attractions including Marble Mountain and Hoi An Ancient Town. Tucked away on a verdant hillside, just a 30 minute drive from bustling Danang City, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort offers panoramic views of Bai Bac Bay and the surrounding coastal rainforests with easy connections to Da Nang International Airport. The resort’s secluded 700-metre beach, cradled by the lush greenery of the Son Tra Mountain Nature Reserve, provides a tranquil escape with the soothing soundtrack of birdsong and gentle waves.
We loved the location as a base for exploring central Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage and natural wonders. But beyond that, the lush surrounds also offered a unique wildlife encounter with the ultra-rare, red-shanked douc langurs, one of the world’s most endangered primate species. With just a few thousand of these beautiful creatures left on Earth, spotting them in their natural habitat is a truly special experience.
Look & feel
The InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is the vision of renowned Southeast Asian-based architect and interior designer Bill Bensley and captures the spirit of its glorious surrounds. Drawing from his extensive travels and exploration of Vietnam’s rich culture and history, Bensley’s vision permeates every corner, weaving a flawless tapestry of traditional charm and modern luxuries. Each detail, from the elegant furnishings to the opulent amenities, encourages guests to relax into a world of indulgence.
Bensley’s artistic DNA extends to the ‘sky level’ BENSLEY Outsider Gallery too, where the designer’s bold and colourful artworks are available for purchase, with proceeds going towards charitable causes.
Themed Sea, Earth, Sky, and Heaven, the design features ‘tiers’ linked by a delightful funicular railway, adding charm and accessibility to the resort’s allure. The lobby showcases a fusion of the five elements — metal, wood, water, fire, and Earth — symbolising balance and harmony. By day, natural light floods the space, highlighting intricate details inspired by local villages, while by night, lanterns cast a warm glow reminiscent of traditional Vietnamese craftsmanship.
Seamless integration with nature is another hallmark of the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort. Expansive rainforest and ocean views abound. Interior spaces flow to verdant gardens, serene open-air pavilions, and breathtaking vistas, instilling a sense of tranquillity and peace.
Best room for two
How do we choose? From palatial villas with infinity pools and sea views to intimate suites with secluded balconies and private steam rooms, the resort’s 189 luxurious rooms, suites, penthouses, and villas are each a sanctuary of comfort and indulgence.
For our four-night stay, we luxuriated in a Club Terrace Suite Panoramic Ocean View room with access to the fantastic Club Lounge (more on that later). Designed around the indoor/outdoor living so prized in a tropical locale, our king-sized bedroom stepped out to a spacious terrace with glorious ocean and jungle views. Inside, the feel was deeply luxe with dark timbers and ornate accents refreshed with sea breezes and pops of colour in the artworks and rugs. The oversized bathroom, complete with a showstopping deep marble bathtub, was a real highlight.
We greeted each day on the terrace, soaking up the incredible views. Just a word of caution though: keep an eye out for the cheeky macaque monkeys — rumour has it, there’s one known for raiding minibars!
What truly made this suite stand out was the exclusive Club InterContinental benefits, including breakfast, afternoon tea, and complimentary cocktails with canapés in the evening. Tucked away on the ‘heaven’ level, the Club Lounge has a light-filled and airy ambience, but the staff takes the experience to new heights.
Case in point: when my phone’s charging port stopped working, I visited the Club Lounge every day to use their Bluetooth charger. However, unbeknownst to me, Maximus, one of the Club Lounge staff, brought his own wireless charger from home each day for me to use. This small example showcases the exceptional level of care and attention that distinguishes InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort.
Dining & entertainment
Lovers of French and Vietnamese cuisine will be in absolute heaven here, with delicious local ingredients paired with international and regional flavours across five bars and restaurants. The extensive 36-page in-room dining menu exemplifies the resort’s dedication to culinary excellence — I’ve never seen anything quite like it!
We’d gladly book a room just to wine and dine at La Maison 1888, the first restaurant in Vietnam to boast a three-Michelin-starred French chef and home to the country’s largest restaurant wine cellar. Designer Bensley let his artistic flair enjoy carte blanche here, evoking the look and feel of an Indochine-era mansion, complete with three upstairs dining rooms resembling bedrooms of imagined family members. We wandered the world-class wine list in the romantic, candlelit main dining room – La Veranda, but you can also head to the open-air terrace. Every mouthful, every detail: exquisite.
For all-day dining, head to the ‘heaven level’ where Citron restaurant offers delicious Vietnamese cuisine and one of the most impressive breakfast buffets I’ve had the pleasure of perusing. Soaring 100 metres above the ground, Citron affords sweeping views of the entire resort, the private bay, and the endless horizon where water meets sky. Our tips? Nab one of the open-air dining booths, shaped like traditional non la (Vietnamese hats), and don’t miss the excellent free-flow Sunday brunch if you’re staying over the weekend.
For beachside drinks and dining, head to ‘sea level’ where Barefoot restaurant serves up barbequed meats and seafood and fresh fish baked in the brick oven. Or get comfy in an oversized daybed at the breezy beachfront L_o_n_g Bar, where cocktails flow and live music kicks off after dark. For a late-night aperitif, try the Buffalo Bar within La Maison 1888.
Spa & wellness
Is a trip to Vietnam really complete without a sublime spa experience? We think not. And here we followed our bliss to Mi Sol Spa, named after the tones in the musical scale. This tranquil sanctuary translates these sounds into treatments and rituals designed to harmonise mind, body, and spirit with a blend of ancient practices and modern techniques.
We can highly recommend the signature 180-minute Frequency Journey which began with a detoxifying herbal steam and sauna session and a sensory relaxation journey guided by Pranayama and aromatherapy. Then it was total surrender with a luxurious body scrub and massage before a unique balancing and harmonising session using the ‘vibration’ of tuning forks. A new one for us but deeply relaxing.
The resort offers a comprehensive activity schedule, including yoga and Pilates at the new beachfront Yoga Pavilion—we loved the sun salutations paired with panoramic views of the East Sea—HIIT classes, and more. Many activities are complimentary, though some, like the Mocktail Making Class, have a small additional fee. Active couples can also take advantage of the well-equipped fitness centre. And if all this sounds a bit too busy, you can always unwind poolside (there are two to choose from) or pull up a sun lounger on the beautiful beachfront.
Conservation
The InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is deeply committed to conservation, with sustainability initiatives such as installing artificial monkey bridges where trees are scarce to assist the rare red-shanked douc langurs in their movement and food search. Additionally, the resort actively plants almond trees, a preferred food source for the langurs.
Guests can join nature tours to explore the surroundings, learn about local wildlife, and support conservation efforts, with a focus on the unique flora and fauna of the Son Tra Peninsula, and of course the endangered red-shanked douc langurs.
Venturing out
You’re just a 30-minute drive from downtown Danang, with a complimentary shuttle service available for couples keen on exploring this lively beachside city. Or join the shuttle bus to the charming and historic township of Hoi An, just south of Danang. At night, the well-preserved streets are illuminated by lanterns, creating a magical and romantic atmosphere. Whether you’re in the mood for cultural immersion or an adventurous day out exploring the Marble Mountains, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort makes the perfect launchpad. Although, be warned, the first time we stayed at this stunning seaside retreat, we couldn’t bear to leave!
Related: The Best Things to Do & See in Hoi An
Explore more or start planning your trip to Vietnam at danang.intercontinental.com. Several airlines offer flights to Vietnam with easy connections to Da Nang International Airport.
The writer was a guest of InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort. All photography is courtesy of the resort.
