Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, a leading developer and operator of luxury hotels, resorts and spas, has announced the opening of its second property in Vietnam – Anantara Hoi An Resort. Located along Vietnam’s central coast, the historic port town and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An is renowned for its colonial architecture, traditional handicrafts, vibrant art scene and romantic café culture. Just a stroll from this delightful enclave, Anantara Hoi An Resort is a charming hideaway, edging the beautiful Thu Bon River.
Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotel Group, Anantara’s owning company, comments “We are very excited for this resort to join our Anantara portfolio, the second in Vietnam. Having acquired the Life Resorts brand at the beginning of this year, we now have a total of four properties in the country and we are also looking forward to rebranding our resort in Quy Nhon to AVANI, a sister brand to Anantara, later in the year.”
Located approximately 35 kilometres from Da Nang Train Station and Da Nang International Airport, Anantara’s boutique retreat reflects Hoi An’s rich cultural diversity, with two and three storey colonial style buildings revealing French, Dutch, Chinese and Japanese influences. 93 guest rooms and suites, in a blend of classic European and exotic Asian styles, are designed with a split level layout, each featuring an upper bedroom and bathroom, leading down to a lower lounge that opens onto a porch with comfortable day beds, and either a tranquil garden or river panorama.
Guests at the resort can enjoy days spent doing it all or nothing at all. Vietnamese cooking, language, painting and lantern making classes enable guests to delve into local culture and discover a new artistic or culinary passion. A relaxing afternoon can be spent at the swimming pool and children’s pool in the idyllic garden courtyard with a view of river life unfolding. On the Thu Bon River inspirational trips range from a breakfast cruise for early risers, a gourmet lunch cruise and romantic sunset experience. Vietnam’s famously beautiful sun kissed sands are also close by, with the beaches of Cua Dai and An Bang both only five kilometres away, and reachable by boat from the resort’s private jetty or by bicycle.
Beyond the compelling local attractions, ancient cultural sites and places of magnificent natural beauty a little further afield can be explored independently or in an organised excursion. The Imperial Citadel of Hue can be experienced in a captivating one day tour that crosses the scenic Hai Van Pass. My Son Sanctuary is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was once the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom. Famed for its stone sculpture craftsmanship, visitors can walk or ride on an elevator up to the top of Marble Mountain for a stunning panorama of Da Nang’s coastline.
The soothing sanctuary which is The Spa features one double and three individual treatment rooms with private bathtubs, accompanied by an outdoor pavilion for manicure and pedicure treatments, as well as foot, neck and shoulder massages. Signature treatments include the Vietnamese Four Hands Massage which is performed by two therapists in synchronisation, combining Vietnamese pressure points with gentle chopping techniques to promote deep relaxation and overall wellbeing.
Local flavours are richly infused with a stay at Anantara Hoi An Resort, and five distinctive dining options showcase the very best of Vietnam’s unique culinary culture, as well as popular cuisines from other parts of the world. Lanterns serves a wonderful breakfast buffet in the French colonial style dining room with an idyllic river view, and then re-opens for dinner to offer Vietnamese specialties, expertly grilled seafood and steaks, and an impressive wine list enhanced by Anantara’s signature Wine Guru service. Throughout the day guests can replenish on tropical juices, sumptuous cocktails and light bites beside the pool at Reflections, catching glimpses of fishing boats gliding along the river.
The waterfront terrace and French interior of Riverside Café provide an ideal daytime meeting place. Guests can wake up to sip fine Vietnamese coffee, stop by for a light lunch, and enjoy specialty teas paired with daily cake and bakery creations in the afternoon. The Heritage Bar is the perfect venue for lazy afternoons and romantic evenings. Inside, artwork depicts the town’s fascinating past, and outside guests can enjoy watching the world go by whilst relaxing under an age-old tree with hanging lanterns. This bar’s cosy atmosphere comes with evolving culinary temptations, from Vietnam’s famous baguettes, tapas plates and western comfort food, to an extensive wine selection, cool beers, sophisticated nightcaps and cigars.
Offering the ultimate in tailor-made romance, Dining by Design invites guests to choose from a collection of fine dining menus to be prepared by a personal chef, and then to dine at a beautifully decorated table in a private poolside pavilion with an exquisite river outlook, as a butler tends to every need.
Widening the appeals to business and wedding guests, Anantara Hoi An Resort’s picturesque garden courtyard and stylish indoor venue provide attractive settings for inspired meetings, events and celebrations. With capacity to host up to 140 guests, the resort’s multi-purpose function room features colonial style doors and windows, an interior space that is filled with natural light, modern audio-visual equipment, and balcony areas that overlook the resort’s garden and Hoi An’s historic quarter. Each event is perfected by Anantara’s personal approach, heartfelt service and impeccable attention to detail.