A tranquil oasis at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort

Arriving at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort feels like stepping into a secluded haven.A mere 30-minute drive from Da Nang International Airport, this Bill Bensley-designed resort, nestled amidst the lush hills of the Son Tra Peninsula nature reserve, stretches down to the sandy shores of the East Sea. The resort sprawls across 39 hectares and comprises four distinct levels—Heaven, Sky, Earth, and Sea. The levels are vertically connected via a unique Nam Tram funicular, which transports guests through the jungle-covered hillsides.

Why go now?

Opened in 2012, the hotel is well-versed in looking after celebrities, couples, and families alike. It even played host to the 2017 APEC Summit, which saw world leaders including Donald Trump, Jacinda Ardern, and Moon Jae-in come together. 

The 10th anniversary of InterContinental Danang in 2022 saw a series of significant upgrades and enhancements, all woven together by Bensley’s nature-inspired design concept. These included the introduction of a brand new spa and wellness concept and a breathtaking new Club InterContinental Lounge offering sweeping views across the East Sea (more on those below). Renovations also saw the unveiling of a 705 square metre Four-Bedroom Pool Villa, providing additional options for larger groups.

Club InterContinental Lounge

At the highest point of the resort – Heaven level – the brand-new Club InterContinental Lounge frames breathtaking views of the mountains and sea. Guests in club rooms, suites and villas enjoy exclusive privileges, including dedicated concierge services, daily breakfast with options like Lobster Omelette and authentic Vietnamese pho, afternoon tea and evening cocktails and canapés. Club guests can also use the hotel’s dedicated lounge at Danang International Airport before or after their flight. 

Focus on sound therapy

Perched above a natural lagoon, Mi Sol Spa offers an immersive new wellness concept that explores the world of sound therapy to help guests achieve physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Soothing saunas and steam rooms, hammam beds, Jacuzzis and marble bathtubs complement eight treatment villas based on the tube shape of Quonset huts. All treatments use organic products from Subtle Energies, the Australian skin and body care brand. 

Seaside Villa On The Rocks

Interiors are a riot of colour, with unconventional design and a healthy splash of whimsy. Traditional Vietnamese design is complemented by a bold black-and-white palette with splashes of lemon yellow, acid green, and sunset orange. We stayed in a One-Bedroom Seaside Villa On The Rocks, the descent to which is not for the faint-hearted but an exciting necessity considering its private location. 

Located at the quiet end of the beach, Bensley has woven his magic into this secluded and spacious villa, with little details throughout. A comfortable entertainment nook with a TV and extra-large daybed doubled as our daughter’s spacious and comfy bed. Meanwhile, we relaxed in the enormous oversized bathtub and then collapsed into the canopied king bed under a vaulted, temple-inspired ceiling. 

The focal point is a large private infinity plunge pool with uninterrupted views across the ocean. Here, we spent hours teaching our daughter to swim and relaxing on the large terrace, coffee or wine in hand, depending on the time of day. The only disturbances are the hypnotic sounds of the surf on the rocks below and the occasional cheeky monkey swinging through the trees in the rainforest behind.

Connecting with nature

During construction, the team worked hard to preserve the integrity of the natural landscape, including avoiding the removal or cutting of trees. Today, over 100 landscapers and gardeners maintain the Palm Grove on the beach and the organic garden, which caters to the various kitchens. 

The resort is home to two kinds of primates—macaques and red-shanked douc langurs—as well as 100 species of birds, 50 species of butterflies and an abundance of flora. The early morning nature tour with resident zoologist Anthony Barker is a must. Other activities include a banyan tree hike, traditional basket boating, hiking or driving to the peak of Son Tra Mountain, and complimentary non-motorised watersports. 

Food + drink

Dining at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is an unforgettable affair with five restaurants. La Maison 1888, a celebrated venue for French-influenced fine dining conceptualised by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux, takes centre stage. Meanwhile, Citron offers breakfast pho, afternoon tea, Sunday Champagne brunch, and gourmet creations by esteemed chef Anh Tuyet.

For something more laidback, Barefoot offers casual beachside dining, complete with thatched roofs and tables resembling traditional fishing boats. Buffalo Bar exudes an air of exclusivity, serving vintage bubbly and cigars in a private club atmosphere, and highly-Instagrammed The L_O_N_G Bar boasts a trendy design and handcrafted cocktails, including the resort’s signature Lotus Cocktail.

Family Getaway

Families are greeted with warm hospitality; Planet Trekkers Kids’ Club invites guests 12 years and under to enjoy a rotating schedule of indoor and outdoor activities such as craft making, art classes, Vietnamese lantern making, jewellery making, sandcastle building and scavenger hunts. A dedicated kids’ pool and nearby kids’ bar offer mocktails and ice creams, and on the beach, attendants are ready with kid-friendly sunscreens and baskets of sand toys. It is worth noting that young guests are welcome at Club InterContinental; there’s even a separate lounge space for children to relax. A highlight of our daughter’s stay was the Kids Pizza Making Class, during which the Chef guided her through making the perfect pizza.

The resort is currently offering a Family Getaway package which includes a complimentary extra bed, daily breakfast at Citron for two and kids dine for free throughout the stay, complimentary family activities such as yoga, Tai Chi and a nature tour.

In summary, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort offers something genuinely unique. It strikes a perfect balance between being ultra-luxury and providing a relaxing atmosphere for families. That could be due to the resort’s size and level of privacy. There’s always something to get involved in, or you could spend your days not seeing another guest. The choice is yours. 

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Bãi Bắc, Thọ Quang, Sơn Trà, 550000, Vietnam, +84 236 3938 888