HotelChatter

Overlooking the East Sea, Lăng Cô sits on a mile and a half of white sandy beaches and includes private residences, an 18-hole golf course, and convention facilities, in addition to its two hotels. If lazing on the beach or being pampered in the spa is getting old, there is jet skiing, parasailing, water skiing, windsurfing, kayaking, and even banana boat rides to entertain you. On land, there’s everything from archery and horse riding to fine arts classes to learn about Vietnam’s history. Aside from the natural beauty of the area, there are several Unesco World Heritage sites nearby, like the ancient capital city of Hue, the city of Hoi An and temple ruins of My Son.

The smaller of the two resorts, Banyan Tree Lăng Cô has only 32 lagoon villas and 17 beach villas to choose from. Similar in style to other Banyan Tree resorts, but with local touches in architecture and artwork, each villa has its own private pool. Meals can be organized in or around your own villa, or in one of four different restaurants, ranging from Thai to Italian. The spa uses Eastern therapies with a focus on creating spiritual, mental, and physical harmony.

A Deluxe Mountain View Room at Angsana

Sister-hotel Angsana Lăng Cô has 229 rooms and suites, from Deluxe Mountain View Rooms to a 179m2 (1,930 sq ft) duplex Angsana Loft. Splashes of burnt orange liven up the mostly white and grey tones in the design. You’ll find French-Vietnamese food in the restaurants, with rice-based dishes (and even rice-based beverages), as well as a beach-front tapas place.

Both hotels are offering an interesting opening package between now and the end of March. The “Must Stay” package at Banyan Tree starts at $735 per villa per night, including breakfast for two. If you stay two nights, you’ll get $735 back in hotel credits (making the effective nightly room rate $317.50). With three consecutive nights you get $735 credit and round trip private airport transfers (Da Nang and Hue airports are an hour’s drive).

Similarly, the “Escape to Angsana” package starts at $280 per room per night, including breakfast for two, with $280 in hotel credit when staying two nights, and airport transfers and guaranteed upgrade to the next room category on top with three nights. Hotel credits can be used in all restaurants, the spa, and galleries of the resort.

[Photos: Banyan Tree Group]