It may be set high in the hills of Núi Chúa National Park, but the sweeping views of Biển Đông more than make up for the minor exertion. Amanoi’s design is so striking and the service so accommodating that you make never want to venture down to the coastline at all. Instead, many guests choose to while away the hours sunning themselves by the jaw-dropping infinity pool. The secluded location of the beach below adds an undeniable charm.
A celebration of extravagant tastes, The Reverie Saigon showcases the best of Italian design furniture together with 3,000 tons of high-grade marble and a whimsical, endearing attitude. The 218-square-metre Saigon Suite is the pinnacle of luxurious abodes within Vietnam, however there’s something remarkable about each venue at the Reverie — from the glorious, airy lobby with its Baldi Frienze clock to the Sicis mosaic in the outdoor swimming pool. When you need to head out, the hotel’s two Phantom Dragon Rolls Royce will show you around in style.
The Metropole in Hanoi is inarguably Vietnam’s grandest hotel. Since 1901, the elegant building at 15 Ngo Quyen has lured guests such as Catherine Deneuve, Charlie Chaplin, and Graham Greene. The historical wing is a throwback to Old Hanoi, with canopied bed and balconies that open directly onto Ngo Quyen, while the newer Opera wing is a perfect example of modern Vietnamese luxury. The Metropole’s restaurants are Hanoi institutions: Le Club, a bright, gazebo-like structure surrounded by tropical greenery; La Terrasse, a wrap-around cafe facing a leafy park; and Angelina, a contemporary New World restaurant sporting a slinky cigar lounge and handsome brushed steel bar.
It doesn’t get more opulent than this sleekly designed haven, which draws aesthetic inspiration from ancient feng shui philosophy and the architecturally striking royal tombs of Hué. As you enter, a series of tiered infinity pools descending toward the cobalt blue sea make a dramatic first impression. The Nam Hai's 100 villas range from one-bedrooms perfect for a romantic getaway to lavish five-bedroom retreats with infinity pools and private butlers. Despite its size, the resort feels intimate thanks to the warm, personalised quality of the service and the extraordinary attention to detail.
The JW Marriott in Phu Quoc has caused a stir since its opening. As the awards, reviews, and photos attest, the property is a visual stunner, conceived by Bill Bensley in the theme of a colonial-era university. There’s something to admire in every corner of this beachfront beauty. Guest rooms feature sunken balconies and clawfoot tubs, and face powdery Khem Beach and the resort’s four swimming pools. Each morning, Tempus Fugit restaurant lays out a kingly spread of dishes from across the globe, and after dark, fine-dining restaurant Pink Pearl entices guests with live Neo-classical opera and gourmet cuisine in an extraordinarily opulent setting. Don’t miss a treatment at Chanterelle Spa, named World’s Leading New Spa 2017 at the World Luxury Awards.
Ensconced in Ho Chi Minh City’s charming District 3, this MGallery property by Sofitel delights guests with gorgeous, cosy rooms with wooden floors, fine furnishings, and fabulous views over the treetops of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai. As its name suggests, Hotel des Arts Saigon is awash in beautiful Vietnamese art pieces, and natural light pours in from floor-to-ceiling windows in the restaurants and lobby. Inspiring interiors, a lovely spa and first-rate rooftop bar and swimming pool add a touch of romance couples will love.
This five-star beach resort in Cam Ranh Bay is an exquisite example of Vietnamese hospitality. Ranked #4 among the top hotels in Asia and the #1 luxury hotel in Vietnam by Conde Nast Traveller's readers in 2020, The Anam takes pride in its destination-centered guest experience. Villas and bungalows are decorated with vibrant Vietnamese artwork, and set amid flowering tropical gardens. Pool villas open onto rolling green lawns which lead the eye down toward a frothy blue ocean. Two gorgeous swimming pools suggest hours of relaxation and bliss, while the resort's spa and yoga classes add a deeper dimension of self-care to enhance and restore guests' spirits.
The Azerai is easily one of the most striking properties in Vietnam’s former feudal capital of Hue. Poised on the banks of the Perfume River, the original building was constructed in the art-deco style of the 1930s, and served as the mansion of the French governor in Hue. Today it’s under the helm of renowned hotelier Adrian Zecha, and a sublime address for a Hue getaway. Check into this pristine all-white property and spend your days in its spacious saltwater pool, fine-dining restaurant Le Parfum, and relaxing rooms overlooking the gardens and river beyond.
With crystalline waves and white sand for days, you’d be forgiven for thinking you had stumbled upon a Crusoe fantasy at this remote retreat. The resort’s untrammelled surrounds are part of a protected national marine park that extends throughout the Côn Đảo archipelago. Rather than mar the natural beauty of Côn Sơn Island, Six Senses Con Dao sticks to an understated aesthetic reminiscent of a traditional fishing village, with bamboo being the material of choice in the villas and rooms. Underneath the minimalist design though, you’ll find state-of-the-art amenities including an award-winning spa and a sophisticated Asian-fusion eatery right on the beach.
A marvel of modern design courtesy of Bill Bensley, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort occupies a prime piece of hillside on the stunning Son Tra Peninsula. Traditional motifs drawn from Vietnamese temples are scattered throughout the villas and interiors. Ornate windows recall the form of Hội An’s flickering lanterns, while carved lions, dragons and other beasts add to the ambiance. The 700-metre private beach is perfect for swimming, sunning or simply sinking your toes into the amber-hued sand.