3. Best Vietnam resorts in the Danang area

The epicentre of Vietnam beach getaways is along the fast-developing Danang-Hoi An corridor where names like Le Meridien, Hyatt Regency and Raffles appear on billboards promising vast sybaritic escapes. Private villas are sprouting everywhere and a bypass road has made access to the airport quicker.

Swish Angsana Lang Co/ photo: hotel

Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa (opened October 2011) boasts 200 rooms, each featuring balconies, separate rain showers and complimentary WiFi. The 27 Ocean Villas have a spacious three-bedroom setup, replete with floor-to-ceiling windows, private pool, full kitchen, three separate bathrooms and Regency Club access. Additionally, there are 182 one, two and three-bedroom condominium “residences” attached to the property. Expect plenty of dining options, spa, fitness centre, tennis and badminton courts, and two nearby golf courses. Camp Hyatt offers plenty of fun activities daily for kids making this a very child-friendly resort. Pinstripers might take note of the different event and meeting spaces on offer.

About a 30-minute drive from the airport, luxury InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort (opened mid-2012) overlooks a private bay from its perch on Son Tra Peninsula, also known as “Mythical Monkey Mountain”. Mixing contemporary with Vietnamese classical —paper lantern silhouettes, standalone tubs, timber floors and heavy dark-wood furniture with plenty of wooden lattice work — the Bill Bensley-designed retreat is one of the more indulgent properties in the Vietnam beach resorts scene.

Decorated in stark black-and-white, the 197 rooms and suites start from 70sq m and work their way up to an Olympian 300sq m. In Resort Classic Rooms, expect bay views, a balcony, spacious bathroom, rain shower, flat-screen TV, Bose sound system, iPod dock, WiFi, and Illy espresso machine. The 80sq m Premium Rooms come with added benefits, including a separate dining space, wine fridge, and daybed. Rooms run up the sloping hillside facing the arcing bay with its broad sandy beach and sun loungers.

InterCon Danang views/ photo: hotel

Try French haute cuisine at La Maison 1888 or take a suspended swinging boat to one of the 10 spa treatment villas at the Harnn Heritage Spa. For those carting kids, check out the Planet Trekkers club for children between four and 12. And if you’re in the mood to venture into downtown Danang, a complimentary shuttle bus will scoot you over in minutes.

This is a good spot for a Vietnam resort wedding on the beach and planners are on hand to assist. Suits will also find a ballroom and function spaces for corporate meetings or bigger events. This InterCon is a strong contender in our Vietnam resorts review.

The Crowne Plaza Danang (earlier Silver Shores International Resort) beckons high rollers. It’s a modern resort construct, spread out over 200,000sq m, with two extended sloping ship-bridge arms enfolding the free-form pools that front the wide expanse of beach.

There are 535 Deluxe Rooms and Suites with the usual mod-cons with the 160sq m Ocean Suites providing top-line accommodation with LCD TVs, rain showers, living room, sofas, free WiFi and sea-view balconies.

Bear in mind that this is a big, busy resort, and not a hideaway. Also expect a spa, dance club and 278sq m banquet area for MICE events and conventions. The tots might enjoy the outdoor recreation and sports courts, as well as the large water park and a dedicated kiddy pool.

The 187-room Pullman Danang Beach Resort (formerly Lifestyle Resort) serves up hotel-style rooms with LCD TVs (and cable), balconies and separate showers and bathtubs, as well as cottages.

Furama Danang's sunny pool/ photo: Vijay Verghese

Green lawns extend along the beach. Also find a fun Children's Club for all ages from toddler to 12-year-old and babysitting services. The Lotus Ballroom can hold up to 650 theatre-style in case you require a smart and breezy Danang conference hotel that is not overly large and impersonal.

The elegant Furama Resort Da Nang has helped keep China Beach firmly on the travel map and, open since 1997, displays nary a wrinkle. China Beach is called Bac My An in Vietnamese to avoid offending local potentates.

The Furama was the first to open this area to well-heeled travellers and shows little sign of wear. A modern five-star resort with most imaginable amenities including high speed Internet and a business centre, the Furama is a comfortable and dependable choice. It is also sited on one of the best Vietnam beaches.

This resort is set in manicured grounds with two pools, plenty of green and a broad ocean frontage leading through casuarina groves and volleyball courts to the beach chairs and umbrellas along the tide line. Trained lifeguards (6am-6pm) and shallow waters make this a good spot for a family dip. There are acres and acres of beach and you can always find a quiet spot for navel gazing. Let me know what the belly-button fluff portends. Play tennis, billiards, badminton, drive some golf balls or just go fly a kite. Really.

If that's not enough, there's archery, yoga, tai-chi and a children's play area. This is a pretty child-friendly resort that works well for the family as well as for the corporate meeting crowd. The adjoining International Convention Palace (with the 774sq m Da Nang Ballroom that holds 700 persons theatre style) makes this a useful choice among Vietnam conference hotels.

Pullman Danang/ photo: hotel

WiFi is free throughout the resort. Opt for a split-level Ocean Deluxe to find a split-level room with gleaming timber floors and balcony, a sofa, bright cushions, a clock, notebook-size safe and rain-shower (no tub). Prop up on the pillows to see the sea from your bed. The decor is contemporary, functional and neat. It won’t set you on fire but the rooms are more than comfortable. There is a dive centre and spa. The resort runs regular shuttles to the Cham Museum, Marble Mountains and Hoi An. The Furama is 12km and about 15 minutes from the airport.

Another laid back and simpler option is the Sandy Beach Non Nuoc Resort Da Nang, managed by Centara. There's tennis, sauna, steam bath and Jacuzzi, a business centre and free WiFi. Rooms are basic and a bit cosy, starting at 23sq m, but have refreshing garden or ocean views and all the modern contrivances for gawping city slickers. Da Nang is a bit of a one-horse town and there's not a whole lot to do apart from lazing on the beach. There are sights – like the Marble Mountains – but you’ll need to hire a taxi and drive out to find them.

Watch out for the high end Japanese-run Pulchra Resort Danang, adding to the older Cebu property. Unlike Cebu’s upscale Aman-style thatch-roof luxury, the Danang enterprise is a rather differentconcoction, blending green elements with local Cham culture and design. The result is quietly startling in terms of what might be considered conventional beach resort style. Spacious villas set in garden compounds with small plunge pools (there are pool villas too) are in burgundy with white trim that may best be described as saddlebag-chic. Interiors are roomy, with ceiling fans in case you dislike air-conditioning.

Fusion Maia pool/ photo: hotel

No humungous televisions here. It is all back to nature, albeit with Bose sound and decadent luxury trimmings. There are 31 villas in all, set well apart to ensure maximum privacy. The smallest is 286sq m. Later pop by the Udra Spa for some much-needed massage and workouts.

A mod option is the Fusion Maia Resort, with lowrise white colonial buildings set in immaculate green surrounds right on the beach. Think clean lines, minimalism and a hip understated vibe.

Red tile roofs glint in the sun and a seafront pool beckons sunbathers. Expect lots of white with wine-red furniture, bright cushions and wooden lattice-work in villas. Like Pulchra, Fusion will give your wallet a reasonable workout.

Ocean Villas Danang serves up another smart condo-style option set in a manicured and verdant estate along the seafront. Owned by the VinaCapital group there is clearly no lack of amenities at this spot. Think California-in-Vietnam and hop right in. The low-set tile-roof villas are modern, huge (running at four to five-bedrooms), with large glass windows and well-appointed interiors.

Expect wood-beam flooring in bedrooms, cool stone floors in living areas, kitchenettes, carpets and stuff that will make you feel right at home. It’s all tastefully done. Not Vietnamese, but contemporary and comfy without any hysterical in-your-face stuff that comes with many newer offerings. A timber patio frames the seafront pool set above the stretch of sand. If you’re stiull not satisfied, go for a seven-room hideaway – and be sure to carry a map.