As a traveller, I'm always keen to discover new places. The same feeling struck me when I visited Danang, Vietnam. Vietnam isn't new to me, as I've been travelling there since 2000, but Danang was my first time in this remarkable city, which has transformed from a key wartime military base into a lively international tourist hub. The city now welcomes about 12 million visitors each year and ranks as Vietnam's third-largest city after Saigon and Hanoi. However, this review is about my stay at the InterContinental Danang, where I spent most of my three days in Da Nang.
There are resorts, and then there is the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, a place where architectural poetry meets natural grandeur on Vietnam's stunning coastline. This isn't just a hotel; it's a design masterpiece that appears to float between jungle and sea, challenging gravity and convention in equal measure.
A Vision Realized: Bill Bensley's Jungle Cathedral
Arriving at this sanctuary, you see why it was featured on the cover of Condé Nast Traveller and why world leaders chose it for the 2017 APEC Summit. Located on the Son Tra Peninsula (also called "Monkey Mountain"), about 10 km northeast of Da Nang City Centre, this resort overlooks the South China Sea from its position roughly 600 metres up the mountainside.
Designed by acclaimed architect Bill Bensley, this resort is built vertically up a lush cliff, ensuring almost every room has unobstructed views of the private beach. The striking black-and-white colonial design creates bold visual drama against the emerald jungle backdrop, while thoughtful Vietnamese motifs, from ancient cave drawings to conical hat inspirations, incorporate local heritage into every corner.
The winding road up the mountain builds anticipation, and travelling from the airport in the resort's luxurious Mercedes GLS 450 was a delight. The driver doubled as a tour guide during the 30-minute journey, while the roads leading to the main entrance are lined with beautiful plants cared for by the resort's 80 gardeners.
Upon arrival, the first "wow" is an impressive entrance and lobby that opens to one of the most breathtaking views, the South China Sea, creating an incredible Instagram-worthy vista. The resort spans 39 hectares of the peninsula, including 700 metres of private beach. However, what truly sets it apart is how effortlessly it blends with the surrounding rainforest environment.
The resort is cleverly built to follow the hillside all the way down to the beach, with four levels in the hotel's design: Heaven (home to the Club Lounge), Sky, Earth, and finally Beach. Each level is connected by a 365-step staircase, but the resort's charming funicular railway, called "Nam Tram," quickly moves guests between levels like something out of a James Bond film. The gondolas are shaped like tiny fishing boats, and a nonstop trip takes just ninety seconds.
The Rooms: Where Luxury Meets Nature
The second "wow" comes with the rooms. Immaculately designed spaces with spacious bathrooms, king-sized beds, and outdoor terraces that offer stunning sea views overlooking the rest of the resort. Every detail has been carefully considered, from the bed placement to the outdoor fridge, welcome chocolates, fluffy robes and slippers, and even the TV remote control, which is kept in its own little box. It was a truly special moment, and we couldn't help but feel so lucky to be living this experience.
Citron Restaurant: Floating Above Paradise
Perched 100 metres above sea level, Citron is a true culinary map of Vietnam, offering a diverse range of dishes that explore both traditional and modern tastes, featuring cuisine from North, Central, and South Vietnam. The most coveted seats in the house, private dining booths shaped like inverted Vietnamese conical hats or 'Nón-lás, float over the hillside, offering what can only be described as levitating luxury with dazzling views over the resort and sea.
The morning here starts with what could be Vietnam's most stunning breakfast buffet, where the ceiling is decorated with a flock of portraits of native birds, perfectly blending nature with your morning coffee. The offerings include Japanese cuisine, a Western egg station, cold cuts and cheeses, tropical fruits and juices, congee, traditional Vietnamese noodles and soup dishes, and a special Banh Mi station.
But for me, it's the Vietnamese coffee program that steals the spotlight. Premium Vietnamese blends and tasting classes showcasing the locally famous coconut, egg, and salt coffee that will transform your view of a cup of joe. The Vietnamese salt coffee became a particular favourite during my time there.
Evening transforms Citron into something extraordinary. During my visit, the restaurant was paying tribute to Anthony Bourdain, whose passion for Vietnam played a key role in promoting Vietnamese cuisine worldwide. Specialities for the Bourdain celebration included Bún Chả Hanoi, Mý Quāng Noodles, and Bò Xào Lúc Lác, a stir-fried Wagyu beef dish. The restaurant's design, lively with splashes of lime and emerald, creates an atmosphere where Vietnamese tradition merges with modern elegance.
Barefoot: Where Sand Meets Sophistication
You'll feel like you've entered a private beach club, as Barefoot spills from a thatched-roof, high-ceilinged wooden pavilion directly onto the sand. This isn't casual beachside dining. This is elevated barefoot luxury where expertly grilled meats, fresh seafood, and healthy options are served in "fishing boat" tables that blur the line between restaurant and maritime adventure.
The menu features pizzas, surf 'n' turf platters from the charcoal grill, roast pork belly and chicken from the rotisserie, and fish and Wagyu tomahawks from the brick oven. The open kitchen allows you to see the chefs at work, but the real views are of the sand and sea. For my dinner, we chose to share the surf platter, an extraordinary plate of ocean treats that included a whole lobster, scallops, big prawns, octopus, fish, and grilled vegetables. Every item was cooked to perfection. More than enough for two of us, and it was one of the dining highlights of this trip.
If your stay includes a Saturday night, the Barbeque and Bonfire Buffet under the stars is a must. It is pure theatre, with flames dancing against the ocean backdrop while chefs work their magic on premium cuts and the day's freshest catch. While the restaurant is open to the beach environment, huge fans keep things at ideal temperature for evening dining.
Tingara: A River of Stars
Tingara showcases Michelin-starred Chef Junichi Yoshida's new era of teppanyaki, offering an elevated omakase experience using only the finest fresh seafood and Kuroge Wagyu beef from Japan, along with fresh, seasonal local ingredients. The name "Tingara" comes from the Okinawan word for "river of stars" or the Milky Way, and the restaurant overlooks the resort's rainforest, with a ceiling decorated with massive blue fish mobiles that gently glide above guests as if swimming in the river of stars.
Usually only open for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, we enjoyed a special set lunch featuring a delightful five-course tasting menu. The sweet corn soup "surinagahsi" style was served cold with an intense flavour, followed by Agedashi Tofu in dashi broth. Simple, stunning, delicious.
Mains included herb-cured and grilled Taichiuo fish caught locally, and an Arare-crusted Hokkaido scallop topped with sea urchin, both prepared perfectly. A small bowl of ramen showcased the art of presentation, from the choice of bowl to the dark shoyu soup and spring onion greens. A quenelle of homemade ice cream provided a fitting sweet ending.
La Maison 1888: Michelin-Starred Excellence
In the 2025 MICHELIN Guide for Vietnam, only nine restaurants across the country received a one-star rating, and La Maison 1888 was the only establishment in Central Vietnam to earn this honour. The restaurant transports visitors into a striking black-and-white French colonial residence where guests can choose to dine in the elegant Indochine Room, on a stylish outdoor terrace, or upstairs in a cosy private dining space.
When La Maison 1888 first opened, Architectural Digest praised it as one of the "10 Most Beautifully Designed New Restaurants in the World." The restaurant is named to honour the elegance, architecture, and culinary traditions of the French colonial era in Vietnam, with 1888 serving as a symbolic reference to the height of French influence in the region.
The Wine Cellar features over 450 references, with about 80% from France, mainly focusing on Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Champagne. It houses the rarest wines in Vietnam, including the restaurant’s prized bottle, a Domaine Henri Jayer's Cros Parantoux valued at $90,000!
I didn’t get to experience La Maison on this visit, and it’s definitely on the list for next time. I’ll need to try Chef Christian’s clever creation, ‘Standing Spaghetti,’ and the "Bar Sauvage" (Japanese Wild Blackfin Seabass with Buttermilk and Caviar). Inside La Maison, there’s also a hidden bar called the Buffalo Bar, offering a creative list of signature cocktails as well as an impressive selection of cigars, featuring brands like Cohiba, Romeo y Julieta, and Davidoff.
The L_O_N_G Bar: Fifty Meters of Pure Indulgence
The L_O_N_G Bar invites you to enjoy 50 metres of fun, stretching along the beachfront with massive daybeds, suspended basket chairs, and a hanging surfboard table. As Forbes noted, "The L_O_N_G Bar is playful and inviting with huge day-beds to lounge and eat on and rustic swinging chairs throughout. The cocktails are fruity and fun, just what you want when in repose."
The Vista: A Canvas of Blues and Greens
From every vantage point, the resort presents what can only be described as visual poetry. The view includes layers of experience: lush jungle in the foreground, the resort's architectural features forming geometric interest in the middle ground, and the endless stretch of Da Nang Bay reaching out to the horizon.
The 700 metres of private beach is a pristine crescent of golden sand where beach chairs with umbrellas await, and attendants provide cold water bottles, plus complimentary sunscreen and aloe. There's a thoughtful towel cabana, two strengths of sunscreen, two types of after-sun lotions, and handy carry packs containing cold water and cold towels. The crystal-clear water is refreshingly cool, and the beach feels utterly secluded; a private slice of tropical paradise where the only sounds are gentle waves and the occasional call of exotic birds from the jungle above.
Wildlife and Nature: Living Among Endangered Primates
The Son Tra Peninsula is a nature reserve that spans 4,370 hectares of tropical rainforest, and it is the only place in Vietnam where the endangered red-shanked douc langurs are found. Of the approximately 2,000 remaining in the wild, 1,500 reside on the Son Tra Peninsula. Their diet is mainly leaves, with a preference for the young leaves of the tropical almond trees in the area.
During your stay, you can join a free Nature Tour with the resident naturalist to see some of the plants and animals that live on the peninsula. The Son Tra Peninsula hosts 46 different species of banyan trees, which are the largest in the world by diameter. A guided 5km hike takes you to the resort’s magnificent old banyan tree, believed to be over 1,000 years old, which looks like an entire forest but is actually one tree.
Mi Sol Spa & Wellness: Sound and Vibration Therapy
A resort like the InterContinental Danang features the luxurious Mi Sol Spa and its eight treatment villas. Mi Sol's treatments are based on rituals that "initiate something new and incorporate more than simple relaxation," with energy from sound waves and vibrations being the core element. Each ritual includes a ceremony that helps guide your mind towards more positive intentions.
The spa delves into the world of sound, vibrations, and tones that influence the human body and mind. Using tuning forks to produce various frequencies, guests can cleanse and relax their bodies and minds, entering a state of deep relaxation. There is a treatment suitable for everyone looking for complete pampering, from sleep support to yoga sessions.
The Service: First-Class Excellence
Despite all the superlatives for the views, food, architecture, and ambience, one thing stands out far above the rest, the first-class service from the staff. From the airport pickup driver who gave a mini tour commentary, to meeting Miss JY, a fellow Singaporean who greeted guests upon arrival, every interaction was memorable.
The Club Lounge is fortunate to have servers like Lihn Nguyen and Chien Hoang. Buggy drivers were quick and attentive. Restaurant servers knew their menus and food sources well. The server at Tingara was fluent in Japanese cuisine and sake. The beach towel team cleaned chairs when sandy feet soiled the bed mats. The naturalist on the wildlife tour was educational and engaging. A special shout-out to Ms. Annie Le, Assistant Director of Public Relations, who checked on us several times each day.
According to General Manager, Mr. Seif Hamdy, “I am most proud of the way our team blends world-class service with heartfelt Vietnamese warmth. The resort’s setting is spectacular, but it’s our people who truly make the difference. We focus on training, empowering our team to be thoughtful and anticipate our guests’ needs, while staying true to the local spirit of hospitality.”
Whatever they are doing at the InterContinental to uphold such stratospheric standards of service, don’t stop…it’s working!
Bold Design Elements: Summit Conference Centre
The bold décor throughout the hotel is striking, featuring large flower-filled ponds, massive ceiling beams, and hundreds of monkey statues paying homage to the local primate residents on "Monkey Mountain." The extensive areas of black and white represent yin and yang, which is the hotel's theme. Big beams at the arrival lobby resemble Chinese pagodas, while large iron torches are lit at night. Murals in restaurants and gardens are sizeable, giving the hotel a strong design character.
The Summit Conference Centre was built to serve as the venue for the 2017 APEC Summit, when world leaders from 20 countries gathered at the resort. This event is commemorated in the APEC Garden, where sculptures represent iconic landmarks from each participating nation, including the stepped pyramid from Chichén Itzá in Mexico, Malaysia's Petronas Towers, a Moai from Chile's Easter Island, St Basil's Cathedral from Moscow, and Singapore's Merlion.
A stunning reception venue, it would be perfect for gala events, elegant celebrations, product launches and elaborate weddings.
The White Lotus Connection
Speaking with John Hamilton, the hotel's Executive Director of Marketing, I mentioned how the InterContinental gave me a feeling of being on the White Lotus set, which was filmed at the Four Seasons on Koh Samui. John remarked that both the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui and the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort were designed by renowned architect Bill Bensley and his firm, Bensley Design Studios, and opened within five years of each other.
Both properties share a remarkable alignment in their design theme, concept, and architectural style. They are characterised by a deep respect for nature, celebration of local culture, sustainable luxury, and a playful, immersive approach to hospitality design. The playful, whimsical, and culturally immersive style of Bill Bensley is evident in both properties, making them destinations in their own right, however, as we say, "same same but different."
A Sanctuary Beyond Compare
To quote Mr. Hamdy, the resort’s GM, “…our unique beachside location and the tranquillity of our private sandy bay all combine to create a resort that is like nowhere else on Earth.”
The InterContinental Danang isn't just a resort; it's a transformative experience that redefines what a luxury retreat can be. This is where you go not just to escape the world, but to discover what the world could be when imagination has no limits and luxury knows no bounds. From the moment you glimpse the sea when you arrive at the driveway until you leave, reluctantly, every second here feels like living in a dream someone dared to make real.
About The Writer
Doug Peris is a writer and reporter for Expat Choice Asia, with over two decades of experience living in Singapore since 2000. Originally from Australia, he combines his passion for food and travel to offer unique perspectives on Asia's vibrant culinary scene. With a genuine appreciation and curiosity for talented chefs, street food, unique travel destinations, and diverse cultures, Doug enjoys indulging in culinary delights while travelling and simply exploring his home city of Singapore.
When he's not exploring local food scenes or experimenting with new recipes in his kitchen, Doug likes cycling, watching rugby, and planning beach getaways. His extensive regional experience and genuine curiosity for different cultures and cuisines have made him a trusted voice for honest, reliable food and travel advice.
Join Doug's culinary adventures through his reports and articles at www.expatchoice.asia. For guest reviews of your establishment, contact him at doug@expatchoice.asia with details of your requirements.
a. Bãi Bắc, Thọ Quang, Sơn Trà, Đà Nẵng 550000, Vietnam
e. Reservations.Icdanang@ihg.com
w. www.danang.intercontinental.com
fb. www.facebook.com/InterContinentalDanang
