New Series | Reiko's Room ❤️ Episode 1: "Escape to Da Nang, Vietnam"

New Series | Reiko's Room ❤️

Episode 1: A Lady's Energy Recharge is Travel!

Escape to Da Nang, Vietnam

Hello, it's Reiko. In this series, I'll introduce enchanting hidden bars and restaurants where women around thirty (well, maybe not quite ladies anymore, haha) can indulge their fantasies of being escorted by a gentleman, and share my favorite travel destinations for a much-needed escape. For this first installment, I visited Da Nang, Vietnam.

Photographs & Text by Reico

Where is Da Nang?

Da Nang, Vietnam, where I stayed this time, is located right between Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh City in the south. It's a city in central Vietnam where resort development has been rapidly progressing in recent years. It's not as chaotic as Ho Chi Minh City, and the sea is beautiful. You could call it a hidden gem of a resort.

A short drive from Da Nang lies Hoi An, an exotic city renowned as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Beyond enjoying the resort atmosphere, the opportunity to experience cultural heritage is a major plus.

Another point in my favor is that there are direct flights from Japan to Da Nang. It's a convenient, approximately 5-hour flight from Narita on Vietnam Airlines.

Now, the hotel I stayed at this time was the "InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort." I'd heard whispers among fellow travel enthusiasts that "that place is supposed to be amazing," so I felt compelled to investigate! It was even more wonderful than I had imagined, a place that will undoubtedly set both your body and soul free ♥︎

An Exotic Resort Hotel

Opened in June 2012, the "InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort" features a distinctive Vietnamese architectural style, primarily in white and black. It doesn't have that typical "Asian resort!" vibe; rather, it's exotic and sophisticated. The 200 rooms are divided into four levels cascading down the mountainside towards the sea: "Heaven Level," "Sky Level," "Earth Level," and "Sea Level." I stayed in a Sun Peninsula Residence Villa on the top floor, the "Heaven Level." Before me stretched a 700-meter private beach and a bay known as "Monkey Bay." Unfortunately, I didn't encounter any actual monkeys.

A Lineup of Restaurants to Satisfy Even Gourmands

When staying at a resort hotel, it's common to spend the entire day there. Naturally, enjoying meals at the hotel's restaurants becomes a key part of the experience, so the variety and quality of the cuisine are naturally of great interest.

The "InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort" offers a total of five restaurants and bars, including Vietnamese cuisine. My personal favorite is "Citron," where you can enjoy Vietnamese dishes. Having pho on the terrace in the morning is exceptional. Afterwards, I recommend a drink at the "Long Bar" with its long sofas. It's the perfect course.

Furthermore, "La Maison 1888" is a restaurant overseen by the acclaimed three-Michelin-star chef Pierre Gagnaire, naturally requiring a dress code for its high-end French dining. Dressing up for dinner at a resort is a privilege only adults can truly enjoy.

Sightseeing in the World Heritage Town of Hoi An

While the blue sea and relaxing at the hotel are the essence of a resort, you're abroad, after all. It's essential to experience the local culture. Hoi An, registered as a World Heritage site for its "Ancient Town," is about a two-hour shuttle bus ride from the hotel. The nostalgic streetscape, which feels like stepping back in time, is a must-see.

Reiko
An editor and writer in her late twenties. She adores champagne and travel, which fuels her dreams and hopes but tends to delay her marriage prospects. Her hobbies include nighttime patrols and leisurely journeys. Her ideal man is one who practices 'ladies first' ♥︎