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T
he opening of the InterConti-
nental Sun Peninsula Resort last
year was the latest in a long
line of developments signaling
Danang’s rise. Owners, the local Sun-
group company, brought in internation-
al brands to work on the master plan,
management, dining and spa, to create
a property that will up the game of this
central city.
Celebrated international architect-
designer Bill Bensley spent six years
blending contemporary architectural
concepts with traditional Vietnamese
touches to create this much-anticipated
seaside retreat. The hotel also houses La
Maison 1888, the first three-Michelin-
starred restaurant in Vietnam, headed
by chef Michel Roux, who is famed for
the Waterside Inn Restaurant near Lon-
don. Meanwhile, the spa is operated by
Harnn, one of the most prominent spa
chains in Thailand.
“Everyone who loves spas and fine
dining will find this resort is the perfect
place,” says Gerd Kotlorz, the resort’s
director of sales and marketing.
The resort is one of Fodor’s Trend-
setter picks and has already begun
pulling in well-heeled travellers from
around the world, including American
billionaire George Soros and his wife,
who spent last Christmas at the resort.
The appearance of a growing num-
ber of internationally-branded luxury re-
sorts like the InterContinental is chang-
ing the face of tourism in the central
coast of Vietnam. For many years, Fura-
ma was the only resort on one of the
world’s most luxurious beaches. But,
the tourism scene started to change
with the opening of the five-star Nam
Hai resort six years ago.
Since then, more upmarket resorts
have opened, including Hyatt Regency
Danang, Vinpearl Luxury Resort, and
the Banyan Tree. Accor has introduced
different brands to the area, such as No-
votel, Pullman and Mercure. New hotels
will add value to this charming city and
will help put Danang on the world map
to become one of the leading leisure
destinations in the Asia Pacific region
according to Zulki Othman, general
manager of Hyatt Regency Danang Re-
sort and Spa, which opened more than
a year ago.
“We have seen a marked increase
in business level,” says Othman. “The
Hyatt brand is well perceived in the
Asia Pacific region. We have strong
presence in all the gateway cities in
Asia. This boosts the awareness level
for Hyatt Regency Danang, especially
in key markets such as Seoul, Tokyo,
Shanghai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur
and Hong Kong.”
Peter Ryder, chief executive of-
ficer of Indochina Capital, says he has
28
timeout
New resorts are changing the hospitality landscape in Danang, writes
Tran Son
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