Anantara Quy Nhon Villas, Vietnam
Words: Monica Tindall
Photos: Han Sen Hau
As we enter the open-walled Anantara Quy Nhon Villas lobby, we’re overwhelmed with beauty. The sun is low in the sky behind us, causing the islands in front to look golden and the sea to glisten. The sand is white, the water a deep blue, and the rocky outcrops dotting the coastline could be anywhere in the Mediterranean. However, it’s not—it’s much closer to home.
Quy Nhon, a coastal city in central Vietnam, is slowly shedding its skin of a sleepy fishing village and agricultural hub. While its past may be steeped in farming, Quy Nhon is now blossoming into a tourist destination, attracting travellers with its pristine beaches, historical remnants, and relaxed atmosphere.
We’ve arrived on a magnificent train journey from Danang, where we caught a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur and spent a few marvellous days exploring the resort’s sister property, Anantara Hoi An. The Vietage by Anantara, a luxury train carriage with food, free-flow beverages and massage service, took us on a picturesque passage down the coast. The six-hour rail trip is an experience in itself, much more than simply a transfer, and very much worth considering. We plan to hop on board again at the end of our stay at Anantara Quy Nhon Villas, riding all the way to Nha Trang, where an international airport has a direct flight back to Kuala Lumpur. It’s a fantastically well-balanced trip, including culture, shopping, tailoring clothes, sightseeing, culinary adventures (both fine and street food), beach clubs and relaxation by the sea.
Anantara Quy Nhon Villas
This component of our journey is all about slowing down beside the sea. The villas are comfortable, and the service is exceptional; many guests never leave their rooms—understandably so, as there are no bad rooms at Anantara Quy Nhon Villas. All accommodations face the sea, all have a private pool, all feel brand new, and all have giant bathtubs overlooking the ocean.
Facing the horizon, early birds can appreciate the warm sunrise. It’s a magical start to a day. So is a dip in the bathwater-temperature pool and a walk along the beach, accessed directly from the villa.
The bedding is high-quality, and there is a five-pillow menu (I get the cervical neck pillow, and Han Sen gets the memory foam) and aromatherapy scent choices (ylang-ylang, orange, lemongrass) to further customise your sleep. The air conditioning is cold and silent, and at this end of the resort, we’re isolated from the town that sometimes enjoys late-night karaoke at the other end of the beach.
There are not one but two fridges (one mini-bar and the other three-quarters), so you can bring your wine and favourite foods if you choose. Folliet coffee and tea are provided in compostable pods, and a welcome fruit basket is a nice touch. Each evening, a sweet treat is also delivered to the room.
We appreciate the beach bag and sandals provided, allowing us to keep our own belongings sand-free. We’re rather fond of our private pool, sun deck, covered and fanned outdoor lounge, and outdoor shower, though, so we do most of our dipping here. Conveniently, the shower has a door connecting it directly to the outdoors (and there’s also an outdoor shower), so we can slip in and out without dragging the sand with us.
A giant flat-screen connects to local and international channels and our devices through Smart View settings. Bathroom amenities are plastic-free, and water is provided in refillable glass bottles. It’s a luxurious feel.
There’s a telephone in the villa, but we have absolutely no need for it, as our butler is just a WhatsApp away. Ice, advice, room service, different pillows, buggy service—Nghia has it all under control. His first task is a resort and room tour, and the next is room service. Both are handled capably, professionally and kindly.
Sea.Fire.Salt. Restaurant
Sea.Fire.Salt. is the all-day dining and specialty restaurant for the boutique resort. With only 24 villas, it offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and in-room dining.
Satisfyingly exhausted from a very pleasant six-hour train ride on The Vietage by Anantara from Danang, we dine in the villa the first night. Focusing on Vietnamese recipes, we devour pho, banh mi, stir-fried noodles, and fried rice with crab. All are tasty and satisfying enjoyed in the cool air-con of the room with the latest episode of Ripley on Netflix on the big screen.
The following morning, we enjoy brekkie at Sea.Fire.Salt. We have the glass-walled restaurant to ourselves and feel like royalty with sea views and kind service. The menu is an extensive a la carte list of local and international dishes supported by a clean continental spread. Pho, banh mi, crepes, omelettes and a good old-fashioned big breakfast are on our table. We fill in the gaps with yoghurt, fruit, pastries, granola bars, salad, cold cuts and cheeses. We’re particularly fond of the healthy juice shot of cucumber, apple, lettuce, celery and lime, and appreciate the opportunity to have a glass of bubbles if so desired. Coffee is by the Vietnamese label Folliet. It’s great with milk in espresso-based drinks. We have several cups.
As mentioned earlier, many guests find it challenging to leave their beautiful villas, so floating brekkies are also an option. We can’t resist ordering it, mostly for photos. They’re not the most practical choice, but it is fun to float around and get some holiday snaps. The delivery to your room includes a half bottle of Taittinger Champagne, adding extra glam to start the day.
Mid-afternoon, guests are enticed from their villas once more to Sea.Fire.Salt. with a complimentary afternoon tea. A few nibbles like biscuits, pastries, fruit and samosas are joined by a lovely range of loose-leaf tea, including several herbal variations such as butterfly pea and rose, as well as iced Vietnamese coffee made on the spot.
Later we dine on Sea.Fire.Salt.’s lunch and dinner menu. Specialising in steak and seafood on the grill, several of their signatures are served on a hot Himalayan rock salt slab. Being by the sea and a region known for fishing, seafood is fresh and highly recommended. Read all about Sea.Fire.Salt. restaurant’s menu here.
The Happiest Hour Ever
Beyond food, Sea.Fire.Salt. also serves guests a range of beverages—beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic mixes. Do you know the best-priced happy hour we’ve ever encountered? One that’s completely free! Anantara Quy Nhon Villas has the Happiest Hour ever! Daily between 4 and 5 p.m., guests are offered a select cocktail, mocktail, or local beer on the house. Wednesdays are Vietnamese Gin & Tonic, homemade lemonade, and Saigon local beer.
Beyond the Rooms & Restaurants
The three-hectare property is beautifully landscaped with thick tropical bushes, trees and coastal flowers. It’s a pleasant stroll through the paths or along the beach in the early morning or evening. There’s a small gym with a few cardio and strength machines, dumbbells and mats, and several classes, such as yoga, offered by on-site experts. A large communal pool overlooking the sea is popular in the late afternoon (around the same time as that Happy Hour mentioned earlier). There’s also a spa in a pretty natural setting, surprisingly surrounded by paperbark eucalyptus trees.
Anantara Quy Nhon Spa
Anantara’s spa relaxes guests before they even begin a treatment. The open-walled reception is enveloped by the forest, and forest bathing has been well-documented as a form of bringing calm amongst the trees. Therapists are experts in their technique, with clear routines that make it a luxury experience—welcome drink (sweet roselle), footbath, breathing exercises, post-treatment tea, and snacks. I highly recommend allotting some time here. It brings a sense of tranquillity and well-being.
Anantara Quy Nhon Villas Review
Our stay at Anantara Quy Nhon Villas was exactly what we needed in the middle of an exciting trip of eating, drinking, sightseeing and shopping. It provided the perfect respite mid-way, encouraging us to slow down, recharge and appreciate this beautiful coastline. If you’re travelling from Malaysia, I highly recommend flying into Danang, staying a couple of days in Hoi An, taking The Vietage to Quy Nhon, staying here some more, and then continuing once more on The Vietage by Anantara to Nha Trang, where you can also spend time or catch a direct flight back to Kuala Lumpur from Cam Ranh airport.
Anantara Quy Nhon Villas offers a luxurious escape where relaxation meets gracious service. From the private infinity pools overlooking the ocean to the pampering touches in the villas, every detail is designed to create an unforgettable stay. Whether you seek wellness with on-site activities or simply wish to soak up the sun and serenity of the beachfront, this resort provides a haven for travellers seeking a tranquil paradise.
Reasons to stay at Anantara Quy Nhon Villas, Vietnam: beautiful, luxury boutique all-pool-villa property; all rooms face the sea; a gorgeous coastline; small, intimate resort feel; lush tropical landscaping; an excellent component of a trip from Danang to Nha Trang.
Anantara Quy Nhon Villas
Bai Dai Area, Ghenh Rang Ward, Quy Nhon 590000
Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam
www.anantara.com/en/quy-nhon
@ anantaraquynhon
Link to Anantara Quy Nhon Villas on Google Maps
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