May 2012

Sunrise Hoi An Beach Resort - A stylish and elegant retreat in the heart of a world heritage site

The luxurious and elegant Sunrise Hoi An Beach Resort opened earlier this year on a tranquil stretch of Cua Dai Beach in Hoi An, Vietnam. The hotel offers 220 contemporarily designed rooms that come complete with all the latest technology. Yet only 10 minutes drive away in the resort’s free shuttle bus you can discover the timeless tradition of Hoi An Ancient Town. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the old town is a perfectly preserved mix of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and French culture, evidence of the town’s fascinating past as a major trading port.

The resort’s Grand Deluxe rooms feature twin or king size beds with crisp cool cottons and plush duvets, garden or ocean views, a state of the art 40 inch LCD television, free wi-fi, a comfortable seating area and a luxurious rain shower in the bathroom. The Villas come with a choice of one or two bedrooms and showcase a custom designed bathtub and separate outdoor rain shower. Some even boast a private outdoor pool overlooking the beach where you can relax, cocktail in hand.

There are two stunning swimming pools to choose from. The Lagoon Pool is the ideal option for families. Children can be captivated by a daily schedule of games, activities and excitement in the adjacent Kids Club while their parents relax by the pool. The Kids Club even arranges fun explorations of Cua Dai Beach and educational journeys of Vietnam through song and dance, culinary visits by the Sunrise resident chef and visits to the onsite Givral Creamery to discover delicious ice cream creations.

The infinity edge 34-metre Lap Pool is located right next to the beach and is the perfect place for honeymooners to enjoy the sound of the gentle waves as they relax on lavish sunbeds in the sand or sit under one of the shady pagodas while admiring the views of Cham Island.

Several dining options are available at the resort, however to enjoy the fresh sea air, dine overlooking the beach and choose from Vietnamese favourites including aromatic spring rolls full of fresh mint and coriander, delicately spiced salads made from mango, pomelo and other tropical fruits and vegetables. Sip fine wines, ice cold local beers or tangy cocktails and watch the chefs in the open air kitchen prepare fresh seafood caught that very day.

Pampering massages and treatments are available at the spa and keep fit enthusiasts can work out in the well equipped modern gym, play tennis on the flood lit court or try their hand at sunrise tai chi. The resort staff regularly organise sunset games of beach volleyball and football, and for the even more adventurous, why not have a go at a body boarding, kayaking or parasailing.

For more details and rates please contact info@travel-res.net

The revival of Cambodia’s best kept secret

The beach resort of Kep in Southern Cambodia is without doubt one of the best kept secrets of the country. It was established as a coastal resort by the French in 1908 and quickly became the favourite holiday resort of Cambodian’s elite who built luxurious seaside villas and mansions in lush gardens. However when the Khmer Rouge took over the country in the seventies, Kep faded from view for more than 30 years.

Nearby is the Bokor National Park, home to many rare and endangered birds and animals. On top of the mountain are the tragically beautiful ruins of Bokor Hill Station with its ghost town containing the crumbling relics of a 1930’s resort and casino and an abandoned Catholic church. Not far offshore lies Rabbit Island which offers a back to basics beach experience where lazy days can be spent lying in a hammock sipping fresh coconut juice.

For the moment Kep still has a rustic ‘out of the way’ feel to it with jungled mountains, quiet beaches and local crab shacks where time seems to stand still. However a revival is slowly beginning with former villas that had fallen into disrepair now being restored and converted into boutique resorts, and new hotels are opening that offer a mixture of French style and Cambodian hospitality:

The Beach House is perched on a hill overlooking the tree-lined beachfront and offers 16 simply furnished rooms with air-conditioning, hot water and TVs. The double and twin rooms all have balconies overlooking the ocean while the family rooms overlook the gardens. This is the ideal place to relax in the gardens or lie by the pool watching the crab-sellers ply their wares on the beach below.

Rock Royal Hotel & Resort is a newly opened hotel situated in six hectares of lush natural vegetation with a backdrop of tree-covered hills. Built in a mixture of Cambodia and European style, the resort offers 120 comfortable guest rooms with cable TV, air conditioning and free wi-fi. There is an outdoor pool and a spa offering various massage therapies and aromatherapies.

Knai Bang Chatt Hotel is one of the original beachside villas that was abandoned during the seventies, however has now been lovingly renovated into a luxury 11-room high end resort boasting stunning minimalist architecture. The restaurant is a former fisherman’s house with a pier that serves western and Khmer food. You can swim from the dock or watch the sunset and fishing boats returning home with their catches.

For more details and rates please contact info@travel-res.net