Any property which welcomes you with truffle fruits, is somewhere worth staying in my books...
Fusion Maia, one of Asia's first all-inclusive spa concept properties has been on my 'to do' list for awhile. Finally, last week I got around to it. I had arranged to meet up with a girlfriend for a spa-a-thon catch up over a long weekend, and we couldn't have picked a better place. Despite having to leave the warmth of my bed when it was still dark outside to catch the 7am flight to Da Nang, I was pleasantly surprised that by 10am I was in already robed up to start my first spa treatment!!
The property is a short 15 min drive from the airport along the coastline. Upon arrival you get the rundown on the how the all-inclusive concept works, the ground and facilities offered and you meet your 'fusionista' (aka your Mr Friday go-to person for anything and everything).
How it works:
- each guest is guaranteed a minimum of 2 treatments each day, which you are required to pre-book the day before
- any additional treatments for that day, can only be booked once the 2 treatments have been completed so are subject to availability of rooms/therapists
- spa is open quite late, until 10pm
Modeled on the Emperor's residence in Hue, this all-pool villa, all-inclusive spa is a place of complete relaxation and pampering.
The good:
- all the rooms have a decent sized lap pool with spacious outdoor sundeck/lawn area and separate living room area from the bedroom
- they provide scheduled shuttle services complimentary for guests to/from Hoi An (approx 30 min drive) up until 10pm; if the shuttle is full they even pay for taxis both ways (approx USD$20)
- they have the "Fusion Lounge" in the main Hoi An downtown area where you can enjoy a cocktail and snack in a comfy lounge setting. From here you can watch the street life carry on whilst waiting for your transfer back to the hotel and enjoy the free wifi, free use of bicycles AND you can even have your daily breakfast here instead of at the resort!
- speaking of breakfast, you can have it 'anytime, anywhere', so if you're like me and like to sleep until mid morning when on holidays, then you can enjoy your breakfast either at the hotel restaurant as a buffet, a la carte down by the beach, or in your villa. We tried all 3, and let's just say a la carte is better for the waistline ;)
- and finally, you don't get hit with a hefty check-out bill of all the spa treatments you've somehow managed to clock up on your holiday (which is an unpleasant surprise for me on most holidays)
Room for improvement:
The 'hair therapy' treatment was a bit ho-hum; kind of felt like a side-thought that was added to plump up the menu. After the hair wash, condition and head massage you can opt for an up-do. Let's just say it took 3 different therapists to come in to attempt a braid in my hair. Not terrible but would have preferred to use my spa appointment time getting a facial. To be fair, it isn't a hair salon and they are not hair dressers so this is a small criticism at best.
For those of you who know me well, know I often pick a destination based on cuisine and once the ticket is booked I shall start planning my food itinerary, even before I've booked the hotel!
So, for my fellow foodies, this is heaven. Vietnamese cuisine offers those distinct fresh flavours and winning combinations that go so well. Fresh coriander, citrus lime, salty fish sauce, spicy chilli garnish all enveloped in a crunchy rice paper roll, what's not to love!? The best part, as it's so fresh and light, I didn't even feel the need to unpack my gym shoes lol
Morning Glory Restaurant, Hoi An (cheap, fast, fresh ingredients bought from local markets, authentic flavours and a spot on menu).....
....and Ms Ly's Restaurant, Hoi An
...drool...
....two well-known must-eats for tourists according to Tripadvisor, and in fact the former did not disappoint in flavour, service and ambience. However, stay clear from their "morning glory" cocktail, a lethal combination of cheap alcohol and sugar pink fizz.
And don't forget, when in Vietnam you've got to get your pho on atleast once...
You can see why this ancient town has been listed as a unesco heritage site, with it's well preserved architecture influenced largely by the Chinese and Japanese when it was a trading port from the 15th to 19th century. Its narrow laneways and pedestrian streets, weaving in between rows of faded yellow wooden houses really add to the romance of this town.
My tip:
- get on two wheels (of the non-motorised variety); locals and other vehicles on the road are used to sharing and are accommodating of tourists; this was a great way to explore the area in the limited time we had
- get to understand the exchange rate for your currency to the Vietnamese Dong quick smart or you'll find yourself overpaying and leaving very large or offensively small tips (is there really a need for that many zero's!)
- if you're going to get leather goods made, shop around as tailors or leather shoe/bag-makers are a dime-a-dozen; compare fabric or leather quality and barter down the price; I suggest only getting one thing copied to start with on day 1 and they should be able to deliver it to your hotel room the following day...only then, once you've assessed the finished product go back to get more stuff made. A lot of places once they have your measurements will be able to ship stuff back to your home from you simply sending photos of what you want them to copy. But the quality in material and skill level varies a lot, so shop around.
Whether it's for a romantic beach weekend away, or a girls spa-a-thon like I had, this destination ticks all those boxes and so much more!
