One of Vietnam's most charming spots, Hoi An comes with the promise of cobbled lanes, rural excursions and more history than you'll know what to do with. With its French colonial design and picturesque setting, Anantara fits right in. Not much separates it from the idyllic Thu Bon River except for a few lazy palms and you'll have every chance to enjoy the view at morning yoga in the garden or over the specialty Hoi An Burger (a patty in a hot dog bun served with Vietnamese camembert!). It's the kind of place where the staff always remembers your name and you might just want to move in.
In a quiet part of the garden, the heated above-ground pool is the perfect palm-dappled spot to enjoy a dip and a coconut cocktail from the bar. The spa provides toe-tingling remedies from four-hand massages to green tea body scrubs. The Riverside restaurant serves local delicacies in an intimate dining room or on the terrace at tables lit by lotus lamps. Enjoy the award-winning wine list or join the Art Space for a cosy 'wine me down' evening. Served at Lanterns, breakfast is a casual but varied buffet served with freshly-brewed Vietnamese coffee.
The rooms have a fresh and tropical feel with teal feature walls, floral cushions and palm-leaf doors. Decorated with one-of-a-kind photography by a local artist, the split-level deluxe rooms/suites have a lounge area with shelves of mismatched porcelains and large bed. They each have a balcony (with garden or river views) and the larger suites come with an alfresco dining area and nest swing. The bathrooms are neat and spacious with a rain shower, and the Anantara Suites have a gorgeous sunken tub. Other amenities include an espresso machine, ceiling fans and a TV.
Anantara is only meters away from Hoi An's stoic Old Town where you'll find a pedestrian-only maze of revered temples and trinket-rich markets. Visit the fascinating Japanese Bridge, Confucian family shrines and stop for a cuppa at a quaint tea house. A little further afield, there are buffalo carts to ride, bamboo baskets to row and the magnificent My Son Sanctuary to explore. Roll down the river on a sunset cruise then return for cooking lessons or take your tastebuds on a journey through the Hoi An's street food.
The Art Space is an art-gallery-cross-restaurant featuring original pieces by some of Vietnam's finest artists. The menus are pretty inventive too and if you don't believe us, order the 'Japanese Bridge' - 3D-printed from fruit!
If you're after an especially memorable meal, request a private dinner at a lantern-lit pavilion by the river. You can even design the menu to include your favourite dishes or something new!
The rooms are set in two or three-floor buildings with no elevator, so it's best to ask for the ground-floor if you have mobility issues.
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A graceful riverside town of food, arts and the stuff dream holidays are made of
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