Spa+Clinic Team The red carpet was rolled out to welcome more than 100 top hoteliers and well-travelled spa professionals from across the globe for the gala dinner at the inaugural World Spa Awards in Vietnam.
Hosted at the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, the hotel’s Harnn Heritage Spa was named World’s Best New Hotel Spa and Vietnam’s Best Hotel Spa.
“We are thrilled that there is a program to serve as the definitive benchmark of excellence for the spa industry as the World Spa Awards,” says Iain McCormack, general manager of the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort.
“To be recognised in this year’s awards is truly a result of the thoughtful and understated service and authentic local experiences we deliver to our guests every day.”
The World Spa Awards are part of the original World Travel Awards that recently celebrated their 22nd anniversary. Votes were cast by professionals of the travel and spa tourism industry, and also by the public via an online voting system.
The InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort opened on June 1, 2012, redefining the definition of luxury in Danang and throughout Vietnam.
Designed by iconic architect Bill Bensley, it has received numerous international recognitions for its excellent service and beautiful architecture, including the World Travel Award 2014 as Asia’s Leading Luxury Resort and Vietnam’s Leading Resort.
Hidden in the myth-filled hills of Monkey Mountain in the heart of the Son Tra Peninsula nature reserve, the five-star resort is set in 37 hectares of stepped gardens leading down to a private beach – dramatic views of the sea can be enjoyed from all 197 rooms.
Its Harnn Heritage Spa is a luxury wellness retreat set in a private lagoon. Opened just over a year ago, it marries ancient Oriental healing traditions with a sleek, contemporary setting.
“It’s one of the most beautiful, tucked-away resorts in Asia – and still probably still one of the best kept secrets on the Asian luxury landscape,” says spokesperson Kelly Beckwith.
The spa offers treatments that are unique to the region, using the area’s famous marble. The signature experience is Journey of Marble Mountains, which is 150 minutes of steaming, scrubbing and massaging.
Traditional cupping and herbal treatments are performed by experienced therapists who come from a long familial line of healers specialising in Vietnamese medicine.
A highlight of the spa is the MANI: PEDI: CURE studio by “podiatrist to the stars” Bastion Gonzales.
“They don’t call it the world’s best pedicure for nothing,” says Kelly. “It is such a miracle worker that you bounce out of there glowing from hands to feet, no polish required.
“It gives your nails a kind of rosy-hued glow that has to be seen to be believed. We promise that guests will want to toss their nail polish out after this experience and keep their nails au naturel!
“After all the pampering, gourmet travellers will appreciate La Maison 1888 and its outstanding wine cellar, having recently welcomed world-renowned, Michelin-starred Chef Pierre Gagnaire.”
The InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is an easy drive from UNESCO world heritage sites of Hoi An, Hue and My Son (described as “Vietnam’s Angkor Wat”), making it a perfect base for travellers seeking an experience that connects them to central Vietnam.
The resort is so committed to a seamless, top-to-toe experience that they even offer an express spa service at the airport as guests depart.
