Fusion Maia Resort, Danang, VietnamAfter our wonderful relaxing trip on Halong Bay, we caught the overnight train from Hanoi to Danang. This was by no means a luxury method of transport (even though we booked all 4 births in the Livitrans tourist cabin), but we were glad we had the experience. The train felt safe and toilets were kept usable. Waking in the morning, the views were beautiful and we would not advise against using the train to reach Danang, although the hard beds left us a little stiff. Luckily, we were heading to the perfect antidote, the Fusion Maia.
The package at this unique hotel is quite generous in that your room rate includes a minimum of 2 spa treatments per person per day and extra are complimentary if available. The hotel is directly on the beach and has beautiful landscaped grounds. Even the most basic room comes with a private pool and small, walled garden, so this resort is perfect for couples. Thankfully after our long train ride (15 hours) we were able to check-in to our suite straight away, despite arriving well before official check-in time. After being served a welcome drink and cold towel on the comfortable sofas in the lounge area of the main pavilion, which also houses the restaurant, the facilities in the resort were explained to us and we were escorted to our room. DiningWe were delighted to be told on check-in that we could have breakfast on our day of arrival, as we had not eaten for the previous 20 hours! The hotel has a unique "Breakfast Anytime and Anywhere" set-up, so we were able to order in-room breakfast from a choice of menus. Around 20 minutes after ordering, our food was delivered to the room - a lovely chicken noodle soup complete with extra herbs and spices to add to taste. However, it was a shame that there was no fresh fruit on the breakfast menu, only fruit pastries. On the other 2 mornings, we had buffet breakfast in the Dining Room, which had a great range with good quality and included a dish from the made-to-order menu, such as Salmon Teriyaki.
On each of the 2 nights we stayed at the Fusion Maia, we ate in the hotel restaurant. The BBQ prawns on the first night felt a little expensive and were not as good as the seafood we had on Halong Bay (although we are unsure anything will ever match up to that). The second night, we had the daily changing 5-course healthy menu, which was innovative, delicious and catered to our allergies. Leisure
The environment of the hotel is truly relaxing with well-tended gardens. In 2 pavilions by the sea, there is a cardio gym and weights area. These are reasonably well equipped, although we missed a rowing machine. In addition to the adults only spa pool, there is a large infinity pool leading down to the beach. This is especially beautiful at night and was not busy during our stay.
The beach itself is wide and sandy, but once you get beyond the resorts, it is not as clean as you would hope for (perhaps partly due to the number of tropical storms Vietnam receives each year). The Fusion Maia offers a range of private or group tours in the locale - although we didn't partake in any of these, when we return we like the idea of Tai Chi on Marble Mountain and leaning to make spring rolls. Each day, a number of complimentary activities are included, based on the theme of the day, including yoga, fitness sessions, meditation, guided walks and talks. |
Pool SuiteThough this is the most basic room category, the open-plan room was spacious and well equipped. At 106 square metres, Fusion Maia must have some of the largest 'standard' rooms in SE Asia. A lounge area complete with desk led to a large bedroom with plenty of storage. Although there was a large seating area in the lounge, it was a pity that there was no dining table (it perhaps would have been more useful than the desk) as room-service was difficult to eat using the low table.
The bathroom was one of the best we have seen with twin sinks, a huge Terazzo bath-tub and large shower. Although some toiletries were provided (soap, bath/shower gel and shampoo/conditioner), for a spa resort we felt that these should have been better quality, and that separate shampoo and conditioner is a necessity in a beach resort for those of us with long hair. Outside, our private swimming pool awaited, along with an outdoor shower, dining area and sun loungers enclosed in a walled garden. A wonderful place to relax and enjoy the sunshine. SpaThe real highlight of Fusion Maia is the spa. We had pre-booked a 1-hour facial and massage for our day of arrival, which we both felt were the best treatments we had ever had. The therapists were very empathetic and seemed to really enjoy what they did. After these initial treatments, we were able to book a foot massage/pedicure for the same day, as well as 2 hours treatment for the following day. We were surprised, but delighted, to be told that we could also book treatments for our day of departure, so we received 7.5 hours treatment each included in our room rate for 2 nights. The only treatment we would not recommend was the hair therapy, which whilst enjoyable was just like having your hair washed (albeit with a little extra head massage) in a salon anywhere.
The spa facilities include an adults-only swimming pool, sauna and steam room. Each day, a different aspect of wellness is highlighted with a daily menu in the restaurant, a different tea each day and (my favourite) a different body scrub in the spa each day. The body scrub was available in the shower area (by the sauna) of the spa as a self-treatment: a scoop and bowl was provided and you were advised to mix 2 scoops of scrub with a few drops of the provided essential oil. The resulting scrub smelt divine (some good enough to eat) and was effective in the shower. |
Overall Impression
The staff in the hotel were all very friendly and keen to please, although occasionally there were problems with the language barrier. The resort really invests in its staff: there is a resident English teacher and all staff members receive 2 lessons per week. In addition, staff receive career advice and learn many new skills - for example, all spa therapists have now all completed a Level 1 Reiki course and some have progressed to become Masters. Wellbeing is encouraged so that staff are happy and full of positive energy through meditation. Whilst we scientists tend to struggle with some of these ideas, the approach clearly works in Danang as the service was very good throughout. It should also be mentioned that the hotel coped well with the imminent disaster of super-typhoon Haiyan: spa treatments went ahead as planned, staff were calm and friendly, and the resort was very flexible with regard to reservations (extending or shortening at short notice).
Standard rates at Fusion Maia are approximately $400 + tax per night and represent great value. There are few places in the World where you can book a large villa with private pool on a B+B basis, including unlimited spa treatments and activities each day for this price. Vietnam is a beautiful, friendly country that we whole-heartedly recommend. Danang is not the easiest part to reach, but international flights are available from Singapore, Incheon, Shanghai and Hong Kong, as well as internal flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. For the more adventurous there is also the train overnight from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
We loved our stay at Fusion Maia and particularly enjoyed the spectacular spa treatments. The inclusive nature of the spa made each treatment more relaxing (as there was no feeling of I must enjoy this because I've paid $x for it) and enabled us to try some treatments we never usually would. The rooms are huge, clean and have a great outdoor area with private pool. This resort is perfect for couples wanting a romantic break, offering a similar level of relaxation as the Maldives, but on a more inclusive, affordable basis. The only negative we have to note is that Vietnam is a very child-friendly country and this can sometimes cause problems, as staff do not always enforce the rules that exist. For example, during dinner one evening there was a young child (plus mum) playing with the piano (it could not be described as music) and we had to ask that this be stopped. Another time, 3 small children were playing (again supervised by mum) with the exercise balls in the gym and were not stopped by the staff standing outside from running in and out. However, we brought up these observations with the GM, who is determined this should not happen in future. We would recommend that the resort provide better quality bathroom products (especially a separate conditioner), chilled towels and bottled water in the gym, and it would be nice to have a fruit bowl in the room. Otherwise, our stay at Fusion Maia was near perfect and we look forward to returning.
Standard rates at Fusion Maia are approximately $400 + tax per night and represent great value. There are few places in the World where you can book a large villa with private pool on a B+B basis, including unlimited spa treatments and activities each day for this price. Vietnam is a beautiful, friendly country that we whole-heartedly recommend. Danang is not the easiest part to reach, but international flights are available from Singapore, Incheon, Shanghai and Hong Kong, as well as internal flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. For the more adventurous there is also the train overnight from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
We loved our stay at Fusion Maia and particularly enjoyed the spectacular spa treatments. The inclusive nature of the spa made each treatment more relaxing (as there was no feeling of I must enjoy this because I've paid $x for it) and enabled us to try some treatments we never usually would. The rooms are huge, clean and have a great outdoor area with private pool. This resort is perfect for couples wanting a romantic break, offering a similar level of relaxation as the Maldives, but on a more inclusive, affordable basis. The only negative we have to note is that Vietnam is a very child-friendly country and this can sometimes cause problems, as staff do not always enforce the rules that exist. For example, during dinner one evening there was a young child (plus mum) playing with the piano (it could not be described as music) and we had to ask that this be stopped. Another time, 3 small children were playing (again supervised by mum) with the exercise balls in the gym and were not stopped by the staff standing outside from running in and out. However, we brought up these observations with the GM, who is determined this should not happen in future. We would recommend that the resort provide better quality bathroom products (especially a separate conditioner), chilled towels and bottled water in the gym, and it would be nice to have a fruit bowl in the room. Otherwise, our stay at Fusion Maia was near perfect and we look forward to returning.
