Tia Wellness Retreat: A Da Nang Sanctuary with Adventures to Hoi An & Marble Mountains

Hi Everyone,

After a short flight from Hanoi with one of my now favourite airlines, Vietnam airlines,  Nicola and I landed in Da Nang. The 5th largest city of Vietnam, situated right on the coast.

They say nowhere in Vietnam is changing as fast as Da Nang. I personally feel this makes this article even more important as the Tia Wellness Resort is an insider tip and true gem. Elsewhere along the coastal stretch from Da Nang to Hoi An we saw many new high-rise hotel and resort developments. Quite a contrast to our luxury, private pool villa. Despite this development the beach itself was pretty much empty during our entire stay. Even though we had beautiful warm temperatures.

That feeling of luxury swept over us the minute we stepped outside of customs at the airport. We were greeted by the warm smile of our hotel chauffeur holding a sign with my name on it.

Enough of an introduction. Keep reading for a pictorial account of “Tia Wellness Retreat: A Da Nang Sanctuary with Adventures to Hoi An & Marble Mountains”

 

Tia Wellness Retreat: A Da Nang Sanctuary with Adventures to Hoi An & Marble Mountains

Come and experience the wonderful things that the TIA Wellness resort has to offer. It really is much more than your typical spa resort. We left feeling rejuvenated, enriched by experiences and somehow stronger inside.

Arrival and a tea ceremony like no other:

Check in at the Tia Wellness Resort is a true experience in itself. Instead of signing up at reception, we were ushered to a lovely seating area. This was when we had the most interesting tea ceremony.

It was only once we had truly settled comfortably and started sipping our tea that any check in procedures began. At this point Nicola and I winked at each other as we could both sense some real pampering coming our way and we weren’t wrong – smile!

The view as we left the reception/restaurant area and headed for our accommodation was breathtaking. I was already kicking myself that we were only going to stay here for 2 nights.

 

Our own slice of paradise:

The path leading up to our room felt like some sort of tropical paradise.

Our private villa was simply beautiful, complete with private pool – perfect for indulging in a secluded swim or enjoying a tranquil lunch.

The bedroom and living area was spacious and beautifully decorated in an understated luxurious way.

The bathroom had all the mod cons you could wish for including a toilet with heated seating, it raised the lid as you entered the room and flushed automatically once you were finished… we both decided we could get used to this.

Nicola and I had great fun ordering the pool lunch. At this point we did miss our Hubbies, however it didn’t take long for us to remember that 35 years of friendship is also worth celebrating!

 

The main pool area

Despite having our own private pool, the main pool was certainly not to be forgotten. A beautiful infinity pool reaching right to the beach with great ocean views.

 

Culinary delights, vegan and beyond

All the food at the resort was simply delicious with many vegan and vegetarian options available.

Our room package included breakfast which was an experience not to be forgotten in itself! You could choose between having breakfast at the beach, delivered to your villa or in the main restaurant.

The first morning we indulged in breakfast at the beach:

This was served at our table – Nicola is still dreaming about her eggs benedict.

On the second morning we had breakfast in the main dining room…

 

Dinner in Da Nang city

On our first evening we ate at the All Seasons buffet restaurant in Da Nang. It is called a buffet restaurant but in reality all food is delivered to your table. The buffet part only refers to the fact that there is one fix price and within that price you can order as much food as you desire.

Nicola and I loved this concept. We aren’t the hugest of eaters but it meant we could ask for many smaller portions and taste a variety of delicious traditional Vietnamese dishes.

The staff were all super friendly and we especially loved the crepes desert prepared at our table!

An experience we both fully recommend!

 

Beyond relaxation: Wellness & holistic healing included

The spa experience was unlike any other with two menu books filled with treatments to choose from. It was the very first time I experienced a therapist on vacation who took a real interest in what was bothering me – a shoulder pain. She advised me on what to do when I get back to Zurich and really took additional time out to make sure her treatment would have a long term effect. I was so grateful you can not imagine!

 

Creativity and connection:

Another fun thing we did was the creative workshop. Here we were given a blank mask and the task to paint it like we thought others saw us from the outside. Not sure I really succeeded here but it was a fun experience all the same!

There is a special kind of joy that comes from doing something which makes you step out of your comfort zone.

Adventures await: Hoi An

Another of the highlights of the retreat was the complementary shuttle service that whisked us away on a 30 minute journey to the enchanting streets of Hoi An.

Once there we were free to explore at our own pace. Hoi An is a haven for tailor-made fashion, with countless skilled tailors ready to craft a custom wardrobe in little time. There were also plenty of other local crafts to shop.

The best place for souvenir shopping, we felt.

Riverside bars are a great place for unparalleled views of the Thu Bon River whilst sipping on a cocktail. The riverbanks themselves come alive in the evening, bustling with colourful lights, many boats floating down the river and an almost magical atmosphere that feels straight out of a dream.

 

Our guided tour of Marble Mountains

The Marble Mountains, a cluster of limestone peaks near Da Nang are another sight not to be missed on your next visit to Da Nang. These enchanting mountains are home to hidden sanctuaries, intricate caves with special meanings and breathtaking views – a treasure trove of serenity and wonder waiting to be explored.

We were lucky to have our very own guide from the hotel. After climbing many stairs to the top we were rewarded with our personal tranquil Tai Chi session led by our guide. This meditative practice in such a serene setting added hugely to the  spiritual touch of the whole experience.

I recommend visiting early in the morning around 7am to miss the crowds and get a real feeling for the mystical atmosphere surrounding the mountains.

Both Nicola and I left with a renewed sense of connection to both nature and ourselves. Also ready for our next adventure – visiting Ho Chi Minh city…

That’s it for our wonderful stay in Da Nang

For bookings:

Tia Wellness Resort

You might like to read about Hanoi or Ha Long Bay here.

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