

IHG One Rewards’ InterContinental model has a number of aspirational motels for which you’ll be able to redeem factors. The InterContinental Bora Bora Thalasso in French Polynesia and the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort might shortly come to thoughts, as each are stunning properties in dreamy locations.
But additionally excessive up alone private checklist of aspirational InterContinental resorts is the InterContinental Danang Solar Peninsula Resort in Danang, Vietnam. This multi-tiered resort is nestled on the aspect of Sơn Trà mountain, trying away from busy Danang metropolis and out to sea. When you’re there, the resort seems and looks like it’s worlds away from the crowded city.
One of many principal attracts for me of the InterContinental Danang Solar Peninsula Resort was the photographs I would seen of its mountainside villas. As I learn extra concerning the resort, I discovered it gives a cute but useful four-stop funicular, which appeared like a novelty, and its spa therapy rooms are situated alongside a secluded lagoon. I would dreamed of staying at this resort for over 5 years earlier than lastly having fun with a three-night keep this summer season.
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Throughout my time there, the InterContinental Danang was ending up some renovations that it started whereas closed throughout the pandemic. These renovations must be full by the point this text publishes — and did not considerably have an effect on my keep — so I will not deal with them on this assessment. This is what my long-anticipated keep was like.
Reserving
As with every resort, there are a number of methods to ebook the InterContinental Danang Solar Peninsula Resort. Suppose you have got IHG elite standing or an annual IHG lounge membership (which you’ll be able to choose as an elite profit if you earn a 40- or 70-night milestone reward) that gives membership lounge entry at collaborating IHG motels for you and a visitor. In that case, I like to recommend reserving instantly with IHG to get entry to your advantages and elite earnings.
Money charges are beneath $400 per evening on some dates, which is spectacular for a resort of this caliber. The resort can also be presently providing a number of particular packages that embody issues like airport transportation and nightly eating credit, though most of those packages do not permit at no cost cancellation.
You could get higher worth by redeeming IHG factors on your keep. Award evening availability is restricted on some dates, however it’s best to discover dates that work if in case you have a versatile schedule. Award nights presently value between 66,000 and 115,000 factors per evening. You will get a fourth-night reward if in case you have an eligible IHG Rewards bank card (just like the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit score Card) linked to your account.
Lastly, as you needn’t ebook instantly with IHG to get InterContinental Ambassador perks, Ambassadors might need to think about reserving via the American Specific Positive Resorts + Resorts program to get get pleasure from much more perks like an on-property credit score. Examine the associated fee with reserving instantly; for my two-night paid keep, reserving via IHG was $140 cheaper than reserving via the Positive Resorts + Resorts program.
For my three-night keep, I redeemed an uncapped anniversary evening certificates from the IHG Rewards Membership Choose card (the cardboard is now not accessible to new candidates and the anniversary nights are now not uncapped) for one evening. Then, I booked a two-night paid keep for $960, together with taxes and charges (word, this resort would not cost a resort or vacation spot price).
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Location
The InterContinental Danang Solar Peninsula Resort is simply exterior Danang, Vietnam, and a few 40-minute drive from town’s airport with out site visitors. The resort is distant, so do not count on to hop into city shortly or to eat exterior the property simply throughout your keep. There aren’t any eating places or retailers close to the resort. Principally, when you test in, you are just about right here to remain. For those who needed to take a day journey to Hoi An, for instance, you’d face a few one-hour drive every means.
My husband and I snagged a journey via Seize’s ride-hailing app from the Danang airport to the resort for 282,000 Vietnamese Dong (about $12). Nevertheless, the resort would not permit ride-hailing apps to select up company, so to go away the property you will have to ebook a non-public switch ($99 plus taxes and charges one-way to or from the airport) or use a cab from Vinasun, the resort’s accepted taxi supplier.
When it was time to take a look at, the taxi the resort referred to as charged us 360,000 Dong (about $15) to go to the My An neighborhood in Danang metropolis. A Seize would have been 231,000 Dong (about $10).
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Test-in
The day earlier than check-in, I obtained the next e mail from the resort:
I responded, noting our anticipated arrival time and explaining that we had two consecutive reservations and would like to maintain the identical room. However, I stated we would be prepared to vary rooms if essential to get a greater room for the 2 paid nights (restricted availability had pressured us to ebook a higher-category room for the paid nights). I acquired the next response, which incorrectly listed my standing as Platinum Ambassador (I am Diamond Ambassador) and jogged my memory of the three p.m. check-in time:
We reached the resort shortly earlier than 3 p.m. An agent on the entrance gate checked our names in opposition to a visitor checklist earlier than permitting our Seize into the resort. Upon arrival on the check-in constructing, a workers member led us to a comparatively crowded room for check-in. Fortunately, there was sufficient workers to deal with the crowds, and we accomplished the check-in formalities shortly.
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One good thing about InterContinental Ambassador membership is a assured one-category room improve. For this keep, the resort upgraded us to a terrace suite with an ocean view for all three nights. This room sort is one class above the room sort we booked for our two-night paid keep and two classes above the room sort I booked for the opposite single evening of our keep. Based mostly on charges after I booked our two-night paid keep, the terrace suite with ocean view value about $88 per evening greater than the panoramic ocean view room we would booked.
Nevertheless, the resort did not assign us simply any terrace suite. The property has 4 ranges operating down a cliff — Sea, Earth, Sky and Heaven — and we have been assigned a terrace suite within the highest part, Heaven. After getting a fast overview of the resort’s structure on a map and a greeting from the resort supervisor, a workers member escorted us to our room in a golf cart.
The room
We seemingly acquired among the finest terrace suites, as we had a superb view over the resort from the Heaven stage and have been near the restaurant the place breakfast was served in addition to the Nam Tram (the resort’s funicular railway that connects all 4 ranges). At try, one of many brokers famous that the resort sometimes assigns this room to Ambassador members.
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A writing pad, lamp and a welcome fruit plate have been on the massive desk close to the doorway. To the precise of the desk was the minibar with an assortment of wines, liquors and non-alcohol drinks accessible for buy.
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To the left of the desk was the espresso and tea space. I’ve a smooth spot for motels and airport lounges with particular person teapots, so I used to be thrilled to discover a small teapot with two cups, an illy espresso machine and a water kettle.
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Throughout from the tea and occasional space was a big closet that had a design impressed by native temples, with two doorways that opened outward. Contained in the closet have been:
- 12 hangers (two of which held plush InterContinental robes).
- An iron and ironing board.
- Two pairs of fluffy slippers.
- A basket for the shoe cleansing service that comprises a shoe horn, shoe brush and shoe mitt.
- A seashore bag with two pairs of sandals and a Vietnamese-style hat.
- Emergency mild and mosquito repellent plug-in machine.
- Secure.
- Luggage for laundry and dry cleansing.
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On both aspect of the massive closet have been baggage racks, every with a two-shelf cupboard overhead.
On the opposite aspect of the desk was the mattress with nightstands to both aspect, every with a lamp. Behind the mattress on the headboard have been mild switches and the don’t disturb and make up room buttons. Beneath the mattress have been energy retailers. I discovered the mattress extraordinarily comfy; it had a agency mattress with a feather topper.
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Throughout from the mattress was a mounted 41.5-inch TV. The TV had about 24 stay channels, most of which have been in English. Under the TV was a window seat. And behind the window seat have been shutters that you may open. For those who accomplish that, you possibly can look out to the balcony.
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To the precise of the window seat was a sliding door to the spacious balcony, which had spectacular views. Our balcony had two lounge chairs. My favourite place to take a seat, nonetheless, was in one of many taller chairs across the surfboard-shaped desk. This desk was a superb place to work or get pleasure from a drink whereas soaking within the views.
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There are monkeys on the resort, although — so the agent who confirmed us to our room after checking in cautioned us to double lock the patio door after we weren’t exterior. She stated the monkeys have realized how you can open the door if it is solely locked as soon as.
Lastly, the lavatory was to the precise of the desk by the doorway. First, you will see a small room with only a rest room.
Previous the bathroom room and a sliding door was the primary space of the lavatory, which had two sinks and loads of counter area. There was a scale beneath the counter, a field containing a comparatively weak Valera hair dryer and one other field containing numerous facilities (comb, cotton swabs, toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving package, a bathe cap and cotton pads).
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To the left of the sinks was a powerful bathtub. We had a superb view over the resort from our tub. Sadly, it did not maintain water effectively (the drain did not appear correctly sealed), so we needed to sometimes prime off our baths. Subsequent to the bathtub was the bathe, which had a hand-held wand bathe head and an overhead rainfall bathe. Small containers of Harnn Mystique shampoo, conditioner, physique wash and moisturizer have been set out on a pedestal subsequent to the bathe.
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There are two small points you have to be conscious of, although, relating to the rooms at this resort. First, noise simply is available in from the room’s entrance door. The company in an adjoining room have been early risers and chatty, so I awoke every morning as they left their room. Secondly, the resort is in a jungle setting, so you could sometimes discover bugs — we encountered a cockroach and a spider — in your room.
A word about accessibility
IHG would not promote any handicap-accessible rooms on the InterContinental Danang.
And loads of steps and steep paths all through the property will make it troublesome for mobility-limited company to completely benefit from the resort. For instance, there is no solution to attain the pool above the L_O_N_G Bar with out climbing stairs. However, should you’re comfy with restricted stairs and driving in a golf cart, you should still have an pleasing keep.
Meals and beverage
Throughout my keep, there have been three eating places and one bar open on the resort. The resort additionally supplied room service. I attempted all of the accessible choices.
Be aware that each one the costs talked about on this part are earlier than taxes, service and gratuity. The costs cited do not mirror the 20% low cost we acquired on non-alcoholic drinks and meals at Citron and Barefoot due to my Diamond Ambassador standing.
Citron
Citron is within the Heaven part of the resort close to the Membership InterContinental Lounge and the Nam Tram. This restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. And sure, that is the venue on the InterContinental Danang that gives round tables with panoramic views that you just might need seen on the resort’s web site.
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We loved dinner at Citron on our first evening. The dinner choices have been principally Vietnamese, with the menu separated into North, Central and South Vietnamese delicacies.
I ordered the Vietnamese-style free-range hen with mint salad from northern Vietnam for 349,000 Dong (about $15) as an appetizer. I used to be impressed by the salad’s mild dressing, tender hen and recent style. I additionally appreciated that some salad elements got here from the on-site nursery. And we each cherished the nice and cozy, recent bread with lemongrass butter served together with the appetizer.
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I initially ordered pho from northern Vietnam for 399,000 Dong (about $17) for my principal. Our waiter famous that I may get this dish as a part of the breakfast buffet the subsequent morning, although, so I modified my order to Quang noodles from central Vietnam for 488,000 Dong (about $21) since our waiter stated this was his favourite dish. The noodles have been tasty and recent, however the pork was fattier than I preferred.
As an IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite, I chosen the each day breakfast as my welcome amenity at check-in. That means, we have been capable of benefit from the full breakfast buffet every morning at Citron for no further value. If I would opted so as to add on breakfast for 2 company whereas reserving, it will have value us $77 extra per evening.
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I used to be impressed by the range accessible on the breakfast buffet, together with ample American, European, Asian and Vietnamese choices. There have been a number of stations the place you may get made-to-order eggs, pho and a particular native dish that modified each day.
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I attempted a little bit little bit of every little thing throughout my three breakfasts, discovering the bread, fruits and Asian choices to be the most effective.
La Maison 1888
La Maison 1888 is the resort’s premier restaurant, that includes French specialties with a Vietnamese affect from French chef Pierre Gagnaire. Gagnaire was named finest chef on the planet by his friends with Michelin stars in 2015 as a part of the Le Chef Journal awards, and is the top chef and proprietor of the Michelin three-starred Pierre Gagnaire restaurant in Paris.
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La Maison 1888 is on the Earth stage subsequent to the Nam Tram. The restaurant solely gives three meal choices: a three-course, four-course or five-course set menu. The three-course set meal value 2,899,000 Dong (about $124) earlier than taxes, service, gratuity and drinks. In the meantime, the four-course meal value 3,599,000 Dong (about $154) and the five-course meal value 4,299,000 Dong (about $184).
I made a decision to splurge on a meal at this restaurant on my second evening. Earlier than I even indicated I’d have the three-course meal, a server introduced six canapes. I appreciated how the server described every canape, together with the order during which I ought to eat them. For me, the highlights have been the frothy and lightweight soup with pea sauce and the breaded shrimp with garlic sauce.
After the canapes, a server introduced over a menu and let me select whether or not I needed three, 4 or 5 programs. I went for the three-course one and took the chef’s advice of medium-rare Wagyu beef. The restaurant can adapt by providing a three- or four-course vegetarian menu should you do not eat meat.
My first course consisted of pate en croute with roasted almonds and recent coriander, banh mi and a coriander mint sorbet. The crust pastry across the meat pie was delicate but tasty, and the banh mi was recent with a candy, tangy sauce and shredded veggies.
The spotlight of my second course was the Wagyu beef tenderloin, which was flavorful and velvety. I do not regularly eat purple meat, however this tenderloin was wonderful. Nevertheless, the flavour of the sauce served with the tenderloin was a distraction — I discovered the meat tasted higher with out it. The croquettes served alongside the tenderloin have been crisp on the surface and creamy inside.
Lastly, the third course consisted of a number of totally different desserts. The lemon sorbet, sadly, overwhelmed the plate of Vietnamese fruit, and the olives within the strawberry dessert have been sudden. However I cherished the sunshine but crunchy flan topped with puffed rice. And the chocolate biscuit was a wealthy finish to my meal.
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Barefoot
On our final evening, we ate dinner at Barefoot, the causal Western restaurant at Sea stage by the seashore. We confirmed up with no reservation, however the hostess was capable of put together a superb desk looking on the seashore inside a couple of minutes.
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The menu included loads of grilled choices, however I had the ocean bass ceviche for 329,000 dong (about $14) and the vegetarian pizza for 368,000 dong (about $16).
The ceviche wasn’t how I anticipated, because it was nearly too spicy for me to eat and contained lengthy strips of sea bass as a substitute of small items. Nevertheless, the pizza was wonderful — with an ideal crust and scrumptious cheese — which made sense as soon as our waiter stated the chef was Italian.
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L_O_N_G Bar
L_O_N_G Bar is subsequent to the household pool and instantly under the Lengthy Pool. This bar is 50 meters lengthy and seemingly takes inspiration from Lengthy Bar at Raffles Lodge in Singapore. You may discover the identical ceiling followers as at Lengthy Bar in Singapore, however the decor at L_O_N_G Bar is far brighter. Plus, L_O_N_G Bar gives views of the seashore from the swinging chairs, big day beds and a pool desk.
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L_O_N_G Bar hosts a buy-one, get-one completely satisfied hour each evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There is a particular completely satisfied hour menu, however there are sufficient decisions to fulfill most individuals. You do not have to get two of the identical drink both — you get the inexpensive drink comped should you purchase two totally different drinks. I loved the pina colada, however should you’re in search of essentially the most alcohol on your cash, think about the margarita.
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The resort additionally hosted a ten,000-step problem throughout my keep, which offered a complimentary wholesome drink per day per individual on the L_O_N_G Bar should you confirmed a health tracker with greater than 10,000 steps for the day. I walked a major quantity most days on the resort, so I loved a complimentary wholesome drink on two nights of my keep. The wholesome drink part of the menu supplied detox drinks and smoothies; I attempted the mango smoothie one evening and a carrot smoothie the opposite evening.
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The loos in the identical constructing because the L_O_N_G Bar are additionally price visiting. The mirrors are mesmerizing, and the lads’s urinal makes use of an attention-grabbing waterfall design. And, not less than within the ladies’s restroom, there is a bathe in a single stall that you need to use if it’s essential try of your room however need to proceed having fun with the pool.
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Room service
I ordered room service mid-day at some point and had the crispy crab cake ball appetizer for 349,000 dong (about $15), the Hoi An rice principal for 449,000 dong (about $19) and a soda for 140,000 dong (about $6). After I referred to as to order, the workers member quoted me a wait time of 40 to 45 minutes. So I used to be stunned when a workers member delivered my meal 18 minutes later.
The kitchen didn’t rush the cooking, although. The crabcakes have been deliciously ready and splendidly complimented by a chili sauce. In the meantime, the Hoi An rice was the proper mixture of recent and filling due to all of the greens.
Facilities
The InterContinental Danang Solar Peninsula Resort sprawls, with most buildings solely housing a dozen or so rooms. You may ask for a buggy to select you up, however I often most well-liked to stroll. The Nam Tram and a 365-step stairway between Heaven and Sea make it simple to get round with out utilizing buggies should you desire.
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The Nam Tram is an attraction in itself. There was by no means a look forward to the Nam Tram throughout my keep, moreover typically needing to attend for it to reach from one other station. Nevertheless, word that the Nam Tram would not run 24 hours a day, so you could have to take a buggy late at evening or early within the morning.
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At Sea stage, there are two pool areas. One is the shaded backyard pool space that is family-friendly. This space additionally has a big, neat-looking chilly jacuzzi (or plunge pool, I suppose) for adults.
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The second pool space is above the L_O_N_G Bar and consists of an infinity pool overlooking the seashore and resort. There’s additionally an infinity jacuzzi space that’s bubbly however not heat.
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At Sea stage, there is a lengthy personal seashore for the resort. You may discover ample seashore chairs with umbrellas and attendants that can carry you chilly water bottles. There was additionally loads of complimentary sunscreen and aloe accessible.
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You may additionally discover a water sports activities tent providing kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and a windsurfing board that you would be able to borrow for no value after filling out a type.
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In the identical constructing because the L_O_N_G Bar is an indoor gymnasium. And simply exterior the L_O_N_G Bar is an outside gymnasium space. The indoor gymnasium comprises extra gear than the out of doors gymnasium — together with boxing gloves — however each areas embody cardio and weight gear.
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Additionally in the identical constructing because the L_O_N_G Bar is the Planet Trekkers child’s membership, which is complimentary for company with youngsters 4 to 12 years previous.
On the Sky stage, you will discover the Bensley Outsider Gallery with art work by the architect and designer of the resort, Invoice Bensley. A workers member is inside to reply questions or help you with buying art work.
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And on the Heaven stage, you will discover a quiet rest pavilion.
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On the Sea stage close to the Nam Tram is the reception constructing for the Lagoon Apa and the Pedi:mani:treatment studio. You may ebook massages on the spa reception, and that is additionally the place you will meet for any massages or therapeutic massage workshops.
The Lagoon Spa occupies its personal space of the resort — by a lagoon, appropriately sufficient. The blue buildings are therapy huts.
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My husband and I booked a {couples} therapeutic massage, and the spa assigned us a really spectacular therapeutic massage hut. Our massages value 2,500,000 dong (about $105) every, however the setting and therapeutic massage high quality made us completely satisfied we would splurged. Try the spa menu for choices and costs.
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You may name the concierge to ebook choose actions. You may discover a present schedule of actions on the Sea stage station of the Nam Tram. You wanted to name by 4 p.m. yesterday to ebook most actions throughout my keep.
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I referred to as on my first full day on the resort and booked a head, shoulders and again therapeutic massage workshop and a nature workshop for my second full day. Two {couples} attended the therapeutic massage workshop, which was held in a therapeutic massage hut and concerned a therapeutic massage therapist exhibiting strategies after which serving to us attempt the strategies on our companions.
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In the meantime, the wildlife workshop concerned a workers member driving two {couples} across the resort in a golf cart. We have been in search of two sorts of monkeys — the comparatively widespread macaque and the endangered red-shanked douc langur — and we discovered each. Seeing a macaque carrying a child and two shy douc langurs on our hour-long outing was enjoyable.
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There are tennis courts and a soccer area situated on the outskirts of the resort by the doorway. You may reserve a tennis courtroom and even a tennis professional to observe with by calling the concierge.
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Lastly, if it’s essential keep linked throughout your keep, you could be barely disillusioned within the web speeds. Throughout my keep, a velocity take a look at recorded 4.71 megabits per second obtain, 10.84 megabits per second add and a six-millisecond ping for the Wi-Fi in our room. Nevertheless, I discovered these speeds ok for e mail and social media.
Service
General, the service was wonderful on the InterContinental Danang Solar Peninsula Resort. From restaurant staff to gardeners, we consistently discovered pleasant and welcoming workers.
Most workers appeared motivated to make company completely satisfied every time attainable. When the opposite couple who joined us for the therapeutic massage class requested for a lesson in massaging their youngster, the trainer tailored. And when the opposite couple in our wildlife workshop did not seem on time, the information for the workshop apologized to us and drove to select up the couple earlier than beginning the workshop quarter-hour late. Likewise, the hostess ready a desk inside a couple of minutes after we confirmed up for dinner at Barefoot with no reservation.
We did not have any points speaking with the workers in individual. However, nearly each interplay we had with resort workers over the telephone went poorly. For instance, after I referred to as to ebook on-site actions, the concierge nearly hung up earlier than I may ebook a second exercise (and he did not permit me to ebook a 3rd as he appeared overly desperate to get off the telephone). And after we referred to as for ice, we needed to repeat our request a number of occasions earlier than the agent understood we needed ice as a substitute of a buggy.
The telephone points did not cease right here, although. Our telephone rang a number of occasions all through our keep, with the caller hanging up after a number of rings or shortly after we picked up. In a single case, an agent spoke softly after I picked up however then hung up after I stated hey. Particularly since our in-person interactions have been so good, it was disappointing to have such poor experiences over the telephone.
General impression
The InterContinental Danang Solar Peninsula Resort is gorgeous, and I completely loved my three-night keep. Briefly, should you’re in search of luxurious and the associated fee is not prohibitive, the InterContinental Danang is a superb choice that I extremely advocate.
I did not depart the resort throughout my keep since I needed to maximise my time there. However, I would fallen in love with the My An neighborhood of Danang when visiting town a number of occasions between Cathay Pacific mistake fares again in 2019. So I returned to the neighborhood for a number of nights after testing of the InterContinental.
Room charges — each in factors and money — range drastically on the InterContinental Danang all year long. In case your funds is restricted, think about touring when charges are comparatively low and add on a number of nights in Danang metropolis earlier than or after your InterContinental keep.
If you wish to ebook a keep on the InterContinental Danang, or another IHG resort or resort, you are able to do so right here.