I am neither a gambler nor a golfer, but in my current environment, I learn quickly. Here at Hoiana Resort & Golf, a massive integrated resort covering nearly 1,000 hectares of land along the coast of central Vietnam, I find myself pursuing new activities at every corner – playing pickleball, cooking up salads and spring rolls, embracing all the whims of resort life and going with the flow with every step.
A guest room within the Hoiana Resort & Golf resort. Photo: HandoutLocated a short drive away from the ancient town of Hoi An and just outside the beach resort city of Da Nang, Hoiana Resort & Golf is the first property of its kind in Vietnam with dozens of dining destinations and three hotels spread across the property, in addition to the Hoiana Residences, Hoiana Casino and Hoiana Shores Golf Club.The New World Hoiana Beach Resort, operated by the Rosewood Hotel Group along with New World Hoiana Hotel on the other side of the resort, features glossy decor and well-appointed rooms – all Rosewood signatures. My room comes with Malin+Goetz amenities and a balcony that looks out across the sheer size and scale of the resort grounds.
The resort’s golf course. Photo: Handout
There’s so much to do here that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed (or get lost, for that matter), but thankfully, attentive staff easily pick up on my confusion wherever I go and point me in the right direction. Head stuck in the clouds but feet firmly rooted to the ground, I try my best to pick up on feedback from my golf coach but keep getting distracted by the sound of waves crashing onto the beach. The view isn’t half bad in spite of the cloudy conditions. Surely there are worse places to embarrass yourself learning a new sport.
There are over 20 drinking and dining outlets at Hoiana Resort & Golf. Photo: Handout
The idea here is to curate an experience so holistic you’ll want to reimagine what you get out of a typical holiday in the first place. Travelling somewhere new is better when you leave your expectations at the door. For starters, I’ve never enjoyed hotel bars, usually finding them overly ostentatious and overpriced. That being said, Quang Nam House Lounge & Bar – a massive two-storey loft with a DJ booth and vinyl records, pool table and multiple vibey hang-out spots – is decidedly chic enough to be an exception to the rule. The drinks are not only worth having, but sizeable with substance, too – Asian variations on classic cocktails like the Collins and the Spritz are endlessly refreshing and dangerously easy to throw back.
The Hoiana Resort & Golf is located along the coast of central Vietnam. Photo: Handout
As it turns out, pretty much every establishment in the resort was built with Instagram in mind. The view from The Edge, Hoiana Hotel & Suites’ casual dining establishment located on the 16th floor, is anything but; I can confirm the staff are exceptionally well-trained at capturing photos from virtually every angle of the incredible infinity pool. And speaking of pools, there’s an ample number to choose from across the property, with some designed with children’s play in mind – the slides being unfortunately off-limits to adults – and others meant for little more than lounging, relaxing and keeping an eye on the kids.
