Furama Resort Danang

First opened in 1997, the Furama Resort Danang may not be as sparkling and fresh as it once was, but it still retains much of its original grandeur. Common spaces are decorated with an elegant mix of Cham and French-colonial styles that draw heavily on dark woods, high ceilings, and neutral hues. Cham statuettes and ornate stone carvings tie in with cane-work armchairs and dark-wicker furniture to create stately spaces with an exotic touch. There are plans to carry out extensive renovations in 2017 through 2018, with changes to the spa and some other public areas, but for now the hotel looks in need of a little maintenance to the facades, common sitting areas, and pool bars in particular.

The hotel’s Old-World charm, beautiful grounds, and elegant, spacious rooms and villas draw couples and families, mostly from Australia, South Korea, China, and Germany, while the extensive meeting space makes it a popular venue for events and celebrations. The event spaces are adjacent to the lobby, which means the reception area is generally busy. However, beyond the lobby and the main restaurant, the vibe is peaceful and relaxing, especially at the beach and around the Lagoon Pool, which is tucked away in the gardens. Nights are quiet for the most part -- we arrived right before 10 p.m. for dinner one night and everything was already closed except for The Fan steakhouse and the Hai Van Lounge, which had a band playing international hits. Still, the resort manages to have a good atmosphere during the day and in the early evening.

While the Furama is high-end, those seeking something even more exclusive may want to consider the Vinpearl Da Nang Resort & Villas, which has stunning pools, smart rooms, and excellent amenities. Villas are even more stylish and contemporary (but not always more expensive) at both the Naman Retreat and the Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa.

Furama Resort Danang is located right off the coastal road connecting Da Nang and Hoi An’s beach areas. The property abuts a beautiful sandy beach that stretches on for miles in both directions, but little of interest can be found in the immediate area aside from a few local restaurants. Da Nang -- home to dozens of dining and drinking options, and a few well-known markets -- can be reached in about 10 to 15 minutes by car. The Marble Mountains and the Lady Buddha are each within a 15-minute drive of the hotel, and the entrance to the scenic Hai Van Pass is about 45 minutes away. The hotel offers free shuttle service to both Da Nang and Hoi An. Danang International Airport is a 15-minute drive from the hotel.

Furama Resort Danang has 198 rooms and villas, all decorated in an elegant style that combines Cham touches such as stone carvings and wooden ceilings with French-colonial features, including wooden floors and shutters and polished furniture with classic lines. Starting at 430 square feet, rooms are large and airy, with big sliding glass doors with mosquito screens that open onto furnished balconies or terraces. All have at least a small seating area, and all suites feature separate living rooms with big sofas and an additional TV. Villas are housed in stand-alone, bi-level buildings with big private pools, full kitchens, and either three or four bedrooms.

Each room is equipped with an array of solid amenities, including air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV with international channels, and fully stocked minibars. Electric kettles with free tea and coffee, and fresh fruit (replenished daily) are also provided. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the resort, but the connection was slow during our stay, especially in the evening. Beds are big and comfortable (among the best of our three-month trip to Vietnam!), with soft sheets and several pillows to choose from. Standard turndown service includes small chocolates.

Most bathrooms are accessed via a large walk-in closet complete with a digital safe, two umbrellas, traditional conical straw hats, and beach bags. Matching yukatas and flip flops are provided as well. Large, cream-colored marble tiles and oval sinks over wooden vanities lend bathrooms a classic style, but all have been updated with new taps and rainfall showerheads. Garden Superior and Garden Deluxe Rooms have big walk-in showers, but all other room types feature separate showers and tubs.

Dining options at Furama Resort Danang are varied and excellent. The day starts with an extensive (and free) buffet at Cafe Indochine, the hotel’s main restaurant. Food is tasty, with both Asian and Western options such as fried rice dishes, pho, pastries, fresh fruit juices, and made-to-order eggs. Despite the dining room being spacious and outfitted with plenty of tables, it was crowded when we visited, and past guests have complained of long waits. Lunch and dinner here are both a la carte and include traditional Vietnamese specialties and international dishes. There is a seafood buffet several nights per week where guests can pick their own fish from a selection displayed on trays.

Don Cipriano’s serves traditional northern Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner in an elegant glass-enclosed room overlooking the pool. The Fan, housed in an open pavilion on the beach, offers imported beef from Kobe, Australia, and the U.S. Our steak at The Fan was an excellent cut, and the side dishes were tasty, rich, and creamy. Hai Van Lounge serves snacks and a great afternoon tea service complete with sweets, sandwiches, fresh fruit, and local and international teas. Additionally, all three pool bars have drink and food menus, and room service is available 24/7.

The hotel has three large pools, each with a different vibe and location in the grounds. The two-tier infinity pool is big and lovely, with direct ocean views, a couple dozen loungers and umbrellas, and waiter service. It is located right in the heart of the property and gets quite a bit of foot traffic, but the area closest to the beach is generally quiet. Those seeking a more serene vibe may want to check out the Lagoon Pool, which is tucked away in the gardens. Villa guests have access to a huge pool complete with a restaurant, a kiddy section, and a whirlpool. It was virtually empty when we visited, as all villas have their own private pool as well.

The spa offers an array of hair and nail services, along with body treatments and packages for couples. The space was being renovated when we visited and there are plans to build a new one by the end of 2017, but what we saw was a little dated and worn. It was the same with the fitness center, which is located inside the spa -- the machines were in good shape, but the blue linoleum floors were old-fashioned. While the gym doesn’t offer any fitness classes, there are free tai chi sessions on the beach every morning. Additionally, guests can join any of the activities available on-site, which include wine tasting, an array of water sports, tennis lessons, and cooking classes, all for a fee. There are also daily activities for children, including arts and crafts, face painting, and sports.