What are the rules of packing for a trip? Start packing a few days ahead and leave your suitcase open to fling in the otherwise forgotten items when you think of them or come across them in usage. It seems to have worked for me most times and I usually learn to pack pretty well (considering the amount of camera and computer equipment that I bring). But unfortunately three triangles of material did not make it into my suitcase for this trip to Vietnam. Yes I forgot my bikini. But that doesn’t matter because I am at Fusion Maia resort and I have my own pool to myself.
Fusion Maia is Asia’s first all inclusive spa resort where all guests can use the spa, facial and massage facilities for free as these are included in the room tariff (around $330USD per room). Everyone is guaranteed of two treatments a day per person minimum and they can do up to 40 guests an hour. Could this be the most perfect resort on earth?
Welcome plate of fruit
It is also a hotel where you can have all day breakfast anywhere in the resort. Which means that three of my favourite things are at this resort-spa treatments, breakfast in my room and my own private pool. I swear I really am a sociable creature but it doesn’t sound like it does it?
But don’t worry about me, I’m just trying to figure out how to make myself a cup of tea. Fresh milk needs to be ordered from room service and with a cup of tea I settle in and try to work one of those minimalist iPod docks to no avail.
OK I’m back and I had a skinny dip in the pool.I’ve also had a chance to look around the room (#2702)a bit. Each pool villa is 50-60 square metres inside with 33 square metres outside. There are also 2 four bedroom spa villas and 2 three bedroom grand beach villas. There is free wireless internet and an iPod docking station that I still can’t work out for the life of me (there are also complimentary iPads for use in the lounge bar or they can be rented on a daily basis).
There is a king sized canopy bed with a television that swings around so that you can watch tv while in the bath or in bed. Mini bars can be customised to your preference and check out is a civilised 12 noon. The only thing that I find curious is that there aren’t as many amenity products on the sinks, just a standard set including the dreaded shampoo conditioner combo. I find a pouch of additional amenities although there is a tag on it saying that there is a charge if you take this with you although I’m not sure if they mean the pouch itself and the use of the items inside it.
I have quick chat to the journos that are travelling with me who are situated in the same section and we’re all similarly smitten. One loves her room so much that she hugs the staff member that has taken her there. Each of us bid each other farewell over the next few hours while we take up residence in or around our respective pools.
Apart from the 16 room spa there is also a spa library, yoga room, steam bath and sauna and swimming pool. Outside, facing the ocean there is also another swimming pool with deck chairs. At the spa there are 13 therapies available that cover the usual massages and foot reflexology and there are unusual body treatments like a yogurt splash where they cleanse and condition the skin using yogurt or a aroma flower bath. There are also facials, hair and manicure and pedicure services.
After some work and finally calling guest services to ask how to use the iPod dock (oh yes, that was embarrassing), I make my way to the spa. It’s enormous and takes up much of the size of the resort. It is a spectacular looking building in white with floating sheer fabric panels and staff member floating by in grey outfits. There are groups and couples awaiting their therapist. We fill in forms and they give us a glass of water while we are waiting. Guests can also take part in meditation, yoga, tai chi, aqua fit and zumba.
They then introduce us to our therapists who lead us into the changing room where we undress and get changed into a pair of knickers, robe and slippers. We then make our way to the treatment room which is actually up a couple of flights of stairs (yes it’s big!) and I settle in for my 50 minute natural living signature massage and 50 minute aromatherapy facial for dry and sensitive skin.
My therapist Xin starts by washing and scrubbing my feet in fresh mint water and then using a salt to exfoliate. She then starts the massage on the massage bed concentrating on my areas of concern (sore legs and feet from walking and arms and hands from typing) and she uses a medium pressure massage checking with me about the pressure (always a good thing!). It’s a very relaxing massage and they use their signature oils and products throughout the treatments.
She then starts on a facial which is my favourite treatment as she incorporates a lot of face pressure point massage and my favourite part, a head massage. The products smell delicious, particularly the mask which dries hard and at the end of the massage she even takes a hot wet cloth and gently but firmly wipes away the excess oil from my limbs so that I am not oily or sticky in the heat. She even puts my hair back up in the elastic and then does the same for my back. I float away slightly dazed to dinner…
We’re dining at a nearby restaurant called Blue Whale although I’m so zoned out it could have been two hours away and I probably wouldn’t have noticed…
Set along China Beach (the one that the television show was supposed to be set and also said to be the place where the Americans first landed) there are tanks for live seafood out the front. Inside it looks quite elegant and they ask if we’d like to sit outside. It’s a bit “fresh” with the breeze but the sounds of the waves crashing puts aside any dislike of lip gloss in hair moments.
Banana flower salad with shrimp and pork
I adore banana flower salad and I always order it if I see it on the menu. Here the version is slightly different than the Thai version which we get in Sydney which is topped with coconut cream and poached chicken although the spicy chilli seasoning with the pungent kick of fish sauce and crunch of peanuts is similar. There is also a generous serve of prawns and pork in the dish and it is served with moreish sesame crackers.
Crispy calamari
The crispy calamari came out in a thick layer of batter, the calamari underneath tender but the ratio was mostly batter rather than calamari.
Grilled shrimp with bacon rolls
The prawns come grilled with bacon and whilst everyone finds them quite tasty I did find that the bacon really overpowered the prawns completely.
Sweet and sour freshwater fish broth
I can’t say that anyone was a big fan of this and it was discreetly sampled and after one mouthful it was pushed away. Not for the faint hearted.
Stewed pork in claypot
The pork came out as slices of pork with a little thick flavoursome sauce that needed some of the boiled rice and eggplant below.
Grilled eggplant
I did find that the eggplant whilst it had a good texture needed more seasoning but this was where the full flavoured pork came in and mixing the two dishes resulted in a satisfying main.
Creme brulee
Not really a brulee in the true definition, more a set bavarois with a toffeed top it was nevertheless quite good and worth finishing off every spoonful.
I’d love to tell you that I awoke the next morning for breakfast but the bed was a bit too comfortable and I was still full from the previous night to contemplate more food. I chose to have a cup of tea in the room instead.
Our next morning is a busy one spent at Hoi An, a small city about 30 minute’s drive from Da Nang. There are 100,000 residents in Hoi An and it’s a busy shopping area for tourists and it is classed as a UNESCO heritage site for the buildings and streets. The inhabitants are also keen business people and this is where you go if you want to get clothes or shoes made up with same day service.
“Gucci, move aside!!!”
Cars or buses are not allowed down the streets here so instead there are plenty of bikes and scooters and you have to be careful when negotiating the streets and the pathways that end suddenly that you’re not suddenly going to step into the pathway of a scooter. Formerly a trading port it now relies heavily on tourism.
Hoi An River
A fisherman along the Hoi An river
Everyone does a little shopping, we check out the temple and walk along the Hoi An River which is a brown shade. There are plenty of stores that can make all manner of clothing – currently there are lots of coats and long sweeping dresses with draping.
Less common are the ready to wear stores which is a shame as we are just here today and I haven’t brought along anything that I want made up. Apart from boutiques, there are also market stalls which are cheaper than in Ho Chi Minh City with t shirts about 60,000VND ($3AUD).
Japanese bridge
Once we’ve finished shopping we take a quick cruise along the river – cruises are usually for three hours but I think 1 hour is plenty quite honestly. There isn’t a lot to see during the cruise.
Thanh Ha Pottery Village
We get off the boat at Thanh Ha pottery village where much of the pottery that is sold in Ho Chin Minh city is made. There is a worry that this is somewhat of a dying art and we watch them at the wheel shaping pots while another person stands and turns the wheel with their foot. With entry to the village is a whistle shaped like the animal in your birth year. I am born in the year of a rat and despite the connotations, it is actually a very good year and they tell us that it is one of the more auspicious animals to be born under as rats! Defensive moi? 
).
I’m back in my room for scarcely a minute but with just enough time to shower and change for dinner. Fusion Maia has a sister property in Hoi An where their guests can have breakfast and have spa treatments at no extra charge. The restaurant there is situated in the heart of the action along the banks of the Thu Bon River and offers Vietnamese food with polish.
Seabass fillet with bok choy, shrimp sauce and stir fried noodle with garlic
Fusion Maia Spa Resort
Truong Sa Street, Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 511 3967 999
Blue Whale Restaurant
Son Tra Dien Ngoc Str., Da Nang 10000, Vietnam
+84 511 3942 777
Hoi An
30 minutes from Da Nang centre. The Fusion Maia Resort operates a free shuttle bus for guests.
Fusion Maia Hoi An
Truong Sa Street Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District
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44 Comments | Add your own
WOW that does seem like an amazing resort for only $US330 per night I think that’s quite reasonable and you get your own pool that’s perfect lol I always forget my bathing suit too
A shame that the Blue Whale Restaurant wasn’t very good ~ but doesn’t matter the resorts and massages make up for it.
OMG If I was there I’d definitely buy the Spiderman T shirt for Mr Bao! He’s totally obsessed about it
To me a Fusion Maia is practically the perfect resort for me. But what really turns me off is unfriendly staff and the cleaniness of a place! I’m definitely not a neat freak but I can’t stand resorts/hotels that are dirty
That looks like the most perfect resort I have ever seen. I’ve always wanted to go to Vietnam for the food, but now I want to go just for that hotel.
2 treatments per day? Seriously? Yes this could possibly be the most perfect resort ever! This and a big comfy bed to collapse in after the treatments is my idea of perfect
What an incredible place, Lorraine, makes me want to visit right away. The spa looks amazing, so nicely appointed and designed. I love the shops too. I wonder if all the places you visit is English common so you can get around without issue? That would be my one fear, not being able to communicate, without theatrics, and we sure don’t need to resort to that!
Asian breakfast buffet, swim up bar, chicken satay sticks by the pool and a spa that does frangipani baths. (Also a water slide to keep the kids happy(.
Loved this post as I adore Hoi An – but then who doesn’t?! The new resort sounds incredible
What a great travelogue. And what a lovely pampering experience for you. I love the “Stop Looking” sign best of all!
I can be put off by overly solicitous staff. A resort for me just needs to have restful areas, and clearly this one does.
nice pool they have!
I’ve never been to Asia and wow, this really made my eyes widen and jaw drop. This place is gorgeous. Really wish I could travel to Asia – can’t believe I’ve not been….
What great value for a spa holiday!
Vietnam is a country I’d love to visit soon.
SSG xxx
Sydney Shop Girl blog
Wow, what a resort. We’re swooning over these photos and drooling over the food but in the back of our minds we’re ALL thinking – Lorraine went skinny dipping in Vietnam???
I seriously consider myself going here! I wonder if it’s somewhat kids friendly… I hope. Ginger brûlée sounds so good! I need a relaxation time and this is like a dream destination. If I can ever go alone I will focus on relaxing locking myself up for facial, massage, and eat!!!!
Oh my goodness, I had to read that bit about the spa treatments twice to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. This place sounds like my dream resort.
What an amazing place, I’d love to go to Vietnam. GG
I want breakfast all day.
A pool for yourself sounds like a good luxury. The room rate sounds reasonable considering the benefits.
I have a list of things that I need to pack (in word format) and go through the list when packing. Haven’t forgotten anything yet.
Great value resort! The food looks absolutely delicious. All those dishes are something that I would eat.
Thank you for a wonderful trip to relax one on a busy Friday
! Loved each segment unconditionally: even the first dinner where tastes perchance did not always please, looked lovely on the photos. What kind of hotel do I like – in looks very much like yours here: elegant, comfortable but unostentatious. Personally I do like quietude when in a hotel: noise and loud guests put me off more than anything!
I’m glad your pool had high screening for privacy Lorraine
I love that you can watch TV in the tub, the only thing more that I could possibly desire is a spa not a bath…. Although a private pool may sway my vote!
I’m book marking this post for when we visit Asia soon!
Any resort would very nice for me right now. Some place to get away from everything…
Spa included? That is my idea of a great resort!
I like them to include a breakfast buffet, lots of towels, a big comfy bed (not 2 singles pushed together) with a fluffy doona, free wi-fi (a must!) and quiet pretty grounds.
I’m sure the list could go on but they’re the main things.
Oh and I like a shower separate to the bath.
um, being able to skinny dip in your own pool sounds pretty perfect to me! hehe. Love these posts, really takes me back. that banana flower salad with shrimp and pork is making me craaaaave fresh and fabulous veitnamese food now. yum.
Heidi xo
Amazing resort at an Amazing price!
Wouldn’t have to ask me to go twice lol
Love the personalized touch, small things mean alot to me!
Can’t STAND screaming kids whose parents ignore them endlessly!
That hotel room with the private pool looks a bit of alright! That’s very brave of you to go skinny dipping. If I did that I’d be sprung by house-keeping or a pool maintenance team or room service etc but…it would make for a good story! Love the colour of the pool water. What I don’t like is if they say to you when you check in, ‘So how’s your day been so far?’ Especially when it’s 7am!
OMG it’s official Lorraine, you definitely have the best job in the world!
LOVE that you skinny dipped in your own private pool….what a gorgeous resort. It’s funny about packing…my mum packs weeks ahead and then gradually REMOVES superfluous items. I’m not nearly as well organised and usually end up packing the night before. LOVE HOLIDAYS! 
Great post! A clean room is the number one trait a hotel needs to have. Seeing the shampoo/conditioner combo is also a bit of a turn-off for me. I love having full-sized amenities (saves me from lugging around my own). Room service is a big plus, as well as free internet…
If I had something like this to look forward to, I could get through each day.
Dreams, unrelenting. xo
Wow what a trip – unlimited spa treatments, sign me up please. I went to Hoi An years ago so it is nice to see it has not changed much – there are amazing food markets there as well selling all sorts including a gaggle of geese (alive!) while I was there.
Wow this place sounds just about perfect. I do think personal service and little things like staff remembering your names and things you like make a difference. And that food – wow!
Private pool – that’s just da bomb! What an adventure for you and the tastebuds
Wow, that truly looks like paradise Lorraine! The rooms look so clean, and the food looks amazing.
As for what a resort needs to be perfect in my eyes, top of my priority list is cleanliness. I just can’t relax anywhere that feels the slightest bit dirty. It also needs to be spacious and quite too. $330 USD per room sounds like a great deal to me. We stayed somewhere in Fiji that was much more expensive than that, and not as beautiful as this resort looks. I will definitely keep it on the list of places to consider for our honeymoon
We travel quite a bit and I pack the night before usually! The resort looks amazing, but for that price I would expect a decent and free selection of bathroom goodies!
For once, when I’m reading one of your travel stories Lorraine I’m not jealous,lol! Hubby and I are spending the weekend in Port Douglas and even though the weather is not kind, it’s a great place to kick back and relax!
No doubt, Divine Da Nang looks great and endless massages/treatments are a big bonus but for US$330 a night, for me, it would have to deliver much more! The hit and miss menu is a deterrent because food plays an important role when one goes on holidays.
When I travel according to what I pay I expect a certain level of cleaniness, amenities and good food. If a place gives you the Wow factor then you know you’ve hit the Jackpot!
I am a pack on the day or night before (if early flight) girl. To me, as I travel for business, pillows are the most important thing for me. Then comes noise, internet connection, and a decent shower. The basics
What a fantastic looking resort, to be honest, lacking in nothing
I am in love ! That is my ideal place to stay! I want to book now!!!fiid looks so good but the spa and private pool had me sold!
You know how jealous I am right?
The best resort I have been to is Hillside Beach at Fethiye.
It is I think perfect. There is simply nothing I would have changed.
In order for me to like a resort there should be a comfortable room and good food with good nature. Spa is not essential for me although Hillside Beach changed my mind on that one.
That looks pretty close to the perfect hotel/spa! Every once in a while I spend a weekend at Sundance Resort outside of Provo, and it comes pretty close to my idea of perfection. It’s rustic and quiet and the food is soooo good….
Have a good weekend!
xxoo,
RMW
You know the old commercial, “Calgon, take me away”? I want to redo that to implore, “NQN, take me away!!!” LOL Gads, what a dream trip. And what a way to just bliss out.
Man SE Asia is the best!! Their hotels are beyond anything we have here.. for a premium we could of course!
Oooohhhh- need to get away – need pampering …
Wow that resort sounds like heaven, private pool and inlcuded spa treatment ahhh bliss…
I am so incredibly jealous that you’re close enough to Vietnam to go for a quick trip.
When I was in Asia in 2009 it was my second favourite stop on our trip. We stayed in Mui Ne at the sailing club and the combination of the weather, people and food was absolutely divine.
Also: all inclusive spa resort? Sign me up right now. That sounds amazing.
I need to go back soon, the travel itch is getting a little bit unbearable.
xx
-Amanda
WOW love your photos NQN! I’m hoping to visit Vietnam this year so I shall use this as a guide!!! x
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