• [Travel with a Purpose] Your Complete Holistic Healing Journey at The Farm at San Benito, the Philippines

  Located in Lipa City in Batangas, The Farm at San Benito encompasses all the luxurious features of a premium medical wellness resort. Its tastefully-appointed suites and villas echo a sophisticated design concept that marries the opulence of nature and the subtle elegance of traditional Filipino-Oriental sensibilities. Nestled in a 51-hectare forested property, The Farm at San Benito is an exclusive estate of lush gardens and lagoons, of quiet tree groves and crisp, fresh air, with strong positive energy radiating around the property. Yet, beyond its paradisal beauty and the inspiring sensations it evokes, lies The Farm’s true essence: it is a facility for medical wellness and a safe sanctuary for healing. Its programs, aimed to help the body and mind achieve optimum health and performance, have been meticulously designed following foundational science-based protocols and guided by evidence. At a time when health consciousness has become a widespread realization, more and more people are traveling to achieve a state of mind and body that is fit and well-balanced. Some travel to seek treatment for their illnesses. Others do so as a preventive measure to keep their health at an optimum level. Traveling with a purpose that is focused on health and wellness attests to the phenomenal growth of conscious travelers. The Farm at San Benito is at the forefront of medical wellness tourism Celebrating two decades of life-transformative healing holidays, it has distinguished itself as one of the world’s best, winning over 80 accolades from prestigious international bodies such as 'Best Wellness Resort in the World.' It cupped the coveted ‘Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Award from the Haute Grandeur Global Spa Awards in 2021 receiving a total of 21 awards. Since it’s officially the rainy season in the country, now is the perfect time to detox and cleanse from within. Rain symbolizes purification. At The Farm, you can experience a full immersion into clean living through physical healing in the form of mindful movements and functional fitness activities, medically-guided fasting, and treatments to eliminate toxins from within while restoring the body’s optimum ability to restore nutrients. The Farm offers an ‘Intro to Detox’ program that includes a 3-day medically supervised cleansing program to purge unhealthy elements from the body and mind while providing optimum nutrition. The Farm is also home to a world-renowned Weight Management, Diabetes Prevention & Heart Health Program, which focuses on the management of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and stress to resolve the root cause of the dysfunction and to bring the body back to a natural state of balance. At The Farm, the wide-ranging compendium of services aimed to address various health and psycho-emotional conditions, are all medically supervised by licensed physicians supported by health professionals, spa therapists, medical acupuncturists, physiotherapists, nutritionists, living food experts, fitness coaches, sound healers, and yoga teachers. The Farm at San Benito is thus a complete and genuine sanctuary—a space of encompassing beauty where the body and mind can heal to return to a state of genuine well-being and spiritual enrichment and inner renewal can be achieved. www.thefarmatsanbenito.com

• [Hot in Thailand] Jungle Bubble: The Elephant Outside the Room at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort

  In a world first, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is giving guests a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend the night with Thailand’s majestic elephants in their natural habitat while staying in unique transparent Jungle Bubbles. Unfolding across 650,000 square metres of Northern Thailand’s ancient jungle, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is perched on a hill overlooking the Mekong and Ruak rivers. The secluded location is uniquely positioned to take in majestic three country views over the confluence of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, and grazing elephants in the most stunning of natural settings below. Located in the jungle, the two Jungle Bubbles areperched on raised wooden decks offering uninterrupted views of the elephants, as well as stargazing at night. The Jungle Bubbles were custom designed by Eye In The Sky and are constructed with high tech polyester fabric using exclusive Precontraint Serge Ferrari technology to create an milieu in which guests can enjoy an immersive, close-to-nature experience. The well-appointed bubble accommodation is fully air-conditioned, offering 22 square metres of indoor floor space; a 4.5-diameter bedroom and living space with a king bed and seating area under a transparent roof; and an enclosed, nontransparent en-suite shower and vanity. Intimate touches of bathrobes and slippers; crisp white bed linen; regular and feather pillows; and exquisite bathroom amenities provide convenient functions with the comfort of home. A hair dryer, vanity and make up mirror are also provided. Guests at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort can purchase the Jungle Bubble experience as an optional activity and spend the night from dusk till dawn, returning to the hotel in the morning. Rates start from 17,700 Thai Baht per night for two people and include a delectable dinner basket; a fully stocked mini bar; 24-hour in-room dining service; and tea and coffee making facilities. Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is world famous for its elephant camp that, along with the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF), were set up primarily to help elephants that cannot help themselves: for those that find themselves, through abuse or through circumstance, unable to provide and maintain an income for themselves, for their mahouts and their families. Here appropriate activities are designed that allow the elephant caretakers to raise the funds they need to look after the elephants without forcing them into activities they might not enjoy. The introduction of the Jungle Bubbles at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is another world first that can be scaled and shared with other elephant camps to allow them to give a subset of elephants – those that prefer to only meet their mahouts and are bonded into friendship groups – a natural life in a manner that the elephants enjoy without becoming a financial strain on the operation.

• [Interview] Ms. Dao Huyen – CEO of S.H.E Cosmetics Ltd., Vietnam

  Vietnam has recently become one of the hottest growth markets for beauty and cosmetics in Asia. Wellness Today is fortunate to talk with a Hanoi-based beauty enthusiast and cosmetics dealer Dao Huyen, founder & CEO of S.H.E. Cosmetics Ltd. ▲ Ms. Dao Huyen, founder & CEO of S.H.E. Cosmetics Ltd. [WT] Could you tell us a bit of your background? [DH] I have been working in cosmetics field for more than 5 years. I started as a sales person at a small cosmetics shop. It was about two years ago when I became deeply attracted by cosmetics trading business. At that time, I was working as a sales & marketing manager at a local skincare clinic which sells not only skincare services but also cosmetics products. While working, I found that the Vietnamese cosmetics market was booming but needed to mature as customers were rapidly getting savvy. I soon moved to a Korean cosmetics company in Hanoi and started working as a manager at large. At this company, I was fortunate to get many insights from local distributors and consumers. I found Korean-made cosmetics products were getting high popularity in local market. In early 2018, with the vision of bringing the best cosmetics products mainly from Korea to the Vietnamese customers, I started my own business, S.H.E Cosmetics Ltd., offering OEM ODM services to local enterprises and also sourcing the hottest trend cosmetics from Korea for local distributors in Vietnam. [WT] What do you think about today’s Vietnamese cosmetics market? [DH] The cosmetics consumption in Vietnam is still low compared to neighboring countries like Thailand. However, if you have a better understanding of the characteristics of the country, Vietnam is more promising than any other country. It's really an attractive market. Above all, the percentage of younger people under 35 is 60%. Due to rapid westernization and increased personal social exposure, young people are more interested in their appearance than ever before. The other reason why the Vietnamese market is more attractive is because of the socio-economic role of women who have traditionally been quite active. With the increase in women's income, I am sure, they will spend more money on beauty and cosmetics. I think this is going to happen very quickly. [WT] Specifically, what aspects of beauty consumption expenditure should we pay attention to in Vietnam? [DH] As in other countries, Vietnamese women spend their money in purchasing home care cosmetics products and/or in getting treatments at beauty salons. For home care products, the preference for whitening function or sunscreen is high due to the nature of Vietnam climate. But the problem is that they are very interested in cosmetics, but there are not many people who have enough knowledge about exactly what products to use and how to use them. So the beauty market in Vietnam is characterized by a lot of skin care shops in each neighborhood. Consumers want to receive cosmetics from these shops and receive professional treatment from them. However, there are not many skincare shops that have mastered the techniques to fully understand the products and use them effectively. Of course, I think there will be many improvements over time. [WT] At this point, what parts of Vietnam skin care shops should focus on to evolve themselves? [DH] In a word, differentiation. Many shops now offer similar products and similar services. In order for shops to evolve and be competitive, they must have differentiated technology. If you simply sell cosmetics on the market, you cannot win the competition. And it is also important to have good products to gain trust. In short, arming with good products and good skills is the basis for differentiation, and I think more customers will come to these well-organized shops. [WT] I hear that you are planning to open your skincare shop yourself. Could you elaborate in detail? [DH] Yes, I am currently in contact with various agencies in Korea to provide services that Vietnam consumers really want. I would like to choose an institution that can provide a good selection of products and continue to provide skin care related technology. The key to this plan is to build a solid platform for reliably supporting existing skincare shop operators and new start-ups. I plan to open my first shop by the end of this year. [WT] Thank you for many good comments. Finally, what does the company name S.H.E mean? S.H.E. stands for Safety, High Technology, and Effectiveness. The purpose is to provide customers with a safe product with the latest technology to ensure maximum effectiveness. This name is the company's future mission as well.

• [Travel with a Purpose] Your Complete Holistic Healing Journey at The Farm at San Benito, the Philippines

  Located in Lipa City in Batangas, The Farm at San Benito encompasses all the luxurious features of a premium medical wellness resort. Its tastefully-appointed suites and villas echo a sophisticated design concept that marries the opulence of nature and the subtle elegance of traditional Filipino-Oriental sensibilities. Nestled in a 51-hectare forested property, The Farm at San Benito is an exclusive estate of lush gardens and lagoons, of quiet tree groves and crisp, fresh air, with strong positive energy radiating around the property. Yet, beyond its paradisal beauty and the inspiring sensations it evokes, lies The Farm’s true essence: it is a facility for medical wellness and a safe sanctuary for healing. Its programs, aimed to help the body and mind achieve optimum health and performance, have been meticulously designed following foundational science-based protocols and guided by evidence. At a time when health consciousness has become a widespread realization, more and more people are traveling to achieve a state of mind and body that is fit and well-balanced. Some travel to seek treatment for their illnesses. Others do so as a preventive measure to keep their health at an optimum level. Traveling with a purpose that is focused on health and wellness attests to the phenomenal growth of conscious travelers. The Farm at San Benito is at the forefront of medical wellness tourism Celebrating two decades of life-transformative healing holidays, it has distinguished itself as one of the world’s best, winning over 80 accolades from prestigious international bodies such as 'Best Wellness Resort in the World.' It cupped the coveted ‘Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Award from the Haute Grandeur Global Spa Awards in 2021 receiving a total of 21 awards. Since it’s officially the rainy season in the country, now is the perfect time to detox and cleanse from within. Rain symbolizes purification. At The Farm, you can experience a full immersion into clean living through physical healing in the form of mindful movements and functional fitness activities, medically-guided fasting, and treatments to eliminate toxins from within while restoring the body’s optimum ability to restore nutrients. The Farm offers an ‘Intro to Detox’ program that includes a 3-day medically supervised cleansing program to purge unhealthy elements from the body and mind while providing optimum nutrition. The Farm is also home to a world-renowned Weight Management, Diabetes Prevention & Heart Health Program, which focuses on the management of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and stress to resolve the root cause of the dysfunction and to bring the body back to a natural state of balance. At The Farm, the wide-ranging compendium of services aimed to address various health and psycho-emotional conditions, are all medically supervised by licensed physicians supported by health professionals, spa therapists, medical acupuncturists, physiotherapists, nutritionists, living food experts, fitness coaches, sound healers, and yoga teachers. The Farm at San Benito is thus a complete and genuine sanctuary—a space of encompassing beauty where the body and mind can heal to return to a state of genuine well-being and spiritual enrichment and inner renewal can be achieved. www.thefarmatsanbenito.com

  • In English
  • Feature

  2022-06-05

• [Hot in Thailand] Jungle Bubble: The Elephant Outside the Room at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort

  In a world first, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is giving guests a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend the night with Thailand’s majestic elephants in their natural habitat while staying in unique transparent Jungle Bubbles. Unfolding across 650,000 square metres of Northern Thailand’s ancient jungle, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is perched on a hill overlooking the Mekong and Ruak rivers. The secluded location is uniquely positioned to take in majestic three country views over the confluence of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, and grazing elephants in the most stunning of natural settings below. Located in the jungle, the two Jungle Bubbles areperched on raised wooden decks offering uninterrupted views of the elephants, as well as stargazing at night. The Jungle Bubbles were custom designed by Eye In The Sky and are constructed with high tech polyester fabric using exclusive Precontraint Serge Ferrari technology to create an milieu in which guests can enjoy an immersive, close-to-nature experience. The well-appointed bubble accommodation is fully air-conditioned, offering 22 square metres of indoor floor space; a 4.5-diameter bedroom and living space with a king bed and seating area under a transparent roof; and an enclosed, nontransparent en-suite shower and vanity. Intimate touches of bathrobes and slippers; crisp white bed linen; regular and feather pillows; and exquisite bathroom amenities provide convenient functions with the comfort of home. A hair dryer, vanity and make up mirror are also provided. Guests at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort can purchase the Jungle Bubble experience as an optional activity and spend the night from dusk till dawn, returning to the hotel in the morning. Rates start from 17,700 Thai Baht per night for two people and include a delectable dinner basket; a fully stocked mini bar; 24-hour in-room dining service; and tea and coffee making facilities. Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is world famous for its elephant camp that, along with the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF), were set up primarily to help elephants that cannot help themselves: for those that find themselves, through abuse or through circumstance, unable to provide and maintain an income for themselves, for their mahouts and their families. Here appropriate activities are designed that allow the elephant caretakers to raise the funds they need to look after the elephants without forcing them into activities they might not enjoy. The introduction of the Jungle Bubbles at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is another world first that can be scaled and shared with other elephant camps to allow them to give a subset of elephants – those that prefer to only meet their mahouts and are bonded into friendship groups – a natural life in a manner that the elephants enjoy without becoming a financial strain on the operation.

  • In English
  • Feature

  2019-12-24

• [Interview] Ms. Dao Huyen – CEO of S.H.E Cosmetics Ltd., Vietnam

  Vietnam has recently become one of the hottest growth markets for beauty and cosmetics in Asia. Wellness Today is fortunate to talk with a Hanoi-based beauty enthusiast and cosmetics dealer Dao Huyen, founder & CEO of S.H.E. Cosmetics Ltd. ▲ Ms. Dao Huyen, founder & CEO of S.H.E. Cosmetics Ltd. [WT] Could you tell us a bit of your background? [DH] I have been working in cosmetics field for more than 5 years. I started as a sales person at a small cosmetics shop. It was about two years ago when I became deeply attracted by cosmetics trading business. At that time, I was working as a sales & marketing manager at a local skincare clinic which sells not only skincare services but also cosmetics products. While working, I found that the Vietnamese cosmetics market was booming but needed to mature as customers were rapidly getting savvy. I soon moved to a Korean cosmetics company in Hanoi and started working as a manager at large. At this company, I was fortunate to get many insights from local distributors and consumers. I found Korean-made cosmetics products were getting high popularity in local market. In early 2018, with the vision of bringing the best cosmetics products mainly from Korea to the Vietnamese customers, I started my own business, S.H.E Cosmetics Ltd., offering OEM ODM services to local enterprises and also sourcing the hottest trend cosmetics from Korea for local distributors in Vietnam. [WT] What do you think about today’s Vietnamese cosmetics market? [DH] The cosmetics consumption in Vietnam is still low compared to neighboring countries like Thailand. However, if you have a better understanding of the characteristics of the country, Vietnam is more promising than any other country. It's really an attractive market. Above all, the percentage of younger people under 35 is 60%. Due to rapid westernization and increased personal social exposure, young people are more interested in their appearance than ever before. The other reason why the Vietnamese market is more attractive is because of the socio-economic role of women who have traditionally been quite active. With the increase in women's income, I am sure, they will spend more money on beauty and cosmetics. I think this is going to happen very quickly. [WT] Specifically, what aspects of beauty consumption expenditure should we pay attention to in Vietnam? [DH] As in other countries, Vietnamese women spend their money in purchasing home care cosmetics products and/or in getting treatments at beauty salons. For home care products, the preference for whitening function or sunscreen is high due to the nature of Vietnam climate. But the problem is that they are very interested in cosmetics, but there are not many people who have enough knowledge about exactly what products to use and how to use them. So the beauty market in Vietnam is characterized by a lot of skin care shops in each neighborhood. Consumers want to receive cosmetics from these shops and receive professional treatment from them. However, there are not many skincare shops that have mastered the techniques to fully understand the products and use them effectively. Of course, I think there will be many improvements over time. [WT] At this point, what parts of Vietnam skin care shops should focus on to evolve themselves? [DH] In a word, differentiation. Many shops now offer similar products and similar services. In order for shops to evolve and be competitive, they must have differentiated technology. If you simply sell cosmetics on the market, you cannot win the competition. And it is also important to have good products to gain trust. In short, arming with good products and good skills is the basis for differentiation, and I think more customers will come to these well-organized shops. [WT] I hear that you are planning to open your skincare shop yourself. Could you elaborate in detail? [DH] Yes, I am currently in contact with various agencies in Korea to provide services that Vietnam consumers really want. I would like to choose an institution that can provide a good selection of products and continue to provide skin care related technology. The key to this plan is to build a solid platform for reliably supporting existing skincare shop operators and new start-ups. I plan to open my first shop by the end of this year. [WT] Thank you for many good comments. Finally, what does the company name S.H.E mean? S.H.E. stands for Safety, High Technology, and Effectiveness. The purpose is to provide customers with a safe product with the latest technology to ensure maximum effectiveness. This name is the company's future mission as well.

  • In English
  • Feature

  2019-04-10

실시간 Feature 기사

• [Hot in North America] The Spa at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino

  After months of travel between Asia and the USA, it was a privilege for my wife and me to spend a few days at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino -- the only AAA 4-Diamond Award-winning Hotel in Niagara Falls, New York (USA). With our stay, we were able to experience one of the signature treatments at “The Spa”. For many, visits to The Spa at Seneca Niagara would be a welcome break from a day of gaming or visiting the world renowned waterfalls. Our couples treatment was a welcome cure for jet lag. The Swedish Massage helped us unwind with gentle, relaxing massage techniques aimed at improving circulation and vitality. We found the Spa’s tag-line to be correct in that they provide “A lavish respite from the unrelenting bustle of modern life … and a restful escape for the mind, body and soul.” Once entering The Spa and checking-in, we were taken to a waiting area where we were greeted by our therapists. They then escorted us to our locker rooms where we had full access to the steam room, sauna and whirlpool tub. Upon entering the Couple’s Suite, we were pleasantly surprised at the size of the room, as it provided a large jacuzzi tub for 2 and a fireplace. The serene setting provided a soothing and tranquil environment, enhanced by the quality service provided by the well trained therapists. For those looking to fully indulge, The Spa offers three packages: TWO OF A KIND: an experience that begins with 30 minutes of relaxation in a private whirlpool tub followed with a 50 minute Swedish massage ending with a customized facial for two. QUEEN FOR THE DAY: includes a 50 minute Swedish massage, a customized facial, with and eye and lip treatment and luxurious body treatment. KING FOR THE DAY: includes a 50 minute therapeutic massage with an invigorating hair and scalp treatment, a gentleman’s facial and classic manicure. The Spa at Seneca Niagara provides a full range of services inclusive of assorted Packages, Esthetics, Body Treatments, Massage, Salon Services, Manicure / Pedicure, and Acupuncture. Our treatments at The Spa were a welcomed opportunity to unwind after several months of international travel. For those who make their way to the Niagara area, we highly recommend The Spa at Seneca Niagara. Contact details: Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino 310 4th Street Niagara Falls, NY 14303 USA 1-877-8-SENECA https://www.senecaniagaracasino.com

  • In English
  • Feature

  2017-09-07

• [Hot in North America] The Spa at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino

  After months of travel between Asia and the USA, it was a privilege for my wife and me to spend a few days at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino -- the only AAA 4-Diamond Award-winning Hotel in Niagara Falls, New York (USA). With our stay, we were able to experience one of the signature treatments at “The Spa”. For many, visits to The Spa at Seneca Niagara would be a welcome break from a day of gaming or visiting the world renowned waterfalls. Our couples treatment was a welcome cure for jet lag. The Swedish Massage helped us unwind with gentle, relaxing massage techniques aimed at improving circulation and vitality. We found the Spa’s tag-line to be correct in that they provide “A lavish respite from the unrelenting bustle of modern life … and a restful escape for the mind, body and soul.” Once entering The Spa and checking-in, we were taken to a waiting area where we were greeted by our therapists. They then escorted us to our locker rooms where we had full access to the steam room, sauna and whirlpool tub. Upon entering the Couple’s Suite, we were pleasantly surprised at the size of the room, as it provided a large jacuzzi tub for 2 and a fireplace. The serene setting provided a soothing and tranquil environment, enhanced by the quality service provided by the well trained therapists. For those looking to fully indulge, The Spa offers three packages: TWO OF A KIND: an experience that begins with 30 minutes of relaxation in a private whirlpool tub followed with a 50 minute Swedish massage ending with a customized facial for two. QUEEN FOR THE DAY: includes a 50 minute Swedish massage, a customized facial, with and eye and lip treatment and luxurious body treatment. KING FOR THE DAY: includes a 50 minute therapeutic massage with an invigorating hair and scalp treatment, a gentleman’s facial and classic manicure. The Spa at Seneca Niagara provides a full range of services inclusive of assorted Packages, Esthetics, Body Treatments, Massage, Salon Services, Manicure / Pedicure, and Acupuncture. Our treatments at The Spa were a welcomed opportunity to unwind after several months of international travel. For those who make their way to the Niagara area, we highly recommend The Spa at Seneca Niagara. Contact details: Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino 310 4th Street Niagara Falls, NY 14303 USA 1-877-8-SENECA https://www.senecaniagaracasino.com

  • In English
  • Feature

  2017-09-07

• [Hot in Vietnam] Quy Nhon: Destination On The Rise

  Situated on a mountain-fringed bay overlooking the South China Sea with several islands strewn off the shore, Quy Nhon’s quiet golden sands and crystal clear waters slip under the majority of travellers’ radars. Yet one of Vietnam’s least exploited beach destinations is on the brink of becoming popular. Travellers in the know are increasingly descending on this authentic slice of Vietnam before change spurred by tourism sets in. Pronounced ‘kwee nyon’, Quy Nhon commands a stretch of Vietnam’s south central coast about 280 kilometres north of Nha Trang and 320 kilometres south of Da Nang. A laid-back port town, Quy Nhon is a mecca for seafood aficionados on the lookout for crabs, shrimp, scallops and then some. The catch churns through the port daily, and is dispatched all over the country. A lot of it stays local and is celebrated in such local traditional fishing villages as Xuan Hai, where the catch of the day is served in a floating restaurant. There are virtually no tourism vendors peddling wares. Quy Nhon’s tranquil atmosphere belies its historical significance. Binh Dinh province – of which Quy Nhon is the capital – was the nucleus of the lost Cham civilization. Venerable relics of the kingdom, that dominated Vietnam’s centre and south between the 2nd and 15th centuries, pepper the hillsides and valleys in and around Quy Nhon. Towering above a scenic park within the town’s limits, the Thap Doi (Twin Towers) are the most easily accessed of the Cham ruins. Steep steps climb to temples topped by curved pyramidal roofs - rather than the Cham temples’ usual terraced turrets - opening up to a dome of blue sky. Visitors can rummage through the impressive selection of Cham sculptures showcased at Binh Dinh Museum, home to more than 1,000 documents and artifacts laying bare Vietnam’s history including its struggles with the French, Americans and Koreans. Ho Chi Minh’s life is detailed here chapter by chapter. Queen Beach with its sweeping views of the coast, the Dam Market brimming with fresh produce and smiling locals, and Long Khanh Pagoda, at which a 17-metre tall Buddha and mosaic dragons with manes of broken glass greet you upon arrival, are lures on any itinerary. About 12 kilometres south of the town’s centre, AVANI Quy Nhon Resort clings to the flank of a hill fronting Bai Xep Bay. The dramatic first impression made by the resort’s open lobby entrance is buoyed by a reflecting pool that gives way to the resort’s vast infinity pool and, in turn, the shimmering ocean. A private, kilometre-long stretch of pristine beach invites holidaymakers to soak up the sun and take a dip. The resort offers a host of leisure activities and excursions including Vietnamese cooking classes, sea kayaking and deep-sea fishing. Guests can follow up a tailor-made picnic lunch with a leisurely stroll, swim or spot of snorkelling at the resort’s private island, only a 10-minute journey away via a traditional coracle boat. After an excursion, spa treatments including massages, body scrubs and facials await at AVANI Spa, boasting five outdoor treatment bungalows or three indoor treatment suites set amid a 3,000-square-metre garden oasis overlooking the sea. The spa also boasts a Japanese dry sand and salt sauna, and holds yoga and tai chi sessions on its deck. Diners feast on prime steak, a fresh catch and authentic Vietnamese cuisine on a cliff under the stars or at the resort’s all-day cliff-side dining restaurant Tre, where chefs manning live cooking counters design dishes to tastes using seasonal ingredients and fresh local seafood displayed on ice. Open air bar Gio affords a panoramic prospect of the beach by night before guests retire to one of the resort’s rooms and suites, each featuring a large private balcony and vista of the bay dotted with the lights of myriad lobster pots bobbing on the waves. Accessible with daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, not to mention a growing number of tourists discovering this gem on their way between Da Nang and Nha Trang, Quy Nhon is emerging on the map, and it is only a matter of time before it crosses the threshold.

  • In English
  • Feature

  2016-07-01

• [Hot in Vietnam] Quy Nhon: Destination On The Rise

  Situated on a mountain-fringed bay overlooking the South China Sea with several islands strewn off the shore, Quy Nhon’s quiet golden sands and crystal clear waters slip under the majority of travellers’ radars. Yet one of Vietnam’s least exploited beach destinations is on the brink of becoming popular. Travellers in the know are increasingly descending on this authentic slice of Vietnam before change spurred by tourism sets in. Pronounced ‘kwee nyon’, Quy Nhon commands a stretch of Vietnam’s south central coast about 280 kilometres north of Nha Trang and 320 kilometres south of Da Nang. A laid-back port town, Quy Nhon is a mecca for seafood aficionados on the lookout for crabs, shrimp, scallops and then some. The catch churns through the port daily, and is dispatched all over the country. A lot of it stays local and is celebrated in such local traditional fishing villages as Xuan Hai, where the catch of the day is served in a floating restaurant. There are virtually no tourism vendors peddling wares. Quy Nhon’s tranquil atmosphere belies its historical significance. Binh Dinh province – of which Quy Nhon is the capital – was the nucleus of the lost Cham civilization. Venerable relics of the kingdom, that dominated Vietnam’s centre and south between the 2nd and 15th centuries, pepper the hillsides and valleys in and around Quy Nhon. Towering above a scenic park within the town’s limits, the Thap Doi (Twin Towers) are the most easily accessed of the Cham ruins. Steep steps climb to temples topped by curved pyramidal roofs - rather than the Cham temples’ usual terraced turrets - opening up to a dome of blue sky. Visitors can rummage through the impressive selection of Cham sculptures showcased at Binh Dinh Museum, home to more than 1,000 documents and artifacts laying bare Vietnam’s history including its struggles with the French, Americans and Koreans. Ho Chi Minh’s life is detailed here chapter by chapter. Queen Beach with its sweeping views of the coast, the Dam Market brimming with fresh produce and smiling locals, and Long Khanh Pagoda, at which a 17-metre tall Buddha and mosaic dragons with manes of broken glass greet you upon arrival, are lures on any itinerary. About 12 kilometres south of the town’s centre, AVANI Quy Nhon Resort clings to the flank of a hill fronting Bai Xep Bay. The dramatic first impression made by the resort’s open lobby entrance is buoyed by a reflecting pool that gives way to the resort’s vast infinity pool and, in turn, the shimmering ocean. A private, kilometre-long stretch of pristine beach invites holidaymakers to soak up the sun and take a dip. The resort offers a host of leisure activities and excursions including Vietnamese cooking classes, sea kayaking and deep-sea fishing. Guests can follow up a tailor-made picnic lunch with a leisurely stroll, swim or spot of snorkelling at the resort’s private island, only a 10-minute journey away via a traditional coracle boat. After an excursion, spa treatments including massages, body scrubs and facials await at AVANI Spa, boasting five outdoor treatment bungalows or three indoor treatment suites set amid a 3,000-square-metre garden oasis overlooking the sea. The spa also boasts a Japanese dry sand and salt sauna, and holds yoga and tai chi sessions on its deck. Diners feast on prime steak, a fresh catch and authentic Vietnamese cuisine on a cliff under the stars or at the resort’s all-day cliff-side dining restaurant Tre, where chefs manning live cooking counters design dishes to tastes using seasonal ingredients and fresh local seafood displayed on ice. Open air bar Gio affords a panoramic prospect of the beach by night before guests retire to one of the resort’s rooms and suites, each featuring a large private balcony and vista of the bay dotted with the lights of myriad lobster pots bobbing on the waves. Accessible with daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, not to mention a growing number of tourists discovering this gem on their way between Da Nang and Nha Trang, Quy Nhon is emerging on the map, and it is only a matter of time before it crosses the threshold.

  • In English
  • Feature

  2016-07-01

• [Hot in Vietnam] The Spa at The Reverie Saigon

  ▲ Reception of The Spa at The Reverie Saigon (Photo Courtesy of The Reverie Saigon) Vietnam’s most exclusive city spa, The Spa at The Reverie Saigon, is a studied melding of sophisticated, urban luxury and a decidedly European-inspired setting. Together with the Fitness Centre, The Spa encompasses 1,200 square metres (12,900 square feet) over two floors and features 10 treatment rooms – four dual-bedded suites and six for individual therapies. The comprehensive spa menu is a celebration of holistic relaxation and rejuvenation, with treatments that draw from the depths of Southeast Asian spa traditions as well as Western-inspired aromatherapy treatments. The result is a poised balance of East and West. Well-being treatments include rejuvenating facials, foot scrubs, soothing massages and body polishes with a particular focus on techniques and ingredients from Vietnam and Thailand. However you’ll also find exotic elements like seaweed harvested from the Atlantic, pink salt from the Himalayas and mud from the Amazon in the diverse range of therapies, by ila, Voya, and The Spa’s own signature creations. Signature treatments created by The Reverie Saigon highlight The Spa’s seamless integration of luxury and leisure. The Legend of the Peony elevates every aspect of a spa experience, from limousine pick-up within Saigon to a bouquet of peonies, caviar and a bottle of champagne upon arrival. The lavish treatment itself blends an invigorating honey and red wine body scrub with a soothing candlelit massage. Spa canapés and a chocolate gift set complete the three-hour experience. The two-hour Reverie Harmony is a relaxing ritual performed by two therapists. Four hands work in unison to soothe the entire body. The treatment concludes with a customised facial and a simultaneous head and foot massage, leaving the mind uplifted, the body energised and the skin delightfully fragrant. The 90- or 120-minute Reverie Fusion draws inspiration from the East with the use of bamboo to warm muscles and stimulate the nervous system before long, wide ‘butterfly’ strokes are applied to sooth, release tension and promote internal balance. ▲ Treatment Room - The Spa at The Reverie Saigon (Photo Courtesy of The Reverie Saigon)Contact Information Address: 22-36 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Tel: +84 8 3823 6688 Spa hours: Daily from 10am - 11pm (last appointment is at 9:30pm) Website: www.thereveriesaigon.com ▲ Exterior at Sunset - The Spa at The Reverie Saigon (Photo Courtesy of The Reverie Saigon) ▲ Reception of The Spa at The Reverie Saigon (Photo Courtesy of The Reverie Saigon)

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  • Feature

  2015-07-07