Have we mentioned how much we love Da Nang, Vietnam? Hyatt Regency Da Nang is one of our fave resorts there – scroll to read about why our Growing Pains podcaster Angela Neo keep returning almost every year!
Da Nang, Vietnam is certainly an underrated family holiday destination for Singapore families. It flies under the radar, next to the always-popular Bali, Phuket, and Langkawi. However, if you’re looking for the perfect beach holiday, complete with a touch of luxury and the best buffet breakfast EVER (according to our mini reporters), along with cultural richness to explore in nearby Hoi An and sand, sea, and surf on repeat every day, then the Hyatt Regency Da Nang will soon be your happy place. It has been my favourite for the past six years and counting! Only 15 minutes from the airport (and a speedy, less-than-3-hour flight from Singapore), you can leave your home in the early morning and be on the beach by lunchtime.
Here are five reasons why you should consider Da Nang and the Hyatt Regency Da Nang for your next family vacay.
1. Stunning beachfront location and pools for days
The Hyatt Regency is situated right smack bang on the stunning Non Nuoc Beach, with beautiful views of the ocean and glimpses of the Chàm Islands.
For any budding surfing or bodyboarding families, the waves are consistently rolling, with plenty of opportunities to hone your skills. The hotel has paddle boards, kayaks and boogie boards available for rent, so no need to struggle with the extra luggage and wait for the oversized surf bag like we did!
Now if surfing waves isn’t your jam, there are plenty of other beach activities to keep the family busy including beach volleyball, beach football and kiteflying in the afternoons. And who doesn’t love a sandcastle building session?
If sand is the enemy, the pool area is truly fun for all, complete with shallow zones for toddler play, super twisty kids’ slides and heaps of waterways to swim through. Or you can just relax in a lounger with a cocktail and your book, while all the more active members of the family swim and paddle to their hearts’ content.
2. Family-friendly rooms and villas
A big part of choosing a holiday with the family is ensuring the accommodation is conducive to sleep (well, as much as you can get from the mini’s). The resort offers a wide range of family-friendly accommodations, ranging from Garden and Beach View rooms to recently renovated villas. The residences and villas come with fully equipped kitchens, for those who would like the option to cook at home, whilst the Regency Suite and Club Room we stayed in was super close to the beach, with an interconnecting room, spacious living room and gorgeous balcony, which suited us perfectly.
3. Kids’ club and activities
The kids’ club has undergone a recent renovation, with new indoor and outdoor play equipment, a PlayStation 4 (much to our mini reporter’s delight), and every day the super friendly staff put on a variety of different arts and crafts activities. Think DIY dreamcatchers, mask making, t-shirt and tote bag painting and even ceramic figurine painting (our mini reporters loved this!).
There is also a super fun Hydrodash-style water obstacle course, a flying fox and heaps of outdoor play equipment. Camp Hyatt is perfect for kids from two to eight years old, and there are options for those older (our 11-year-old loved the boxing class and rock climbing), however our kiddos preferred to stick to the beach and take a couple hours each day in Camp Hyatt.
4. Come for the food!
Perhaps we should have listed this as the first reason to stay at the Hyatt – the food is absolutely divine, from the breakfast buffet, which caters to all cuisines and tastes, to the casual lunch, dining and evening options.
Without a doubt the breakfast buffet will be a hit with all the family – there is everything you can think of under the sun, from healthy stations resplendent with everything from cereals, to chia puddings, smoothies, juices and yoghurts, to the Vietnamese station with traditional pho and banh mi, Korean delights, eggs made to order, western breakfast options (think bacon, beans, sausages and hash browns) and a bakery corner. It’s a friendly and diverse feast that promises to start your family’s day with a delicious bang (and may cause you to skip lunch!).
Osteria al Mare is the resorts all day dining restaurant, which serves mainly Italian cuisine. Freshly made pasta takes centre stage while the kids menu had heaps of tasty options. A special treat for the little ones is the chance to craft their own pizza under the guidance of the chef, which was a highlight for our nine-year-old. If you’re after more of a relaxed beach vibe, Vive Océane offers steak and seafood options. The outdoor seating, bar and live DJ at night (you may be lucky enough to be there when the resident saxophonist is jamming along) set the stage for a laidback night by the ocean.
5. Easy access to the lively town of Hoi An
If you are keen to venture out and immerse yourselves in some local culture, the resort is just 25-minute drive away from Hoi An, one of Vietnam’s most charming and culturally rich towns. Check out our travel guide to Hoi An for all the reasons we love it. And here’s a top tip: If you find yourself caught in a sudden rain shower, simply duck into one of the many foot massage spas and treat yourself and the family to a massage.
In a nutshell, the Hyatt Regency Da Nang is the perfect family paradise. Get ready for a vacation full of relaxation, food food and more food and family fun. Rates at Hyatt Regency Da Nang start from S$308 per night.
Thank you to the Hyatt Regency Da Nang for hosting us for this review. See you on the beach!