River and garden views stretch out from each of the 93 rooms, which are spread out over two or three storeys in colonial-style, split level layouts with luxurious bedrooms above and lounges opening on to porches below. Day beds on the porches offer lovely views and ideal spaces for relaxation. Hours could be spent simply watching the river wind along or the birds flitting around the tropical foliage; but there’s a lot more to do here.
Hoi An itself, a fascinating hive of activity with a distinctive Chinese atmosphere, charming alleyways, low-lying tile-roofed houses, is just minutes away. This historic trading centre retains all the bustle hustle and invigoration of mercantile days long gone, with a lingering French flavour. The Imperial city of Hue is an easy drive’s distance, as is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of My Son. There are beaches too, sun kissed and close, a bicycle or boat ride away from the hotel’s private jetty.
After revels, back in Anantara, there are ample diversions too. The spa is seriously spoiling, with green tea and salt scrubs and revitalising herbal baths. Cookery classes by the pool are popular, as are river cruises and lantern making workshops. If all that wasn’t enough, there is also a glass-walled gym with a garden view.
The dining options are just as extensive, with breakfast taken in Lanterns, a French colonial style dining room with river views. The Riverside café offers more of the same vistas but with market style umbrellas and tropical beverages and flaky pastry creations, while the pool bar serves more cooling cocktails accompanied by sumptuous snacks such as duck spring rolls and seafood salads. There’s private dining by the riverside, and there’s even an Irish-style bar, called O’ Malleys, dishing up mixed grills and pints of poached prawns.
