An untouched waterfall, terraces of rice fields and a jungled mountainside backdrop form the underpinnings of one of the newest and most luxurious retreats in Mai Chau, Vietnam, just a 3.5-hour drive from Hanoi.
Avana Retreat, a spectacular new 15-hectare resort opened quietly during the pandemic and features 36 villas, a spacious, indigenous design, a spa built on a stream and one of Southeast Asia's most majestic dining experiences.
"It's one thing to build a resort near the wonders of nature, but to build amid all this natural splendour, with a footprint as light and retractable as we have, makes for an immersive experience that can be overwhelming," said Mr Vu Huy, Founder of Avana Retreat.
Incorporating local Hmong and Thai building techniques and aesthetics in the architecture, the resort's 36 villas range in size from 98-square-meters (1,054 square feet) to 229-square-meters (2,465 square feet). Some villas bring the outdoors indoors with balconies up to 35-square-meters (377 square feet). Meanwhile, one villa sits atop a terrace of rice fields, three boast private pools, and the most exclusive villa flaunts an 89-square-meter (958-square-feet) private heated pool that climbs in tiers resembling the visual echo of the rice terraces.
The bungalow villas feature thatched roofs, like the local stilt houses, and walls made of earth, as commonly seen in Hmong homes. With rattan ceilings made from a Thai weaving technique, the warm wood interiors showcase local arts and crafts, including hand-drawn beeswax paintings of intricate ethnic patterns.
Highlighting the landscape without tampering with it, lantern-lined pathways and bridges wind through the jungle of the property. The development was inspired by the private waterfall discovered by the founders a decade ago, which offers the perfect backdrop for private dinners and intimate parties with a terraced deck overlooking the cascade.
With an emphasis on wellness, the resort features an open-air yoga studio pavilion that seemingly floats atop the stream. The property's eight-treatment-room Orchid Spa is also built along the stream, which courses through the site, immersing guests in nature via rejuvenating therapies. Spa treatments look to the landscape with local healing herbs and oils used in therapies ranging from facials and body wraps to comprehensive pampering packages. The signature 3- to 3.5-hour Wild Reconnection transformative experience includes a body exfoliation using local products, a toning and firming wrap, a relaxing facial, and a body massage that uses firm pressure and the stimulation of acupressure points, as well as warm Vietnamese herbal packs.
The property includes four heated infinity pools with views of the sunset or cloud ceiling. The aptly-called Cloud Pool Bar is named after this phenomenon, where the fluffy cloud cover settles just below the property for an ethereal experience. At this dining destination, guests can enjoy a drink, light snacks or lunch with a menu serving local specialities, like a banana flower salad, and western-style fares like pizza, pasta, and sandwiches.
Avana's all-day dining restaurant, Green Chili, features a mouthwatering selection of dishes from pho and Australian Wagyu Beef to a line-up of vegetarian and vegan options. The team uses local herbs, spices and vegetables as much as possible, sourcing organic eggs from a chicken farm on the property.
Leveraging what's local is a core priority of the resort. More than 90 percent of the staff are from the surrounding area.
"We want as much of the experience of accommodation here to be as singular to this part of Mai Chau as possible, from the sights you see to the food you eat to the people you meet," said Huy.
In harmony with the area, Avana is a plastic-free retreat. Trash bags are made from corn starch, while organic materials are composted. The resort even has its own Avana bottle plant to produce purified drinking water and an electric buggy service to transport guests around the property. The resort also has a tree-planting programme to continue to add to the region's diversity.
