Along the beautiful Vietnamese coastline, and just minutes from Danang’s international airport, lies TIA Wellness Resort. The word “tia” in Vietnamese means a ray of light, and it is a fitting name for this health and wellness retreat. It was previously known as Fusion Maia Da Nang resort before changing its focus to lean into the wellness vacation trend that only grew after the pandemic. Once here, you slip immediately into a Zen zone.
If you want to get out and explore the region, there are many popular activities within a short driving distance. And of course, there is a beautiful and wide beach in front of the resort. In fact, this coastline is home to many well-known hotels and resorts that draw relaxation seekers from around the globe. Here are five reasons why you won’t want to leave this slice of paradise.
The cuisine
If there is one top reason to stay here, it is the food. By far, it is a spectacular effort to deliver tasty, healthy fare in a mix of vegetarian, vegan and plant-based flavors. There is also a standard menu with more traditional dishes. From Vietnamese to international, you won’t go hungry here.
There are two main dining rooms. One is more casual with a beach house design (surfboards on the wall, etc) and another is much larger. Both have menus that lean into wellness as well as standard dishes. It is an impressive range of plant-based dishes, and many guests rave about how they taste so flavorful by using local and natural ingredients.
Some of my favorites included chickpea and sweet potato cakes, the vegan spring rolls with fresh herbs, vegetarian versions of Vietnamese pho and curries from the region, and ice cream made without sugar or milk.
The main restaurant as a buffet that has made-to-order Vietnamese breakfast specialties, tropical fruit and an entire array of vegetarian options. The number of sauces, healthy dressings and toppings on the buffet is out of this world. On top of the menu options, the service in all restaurants is excellent. They take pride in remembering personal preferences and dietary requirements.
Set menus for guests dining on certain packages allows the chef to showcase his creativity. This usually includes a starter, main dish and dessert for lunch. Dinner has just two courses. The resort’s motto, as it wants to encourage healthy eating, is to eat breakfast as the largest meal. Lunch is slightly smaller while dinner is the lightest meal of the day.
Special dinners are available for an additional fee. They can be set up on the beach, by the spa pool’s waterfall and even in the villa. These are popular with couples.
The wellness programming
There are 22 treatment rooms in the spa as well as two beauty salons, hydrotherapy and relaxation rooms, and a pair of yoga rooms. A full fitness center includes modern workout equipment overlooking the pool. Guests can also relax on the beach in shaded cabanas.
Creative workshops for small groups include cultural as well as mindful activities. These are meant to be entertaining, but also a way to release stress and tension. Among them are collage making, painting and drawing.
New to the resort is a second wellness studio to meet the growing demand. There is also a new lineup of more intensive workouts like high intensity interval training mixing short bursts of exercise with brief periods of rest. A new yoga class has also been added and is intended for those that want a slower pace rather than vinyasa-style yoga.
The inclusive rates
Guests can choose from wellness or retreat-inclusive rates that come with a set number of meals and activities. The type of experience you want will vary, but it seems that many people come here at the end of a longer trip. This is the kind of place you come to for relaxation. Many people have already visited other notable places in the country. This is their time to unwind.
The average length of stay is three nights, but many people stay longer for at least a week. Some Americans that come this far have stayed for as many as three weeks at a time.
The wellness-inclusive rates are focused on healthy living, educational activities and nutrition. Each person can enjoy two spa treatments per day (up to 80 minutes total for each person). These rates also come with access to free wellness activities with a calendar that changes regularly. It includes things like yoga, breathwork and power workouts. The spa menu also offers things like reiki energy healing and south baths. There is even an art gallery.
Retreat-inclusive rates enjoy one retreat therapy and two wellness treatments per day (up to 140 minutes per person). Some of the wellness activities are available, for an additional cost, to enjoy at important local sites. A wellness guide helps the guest plan out their daily experience while on the property. This is a full-board rate that includes plant-based dining for three meals a day.
The grounds
The staff-to-guest ratio is more than three to one. It is easy to see that a good chunk of that is dedicated to the grounds. Teams of gardeners are always pruning, watering and sweeping to keep the pathways beautiful. Walking to your villa has you passing through a tunnel of trees and plants.
Each villa also has its own garden with plunge pool and trees for both shade and privacy. From your shower, large windows look directly to the private pool and garden.
Walking to the main restaurant has you passing through numerous gardens. You can even lounge in the shade in a waterfront garden that can also be used for special events. Or opt to have breakfast delivered to your private plunge pool to enjoy a floating meal.
The pools
The resort has two stunning pools. One faces the ocean with the infinity pool’s water seemingly spilling over the edge toward the sandy beach. Fabric umbrellas and cushioned lounge chairs line the pool. Friendly staffers come around to take food and drink orders or provide towels. The pool water (like the ocean beyond) is warm and refreshing.
A second pool is located within the spa in a secret garden-like space that you must see to believe. Lush flowers and plants shroud this plunge, which has a crashing waterfall that lures guests for photo opps. It is a quieter place thanks to its spa location.
There are also several villas with two bedrooms and larger private pools as well as the ability to connect to a third bedroom. These are especially popular with families or friends traveling together.
