The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2025 - Issue 38

bitetravel InterContinental debuts the first international luxury resort in Ha Long Bay Images courtesy of InterContinental Hotel Group I nterContinental is continuing its legacy of pioneering new destinations with the opening of InterContinental Ha Long Bay Re‑ sort. Set within the twice‑recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site, the world’s first and largest luxury hotel brand introduces a landmark resort overlooking green‑clad mountain islands and the azure waters of Ha Long Bay. The modern luxury and tropical comfort resort is a sanctu‑ ary of coastal design, offering 275 rooms, suites and villas, six eclectic restaurants, a children’s activity cen‑ tre, a signature spa, and an array of ballrooms and meeting spaces. Its architecture, led by WATG, re‑ flects the region’s heritage and vi‑ brancy, weaving together ancient folklore and celebrating the dramat‑ ic interplay of land, sea, islands, and inlets that define Ha Long Bay’s nat‑ ural beauty. Interiors by P49Deesign draw inspiration from Vietnam’s tra‑ ditional bamboo basket boats in the lobby, while the bedrooms highlight the vivid colours of land and sea. Turquoise upholstery, brass accents and playful textures evoke marine life, rippling waters and iridescent pearls surrounding the resort. The resort’s six dining venues in‑ clude two signature restaurants. Opening later this year on the 10th floor, Roku & Star Bar will serve Jap‑ anese cuisine showcasing six clas‑ sic techniques: nukazuke, sashimi and sushi, mushimono, yakimono, agemono, and nimono. This rooftop destination, with sweeping views of the bay, will also feature a curated Sake Library and a dramatic bamboo installation inspired by the legend of the descending dragon in Ha Long. Additional eateries now open in‑ clude Marina Kitchen, a seafood‑fo‑ cused restaurant serving modern coastal cuisine; La Baguette, a French‑Vietnamese bistro; Del Mar, a poolside lounge bar inspired by the floating village of Cửa Vạn; and Vue, a light‑filled lobby lounge offering afternoon tea, cocktails and pano‑ ramic bay views. Hidden Lagoon, the resort’s signa‑ ture spa, offers wellness treatments inspired by the tranquillity of Ha Long Bay. In collaboration with lux‑ ury British beauty brand Margaret Dabbs London and Australian clean beauty brand Sodashi, the spa deliv‑ ers a range of therapies from healing facial rituals to nurturing, sensory treatments. Guests can also enjoy recreation‑ al amenities, including beach vol‑ leyball, outdoor archery and three swimming pools. Children are wel‑ come at Planet Trekkers, a dedicated kids’ club for ages 4 to 12, offering culturally immersive activities such as conical hat painting, canvas bag decorating, candle-making, and face painting. For teens and families, The Game Room features a cinema, in‑ ternet gaming, and classic favourites such as billiards, darts, foosball, and air hockey. A collection of versatile event spaces, including the grand Tonkin Ballroom and elegant Cat Ba Ballroom, provides an ideal setting for milestone celebrations and cor‑ porate gatherings. InterContinental Ha Long Bay Re‑ sort represents the transformative evolution unfolding across the In‑ terContinental portfolio worldwide. Reimagining luxury for today’s modern traveller, this evolution is rooted in the brand’s long‑held be‑ lief that travel can expand minds and connect cultures, meeting the desire for more profound knowledge and culturally rich experiences. The re‑ sort joins a global portfolio of more than 231 InterContinental hotels, including seven in Vietnam, within IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle collection, one of the world’s largest. In 2026, InterContinental will celebrate its 80th anniversary. https://www.ihg.com/intercontinen‑ tal/hotels/us/en/ha-long-bay/hphhl/ hoteldetail