SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

AVANA RETREAT, MAI CHAU

Nestled on a verdant mountainside in the picturesque valley of Mai Chau

TRANQUIL MOUNTAINSIDE RESORT

Three and a half hours west of Hanoi, Avana invites you into a world of forested mountains, rolling rice fields and tiny Thai villages.

Nestled on a verdant mountainside in the picturesque valley of Mai Chau, Avana is a place you come to unwind and rejuvenate. Its 36 gorgeous villas have beautifully woven rattan ceilings, thatched roofs and earthen walls – all inspired by the region’s ethnic stilt houses and Hmong homes. The warm wood interiors are adorned with the creations of local artists and craftsmen, while the Orchid Spa infuses its treatments with local healing herbs and oils.

Built with the desire of preserving the area’s natural charms, Avana offers a glimpse into a landscape and culture untouched by mass tourism. Jeep tours, kayaking excursions and scenic treks to nearby Hmong and Thai villages are designed to encourage local discovery. You can even learn how to make bamboo crafts and weave on traditional looms in workshops with local artisans. The majority of staff hail from neighboring villages, while a close circle of local farmers supply the resort’s Green Chili restaurant.

OVERVIEW

AVANA RETREAT

Avana Retreat, at a glance

Tranquil mountainside resort overlooking the Vietnamese valley of Mai Chau
Constructed in keeping with Hmong and Thai building techniques
Choice of 36 stylish bungalows, suites, and private pool villas
Thatched roofs inspired by the local stilt houses
Warm, inviting interiors featuring regional arts and crafts
Several rooms have their own plunge pools
Green Chili restaurant serving a wide-ranging menu packed with regional specialities
Ingredients are grown on site or sourced from nearby farms
Private dinners can be arranged overlooking a waterfall or a hidden lagoon

For leisure and pleasure

Enjoy visits to a Hmong village where women are known for their weaving and embroidery
Go kayaking on Ba Khan Lake
Scenic treks and jeep rides through the mountains past rice fields and bamboo forests
Visit the Stilt House Museum which houses small collections from Mai Chau’s ethnic groups
Make bamboo crafts and learn to weave on traditional looms in hands-on lessons with local artisans
Infinity pools with stunning views
Open-air yoga platform and meditation spaces
Fitness centre with views of the forest
Eight-room Orchid Spa offering a relaxing menu of treatments
Treasure hunts, arts and crafts and a Kid’s Club for younger guests

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“BEAUTIFULLY ORGANISED AND PERFECT RECOMMENDATIONS. ”

“What a fantastic trip organized by Ultimate. They listened to what we wanted and set up perfect destinations for us. Everyone was friendly and professional from the office in London through to on-the-ground support. The organization of pick-ups, connecting flights and so on, went like clockwork.”

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“MY FIRST PORT OF CALL FROM NOW ON. ”

“Efficient, friendly and helpful throughout. made everything a million times easier, Ultimate Travel Company will by my first port of call from now on.”

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“FANTASTIC!”

“Sophie went above and beyond to ensure we had a fantastic honeymoon. We had 0 stress relating to planning and everything was taken care of from the moment we stepped off the plane. Sophie anticipated what we wanted when we didn’t even know ourselves. We will certainly be booking with Ultimate again.”

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“PROBLEM FREE EXCELLENCE.”

“Efficiently organized, everything went like clockwork. This is all the more remarkable since the tour involved considerable complexity.”

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“AN EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE COMPANY.”

“We have continued to ask Ultimate Travel to make our distant overseas travel arrangements for many years and they have always given us great service.”