Our brief comments:
Sandy Beach Resort, open since 2004, has made itself a standby among resorts along the famous beach stretching south of Danang.

The resort has 118 rooms, 40 in one block, 21 in another, and 57 in bungalows and villas close to the beach. The site extends over 17ha, with a 2km private beach of soft sand.

Facilities include two freshwater swimming pools, two bars, two restaurants, a fitness centre, sauna, pool bar, beauty salon and floodlit tennis courts.

The inland half of the site is mature pine woods. The large grounds and beachfront, with a carefully planned layout, make it possible to enjoy a greater degree of seclusion than expected. The stylish, large reception and lobby area has been cleverly designed using different levels to break up the rectangular entrance hall. An ingenious combination of lighting, decor and lacquer artwork creates a pervasive golden shimmer throughout the ground floor.

Wooden staircases with inlaid tiles lead up to guest rooms. Corridors are floored with woodblocks and terra-cotta tiles, and large picture windows allow sunshine to stream into the building. There are five categories of rooms, some with two levels depending on the view. All are well proportioned with have a complete range of facilities.

Deluxe Ocean rooms are particularly attractive – large and airy with high quality furniture fashioned in white limed wood, pale walls and golden hangings. The bathrooms are well above average, and have wooden floors. Bungalow rooms are smaller, but have the same facilities and the same high level of fixtures, fittings, and decor.

The size and standard of the Deluxe rooms exceeds that of suites in many hotels, and the Sandy Beach Villas score highly with a large walk-in wardrobe and a super bathroom - spa bath, separate shower, twin basins, bidet, attractive tiling - the lot!

The large freeform swimming pool has a wide surround for sunbathing and a decent pool bar. The gardens are dotted with cedars and tamarisks, and the grounds and beach are immaculately kept.

Although the resort is listed as being in Danang, it is actually close to the famous Marble Mountain, 10km from the city and only 20km from Hoi An. The resort runs a free shuttle to both places.

Consequently, it's possible to enjoy a beach with enough room to provide complete seclusion, but be able to travel to the nearby World Heritage sites of Hoi An Ancient Town and the My Son Sanctuary on an easy day trip.

With a quiet location and very well done (if somewhat dated) grounds, buildings and facilities, the Sandy Beach is ideal for getting away, while still within easy distance of area attractions.

(Inspected June 2005)

Room facilities:

Room Categories	Standard	Superior		Deluxe	Bungalow		Villa
		Garden	Ocean		Garden	Ocean	Garden	Ocean
Number of rooms	21	7	27	6	40	12	3	2
Room position	Building	Main building		Main building	Grounds		Grounds
Room size (m2)	23	32		62	35		70
Shower or bath	9 double 12 twin	2 dbl l5 twn	6 dbl 21 twn	6 double	19 dbl 21 twn	7 dble 5 twn	3 dbl	2 dbl
Window
Balcony
View	Garden	Garden	Ocean	Garden	Garden	Ocean	Garden	Ocean
Extra bed
Baby cot
Air conditioner
Personal safety box
Wifi (free)
Cable Internet connection
Laptop/Internet TV
Bathtub/shower	Shower	Bath with shower		Bath with shower	Bath with shower		Bath with shower
Floor	Tile	Tile, carpet		Tile, carpet	Tile		Tile

Additional room facilities: IDD telephone, coffee/tea facilities, bathrobes

Hotel facilities:

Outdoor pool	2	Non-smoking floor(s)
Pool bar		Non-smoking rooms only
Children’s pool		Vietnamese/Asian restaurant
Fitness/health centre		International restaurant
Sauna		Patisserie/coffee shop/cafe
Massage		Business centre
Jacuzzi		Disabled access*

* main blocks are accessible with assist, but not villas/bungalows.

Additional hotel facilities: kids club, live music, tennis, volleyball, beach sports, Danang/Hoi An shuttle.

Other Hoi An options worth considering: Beach Resort**** Golden Sand Resort***** Le Domaine De Tam Hai Resort Life Resort***** Riverside Resort**** Victoria Resort****