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WALKING TOUR

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Dr.Bill Bensley’s Walking Tour.

This is an enchanting, self-guided journey through the favourite spots of our architect and designer. Every corner in our Resort has a tale to share.

The design concept of the Resort draws from several eras of architecture in Vietnam, most prominently reflecting design elements of temples, palaces and grand residences. But other eras are represented too. The second dominant element is the integration of nature; Bill was determined to cut as few trees as possible during construction, and the Resort’s landscape design is focused on native species of greenery and trees.

Start your adventure at the Reception building, marked as #4 on your Resort Map. As you explore this building, you will notice a recurring theme of black and white; Bill used this simple palette throughout the Resort in reference to Yin and Yang, the ancient Asian philosophy. However, you will also encounter black and white spaces that have been accented by vibrant bursts of colour. The Resort brings a visual element of surprise around every corner

PORTE COCHERE ARRIVAL COURT

Bill plays with the five elements of nature in his design, with fire being his favourite. That’s why the Arrival Court is lit by these striking flame pots.

The wall across from the fountain is designed like a traditional temple gate, with three archways. Look up; you’ll see a pair of wooden figures in traditional dress standing in a small window. Our Welcome Couple warmly greetings each guest to their home.

ENTRANCEWAY

As you step from the Porte Cochere into the lobby area, look up. The curving roof above was inspired by a turtle shell.

Look down to witness the Tree of Life in the floor beneath you. This captivating emblem invites you to step closer into our Resort.

Stop and look at the ceiling, the beams, the large pillars. This architecture has drawn inspiration from Vietnamese temples and grand residences. You’ll see this high-ceilinged, peaked design in many locations.

Look closely at the pillars. There are adorned with carefully painted vertical lines. These are “monkey scratches”. Bill felt that when the resort finally opened, all our neighbour monkeys would be excited and scratching at the doors and windows to come visit.

RECEPTION LOBBY

The marble desks in the Lobby pay homage to Danang, a city renowned for producing marble and home to the Marble Mountains.

Eye of the Sky – In the centre of the Lobby you’ll see the “oculus”, a circular skylight over a reflecting pond. Bill created this to change the mood throughout the day, as the changing angle of light reflects differently on the water as time passes.

The stylized palm trees and monkey sculptures are part of a recent renovation and reference how the surrounding jungle enters daily life here.

The cushions on the long black and white Lobby sofas are designed to resemble river stones.

RECEPTION LOBBY BALCONY

The view is the star of the show. Bill designed the bulk of guest accommodations to be on the left side of the resort, out of the line of sight from this location. He wants guests to gaze out to the green “heart” of the resort, dominated by the rainforest, beach and sea.with the from here is centered on the heart of the resort, symbolizing its lungs.

Water surrounds the Reception Lobby building and here you can see a large reflecting pond on either side. On the left is a replica of the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most famous landmarks in the Imperial City of Hue. Every Vietnamese person recognizes this building.

Big marble wheels – there is a story here, let’s research

A marble animal is perched on each corner of the reflecting ponds. You will see this statue throughout the resort. It is a “nghê”, a mythical Vietnamese combination of a lion and a dog that is commonly found in temples and shrines. It protects against evil spirits and demons.

CITRON RESTAURANT

A playful water fountain greets you to the restaurant. Bill said he created this “to make people laugh.”

As you step into the waiting area, admire the wall and ceiling design. The graphics are inspired by ancient cave paintings discovered in northern Vietnam. The ceiling mirrors and coffee tables represent clouds.

In the main restaurant, note the hanging light fixtures inspired by the traditional Vietnamese “non la” hat.

You’ll also see our five signature Non La tables: dining spaces created in an upside-down non la hat shape. Terrific views, too!

If the Buffet Area is open, step in and look up to a captivating collection of over 40 etchings and paintings of the native birds that call the Son Tra Peninsula their home.

The bathrooms in Citron are inspired by nearby Bat Trang Pottery Village. The entryway is a “chimney” of a brick kiln, and the bathrooms are decorated with ceramic bowls and murals created by the artisans at Bat Trang.

NAM TRAM

Bill worked with a New Zealand company to create a distinctive (and efficient) means of transport from the beach to the higher levels of the Resort. It spans 80 metres and the design draws inspiration from the iconic Vietnamese basket boat.

Note you are surrounded by nature (and possible some monkeys) as you ride the Nam Tram. This is purposeful; Bill wanted you to feel fully enveloped in the landscape as you move through the Resort.

Make sure you ask the Nam Tram operator to stop at Sky Level so you can visit the BENSLEY Outsider Gallery (#11). Bill also paints and the Gallery will allow you to explore more of his bold, colourful world.

LA MAISON 1888 BUFFALO BAR

Bill Bensley envisioned La Maison 1888 as a French colonial mansion, the residence of a fictional French-Eurasian family – hence the black and white palette throughout.

The Verandah dining room is designed like a quiet conservatory, with tall windows to create an airy garden-type feeling.

The adjacent Buffalo Bar with horn-inspired light sconces and a decorative buffalo “head” mounted high on the wall.

Across from the Buffalo Bar is the Chef’s Table, a private dining area designed like a French country kitchen. Look up to see dozens of meat cleavers embedded in the recessed ceiling. The adjacent Wine Cellar is straight out of “Phantom of the Opera” and maintains its cool environment as it’s actually built into the hillside. Please see guidance from a La Maison team member to access these spaces.

Going upstairs, you’ll discover the three bedrooms of the children of our fictional resident family. Each room represents the career of these kids: the more formal Accountant’s Room, the adventurous Traveler’s Room, and the room of the naughty daughter; Le Boudoir de Madame is decorated with red velvet and is full of risqué accoutrements.

SEA LEVEL COURTYARD

As you walk towards the beach, you will encounter a fire fountain; again, Bill’s use of different natural elements and the drama of flames.

You may notice the steps to the beach are wider than normal. Bill felt that at this point, people would be so excited they would be in a great hurry to get to the water. Therefore the steps are designed not for walking but for running – or for taking very big steps!

BAREFOOT RESTAURANT

This building is inspired by indigenous Vietnamese seaside settlements, in particular fishing village architecture. Using wood and thatched roofing, there is no air-conditioning but rather the cooling breeze off the water. The “boat tables” are small versions of fishing boats that you can still see today.

The bathrooms again feature ceramics from Bat Trang Pottery Village and feel rustically sophisticated being indoor/ outdoor

LONG BAR

Long Bar is 50 meters long, making it the longest bar in Vietnam. Drawing inspiration from colonial Singapore architecture, the chairs are inspired by Vietnamese basket boats, while large “punkah” fans from India fans adorn the ceiling.

The bar is situated directly beneath the pool. Look up and you will see a mirror over every daybed. Initially, Bill has designed skylights looking up into the pool. However, due to water leakage issues he had to adapt and install mirrors instead.

The ceiling tiles throughout the bar are embossed with the Chinese “double happiness” symbol – a perfect mood for a beachside bar!

PLANET TREKKERS KIDS CLUB SOAR GYM

Planet Trekkers is a veritable fun house, with separate areas for play, reading, video games and even a slide. The favourite feature is the playful upside down poodle handing from the ceiling

Soar Gym is fully equipped yet manages to exhibit a strong sense of style, with a black and white motif and a large original artwork featuring one of Bill’s Jack Russell terriers.

ASCEND THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE TO THE LONG POOL

Our signature 50-meter infinity pool. Bill’s philosophy of pools is to have no more than 6 lounge areas in a row, ideally separated so that guests experience a heightened sense of privacy. It really works!

The #1 Instagram shot of the Resort (we monitor these things) is taken from the far end of the pool looking back to the Resort – ideally with your partner or friend in the foreground looking relaxed and fantastic!

MI SOL SPA & WELLNESS

If you’re in the mood for a nature walk, head to number 22 on your map - Mi Sol Spa & Wellness. You’ll pass our Yoga Pavilion on the left and our Organic Garden on the right, as well as our Resort Temple. You’ll discover the spa built around a quiet lagoon in a remote corner of the Resort.

The spa treatment rooms are each in individual buildings. They draw inspiration from another era of Vietnam’s history, the war with the USA. They are fashioned after Quonset huts, structures that were built to house airplanes. Each shines with a beautiful green patina, the result of natural aging of the pure copper roof tiles imported from France.

THE SUMMIT

Throughout the Summit, a recurring Pineapple theme is evident. When the Europeans ventured to explore the Caribbean, they encountered this fruit. Due to its seemingly exotic qualities and rarity of pineapples, fruit and because of a pineapples seemingly exotic qualities and rareness, it quickly became a symbol of hospitality when they brought it back to their friends and families in Europe. The fruit gained huge popularity, particularly among the royal family.

The reception of the Summit is an octagonal dome adorned with eight big golden pineapples, once again symbolizing inter-nations hospitality. Additionally, the entrance also showcases a 2-ton cast brass 6-meter-high abstract Vietnamese maiden.

The Reception Hall stands out as one of the most elegant rooms in the Resort, showcasing an architectural masterpiece. This all-white room with beautiful high ceilings is filled with natural light.

The Great Hall Foyer combines traditional design elements, featuring bamboo doors and ceilings beams inspired by Vietnamese temples, with a contemporary feel of an art gallery. Back in 2017, this space hosted the world’s leaders during the APEC conference.

The 85-seat Cinema has a recurring Banana theme with everything in the room inspired by ripe bananas. From ripe banana yellow leather seats to banana wall scones and even a banana print carpet, the room radiates a vibrant yellow and playful ambiance.

M Club is a hidden event space inspired by a fictional monkey named Charles. Banana motifs fill the room, reflecting Charles’s personality through the furniture and décor. The library of Monkeys which is located in this room is filled with books and various monkey themed sculptures of famous people.

THE APEC SCULPTURE GARDEN

Before concluding your tour, be sure to explore our captivating APEC Sculpture Garden featuring a collection of marble statues paying homage to the APEC countries. Immerse yourself in the experience as you stroll through this unique garden.