Rooms

Tumbling down a leafy slope, Avana's suites and villas come with expansive, foliage-filled views. There are no bad vistas; some rooms gaze at mountains, others at streams, and those lower down peep through trees. All are rustic on the outside, with thatched roofs and earth walls, but luxurious on the inside. They come with lots of floorspace and wide verandas for taking in the green landscape. Interiors are sympathetic to the local style, with dark wood furniture and rattan ceilings, and the colour palette is calm and muted.

Towards the bottom of the slope are the Bauhinia Suites. Despite being the cheapest category, they measure a vast 98sqm, so there's plenty of lounging space for valley gazing. Above these are the Lantana Bungalows, which each have two bedrooms, one double and one twin, making them a good option for families. Ferns Grand Mountain Suites come with the plushest bathrooms, their free-standing tubs nestled against a tropical garden-framed window. And at the top of the slope are the magnificent Senna Hilltop Villas - some with one bedroom, some with two - all with their own private infinity pools and extra perks like free massages, a snack service, and sparkling wine.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Coffee / tea making
• Cots available
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Mosquito net
• Safe box
• Slippers
• Terrace/balcony
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

With a pitched thatched roof, rattan lampshades and floor-to-ceiling windows gazing at the greenery, the Green Chili Restaurant feels bright and breezy inside. All meals are served here; breakfasts feature exotic fruits, fresh organic eggs from the on-site chicken farm, and Vietnamese delicacies like mung bean cake. For other meals, you can choose between Western or Asian food, incorporating a good helping of ingredients from the Mai Chau area, but we'd plump for their signature pho, a flavoursome broth that's infused for 8 hours with spices, onions, ginger and meat.

For drinks, lunches and snacks, the Cloud Pool Bar, set right at the water's edge, is a tranquil spot for taking in the scenery of the misty valley. Start with a creamy and sweet Vietnamese coffee before moving onto the hard stuff; the cocktail list is extensive, with some delicious-sounding concoctions like 'Finger of the Dragon', which blends vodka, apricot brandy, fermented hibiscus flower and passion fruit juice. For non-drinkers, there's a good selection of mocktails, lassis and smoothies.

Lavish afternoon teas, picnics and private dining are offered in the quiet serenity of nature. A table can be set up beside the waterfall or the lagoon, the space lit by candles, and you'll get your own private butler and a gourmet menu to choose from - ultimate romance!

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Coffee maker
• Dinner
• Lunch
• Restaurant
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• There's lots to keep you busy on site: wander in the Bamboo Forest, dip in the pool or the spring lagoon, go fishing, or pratice yoga and breathwork in a thatched pavilion with bird's eye views. In season there's an outdoor cinema, where you can slouch on beanbags and graze on popcorn
  
• The Orchid Spa is built along the waterfall's gentle flow, with raised wooden walkways leading past glistening pools and a koi pond. Holistic treatments use natural and local organic herbs and oils, like cinnamon, pomelo, peppermint and lemongrass
  
• Workshops offer an insight into the cultures and traditions of the local indigenous communities, such as ceramic making, rattan weaving and Thai weaving
  
• In scenery like this you'll want to get out on some hikes. These can range from gentle guided walks to the local village, to half- and full-day nature treks to the mountaintops, where the whole of the valley opens up before you
  
• Rent kayaks and go paddling along Hoa Binh Lake or the water-lily fields of Ba Khan Lake
  
• Spend a day with the chef, shopping for ingredients at Bao La's Friday morning market, where you can pick up everything from insects to local fish and vegetables

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cooking classes
• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Meditation
• Plantlife / flora
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures
• Trekking
• Waterfalls
• Well being
• Wildlife
• Yoga

Kids

This is an extremely welcoming place for adventurous kids, with dozens of fun nature and culture activities plus a playroom to keep them occupied. There are bungalows and villas with two bedrooms, and the restaurant offers kid-friendly food.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

The Lantana Mountain Bungalows have two bedrooms (one double, one twin), a family bathroom and a living space with balcony. The plush two-bedroom Senna Hilltop Villas come with their own private infinity pools and space for up to 4 adults and 4 children. Extra beds can be added to all rooms, bungalows and villas.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 4 hours
• Hospital: 50 minutes
• Shops: 5 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Avana Retreat is in the mountains of north Vietnam, around a 1-hour drive from Mai Chau, and a 3.5- to 4-hour drive from Hanoi.

By Air:
The nearest international airport is Hanoi's Noi Bai (185km).

From the Airport:
The hotel can arrange a private car/limousine shuttle bus (for an additional fee) for picking up and dropping off. Private transfers from Hanoi can be arranged for a separate charge.

By Car:
Self-hire car rental would be possible but not advisable as the roads in northern Vietnam are obstacle-ridden.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.