Seventy-three villas spread out across 98-hectares of a fine-sand beach and paddy field hills is the general overview of Zannier Bãi San Hô. What follows is a compilation of rustically remote, luxuriously thought-out and traditionally designed architecture, activities and cuisine. Guests are guaranteed to find a new level of languorousness within the compound, one which bonds them with the exceptional beauty of the bay. As Zannier’s Quentin Guiraud said: “It’s about connection, it’s about emotion – that’s what brings memories for life.”

Surrounded by muted green hills and dense vegetation is Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô. It is located in a secluded peninsula in the Phu Yen province, far away from tourists and packed beaches. This resort is comprised of 73 villas which all lie on 98-hectares of land. All of them melt into the natural surroundings, ensuring that the experience prioritizes the protected landscape. Within the compound there are three restaurants, two bars, numerous day-time activities and a private beach on a discrete coastline. If guests choose to explore Quy Nhon and the nearby provinces, Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô provides an opportunity to capture Vietnam’s enchanting nature and dramatic landscapes.

French hotelier Arnaud Zannier, purchased the property in 2014. Similar to his other properties in Namibia and Cambodia which make part of the Zannier lineage, Bãi San Hô remains ethereally authentic. The hotel officially opened in December 2020, making this resort the latest property in the Zannier Hotels. History, natural splendor and Vietnamese architecture all play a part in the vision for this resort. Arnaud explains that when he first started designing the villas, he wanted the interiors to reflect something unexpected. 

The architectural styles play a huge part in how Zannier Bãi San Hô came to be. There are mountain hilltop villas, paddy field villas, beach pool villas and the reception area at the very top of the valley. Each property is made with artisanal attention; from afar, the villas look rustic and part of the woodland surroundings. The idea behind it is to shine a light on the materials used which characteristically wear overtime, such as clay, untreated wood and thatching. It does guarantee a handmade touch to the interior, a detail which the owner was searching to do when building the first villas at Bãi San Hô. 

In central Vietnam there is a relatively quiet province known as Phú Yên. It is characterized not only by its mesmerizing beaches but its towering mountains. Guests can experience the best of both worlds whilst also leaving time to visit the famous Da Trang Buddhist pagoda and Roman Catholic Church, Mằng Lăng, in the capital city of the province, Tuy Hòa. One of the more serene locations, exceptionally designed to offer a genuine escape from reality, is at Zannier Bãi San Hô. 

Guests can only arrive to the property via a private stretch of road which is fenced off, as an exclusive compound would be. Once identities are verified, the car is permitted to pull up to the reception area, a building which overlooks the entire valley and beach. High ceilings, minimalist decor and textured floors give guests everything they need to know about the place. After all, it is a beach retreat dedicated to those who seek what nature offers best, letting its rugged beauty speak for itself.

Given the sheer size of the location, and the hilly facade which it is built on, guests will be pleased to find out that there are on-call golf carts ready to take them wherever they want on the property. The reception area is at the very top, whilst all the villas are found lower down. Whether guests want to be facing the paddy-field, the crashing waves over the sandy beach or the mountain face, that is up to them. Either way, the compound is all interconnected where the restaurants, bars, gym, spa and private bay are accessible. 

Bà Hai is the main establishment to dine at, located in the centre of the resort. It’s purpose isn’t just to feed guests, it is to also there to merge the authenticity of the location with Vietnamese food, celebrating the fragrant flavors of the country. The dishes created by the chefs all contain seasonal produce, fresh fish caught by the local fishermen and recipes which are passed down generationally. There are two other restaurants within the compound, one on the hilltop, Nhà Ở, and one on the beach front, Làng Chài. In whichever location guests choose to dine at, they can always expect meals evocative of South-East Asia. 

There is no better feeling than when everything is at your fingertips. At Zannier Bãi San Hô, there are plenty of of opportunities which guests can divulge in. From snorkeling by their coral reef, exploring the bay by catamaran, fishing, farming oysters, walking trails, and wildlife excursions, it is no wonder they provide visitors with a menu of items to choose from. The resort captures the creative and spontaneous nature of Vietnam by giving guests the chance to take part in activities which fill up the days. 

Zannier Bãi San Hô doesn’t just stop at the aesthetics. They take sustainability seriously, ensuring that the architecture, cuisine and activities are within the realm of circularity. The Paddy Field villas, for example, are built on stilts made from reclaimed wood.“Ninety-eight per cent of the materials we use come from around here. We build for the climate, and we honor local traditions at the same time,” said Quentin Guiraud in an interview with Ute Junker. Guests can easily immerse themselves in the captivating landscapes, however at Zannier Bãi San Hô, the aim is to allow guests to simultaneously immerse themselves in the local culture. 

The activities proposed by the resort aim to merge this luxury destination with local communities. From buying handwoven baskets to collaborating with the fishermen or even biking around these smaller villages, they are all designed to get guests to support the local lifestyle. 

As guests turn down the local dirt roads towards the peninsula which Zannier Bãi San Hô lies on, they can admire the quiet lifestyle of the surrounding communities; fishermen playing cards on their break and women weaving baskets on the porch. The serenity is only interrupted by the crashing waves at the bottom of the valley at the resort. From hearty meals by the mountainside restaurant to catch-of-the-day meals by the shore and a quasi-infinite list of activities to take part in, Zannier Bãi San Hô ensures that guests get exactly what they signed up for.