If you are really ready to go on a hike to Sapa, there are a few things that you need to know before you commence your trip. The first and probably the most and important thing that you need to know, is that your whole hike success depends on what time of the year you go. If you are going during peak season you will need to book your train tickets or bus tickets well in advance in order to avoid the disappointment of missing out on a lift, or paying premium prices for a private taxi to Sapa from Hanoi 

We have just done the trip at the end of October, not the busiest time to hike, and we still were very lucky to get sleeper seat tickets on the overnight trains from Hanoi to low chi. 

We strongly recommend you begin this trip from Hanoi, and not other places, due to the fact that Hanoi is set up to handle the tourists and the travel necessary to have a successful trip. You can catch the train or bus from Ho Chi Minh City or whore yarn, but you will be injured a lot more hassle and price during your trip.

Your first and most important step of the trip is to make sure you know how you are getting to Sapa. There are three options that you must know about. The first option would be to take an overnight bus from Hanoi to Sapa. This bus will take will take you approximately 7 to 8 hours and depending on how much you pay, will be very comfortable or it will be a tough night sleep

The second option, and the option that we recommend the most, would be to take the overnight train from Hanoi to Lo Cai, a small train station and town which is located 45 minutes at the base of the hill before arriving at supper. I strongly prefer this option more for several different reasons. The first reason would be the fact that if you were travelling in a slightly larger group, you can book a four-bedroom sleeper which gives you total privacy for the night and the closest thing that you will get to a comfortable nights sleep. Each of the rooms has their very own charging point and lights and in our opinion is the best and most convenient way to get to Sapa.

The train itself is regularly cleaned so it’s acceptable for all levels of travellers.  We had the 4 person sleeper and ended up having to share our room with some other random travellers until they left about midnight.  There are also luxury 2 person sleepers which cost double the 4 person slots. Each 4 person sleeper bed costs approximately $20USD and is well worth the price. A lady comes around asking to sell sweets and biscuits if you are feeling peckish. We suggest visiting the supermarket located in the train station before you go for a wide range of fresh and yummy foods.

The whole train experience last 7-8 hours depends the number of spots. The rooms also have charging points so you can plug things and charge them too. The conductor will come around 20 minutes before you are due to arrive and will knock on the door so you wake up. There is also a tea/coffee lady that will do a round 

Most of the trains that arrive here are coming early in the morning, so it is a little tough to work it all out. You literally just jump off the train and you are already outside. As you step off the train, you will be met by a host of “drivers” who will offer to take you to Sapa, which is located 45mins-1 hour drive up the mountain. Unless you have prearranged your pickup with a hotel, you now have 2 options. You can take the public bus, which will be a little slower but cheaper ($1.50), attached below is a picture of the outside sign, 20m from the exit. Another popular option is to take one of the drivers and go with them on their minibus. These buses are quicker and less hassle but the flip side is that they cost approximately $5USD and can have up to 9 people in them if you are unlucky. We took the minibus and had no issues with it at all. 

The only problem with the train is that you will be required to catch a shuttle from the train station up the mountain to supper. The locals have already well accommodated you for this and there will be shuttles waiting for you at the train station. You can catch the local bus which will cost you less than two dollars to go up the mountain, but we recommend taking a shuttle for no more than five dollars due to its speed, and convenience to bring you to your hostel/homestay.

If you are catching the train from Hanoi, then there are dozens of eating options around the train station. Most of the trains back are all in the evening and are arriving early morning. 

Where to get your tickets to Sapa

We actually got our tickets last moment at Hanoi train station. We were very lucky to catch the only person who spoke English before she left so we suggest to book your tickets online for the train. However, of course, booking websites will usually charge you a little bit more money to make the booking transaction, but it is still quite cheap.

Choosing where to stay in Sapa 

Deciding on where you want to stay in Sapa is probably the most important call you will have to make when you are here. You will need to decide if you want to base yourself in the town of Sapa, and do your walking and hiking tours from here. This is very possible and many people do it. Personally, we chose to stay in a homestay, which is located about 10 km out of town. There are literally dozens of homes days within the villages that are around Sapa. They are extremely cheap and have a lot of hikers staying there, and they can organise and run hiking to is it for you just as easily as being in town. To be honest, I felt as though the homestays out there gave a much more authentic feel than staying in town, but it is totally your decision. It must be noted that there are no ATM machines in the homestay area but there are several in Sapa town, so make sure you get the money that you need in the town first. If you are dropped off into Sapa town, It is only a short $10 ride out towards where the homestays are, however, your homestay can arrange a pick up from you from the main area in Sapa.

Photo by Giau Tran on Unsplash

Where to stay in Sapa

There are literally dozens of homestays out in the village, approximately half an hour from town. We chose to stay at a place recommended to us called Tay Van Heaven Homestay, 30 mins from Sapa and a great place to stay for a few days.

The easiest part of the trip now is to actually go and begin your hike. There are several tracks that are offered from many different operators that give you the best access to all the hikes that Sapa has to offer.

This year, Singapore celebrates the success of Jigger & Pony, which climbed to number 9, and Nutmeg & Clove, which earned a spot at number 50. Although the city had fewer entries than in previous years, these two winners continue to shape Singapore’s reputation as one of the most important cocktail capitals in Asia.

Jigger & Pony Ranked Number 9 in the World

Jigger & Pony continues to be a powerhouse in the global bar scene. Known for its warm hospitality, refined classics, and creative seasonal menus, the bar has consistently placed high in international rankings.

Securing the number 9 position in 2025 reaffirms its status as one of Asia’s most respected bars. Its dedication to craftsmanship and genuine service has built a loyal following among locals, expats, and international visitors.

The bar’s director also received the peer voted Altos Bartenders Bartender Award 2025, further highlighting the team’s global influence. This recognition speaks to the bar’s consistency, its leadership in the industry, and its ability to evolve while staying true to the heart of classic cocktail making.

Nutmeg & Clove Makes the Top 50 at Number 50

Nutmeg & Clove brings a very different approach and proudly represents Singapore’s cultural identity. Ranked number 50, the bar is known for its storytelling style and cocktails inspired by Singaporean history and heritage.

From playful reinterpretations of local flavours to unexpected combinations rooted in Southeast Asian culture, Nutmeg & Clove continues to receive international attention for its originality. Its placement in the global top 50 shows that bars celebrating local character and nostalgia still have a strong place in today’s cocktail landscape.

What These Rankings Mean for Singapore’s Cocktail Scene

Even with only two entries this year, Singapore maintains its status as one of the strongest cocktail destinations in the world. The results reflect a few key trends:

Singapore’s bars focus on depth, not trends

Bars like Jigger & Pony and Nutmeg & Clove succeed because of their commitment to identity, personality, and expertise. Rather than chasing hype, they lean into strong storytelling and meticulous drink execution.

Asia continues to rise in global rankings

With Hong Kong holding the top spot globally and cities like Bangkok, Tokyo, and Seoul climbing the list, the region is more competitive than ever. Singapore remains a central player in this regional wave.

Experience matters more than ever

Bars that appear on the list consistently focus on atmosphere, hospitality, and culture. The modern guest wants more than a good drink. They want an experience that leaves an impression, and Singapore excels in delivering that balance of comfort and creativity.

Visiting the Best Bars in Singapore

If you are planning an evening out or building a cocktail-focused itinerary, both bars offer very different but complementary experiences.

Jigger & Pony
Expect warm hospitality, masterfully balanced cocktails, and an environment that feels like an elegant living room. The bar is ideal for date nights, celebrations, or a polished night out with friends.

Nutmeg & Clove
A vibrant, neighbourhood-friendly space with creative drinks rooted in Singaporean culture. Perfect for adventurous drinkers who want to taste the city in a glass.

Booking ahead is strongly recommended, especially on weekends or after the recent awards.

Singapore’s Position in the Global Bar Landscape

The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list reinforces that Singapore remains a destination for serious cocktail enthusiasts. With bars that continue to innovate and stay grounded in cultural identity, the city’s bar scene remains one of the most respected in the world.

Whether you want elegance, creativity, or a taste of local culture, Singapore’s top bars deliver world class quality that can compete with the best in Asia and beyond.

The Arnold Palmer Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo

Arnold Palmer laid this course into the land rather than over it, and the difference is obvious from the first tee. Opened in 2004 and stretching to 6,788 yards at par 72, the Ocean Course has since landed at No. 70 on Golf Digest’s list of the Top 100 Courses Outside the United States, and once you have played it, that ranking makes sense. Fifteen of the eighteen holes look out over the Pacific in some form, whether that is a distant shimmer across Bahía de Culebra or a sheer drop to the water below. The elevation changes here are real, not decorative, and the course moves you from tropical forest canopy to open coastal bluffs and back again in the space of a few holes. We spotted deer grazing near the fairway on the front nine and a single white-nosed coati crossing near the 14th, which tells you something about how much of the surrounding jungle this course actually keeps intact rather than paving over.

The greens are where Palmer’s design shows its teeth. They are wide and inviting off the tee, then turn genuinely difficult once you are reading a putt across their contours. A green that looks flat from twenty feet away can still break hard once the ball is rolling. That contrast, generous fairways against unforgiving greens, is the course’s whole personality in miniature.

The Signature Hole: El Bajo

If you remember one hole from this round, it will be the 6th, known locally as El Bajo. It is a 438 yard par four that starts from an elevated tee looking straight down across Bahía de Culebra, and from up there you can see the entire shape of the hole laid out below you like a map. The fairway is tree-lined and curves left, dropping more than two hundred feet in elevation before it reaches a small, shallow green that sits like a pulpit carved into the hillside. It is a hole that asks you to commit off the tee and then earns your respect again on the approach, because that green does not forgive a lazy read. We stood on that tee box for longer than we needed to, just taking it in before pulling a club.

The back nine has its own quieter drama, closer to the coastline, where the wind off the Pacific starts to matter more than the yardage on the scorecard suggests.

The Rental Set: Scotty Cameron Putters and a Borrowed One

Here is the detail that stayed with us longer than almost anything else. The men’s rental set at Papagayo runs Titleist GT drivers and fairway woods, Titleist T350 and T250 irons, Vokey wedges, and a Scotty Cameron putter, which is not the lineup you expect to find in a resort bag and not one you forget once you have it in your hands. As a woman, I will admit the standard fit was not quite mine, so for eighteen holes I borrowed Mitch’s Scotty Cameron putter instead and made it work hole by hole. Minor logistics aside, the fact that a resort rental set carries hardware this good says a great deal about the level Four Seasons is operating at here, right down to the equipment you never asked about.

The Cart, the Turn, and an All You Can Drink Round

If you have not played golf in Costa Rica with a fully stocked cart rolling up beside you, you have not really experienced Costa Rican golf. Our cart attendant appeared with cold drinks, snacks, and a standing offer of shots that turned the back nine into something closer to a celebration than a competition. The round runs on an all you can drink basis, and there is a real art to knowing when to indulge and when to leave the putter steady. We indulged, and the round was better for it.

First Tee Essentials: The Pandora Box

Before any of that, the first tee sets the tone for the entire day. Every player is handed what can only be described as a Pandora’s box of golf essentials: unlimited tees, ball markers made from real Costa Rican 100 colones coins, and divot repair tools, all yours to keep at the end of the round. It is a small gesture, but it tells you the resort has thought through every minute of your day before you have swung a single club.

Golf With a Toddler in Tow

Not every golf resort feels like a place you can bring a sixteen month old, but Papagayo does. We had our daughter with us in the cart for the round, watching from her seat while we played through, and nobody at the club so much as blinked. There is something to be said for a course that treats a toddler tagging along as completely normal rather than an inconvenience to be managed. If you are traveling with young kids and still want a real, championship round of golf, this is one of the few places we have found where you do not have to choose one over the other.

What It Costs: Green Fees, Rentals, and Junior Rates

For anyone planning their own trip, the Ocean Course prices its rounds by tee time rather than a flat rate. Early morning green fees for 18 holes, from 7:30 to 10:50am, run $375, dropping to $325 for the late morning window and $275 after 1:00pm. Nine holes range from $195 to $275 depending on when you play. The Howler Rate, which starts at 3:10pm and includes club rentals, is $250 for as many holes as you can finish before dusk. Junior golfers between 13 and 17 pay a flat $150 for 18 holes or $80 for nine regardless of tee time, and kids 12 and under play free when accompanied by a paying adult, which makes this a genuinely reasonable course to bring a golfing teenager to. A non-playing rider in the cart runs $50 for the day, and club rentals alone are $100 for 18 holes or $70 for nine if you would rather skip the full package. Golf carts are required for every round, with a licensed driver 18 or older at the wheel, and all rates are subject to 13% VAT. Multi-round packages are also available, including Grip It & Rip It for three rounds and Member for a Week for seven days of unlimited play, and the golf team can walk you through current rates directly when you book.

Dinner After: Nemare Steakhouse at the Clubhouse

The round does not really end when you hand back the cart, and this is where Papagayo separates itself from most golf resorts we have played. Dinner happens at Nemare, the clubhouse’s Argentine-style steakhouse, and it is a proper destination in its own right, not an afterthought for tired golfers. The name comes from the Chorotega word for smoke, and that theme runs through the entire menu, from the craft cocktails to the char on the steaks themselves.

We started with the Roasted and Flame-Seared Bone Marrow, plated with crispy prosciutto, garlic, a chimichurri chiverre jam, and toasted sourdough for scraping up whatever was left, and it disappeared within minutes of hitting the table. From there I went for the Local Wagyu Hot Stone, which arrives raw on a searing hot slab alongside a trio of oils, mild smoked, chili truffle, and garlic and chives, so you finish cooking it yourself to exactly the temperature you want and season it as you go. It is a little bit of theater built right into the dish. Mitch went the more traditional route with the 14 ounce Prime Ribeye, and it held its own against the tableside showmanship of the stone, a properly cooked cut with a real char and none of the shortcuts you sometimes get at a resort steakhouse. We rounded the table out with the Baked Shrimps Mac and Cheese, finished with a slow bisque sauce and bread crumbs, and the portion alone could have been its own entree. Between the bone marrow, two steaks, and a side that size, nobody left that table still hungry.

Service matched the food. Our waiter walked us through the menu and the tableside cooking for the wagyu stone without any of the scripted feel you sometimes get at resort restaurants, and the pacing between courses gave us time to actually talk about the round we had just played instead of rushing through dinner. Between the eighteen holes, the shots on the back nine, and a steak dinner this good to close the night, it was hard to imagine improving on the day.

Staying and Playing at Four Seasons Papagayo

The real luxury of Papagayo is that golf, beach, jungle, and fine dining all sit on the same address, so the day never really has a hard stop. You play in the morning, spend the afternoon however you like, and end up back at the clubhouse for dinner without a single transfer or taxi in between. That is not a small thing on a golf trip, and it is a big part of why this round, and this day, is the one we keep telling people about.

We have played a lot of golf courses chasing stories for AdventureFaktory. This is the one we will keep talking about to our friends!

We came for golf and stayed for everything else. The Laguna Golf Lang Co course is a 10-minute walk from the Angsana lobby. The beach is a 5-minute walk in the opposite direction. In between is a resort with 229 rooms, a full-service spa, multiple pools, a dedicated kids club, and the kind of service that makes travelling with children and golf bags simultaneously feel less like a logistical negotiation and more like a proper holiday.

Where Angsana Lang Co is Located

Angsana Lang Co occupies the Laguna Lang Co integrated resort, a 280-hectare development set between the East Vietnam Sea and a coastal mountain range, roughly 55 kilometres northwest of Da Nang and 45 kilometres southeast of Hue. Both airports serve the resort, with transfers taking between 45 minutes and an hour depending on traffic. The resort runs a scheduled shuttle bus in both directions, included with the Stay and Play golf package.

The position is genuinely between two worlds. Hue, with its Imperial Citadel, royal tombs and Perfume River, is reachable in under an hour. Da Nang and the beaches of My Khe are less than an hour in the other direction. The Hai Van Pass, one of the most photographed roads in Vietnam, sits between the resort and Da Nang and is worth driving for its own sake. Most families find that the resort grounds make a convincing argument for staying put, particularly once the children have discovered the beach. The hotel is famous for its abundance of actvities, so you cant get bored.

The Rooms: Sea Views, Loft Layouts and Space for Families

Angsana Lang Co runs across 229 rooms, suites, and loft-style accommodations. The standard rooms are generously sized and finished in the vibrant, colour-led design language that defines the Angsana brand. Bathrooms are large, beds are comfortable, and every balcony or terrace faces the sea or lagoon. Cots are available on request and the resort team handles the practicalities of travelling with young children with practiced ease, which makes a bigger difference to the rhythm of a family stay than any room feature. We had a two bedder which was one king and 2 singles in different oom. The huge living room are had been built like a serviced apartment so had a firdge, dining sace and a lounge to chill. The highlight of the room had to be the private pool. Despite being next to the footapth, it is a great way to relax and enjoy peace and quiet.

Dining at Angsana Lang Co: Moomba, Rice Bowl and Breakfast at the Market

The resort’s main dining venue is Market Place, an open-plan breakfast hall serving a generous buffet that runs from Vietnamese pho stations through to pastries and fresh fruit. It is the kind of breakfast that anchors the morning, whether that morning ends at the first tee or the pool. We enjoyed every breakfast there, and despite filling up really quickly, it still maintained good service and a plate full of food for the whole family.

Moomba is the beachfront restaurant and bar, serving lunch and dinner with the sea directly in front of you and a menu that moves comfortably between Vietnamese dishes and international options. Children eat well here and the setting rewards adults who want to linger after the meal rather than rush back. Rice Bowl handles casual daytime dining, and the pool bar keeps the afternoon manageable for everyone. The dining across the resort is consistent and well-executed, and the location does a significant amount of work in every case.

Golf at Laguna Lang Co: The Nick Faldo Course

The Laguna Golf Lang Co course is a Nick Faldo-designed, 18-hole par-71 championship layout ranked among the Top 100 Golf Courses in Asia, stretching to 7,101 yards from the back tees through six distinct habitats including rice paddies, woodland, coastal duneland, and beachside terrain. Green fees for international visitors run from approximately 3.5 million VND (around USD 145) on weekdays to 4.5 million VND (around USD 185) on weekends in high season from November through March, with resort guests receiving preferential rates of around 2.9 million VND on weekdays. Caddie and shared cart are included; tipping caddies between 300,000 and 500,000 VND per round is standard. The Angsana Stay and Play package bundles accommodation, daily breakfast, and one round of 18-hole golf per day per two adults at a combined rate that offers strong value, particularly in the low season from April through October. Current package details and seasonal pricing are available directly at angsana.com.

What a course to play on. It was quiet when we went on, meaning we could slow down and enjoy it all, all on the championship-caliber course. We were virtually alone and that is just the best feeling. The course was in tip top shape and every hole was a challenge, especially off the tee.

Family Facilities at Angsana Lang Co: Rangers Kids Club, Pools

The Rangers Kids Club is where the family proposition of Angsana Lang Co becomes genuinely useful. Supervised activities run from arts and crafts including lantern making, seashell painting and t-shirt decorating through to swimming lessons, pool games, board games and console games. It is a proper kids club, staffed with the kind of consistent patience that allows parents to take a full 18 holes without the background anxiety of wondering what is happening back at the resort. The club operates daily and caters to a range of ages, with programming that adjusts to its audience rather than running a single format for all.

The resort’s pools are multiple and well-positioned for families. The main pool is large enough for lap swimming and leisure use simultaneously, faces the sea, and connects visually to the beach in a way that makes the whole stretch of water feel like the resort’s front garden. The private beach is staffed and monitored, which matters on a stretch of the East Vietnam Sea where the swell can arrive with real force. The beach team advises on conditions and the pool is always the alternative when the sea is running high. They are famous for having endless activities and they don’t lie. There is a little kids club that keeps them there and I didnt want to leave either.

Beyond the pool and beach, the resort’s outdoor activity offering covers jet skiing, banana boat rides, and ATV experiences for older children and teenagers. Watersports operate from the beach on a chargeable basis, with minimum age requirements applying to motorised activities. The indoor Hub provides arcade games, pool table, and additional activities for days when the weather makes the outdoors less appealing, which in the shoulder season happens occasionally and without much warning.

How to Book and Get the Best Value

The Stay and Play golf package through angsana.com is the most efficient structure for a golf-focused family stay. It covers daily 18-hole golf for two adults, daily breakfast at Market Place for all guests, and complimentary two-way airport shuttle transfers. Between May and September 2026 a range of complimentary summer activities is included, which adds value for families with children who will use the activity calendar extensively.

Booking directly through the Angsana website connects the stay to the WithBanyan loyalty program, which accumulates points across Banyan Tree, Angsana, and affiliated properties. Those planning to play additional courses should note that the resort sits within an hour of Ba Na Hills Golf Club, which is included in the multi-round Golf and Travel Package alongside three rounds at Laguna Golf Lang Co, resort credit, and transfers.

Our Overall Verdict on Angsana Lang Co

Angsana Lang Co works as a family golf destination because neither the golf nor the family offering is compromised to accommodate the other. The Nick Faldo course is a serious layout. The Rangers Kids Club is a serious kids club. The beach, the pools, the spa, and the dining all operate at a level that makes the non-golf hours feel as well-considered as the golf hours.

The location between Da Nang and Hue means it fits naturally into a broader central Vietnam itinerary. A few nights here, with daily golf at Laguna, a day trip to Hue’s Imperial City, and the children fed, occupied, and well-tired by evening, is one of the more complete versions of a family golf trip available in Southeast Asia. The sea is there when the round is done. The spa is there when the sea is done. And the kids club is there for all of it.

Angsana Lang Co: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Angsana Lang Co suitable for families with young children?
Yes. The Rangers Kids Club offers supervised daily activities covering arts and crafts, swimming, games, and cultural activities. Cots are available on request, the resort team handles the logistics of family stays with genuine ease, and the room configurations, particularly the multi-bedroom loft options, provide the space that families actually need.

How far is Angsana Lang Co from Da Nang Airport?
The resort is approximately 55 kilometres from Da Nang Airport, around 50 to 60 minutes by car. The Stay and Play golf package includes a complimentary scheduled shuttle bus in both directions. Private transfers can be arranged through the resort.

Do non-golfing family members have enough to do?
Easily. Between the beach, multiple pools, spa, Rangers Kids Club, watersports, Hub indoor activities, and the option for day trips to Hue or Hoi An, non-golfing guests have a full program that runs independently of the golf schedule.

What is the best time of year for a family golf trip to Angsana Lang Co?
February through August covers the dry season in central Vietnam. January through March is the coolest and driest period, also the high season with higher green fees. April through August is warm, occasionally wet in the afternoons, and offers lower golf rates with the Stay and Play package providing the best combined value.

What ages does the Rangers Kids Club cater to?
The Rangers Kids Club at Angsana Lang Co covers a broad range of ages with activities adapted accordingly, from arts and crafts for younger children through to pool games, board games, and console activities. Watersports on the beach have minimum age requirements, with motorised activities requiring a minimum age of 16.

We arrived as a family, driving down from the Ngũ Hành Sơn district, the Marble Mountains literally in view from the resort’s upper floors. We left three days later, wishing we stayed a little bit longer to relax further. Central Vietnam has a particular pull, and this property knows how to hold you. We enjoyed a hosted stay that was memorable on so many levels.

Danang Marriott Non Nuoc Location

To understand the Danang Marriott Non Nuoc Beach Villas is to first understand what Non Nuoc means. Named after the stretch of coast that Forbes once listed among the world’s most beautiful beaches, the resort sits at the intersection where the mountains meet the sea. The UNESCO-adjacent landscape to the immediate west, limestone karst formations riddled with Buddhist caves and sanctuaries, frames the property in a way that no architect could have designed. On clear mornings, the mountains are pink with early light. By evening, they glow amber. The resort occupies a long stretch of private beachfront in the Ngũ Hành Sơn district, roughly 20 kilometres from Da Nang’s city centre and about 30 kilometres from Hội An Ancient Town. That middle-ground position is not a compromise; it is a genuine strength. You are removed enough from the city to feel the stillness, yet close enough that a Grab ride puts you in the middle of Hội An’s lantern-lit Old Town in under 40 minutes.

For families, the geography offers something particularly valuable: the resort’s grounds are a self-contained world. Lush tropical gardens, a private lake, the M Green Oasis garden, and 122 private pool villas mean there is no particular urgency to leave. The beach is yours.

Villas at the Danang Marriott Non Nuoc: Private Pools and Views

The Danang Marriott Non Nuoc does not deal in rooms. It deals in villas, 122 of them, each with its own private pool, ranging from two-bedroom to four-bedroom configurations. This distinction matters more than it might first appear. A villa is not a premium hotel room with a private plunge pool tacked on as an afterthought. Here, the design places the pool at the heart of the living space, flanked by open terraces that dissolve the boundary between inside and outside.

The interiors draw on a considered architectural style: Indochine structure meets contemporary Vietnamese design, expressed in darker timber, woven rattan, high ceilings with exposed beams, and a colour palette that mirrors the landscape outside, ochre and sand and the deep green of the garden beyond the terrace. It feels rooted. Some of the villas look out over a small river that runs through the property; on quiet afternoons, you can hear the water from the terrace, which changes everything. Very peaceful when enjoying with the family.

Family configurations benefit enormously from the villa format. Children have genuine separation from the adult sleeping areas. The living rooms are large enough to absorb the daily chaos of beach bags, wet towels, and snorkels without ever feeling cramped. And the private pool, with its shallow entry points and enclosed garden, gives parents the thing they want most at a beach resort: the ability to relax while keeping eyes on small swimmers without effort. We loved the set up as baby and grandparents were able to be in one part and we could all meet in a central area of the house.

Dining at the Danang Marriott Non Nuoc: Vietnamese Flavours and Beachfront

The resort operates several distinct dining outlets, each with its own register. Man Ho serves International and Vietnamese cuisine in a setting that gestures elegantly toward the Cham architectural heritage of the region. Beach House delivers casual, breezy lunches and sundowners with Non Nuoc Beach literally at your feet, the kind of setting that makes a Vietnamese iced coffee feel like an event. The Beach Lounge and Greatroom complete the picture for lighter bites and social evenings.

However, the highlight of our stay was the BBQ dinner that is a must do if staying here. You just sit down and they cook it all for you ,you just relax with family and enjoy the quality meal.

Breakfast at the resort is a generous, unhurried and designed for the rhythm of a family that has nowhere to be until the beach calls. The spread covers everything from Vietnamese phở stations to pastry selections that would not embarrass a European bakery. The coffee, served strong and local, is excellent. Make sure to enjoy the Vietnamese rocket fuel

Resort Facilities at the Danang Marriott Non Nuoc: Built for Families and Beach Lovers

The facilities here operate at a scale that suits the property’s ambitions. The infinity pool, which stretches toward the horizon in a way that genuinely earns the term, is the resort’s centrepiece: a long, still body of water that frames the sea beyond it and catches the last light of the afternoon in a manner that makes everything feel slightly cinematic.

The private beach runs the length of the resort’s oceanfront, staffed by attendants who ensure safety in a sea that can carry real swell. Da Nang’s waves are not timid; they arrive with force and beauty, and the resort’s beach team manages the conditions with a quiet professionalism that allows families to enjoy the water without anxiety. This is super important to us with the young one.

Tennis courts, a 24-hour fitness centre are all available. But the facility that earns the most enthusiastic discussion among families with young children is the Kids Club. Supervised, thoughtfully programmed, and staffed with the particular patience that suggests genuine vocation rather than job description, it offers a dedicated world for younger guests that goes well beyond the usual colouring books and foam puzzles. The M Passport program formalises this commitment: 12 complimentary activities for children are included as part of each stay, from cooking classes to sandcastle building to traditional Vietnamese craft workshops.

A highlight of ours was the coffee tasting workshop, which if you are a coffe snob, this is for you. We leanred so much about the beans, flavour combinations, thing we just hadnt known before. And getting to try strong Vietnamese coffee is always a good thing :-

It just felt like that if you wanted to relax, you could escape back to the room ,but if you wanted to stay bi that could aslo work well.

Things to Do Around the Danang Marriott Non Nuoc: Marble Mountains, Hội An and Beyond

The Marble Mountains are not merely a view from the resort. They are a short walk or a quick tuk-tuk ride away, and the experience of climbing through their cave systems, past Buddhist altars and through cathedral-like openings in the limestone to panoramic viewpoints over the entire coastline, is among the more memorable half-days available anywhere in central Vietnam.

Hội An Ancient Town lies 30 minutes to the south. The resort’s concierge team organises private transfers that drop you at the edge of the Old Town’s pedestrian zone, leaving you to navigate the silk tailors, clay-pot restaurants, and lantern-maker workshops at your own pace. The Ancient Town at night, when the lanterns are lit and the Thu Bồn River reflects the whole spectacle, is the kind of scene that earns the UNESCO designation it holds.

For those who prefer the water, the resort’s beach team can arrange surfing lessons when the swell is running, stand-up paddle boarding in calmer conditions, and day trips by boat to the Cù Lao Chàm marine reserve, a protected archipelago 20 kilometres offshore where the snorkelling approaches the quality of more celebrated tropical destinations in the region.

Danang Marriott Non Nuoc Offers and Bonvoy Perks: Getting the Best Value from Your Stay

Booking directly through the Marriott website, particularly as a Marriott Bonvoy member, unlocks the cleanest path to the property’s best rates and most transparent inclusions. The resort runs curated seasonal packages that typically bundle villa accommodation with daily breakfast, complimentary children’s activities under the M Passport program, and access to the fitness and spa facilities.

The Bonvoy points structure rewards longer stays meaningfully; a minimum of three consecutive villa nights currently unlocks bonus points offers that translate into real value across future travel. For families planning extended stays, the resort’s villa format makes a week’s stay feel proportionally good value in a way that a standard hotel room simply cannot match: with a kitchen, a living room, a private pool, and a garden, the space functions as a temporary home rather than a place to sleep between activities.

Our Overall Verdict on the Danang Marriott Non Nuoc Beach Villas

The Danang Marriott Non Nuoc Beach Villas operates in a rare category: the full-service beach resort that actually delivers on its promise to families without making couples or solo travellers feel like collateral damage. The villas are excellent in space, the beach is genuinely beautiful, the spa is restorative, and the Kids Club has a great children’s program.

What the property gets right, above all, is scale. It is large enough to feel like a destination, with enough space that the grounds never feel crowded. But it is small enough, at 122 villas, that the service remains coherent and the staff retain the ability to know your name by day two. In a region with no shortage of grand beachfront properties competing for the same guests, that coherence is the rarest thing on offer.

Danang Marriott Non Nuoc Beach Villas: Frequently Asked Questions

Is the resort suitable for young children and families?
Very much so. The M Passport program provides 12 complimentary activities for children per stay, the Kids Club is supervised and well-programmed, and the private pool villas give families the space and separation that a standard beach resort room simply cannot offer. The beach team monitors sea conditions actively, which is particularly useful on days when the East Sea swell is running.

How do I get from Da Nang Airport to the resort?
The resort is approximately 20 minutes by car from Da Nang International Airport. The hotel provides airport transfer services on request, or Grab (Southeast Asia’s ride-hailing platform) offers a reliable and affordable alternative. The drive south along the coastal road, with the Marble Mountains to your left, is a pleasant introduction to the destination.

What is included in a standard villa stay?
This varies by rate and package, but the resort’s direct-booking packages typically include daily breakfast for all registered guests and the M Passport children’s activity program. Specific inclusions should be confirmed at the time of booking via the Marriott website or Bonvoy app.

What is the sea like for swimming?
Da Nang’s coast is known for its surf, and Non Nuoc Beach can carry genuine swell, particularly between September and January. The resort’s beach team monitors conditions and advises guests accordingly. The private villa pools provide a calm swimming alternative on higher-swell days, and the resort’s main infinity pool is available year-round.

For the Adventurefaktory crew, traveling with our one-year-old boy adds a layer of complexity to luxury stays, but this property handles family life with effortless grace. From the sprawling estates to the Michelin-starred dining, it is a place where history meets modern indulgence, all while being remarkably accommodating for those traveling with a toddler. We enjoyed an incredible hosted stay here.

Location of COMO Castello del Nero

Perched on a hill overlooking the rolling vineyards and olive groves of Tuscany, the location is nothing short of cinematic. It is located in Barberino Tavarnelle, perfectly positioned between the historic cities of Florence and Siena. This makes it an ideal base for those who want to explore the culture of Tuscany but return to the silence of the countryside. The estate spans 740 acres, providing a sense of total seclusion and space—something we find essential when our little guy needs room to explore without the hustle of a city center.

Rooms at COMO Castello del Nero

The accommodations here are a beautiful nod to the building’s heritage. The rooms are representative of an old castle, featuring soaring ceilings and terracotta floors, but with the minimalist, elegant touch that the COMO brand is known for. Our suite includes a huge living room area, which is an absolute game-changer for us. It gives our boy plenty of space to run around and burn off energy in a safe, luxurious environment. Despite the historic bones of the building, the rooms feel fresh, light, and perfectly suited for a family of three plus all the necessary suitcases.

Food at COMO Castello del Nero

Gastronomy is the heartbeat of this estate. We start our mornings at The Pavilion, our go-to breakfast spot. The spread features high-quality local meats and cheeses as a buffet, complemented by a small but tasty a la carte menu. The Ricotta Cheese Pancakes are a must-try—fluffy, light, and a hit with both us and our son.

One of the absolute highlights of our stay is the Olive Garden lunch. The chef and his team set up a five-course feast right in the middle of the wineries. Imagine tasting local vintages and regional delicacies while a live band plays under the Tuscan sun. We feasted and had wine pairings which was one of the highlights of my entire time in Italy. For a more formal experience, La Torre, the Michelin-star restaurant offers a six-course journey that showcases the precision of Italian fine dining. We even found time to enjoy a quiet bottle of wine overlooking the wineries as the sun sets, a perfect moment of calm.

Facilities at COMO Castello del Nero

The facilities seamlessly blend activity with relaxation. We make use of the gym for a family workout, which is well-equipped and spacious. As part of the COMO Shambhala wellness offering, we join a stretching session—much needed given the hours of driving and flying we have ahead of us.

However, the standout experience is the truffle hunting. We head into the forest for an hour with an expert hunter and his highly trained dogs. Learning the process and the history behind finding these “black diamonds” is fascinating. It is a side of Tuscany we had no idea about, and seeing the dogs work is a joy. To top off the wellness focus, a 60-minute massage provides a level of pure relaxing bliss that is hard to match.

What is Around COMO Castello del Nero

Beyond the castle walls, the Chianti region is yours to explore. The hotel is surrounded by world-class wineries and charming medieval villages. You are a short drive from San Gimignano and its famous towers, or the historic streets of Greve in Chianti. For families, the winding country roads are perfect for scenic drives, and many local vineyards are surprisingly welcoming to toddlers, offering plenty of outdoor space for them to roam while parents enjoy a tasting.

Our Personal Overall Experience of COMO Castello del Nero

Our stay is the perfect example of how luxury can be inclusive. Often, parents feel they have to compromise on style when traveling with a one-year-old, but the staff here make us feel entirely at home. They are proactive with the needs of our son, ensuring he is entertained and comfortable so we can enjoy the Michelin-starred meals and wellness sessions. It is a rare property that manages to feel both like a historic monument and a warm, welcoming family home.

Promotions at COMO Castello del Nero

The estate frequently offers seasonal packages that are worth checking out on the adventurefaktory site or the hotel’s official page. Look for “Experience Tuscany” packages that often include spa credits, truffle hunting excursions, or breakfast at The Pavilion. Booking in advance for the harvest season in autumn is highly recommended to see the vineyards in their full glory.

COMO Castello del Nero: Visitor FAQ

Is the hotel suitable for families with young children?

Yes, the hotel is very accommodating. The suites offer large living areas for kids to play, and the staff are excellent at providing high chairs, cots, and kid-friendly meal options at The Pavilion.

What should I wear for the Michelin-star dining experience?

The dress code is smart casual. While it is a fine-dining environment, the atmosphere is welcoming. We recommend a dress or collared shirt to match the elegance of the setting.

Do I need to book truffle hunting in advance?

We highly recommend booking at least 48 hours in advance. This experience depends on the availability of the expert hunter and his dogs, and it is a very popular activity for guests.

Is there a shuttle service to Florence or Siena?

The hotel offers a complimentary scheduled shuttle service to and from both Florence and Siena, making it easy to see the cities without worrying about parking.

Can I use the wellness facilities if I don't book a massage?

Yes, guests have access to the gym and the thermal suite, which includes a sauna, aromatic steam room, and relaxation areas. The daily stretching and yoga sessions are also part of the stay.

Some restaurants serve great food. Others become part of a city’s identity.

For over 100 years, Wing Seong Fatty’s Restaurant was one of Singapore’s most beloved dining institutions, quietly building a legacy that extended far beyond its modest storefront. It wasn’t just famous for its food. It became a second home for generations of Qantas pilots, cabin crew and Australian travellers passing through Singapore.

Now, after announcing its closure, one of Singapore’s oldest restaurants has found an unexpected new chapter.

Instead of disappearing into history, two of Fatty’s signature dishes will live on inside the Qantas First and Business lounges at Singapore Changi Airport, allowing thousands of travellers to experience a piece of this extraordinary culinary story every year.

We Were Invited to Fatty’s Final Tasting Before It Closed Forever

We were fortunate enough to attend Fatty’s final media tasting, just weeks before the restaurant officially closed its doors.

It quickly became one of those rare invitations that reminds you why food tells stories better than almost anything else.

Meeting the Au family, chatting with Skinny Au, the restaurant’s third-generation custodian, and watching the kitchen prepare dishes that have been perfected over decades felt incredibly personal.

There was no pretence.

No carefully manufactured hospitality.

Just genuine warmth that has welcomed everyone from neighbourhood regulars to international airline crews for generations.

It’s the kind of atmosphere that can’t be replicated through modern restaurant design or Michelin stars. It comes from a century of looking after people.

The Incredible Story Behind Fatty’s and Its Connection to Qantas

Few restaurants can say they helped shape aviation history.

The story begins during World War II, when founder Au Yuen and his son Au Chan Seng, affectionately known as “Fatty”, secretly provided food to prisoners of war despite the enormous personal risk.

Their kindness became well known among Australian servicemen and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) personnel stationed in Singapore.

As commercial aviation expanded after the war, that reputation followed.

Qantas crews flying the famous Kangaroo Route between Australia and Europe made Fatty’s a regular stop whenever they landed in Singapore.

Over the decades, visiting Fatty’s became something of an unofficial tradition.

Captains, cabin crew and engineers from different generations all shared the same experience: incredible food, familiar faces and a welcome that never changed.

Qantas Is Preserving Fatty’s Legacy at Singapore Changi Airport

When news broke that Fatty’s would close after more than 100 years, Qantas wanted to ensure the restaurant’s story didn’t end there.

Working closely with the Au family, the airline recreated two of the restaurant’s most iconic dishes for its premium lounges at Singapore Changi Airport.

Travellers flying through Singapore can now enjoy:

• Fatty’s famous crispy spring rolls in the Qantas First Lounge
• The legendary Nuclear Chicken in the Qantas Business Lounge

It’s a fitting tribute.

For decades these dishes fuelled generations of Qantas crew before long-haul flights.

Now they welcome travellers from around the world, continuing a relationship that stretches back to the late 1940s.

More Than Just Food

During the farewell celebrations, Qantas hosted a private dinner honouring the Au family.

One of the evening’s most emotional moments came when Skinny Au was presented with a commemorative book filled with photographs, memories and handwritten messages from Qantas crew members whose lives had crossed paths with Fatty’s over the years.

It wasn’t simply the closing of a restaurant.

It was the celebration of friendships built across generations.

Qantas Executive Vice President for Asia, Nick McGlynn, described Fatty’s as an important part of the airline’s history in Singapore, while Chief Pilot Dick Tobiano reflected on how the restaurant became a meeting place where crew from different fleets and countries always found themselves sharing the same table.

A Century of Singapore Food History Lives On

Singapore has no shortage of excellent restaurants.

But very few become woven into the cultural fabric of both a city and an international airline.

Wing Seong Fatty’s achieved exactly that.

Although its original doors have now closed, its story is far from over.

Every crispy spring roll served inside the Qantas First Lounge and every plate of Nuclear Chicken enjoyed in Business Class carries forward a tradition that began more than 100 years ago in a humble Singapore restaurant.

Some legacies are preserved in museums.

Others continue to be shared around the dinner table.

Fatty’s now belongs to the latter.

We arrived as a group of five, including a baby in tow, checking into a Family Pool Villa with two bedrooms and a private pool. We left two nights later having slept properly, been thoroughly treated at the spa, eaten well, cycled into the countryside before sunrise, and taken a sunset cruise down the river with canapes and cocktails. It was 48 hours that felt longer, in the best possible sense. We enjoyed a hosted stay which left us refreshed and ready for the real world again.

Where Namia River Retreat Sits

Namia occupies a five-hectare private island, sandwiched between the Thu Bon River and a tributary, about 2.5 kilometres from Hoi An Old Town. It places you close enough to one of the country’s most visited cities that you can be inside the Old Town’s pedestrian zone within minutes, yet far enough that the lantern-sellers and cyclo drivers feel like a world away the moment you return to the island. Access is by resort shuttle boat, which changes the act of going out from a chore into an occasion. You step onto the river, the water moves under you, and Hoi An announces itself in the way it was always meant to be seen: from the water, at dusk, with the light doing whatever it wants to the riverfront facades. One of our favourite moments was looking out the boat and seeing how alive the river was.

For families with young children, the island geography is a genuine asset. The grounds are flat, the paths are wide, and the absence of any through-traffic means the kind of wandering that is stressful in a coastal city feels genuinely effortless here.

The Family Pool Villa: Two Bedrooms, a Private Pool and the Sound of the River

Our villa works on a logic that anyone travelling with another couple or with children will immediately appreciate. Two separate bedroom wings, each with its own bathroom, flank a shared living area that opens directly onto a private pool and garden terrace. The whole arrangement faces the river, and on quiet mornings, before the day has properly started, the water and the birdsong and the light through the tropical canopy do the work that an alarm clock usually handles.

The design draws on the Cham heritage of central Vietnam without becoming a museum of it. Local timber, handwoven textiles, terracotta tones, and materials that have been sourced within the region rather than imported for effect. The minibar is stocked with non-alcoholic drinks included in the stay. The baby cot was set up inside the villa before we arrived, which removed an entire category of arrival anxiety at a stroke.

The property set up a cot for our infant without needing to be reminded and without it ever feeling like an inconvenience to anyone involved. In the hierarchy of things that matter to travelling parents, that kind of quiet operational competence sits near the top. The bathtub in the floor at the foot of the bed is an incredible feature we just kept using and enjoying.

Dining at Namia: The Merchant, The Fisherman and Breakfast at the River’s Edge

The resort operates two main restaurants and a pool bar. The Merchant is the larger of the two, a warm, covered dining space that handles breakfast, lunch and dinner, and which becomes genuinely atmospheric in the evening when the lantern lighting ritual takes place at the water’s edge just outside. The Fisherman leans into the river setting more directly, with a seafood-forward menu that honours locally sourced catches from the waters immediately surrounding the property.

Breakfast runs buffet-style from half past six, which is thoughtful programming given the optional 6am bicycle trail. The spread is generous without being excessive, covering both Vietnamese and international options with the kind of attention to quality that suggests someone in the kitchen cares about the ingredients rather than just the volume. The coffee is strong and local. The food is healthy and good quality, but if you want that local fix, they prepare all the favourites

Wellness at Namia: The Hammam, Traditional Therapy and the Daily Journey

The wellness offer at Namia is not a spa tacked onto a beach resort. It is the core proposition of the place. Each night includes a 90-minute Wellness Journey per person, combining a 30-minute hammam herbal steam with a 60-minute traditional Vietnamese therapy. Over two nights, each of us completed the full sequence, with sessions staggered through the afternoon so no one is waiting.

The hammam uses herbal blends sourced from the central highlands, and the steam itself carries the distinct fragrance of dried botanicals that you will associate with central Vietnamese traditional medicine if you know it, or discover and remember forever if you do not. The traditional therapy that follows works with a deliberately unhurried pace. The therapists are skilled and patient, and the 90-minute format means nothing feels rushed toward a conclusion. We hadn’t had a hamman since Turkey, so ti go through that again is a fun and interesting experience.

The in-room wellbeing ritual, left each evening as part of the included program, extended that feeling into the night. Small, considered, and effective.

Resort Activities at Namia: Bicycles, Basket Boats, Koi Fish and Sleep Yoga

The optional activity calendar at Namia operates on a principle of gentle consistency rather than manufactured excitement. Nothing on the list is designed to make you feel you are missing something if you skip it. Everything on the list is worth doing if you show up.

The 6am guided bicycle trail through the Hoi An countryside is the standout for early risers. The route runs through local villages and along riverside paths in the morning light, with an optional stop for riverside coffee and a bowl of Cao Lau, the noodle dish that exists, in its proper form, only in Hoi An. Cycling through that landscape before the heat arrives and before the tourist infrastructure of the Old Town has fully woken up is one of those travel experiences that arrives unexpectedly and stays.

Koi fish feeding at the lotus pond near The Merchant is a minor thing that becomes a major thing when you have a small child with you. Basket boat rides around the islet at 2pm are leisurely and visually interesting. Sleep yoga at 8pm on the second evening is a restorative, silent practice designed specifically to ease the body toward rest. Vietnamese Tai Chi at the Fisherman on the final morning, the Duong Sinh practice, closes the stay with the kind of quiet, intentional movement that makes the transition back to ordinary life feel less abrupt.

The Sunset Cruise: An Hour on the Thu Bon That Earns Its Own Section

The Namia sunset cruise runs daily and is included in the experience. You board a traditional wooden boat at the resort’s private jetty, with canapes and cocktails served as the Thu Bon River carries you toward the fringe of Hoi An’s Old Town. The fishing nets are strung along the banks. The duck farms mark the bends. The light changes every few minutes in the way that sunset light in Southeast Asia does, moving through amber and rose and then the particular blue that arrives just after the sun drops.

It lasts an hour. It is the kind of thing that you will describe to people afterwards and find yourself unable to adequately convey. Go on it.

How to Get the Best Value from Your Stay at Namia River Retreat

Namia positions itself as a wellness-inclusive resort, meaning the spa treatments, activities, breakfast, non-alcoholic minibar, shuttle boat to Hoi An, and cultural programming are bundled into the rate rather than priced separately. This distinction changes the arithmetic of the stay considerably. What feels like a premium nightly rate resolves, once you account for two included 90-minute spa sessions per person, the activity calendar, the transfers, and the breakfast, into something that compares well against any five-star property in central Vietnam that charges separately for the same components.

Booking directly through the Namia website is the clearest route to accurate pricing and package information. The Hoi An Hosts assigned to each stay, available in person or for crafting your personal story, are a genuinely useful resource for customising the experience, from choosing which optional activities to prioritise to arranging off-property excursions.

Our Overall Verdict on Namia River Retreat

Namia River Retreat works because it understands what it is and does not try to be anything else. It is not a party resort. It is not a city-adjacent business hotel. It is a wellness sanctuary on a private island, 2.5 kilometres from one of Vietnam’s most beautiful towns, with a daily program that delivers genuine restoration if you allow it to.

The island setting removes the noise without removing the access. The spa program removes the guesswork from wellness travel by building the treatment schedule directly into the stay. The Hoi An Hosts remove the planning friction by functioning as genuine local guides rather than concierge-desk processors. And the sunset cruise, the bicycle trail at dawn, and the quiet evenings at The Merchant do something collectively that the sum of their individual parts does not entirely predict: they return you to something resembling your actual self.

We arrived from our resort in Non Nuoc at 11am. Two nights later, the car came for us at noon. We were already talking about the next visit before the island had disappeared behind the first river bend.

Namia River Retreat: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Namia River Retreat suitable for families with young children?
Yes. The villa format with private pool and enclosed garden works well for families, and the resort set up a baby cot in the villa without prompting. The activity calendar includes options that work across ages, and the island setting, with no through traffic and flat walkable paths, is genuinely easy to navigate with a stroller or young children.

How do you get from Da Nang or the Non Nuoc beach area to Namia?
Namia provides complimentary round-trip car transfers. From Da Nang Airport or the Non Nuoc beach corridor, the drive is approximately 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. The resort also operates a daily shuttle boat to Hoi An Ancient Town for guests who want to explore the Old Town independently.

What is included in the wellness-inclusive rate?
Inclusions at Namia cover daily breakfast for all guests, a non-alcoholic minibar, the 90-minute Daily Wellness Journey per person per night (hammam herbal steam plus traditional therapy), cultural activities from the resort calendar including the bamboo bicycle trail, resort shuttle boat to Hoi An and the evening cultural cruise, and the in-room wellbeing ritual. The sunset cruise, sleep yoga, and Tai Chi sessions are optional but included in the activity offering.

How far is Namia from Hoi An Ancient Town?
The property is about 2.5 kilometres from the edge of Hoi An Old Town. The resort shuttle boat makes the journey by river, which takes roughly ten minutes and is, by most measures, the better way to arrive.

What is the best time of year to visit?
The dry season in Hoi An runs from February through August, with February to May considered the most reliably comfortable months. The resort runs year-round, though some water-based activities are weather-dependent. The rainy season runs from October to January and can affect river access and outdoor programming.

We update this guide based on restaurants visited in the past year, so you won’t find anything here that’s running on old glory. Think of it as our personal black book, ranked roughly from the places we’d drop everything to revisit to the ones we’d happily take a visiting friend to on any given weekend.

1. Somma

There’s nothing quite like Somma right now. Chef Mirko Febbrile, the Puglian-born mind behind Fico, has created something genuinely theatrical without feeling forced about it. Set inside the former library of Nan Chiau High School at New Bahru, the soaring vaulted ceilings and arched windows do half the work before the food even arrives. The ritual of being greeted at the door, escorted to the kitchen for hors d’oeuvres, and then seated for a tasting menu that builds with each course is exactly the kind of considered dining experience Singapore rarely does this well. The cheese course with its curated pairings is an event in itself. If you eat at one place this year, it should probably be this one.

2. Claudine

Julien Royer’s more approachable sister to Odette occupies a beautifully restored colonial chapel in Dempsey Hill, and it delivers on every level. Named after his mother and inspired by the warmth of home cooking, Claudine is what a French brasserie looks like when someone genuinely cares about both the food and the room. The Sunday brunch is a particular highlight. It’s the kind of restaurant that makes you feel like a regular from the first visit.

3. Fico

Mirko Febbrile’s original Singapore project still holds its own even now that Somma has taken the top spot. The Italian-leaning menu at Fico is deceptively simple, pulling from southern Italian cooking with an ease that makes it look effortless. A great choice when you want something that feels special but not ceremonial.

4. Saint Pierre

Chef Emmanuel Stroobant’s French fine dining institution has earned its longevity. Saint Pierre continues to serve one of the most technically polished tasting menus in the city, with a focus on sustainable produce that doesn’t come at the expense of flavour or creativity. It’s a room that treats you seriously from the moment you walk in.

5. Le Pristine

Dutch culinary icon Sergio Herman, the force behind the three-Michelin-starred Oud Sluis, brought his Le Pristine concept to the refurbished Grand Hyatt Singapore and it landed well. The casual fine dining approach channels Italian flavours through a Zeeland lens, with an energy that’s as much about the atmosphere and sensory experience as it is about what’s on the plate. The pizzette king chilli crab, a nod to its Singapore home, is one of the more clever local integrations we’ve seen.

6. Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu

A Japanese import that consistently delivers. The concept is simple: premium beef katsu, cooked to your preference on a small personal grill at the table. It sounds gimmicky until you actually try it. The quality of the beef and the precision of the preparation make this one of the more satisfying meals you can have in Singapore for what you pay.

7. Belimbing

One of the more exciting openings in recent memory. Situated above The Coconut Club on Beach Road, Belimbing is chef Marcus Leow’s attempt to push mod-Singaporean cuisine somewhere genuinely interesting. His wok-fried nasi ulam, a dish that goes through a three-step transformation before it reaches the table, is inventive without being alienating. The space itself, all rattan furniture and a stunning charcoal mural, is one of the better-designed rooms in town.

8. Nobu at Four Seasons Singapore

Part of the global Nobu empire, and while familiarity might dull the novelty for some, the execution here is consistently strong. The Four Seasons property elevates the experience, and the black cod miso remains as reliable as ever. Good for a celebratory dinner with clients or family, where you want something that impresses without requiring explanation.

9. SKAI

Located on the 70th floor of Swissotel The Stamford, SKAI earns its place on the list through a combination of solid cooking and one of the best views in Singapore. The menu skews modern European, with a focus on quality produce cooked with confidence. The room does a lot of the work, but the kitchen keeps pace.

10. Summer Pavilion at The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore

One of the finest Cantonese restaurants in Singapore, full stop. Summer Pavilion’s Michelin-starred kitchen takes classical Cantonese cooking and treats it with the kind of care and precision you expect from a property like The Ritz-Carlton. Dim sum here is genuinely exceptional. This is where you bring family when you want to make an occasion feel like one.

11. Fysh

Josh Niland’s Singapore outpost at The Singapore EDITION is built around the Australian chef’s obsessive approach to fish and seafood, including the nose-to-tail fish philosophy he pioneered in Sydney. The dry-aged fish preparations are something you likely haven’t encountered elsewhere in Singapore, and the dining room inside the hotel is quietly one of the most stylish in the city.

12. Cendra

A neighbourhood Spanish tapas bar on Gemmill Lane helmed by Barcelona-born chef Xavi Palau, who trained with Michelin-starred chefs in Spain before landing in Singapore with the FOC Group. The squid ink and Wagyu striploin rice cooked a la llauna, a traditional Catalan method, is the signature and rightfully so. Cendra is the kind of spot you want to know about for long weekday dinners with wine.

13. Rappu

Singapore’s handroll scene has matured, and Rappu is one of the better entries in it. The focus is on Japanese-inspired handrolls done with quality ingredients, minimal fuss, and the kind of snappy service that makes the whole experience feel effortless. Good for a quick, high-quality dinner or a long night snacking at the counter.

14. The Coach Restaurant at Jewel Changi Airport

The fashion house’s first permanent dining concept in Singapore is more interesting than it has any right to be. Set inside Jewel Changi, the 56-seater modern steakhouse is designed to feel like a slice of New York, right down to the yellow cab suspended from the ceiling. Head chef Kurt Sombero, formerly of Burnt Ends and Meatsmith, keeps the woodfire grill front and centre and the food delivers. The raw bar, the smoky mains, and the sheer novelty of the experience make this worth a visit, especially if you’re passing through the airport.

15. The Butcher’s Wife

A gluten-free wine bar and restaurant in Tiong Bahru that has carved out a loyal following by doing things its own way. The menu changes regularly and skews European, the wine list is thoughtfully curated, and the small, intimate dining room creates a warmth that’s hard to manufacture. It’s become a regular for us when we want something relaxed and genuinely good.

16. Torasho

A Japanese charcoal grill bar that does ramen and kushiyaki in a way that feels considered rather than casual. The atmosphere is lively without being exhausting, and the skewers are among the better versions you’ll find in the city. Good for groups.

17. Carlitos

Joo Chiat was already doing well for itself, and then Carlitos arrived and made the neighbourhood even harder to leave. The Casa de Comidas concept, a collaboration between Chef Carlos Montobbio of Esquina and Antonio Miscellaneo of La Bottega Enoteca (which is two doors down, in case one good meal isn’t enough), brings Barcelona-style tapas to a warm, brick-walled space on Joo Chiat Road that feels genuinely transported rather than designed to look like it is. More than 30 tapas on the menu means you can keep ordering long past the point you intended to stop. The Basque burnt cheesecake tart with sangria sorbet has become something of a local legend, and there’s a Gaudi-inspired speakeasy hidden at the back for when you’re not quite ready for the night to end. Reservations fill fast, especially on weekends. Book ahead.

18. Hikiniku To Come

Not every great meal needs to be a production. Hikiniku To Come, the Tokyo-born hamburg steak concept that built a cult following through sheer single-mindedness, does exactly one thing: a set of three charcoal-grilled Japanese beef patties served with rice, miso soup, raw egg and grated daikon. That’s it. The beef is ground fresh in-house daily, the patties go straight from grill to table, and the counter seating around the open grill means there’s no waiting for the kitchen to catch up. You eat it three ways: plain first to taste the beef, then with daikon and ponzu, then with egg broken over everything. Simple, fast, and genuinely delicious in a way that makes you wonder why more restaurants don’t just commit to doing one thing this well. Now at VivoCity.

19. Noa

A Nordic-influenced restaurant that brings a quieter kind of ambition to Singapore’s dining scene. Clean flavours, restrained plating, and a focus on technique over drama. The kind of place that rewards repeat visits.

20. Temper

A meaty, confident restaurant built around fire and whole-animal butchery. Temper’s approach is unapologetically carnivorous, and it owns that identity without apology. The in-house charcuterie and the quality of the prime cuts put it a step above most steakhouses in the city.

21. SKIRT at W Singapore Sentosa Cove

The all-day dining restaurant at W Singapore on Sentosa leans into its poolside location with an easy, slightly festive energy. The menu is wide-ranging and built for grazing, and the setting, especially for a long weekend lunch, is hard to beat. It’s a different kind of dining experience to the rest of this list, but it delivers on its own terms.

22. Meatsmith

A no-frills American smokehouse that has stayed relevant by staying focused. The slow-smoked meats, the sides, and the casual room create exactly the experience they’re going for. The Little India branch, in particular, has an energy that makes the whole thing feel like a neighbourhood institution rather than a chain. Comfort food done with care.

23. Barrel

A wine bar and restaurant that prioritises the pour as much as the plate. Barrel’s list skews natural and biodynamic, and the food is well-matched to the wines. A good call when the occasion calls for something relaxed but considered.

24. Tanjong Beach Club

The restaurant side of Tanjong Beach Club on Sentosa is often overlooked in favour of the bar and pool setting, but the food is worth paying attention to. International dishes with Southeast Asian inflections, all against the backdrop of one of Singapore’s most effortlessly enjoyable settings. Come for lunch on a weekend and stay longer than planned.

25. The Feather Blade

A restaurant built around a single unusual cut: the flat iron, or feather blade, of beef. What sounds like a gimmick is actually a smart concept executed with real skill. The feather blade is tender, flavourful, and priced in a way that makes this feel like a genuine discovery rather than a special-occasion meal. One of the better-value dinners in Singapore.

26. Merci Marcel

The French bistro mini-chain that punches above its category. Merci Marcel has expanded across multiple locations in Singapore but has maintained a consistency and warmth that makes it easy to recommend regardless of which outlet you end up at. The charcuterie boards, the wines by the glass, and the convivial atmosphere make it a reliable choice for almost any occasion.

27. Violet Oon

Singapore’s ambassador for Peranakan cooking, and with good reason. Violet Oon’s namesake restaurants carry the heritage and complexity of Nyonya cuisine with a polish and accessibility that makes them work as much for visitors as for locals. The beef rendang, the ayam buah keluak, and the kueh pies she remain benchmarks for the cuisine in Singapore.

28. Air CCCC

Located on a sprawling campus in Dempsey Hill, Air CCCC is one of the more conceptually ambitious projects Singapore’s restaurant scene has seen in recent years. The OMA-designed minimalist duplex sits at the end of a winding path past an edible garden, and the food, led by a kitchen with a strong sustainability ethos, is as thoughtful as the setting. Head chef Part Nongnuch’s Southeast Asian flavours, applied to locally sourced and foraged produce, create dishes that are vibrant and genuinely connected to where they come from. The mahi-mahi ceviche and the grilled tiger prawns are standouts.

29. The Coconut Club

The original that inspired Belimbing, and still one of the best places in Singapore to eat nasi lemak. The Coconut Club’s obsessive approach to the dish, from the quality of the coconut milk to the freshness of the accompaniments, has made it a benchmark. Do not sleep on the chicken rendang.

30. Cygnet by Sean Connolly

New Zealand chef Sean Connolly’s Singapore restaurant brings a confident grill-forward sensibility to the local dining scene. The focus is on quality proteins, cooked simply and well, in a room that’s comfortable without trying too hard. A good choice for a business lunch or an unfussy dinner with out-of-town guests.

31. Casa Cichetti

An Italian osteria that nails the brief: good pasta, good wine, and a room that feels lived-in rather than designed. Casa Cichetti captures something of the neighbourhood spirit of an Italian cantina and transplants it successfully to Robertson Quay. The handmade pasta is consistently excellent.

32. Les Ducs

Chef Louis Pacquelin’s Ann Siang Hill restaurant is one of the more interesting arrivals in Singapore’s French dining landscape in recent years. A protege of Alain Ducasse, Pacquelin describes the concept as “French fun dining”, and it delivers: hearty brasserie signatures reimagined with Asian inflections, in a warm 40-seat space that feels genuinely spirited. The croque prata, a Croque Monsieur reworked with Singapore roti prata and truffle bechamel, tells you everything you need to know about the tone here.

33. Locanda

A cosy Italian spot in Little India that earns its following through honest cooking, fresh pasta, and a focused wine list. Locanda doesn’t try to be everything to everyone, and that restraint is part of what makes it work. A neighbourhood gem worth going slightly out of your way for.

34. Basilico

The Italian restaurant at Regent Singapore has built a loyal following over many years, and the all-you-can-eat Saturday brunch remains one of the better deals in the city for Italian food at this level. The spread is wide, the quality is reliable, and the room is comfortable enough to spend a few hours in without noticing.

35. Medusa

Singapore’s first osteria romana, brought to life by the Fortuna Group inside JW Marriott South Beach. Rome natives Federico Scordo and Federico Burci lead the kitchen and front of house respectively, and together they’ve created something that feels genuinely Roman rather than generically Italian. The crimson-drenched interior, all vintage glamour and loud energy, sets a tone that the food matches well. Hearty, honest, and fun.

36. Lavo

The Italian-American rooftop restaurant at Marina Bay Sands brings a New York energy to one of Singapore’s most spectacular views. Lavo is unapologetically indulgent, from the enormous meatballs to the rooftop setting overlooking the bay. It’s a spectacle as much as a restaurant, and sometimes that’s exactly what you’re after.

37. Meh’r

MasterChef Singapore Season 4 winner Inderpal Singh’s restaurant in Clarke Quay is a personal exploration of Southeast Asian street food elevated through careful technique. The menu rotates regularly, drawing from the flavours of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Bali and India, and the result is cooking that feels rooted in real affection for the region rather than a trend. Find the yellow door on Carpenter Street and take the lift up.

38. SushiSamba

The rooftop addition to the Singapore dining landscape that takes the SushiSamba formula, Japanese and Brazilian cuisines layered over each other with plenty of flair, and delivers it with the sweeping views you’d expect from a prime Marina Bay perch. It’s a big, theatrical night out, and it earns that.

39. Da Michele

The Singapore outpost of one of Naples’ most storied pizzerias. Da Michele has been making pizza the same way since 1870, and the Singapore version honours that legacy. Thin, blistered, simply topped: just the Marinara and the Margherita, done exactly as they should be. No frills, no arguments.

A few notes on how this list works. We only include restaurants we’ve personally visited in the past year, and we update it as we eat. The ranking reflects our honest experience at the time of our visit, taking into account food quality, service, value, and the overall reason we’d return. Some of these are special occasion spots; others are the places we find ourselves coming back to on a random Tuesday. We’ve tried to indicate which is which. As always, follow along at adventurefaktory.com for the full reviews, and visit us at @adventurefaktorymag for the latest.

There is a specific kind of magic that unfolds when you trade the humid skyline of Singapore for the winding, cypress-lined avenues of Tuscany. As a travel writer, I’ve navigated my fair share of global routes, but our recent loop from Milan to the Dolomites and down to Florence hit differently. This time, we weren’t just chasing views; we were testing the limits of the BMW X3 xDrive30e Plug-in Hybrid as a dedicated family adventure vessel.

The Hybrid Edge in Northern Italy

One of our primary concerns was the charging infrastructure. Fortunately, Italy’s “Ewiva” and Enel X networks have transformed the northern corridors. In Milan and Florence, finding an ultra-fast charger was surprisingly effortless, often located right near the city centers, allowing us to top up the battery while the toddler enjoyed a gelato break.

The transition between the electric motor and the petrol engine is nearly imperceptible. Sometimes when we drive these cars, you feel a clunk but there was no such noise this time around. This fuel efficiency was a godsend as we ascended the steep, jagged passes of the Dolomites. On the downhill stretches, the regenerative braking felt like a silent partner, recapturing energy and extending our range for the flat runs back toward Milan. It was almost like playing a game to see how much you could regenerate the battery as you were working your way down the mountains and sharp turns.

Family Life on the Italian Road

Traveling with a toddler and a mountain of gear—strollers, portable cribs, and enough snacks to power a small village—requires a “Tetris-master” approach to packing. Despite the hybrid battery taking up a sliver of floor space, the 460-litre boot swallowed our suitcases and gear without obscuring the rearview. This was our big worry when getting the car, but the big back actually had room to spare. Inside, the cabin felt like a sanctuary. The wide-opening rear doors made wrestling a car seat into place far less of a chore than usual. On the tight, cobblestone streets of Florence, the X3’s manoeuvrability shone; it feels substantial enough for safety on the Autostrada but remains agile enough to navigate “ZTL” zones without breaking a sweat.

The Evolution: New vs. Old

For those familiar with the previous generation, it feels like a leap into the future rather than a minor facelift. The most striking change is the BMW Curved Display and the minimalist “Interaction Bar,” which replaces the cluttered buttons of older models. We loved played around and checking out all the features of the bar as we got to know the car a little better.

Technologically, the electric-only range has nearly doubled, now pushing close to 80-90km. This means you can do almost all your city sightseeing in Florence or Milan without ever touching a drop of petrol. We had a few long days, and we had to stick to petrol most of the time but it wasn’t really an issue, and used the electricity for city driving and shorter day trips. The suspension has also seen a significant upgrade; while older X3s could feel a bit stiff on uneven pavement, the new model offers a much more cushioned, “long-distance” comfort that kept our son sleeping soundly even on the hairpins of the Sella Pass. It was surpisingly smooth for the amount of ground, and rough roadds that we navigated.

We absolutely enjoyed road testing out the BMW X3 xDrive30e Plug-in Hybrid and is perfect for small families, travelling couples, or someone who doesn’t want to sacrifice efficiency in place of style.