Danang's Four-Star Hotel

9 November 2010: This time I am back in Vietnam for the longest period ever since leaving that country. My first stop is Central Vietnam.

Having been in Danang only twice in the past, one day each for the previous two trips -one five, and the other ten years ago, I can hardly recall its townscape. What I vaguely recall is that it's not a crowded and bustling city, hence many times less suffocating than the city in the south. The boulevard by the river is broad and easy for walks. The traffic is not maddening; its more accessible public spaces are peaceful and clean. People on the road generally are less aggressive, I think.

This is my first time staying at this hotel. When the door to my bedroom swung wide open, I liked my room immediately. When I look out the wide window, the view of the river is most comforting. Nevermind if its color is brown in the afternoon - since I am not in my room then most of the time.

The pacquet flooring and the space are impressive! Never anywhere in the south or central have I met with such spaciousness for a "standard" hotel room.

The restaurant draws few people at noon and in the evening. Its breakfast spread is average -but rye bread is good and so is My Quang - the noodle specialty of Central Vietnam. The only dish in the morning that is least appealing is the pho that they prepare when officials from the north come to stay. I brought with me my daily supply of coffee.

The Vietnamese papaya salad is my favourite choice at the restaurant. I ate it numerous times, and each time, the chef tried to decorate the dish differently, sometimes serving it in a fruit and other times, plated with two pieces of crispy and warm banh da (nem) studded with sesame. He would also carve the tomato like a rose or sometimes, simply cut and decorated around the plate.

The ASEAN teams were in town for two conferences and they put up in the hotel as well. I met some familiar faces and chatted.

I would rate this four-star higher in quality than some five-stars in the southern business capital. Laundry is reasonably priced and the airport is just ten minutes away. Since I am not in Danang for the beach, being by the river bank and enjoying the sight of the dark water surface stripped by neon from that TOSHIBA office across the river when the night drizzles, or admiring the hues of the morning sun dispersed among the clouds and mountains provides wonderful breaks from daily routine.