There’s no better way to describe Pilgrimage Village than a quiet oasis amidst big city life. Pulling up to the resort hotel, just 4km from the centre of Hue, it’s hard to believe what lies behind the gates.
Step off the hectic street and into a tranquil, serene setting with lush gardens, spectacular swimming pools, and top-notch rooms.
Pilgrimage Village has 99 rooms and villas, ranging from deluxe rooms to honeymoon bungalows and pool huts, traditional Vietnamese pool huts, and family deluxe rooms. Rooms are spacious, immaculately clean, and decorated with a Vietnamese touch. All rooms have balconies, satellite television and turn-down service; one of the most charming touches is a Vietnamese folklore bedtime story left on your pillow each night, like the legend of mosquitoes or the origin of Banh Giay and Banh hung.
The property has two restaurants, two bars and a cocktail lounge. Pilgrimage Village’s food is top quality – some of the best we had on our entire trip – while presentation is spectacular. Set menu meals are available to order, with delicacies like sticky rice cakes, minced pork and lemongrass springrolls, pomelo seafood salad or rice pancake rolls. The buffet breakfast, which is included with the cost of your room, offers a great mix of fare, from omelettes and fresh tropical fruits to typical Vietnamese pho soup. Service at the restaurants – and throughout the entire resort, for that matter – is fantastic, with English-speaking staff who can cater to any need. Cooking classses are also offered, upon request!
Meditation, yoga and tai chi classes are offered for free each morning, in a quiet, rustic studio overlooking a small river. It’s a perfect way to kick-start your day, whether you’re planning to relax by the pool or sightsee the countryside surrounding Pilgrimage Village. Hue is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam, and was formerly the country’s capital imperial city between 1802 and 1945. There are plenty of temples, pagodas, monasteries, markets and other historic landmarks – including the ancient imperial city itself – to see during your stay.
At the edge of the hotel’s property is the Vedanā spa, which I had the pleasure for visiting for a mid-trip pedicure (after a lot of beach-going, my toes were in need of some help). The spa is a serene setting, with various treatment rooms, plus a Jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath which can be used with any treatment booking. Therapies range from hot stone massages to green tea or coffee body scrubs, aromatherapy facials, coconut body wraps, or special romantic packages for two.
Text: Lydia Parafianowicz