Azerai Can Tho

Located on a private islet, Azerai Can Tho is a minimalist luxury retreat with access to the cultural experiences and expansive natural landscape of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta.

• The guided tours of the Cai Rang floating market by locals
• The sleek, minimalist rooms with a sense of place that recall an Aman. but with a more affordable price tag
• The privacy and seclusion—the resort can only be reached by boat

Azerai Can Tho is the second property in the Azerai collection, the newest venture from Adrian Zecha, the legendary hotelier and founder of Aman. Azerai aims to deliver refined design and exceptional service at a more affordable price point. As such, the rooms are smaller than those at an Aman, but the dedication to detail is the same.

Befitting of its setting, the Azerai incorporates natural design elements like rattan, local woods and long-stemmed lotus flowers. The soaring lobby opens up to the open-air lounge and bar, which serves snacks and cocktails throughout the day. The heart of the Azerai is its sleek 32-meter pool, surrounded by lounge chairs that overlook a lotus pond and a grove of banyan trees. At the far end of the pool is the Café, where authentic Vietnamese dishes like pho and banh mi are served alongside Western fare. For dinner, the Grill offers seafood and steaks barbecued nightly.

Rooms are housed in freestanding pavilions scattered throughout the grounds. The interiors are simple and elegant, with warm woods, high ceilings and a creamy color palette. Bedside lamps recall Vietnamese conical hats, and a tall vase of lotus flowers creates a sophisticated sense of place. Glass doors lead to a terrace, the best of which offer views to the river through a leafy scrim. The bathrooms are spacious and well-lit, with dual sinks and rainforest showers. There is no bathtub, but there is a large dressing area with plenty of luggage storage.

Active travelers can keep busy in the well-equipped gym, Pilates studio or on the tennis courts. For less strenuous pursuits, the elegant spa offers eastern- and western-inspired massages, body scrubs and salon services. Younger guests are welcomed and there is a separate family pool and kids’ club. Guests should also not miss the hotel's complimentary Can Tho River Tour to explore the watery wonders of the delta.

The city of Can Tho has many trappings of a modern metropolis, including a gleaming new airport, but the centuries-old floating market remains an essential part of local life. The Azerai is just minutes from Cai Rang, the largest floating market in the Mekong Delta. The hotel can arrange tours led by a local, who uses insider connections to create a truly special experience. When the market quiets down, guests can continue on to explore the river, stopping at an exotic fruit garden to buy fruit directly from the farmer. On land, travelers can ride pillion on a motorbike to explore the rice terraces and local villages along the riverbank.

**Getting There:**Direct flights to Can Tho are offered from Hanoi (2 hours 10 minutes), Danang (2 hours 20 minutes), Phu Quoc (45 minutes) and Con Dao (45 minutes). The airport is a 30-minute drive to the resort’s welcome pavilion and private pier and the boat ride takes 10 minutes. Alternatively, guests can drive from Saigon (3.5 hours).

Families and couples seeking a meaningful cultural experience with plenty of time for poolside lounging.