Avana Retreat, Mai Chau

• Enjoy dramatic views over rice terraces, green fields, and dense forests, often shrouded in the region's famous clouds. 
• The spacious suites and bungalows are inspired by local stilt houses, incorporating rattan ceilings, earth walls, and thatched roofs with 5-star amenities and luxurious bathrooms.
• Grab a custom cocktail at the poolside bar, or head to the central restaurant for Vietnamese dishes made with ingredients from the on-site farm.
• Choose from an extensive menu of wellness and beauty treatments in the open-air Orchid Spa, which overlooks a natural waterfall.
• Visit the Stilt House Museum to learn more about the region's  Thai, Hmong, and Muong people, join a batik or pottery workshop with local artisans, or hike to one of the surrounding ethnic villages to join a family for tea.

• This is a TV-free property, though fast, strong WiFi is available throughout the rooms and common areas.

Authenticity

First opened in 2021, this boutique eco-retreat was designed to have a low impact on its forest surroundings while celebrating the culture and craftsmanship of the region's ethnic minority villages. Artisans from the surrounding Thai, Hmong, and Muong communities helped design the stilt house-inspired architecture, and the low-profile buildings were built entirely by hand, utilizing regional materials in the packed earth walls and thatched palm roofs. The local theme continues in the restaurant, which sources produce and eggs from the on-site organic farm, and at the nearby Stilt House Museum, where you can join workshops and demonstrations to learn more about northern Vietnam's diverse hill tribes.

Location

Avana Retreat sits on a remote hillside surrounded by terraced rice fields and dense forests. Located among the mountain landscapes of Vietnam's Mai Chau region, this area has a temperate climate and remains relatively undiscovered compared to some of the northwest's more tourist-heavy areas. Several ethnic minority villages are within easy trekking distance, and the nearest town is Mau Chau, a 30-minute drive. Hanoi and its international airport are a four-hour drive east. The extensive amenities mean you can get away without a car unless you plan on exploring farther afield.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Just 36 units are scattered across the property, ranging from one-bedroom suites to two-bedroom bungalows. Opt for one of the hilltop villas for the best views and your own private infinity pool. All options feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views over the mountains, valley, or rice fields, plus large seating areas, furnished balconies, and luxurious bathrooms with showers and soaking tubs. The interiors incorporate natural materials like clay, rattan, and local timber, decorated with traditional art and textiles from regional artisans. Even the most secluded units have strong WiFi, and each includes an iPad for booking activities and ordering buggies to get around.

Amenities

The heated infinity pool's three-tiered design mimics the surrounding rice terraces, with an adjoining bar for cocktails and light bites with far-reaching valley views. Meals are served at the Green Chili Restaurant, where you can take a culinary journey around Vietnam with traditional flavors (the signature pho is a standout), or opt for international options like Wagyu burgers and pizzas. Breakfast is included in the room rate, with seasonal fruits, freshly-baked breads, and eggs gathered fresh from the on-site farm. Follow winding wooden pathways to reach the Orchid Spa for holistic wellness treatments or singing bowl meditation, yoga, and sound bath experiences.

Family-Friendliness

Families are welcome at Avana Retreat. You'll find an outdoor playground, an indoor "kids club" (complete with crafts, art supplies, games, and toys), and a schedule of complimentary events like ceramic painting, cooking classes, and outdoor cinema nights. The restaurant is happy to cater to pickier eaters, and little ones who get bored during meals are provided with breadcrumbs for the adjoining duck pond. Even the smallest suites sleep two adults and two children comfortably, but larger families can book a two-bedroom bungalow for more space.

Sustainability

Avana's owners pride themselves on their eco-friendly and sustainable practices. The staff has planted over 1,000 trees on the property to help turn portions of agricultural land into dense forest, and the free-range chickens and organic vegetable gardens supply the restaurant. You'll find zero single-use plastic here, and the purified drinking water is sourced from nearby mountain springs and provided in reusable glass bottles. Over 90% of the staff are hired from the surrounding ethnic minority communities, and locals are paid a fair wage to farm the rice fields and gardens using traditional practices.