Phu Yen hotel named world's most romantic at NatGeo awards

Kalesma Mykonos Hotel in Greece and the Johri hotel in India were the runners-up of the category based on votes by a judging panel of travel writers and National Geographic editors.

This year, the hotel awards cover 13 categories from best major refurbishment to best wellness retreat that reward the very best trend-setting, rule-breaking and game-changing hotels in the business.

Opened in December last year, Zannier Hotels Bai San Ho in Song Cau Town of Phu Yen, an emerging beach destination in south-central Vietnam, consists of 71 villas covering around 98 hectares (242 acres) of lush greenery and is surrounded by rice fields.

Facing a long white sand beach, the hotel took inspiration from local ethnic minority groups and nearby fishing villages by constructing three different types of Vietnamese-style villas, laden with bamboo ceilings and antique rice baskets.

"If you’re looking for a romantic escape, this place is hard to beat," the British travel magazine said.

"Villas borrow the Vietnamese vernacular: all thatched roofs and woven bamboo walls, crowned by muslin-draped beds and come-hither bathtubs. Most decadent of all is the Yin and Yang treatment at the spa, with a ginger-and-brandy bath for two and a herbal, energy-balancing massage," it said.

Room prices range from around VND9.5 million ($416.73) a night.

Paradero Todos Santos in Mexico won the best design hotel category while The Hoxton in Italy won best urban hotel, and Can Ferrereta in Spain, best boutique hotel.