A Taste of Spain at Villa Le Corail: Michelin-Starred Chef Marcos Morán Expands Hispania’s Culinary Story in Nha Trang
Villa Le Corail, A Gran Meliá Hotel, proudly announces the launch of Sal by Hispania, an expansive open-air tapas concept that brings the spirit of Mediterranean living to the tranquil shores of Fairy Mountain Bay. Located at the front of the Gran Voyage building, Sal by Hispania wraps around the pool from Sal Bar to the Hispania outdoor terrace, offering a seamless social dining experience.
Following a sensational Four Hands Dinner, featuring a 10-course tasting menu, live music, and post-dinner cocktails that captured the spirit of Hispania - Chef Marcos Morán continued to share his vision with the debut of Sal by Hispania, a relaxed new tapas concept at Villa Le Corail.
“Sal by Hispania is a celebration of how we live in Spain - joyfully, casually, and always close to the sea. It’s more laid-back than the restaurant, but equally rich in flavour and soul,” said Chef Marcos Morán, Gastronomy Director of Hispania.
Indoor and Outdoor Indulgence
Hispania Nha Trang now offers a total of 70 seats - 42 inside and 28 outdoors on the newly inaugurated terrace. The indoor restaurant and adjacent outdoor seating are open daily for dinner from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, inviting diners to immerse themselves in refined à la carte and tasting menus.
Sal by Hispania, a distinct open-air venue, wraps around the resort’s main pool and faces the ocean, offering a more relaxed and social setting. Open daily from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, it serves a tapas menu curated by Chef Marcos Morán, ideal for sipping sangria and social afternoons by the sea. Beginning August 1st, every Sunday afternoon will feature a live DJ, bringing chill beats and vibrant Balearic-style energy to Fairy Mountain Bay.
Two Menus, One Soulful Story
Chef Marcos’ updated dinner menu at Hispania honours Spain’s diverse regional cuisines. Highlights include Lingote de Cochinillo Segoviano: a perfectly slow-roasted suckling pig dish from Segovia, Mero Asado: locally caught grouper paired with pickled chicken sauce and hazelnut, and Tarta de Quesos Españoles, a velvety Spanish cheesecake.
The Tapas Menu at Sal by Hispania offers a more casual, all-day approach, designed for sharing. Guests can savour signature bites such as creamy seasonal mushroom croquettes, Andalusian-style calamari with roasted garlic emulsion, and Hispania’s iconic garlic prawns. Larger dishes like the seafood fideuà or mellow squid ink rice with prawns offer a taste of Spain’s coastal traditions, all complemented by a refreshing glass of sangria.
“What inspired this menu? Nha Trang itself. Its seafood is extraordinary. We’ve found real harmony between Spanish tradition and Vietnamese ingredients,” shared Chef Marcos. “We also wanted the new venue to be a place where you can just walk in, order a few tapas, and feel like you're in a plaza in Madrid or Oviedo.”
A Seamless Expression of Gran Meliá’s Mediterranean Spirit
With the addition of the Sal by Hispania, Villa Le Corail continues to embody the Gran Meliá lifestyle, a harmonious fusion of luxury, nature, and culture. Guests can enjoy a holistic journey that spans traditional Dong Y spa rituals, immersive coral conservation experiences, and refined gastronomy inspired by Chef Marcos’ Asturian roots and his connection to the sea.
“Spanish gastronomy is so special today because it balances heritage and creativity,” Chef Marcos reflected. “Here in Nha Trang, I’ve found a place where that balance feels natural.”
The resounding success of the Sal by Hispania launch marks another milestone for Hispania Nha Trang and Villa Le Corail - a tribute to Mediterranean elegance, Asian generosity, and the shared joy of food, music, and community.
