Unparalleled luxury is what you can expect at this hidden oasis nestled away on the shores of the East Vietnam Sea. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is only a short 2 hour flight from Hong Kong to the busy holiday-resort town of Nha Trang. The journey might sound arduous when you then find out it takes another hour by car and 20 minutes by boat. However I assure you, it was definitely worth the travel.
Here are 5 reasons why it’s the perfect weekend getaway.
Infinity pool in the hilltop villas
1. Total privacy and seclusion
The resort’s 59 Robinson Crusoe-esque rustic thatched villas are meticulously dotted along its own rocky peninsula, complete with stunning wooden eco-friendly interiors and their own heavenly private plunge pool.
Having viewed all four types of villa namely the hill top, beachfront, rock pool & water pool villas; we were extremely content with our beachfront choice which was already very decadent in itself. Cascading over two floors – it was a more than generously spacious villa for just two people. The master bedroom is located on the ground floor and looks out onto the pool; whilst upstairs is more of a lounge area that commands sweeping views of the beach. The villas also come complete with a fully stocked and carefully curated wine fridge! What else do you need?
Stunning views from a rock pool villa
2. Personal butler service
They don’t actually use the word butler here, so each villa is assigned its own personal GEM, which stands for Guest Experience Manager. The GEMs are basically your go-to person if you have any queries or need transportation around the resort. Each villa does come equipped with its own bikes, but the buggy service was just far too convenient! We were extremely lucky to have our GEM Thai who so attentive to our needs, that he truly made us feel welcome and very at home. (He even kindly helped me snap a few pictures around the island when my boyfriend was too busy playing video games! Exhibit below.)
3. Food, glorious food
You can basically dine anywhere on this island. By the bay, the beach, the rocks, the pool, in your villa, and also in an authentic hillside rock cavern! But make sure to book in advance for that cosy intimate setting. There is also a coconut station on the beach and free ice cream by the main pool restaurant.
The restaurants cater to both local and Western cuisine, and aside from eating lots of pho, some of our favourites include the spring rolls and beef satay which come with fried mantou buns. We loved it so much we ordered it with every meal! I luckily managed one photo before it was decimated within minutes as I explained to a hungry boyfriend that the camera eats first. In any case, should you decide to bring a taste of Vietnam home with you, then you can also enroll in their cooking classes!
4. Unique experiences
It’s impossible to ever get bored on this island with a multitude of activities on offer. Aside from the standard gym, spa and water sports facilities; the resort also has its own PADI diving centre, tennis court, and hiking trails for you to explore.
The team can also happily help arrange unique excursions to the Cai River and hot springs for a mud bath, or sightseeing in Nha Trang. In the evening, they occasionally play movies at their outdoor cinema which is perfect for those on a romantic holiday.
5. Sustainability is a priority
Six Senses goes above and beyond when it comes to making their resorts eco-friendly, and they should be applauded for the initiatives they’ve undertaken. These include “waste-to-wealth”, energy conservation powered by solar panels, coral restoration projects and so much more! All the produce grows locally on the island essentially bringing you a “farm to table” dining experience. If you love eggs for breakfast, guess what? You can pick them straight from the chicken farm!
If you want to learn more, I would suggest taking the Earth Lab tour. This will give you further insights on their sustainability projects and initiatives. Lastly, Six Senses also supports its local communities in numerous ways, such as improving their drinking water systems. How could you not love this hotel chain? Bravo Six Senses, I’m definitely coming back!
Contact
Ninh Van Bay – Ninh Hoa, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
T +84 258 3524 268, +84 258 7307 788
Email: reservations-ninhvan@sixsenses.com
Written by: Antonia Da Cruz