Our brief comments:
Six Senses Ninh Van Bay may well be Vietnam's most exclusive hotel – ultra-luxury, ultra-stylish and ultra-expensive. That said, you get the best accommodation and facilities in the country in 120ha (300 acres) of pristine scenery.
It's also one of Vietnam's most environmentally-conscious resorts and hotels read more
Accessible only by a 20 minute boat trip from Nha Trang, the resort is set on a curving beach lined by towering mountains and bookended by large rock formations. All the facilities and villas are masterfully designed to maximise and blend into this stunning natural setting.
The smallest of the 58 private villas is a whopping 154m2 complete with wine cellar, infinity pool, USB dock and DVD player, flat screen TV, and a custom-loaded iPod available on request. At the other extreme, the Presidential Villa extends over 271m2 with separate pavilions housing a Spa treatment room, dining sala, living area with bathroom, and master bedroom with en-suite bathroom featuring a hand-made tub and steam shower. We don't have enough room for all the details!
We particularly recommend the two bedroom Hilltop Villas. Located high on the cliff, the villas comprise three separate levels connected by short flights of wooden stairs.
The lowest level is a bedroom, which can also function as a day room. Next is the master bedroom with a stunning bathroom, complete with a wooden bathtub and 'his and hers' washing areas in accordance with yin and yang principles. The third level is an expansive living room together with an open-air shower and swimming pool. All levels have magnificent views.
Other villas offer different combinations of floating terraces, sundecks, pool decks and furnished verandas, in addition to all the usual amenities expected in a top-flight hotel. Each villa has a minimum of a bedroom, a bathroom and a living room - some have an additional dining room and other configurations.
Restaurant and bar services are first-class. Dining by the Bay serves breakfast and dinner with a mix of international and local dishes, located near the Water, Hilltop and Beach Villas, and next to the main bar Drinks by the Bay. Dining by the Pool serves Vietnamese and comfort food with a panoramic view from the centre of the resort, open for lunch and lazy afternoons.
Dining by the Rocks, on the opposite end of the resort near the Rock Villas and Presidential Villa, offers premier fare in an unbelievably scenic but limited space – reservations are essential. Possibilities for private dining with a personal cook and attendant include BBQ at your own villa, dinner on the resort’s jetty, in the atmospheric wine cave, or at an even more exclusive private beach 30 minutes from the resort centre.
Six Senses Ninh Van Bay has facilities for a range of leisure pursuits including tennis, water sports and dive facilities, a fully equipped fitness centre, and trekking and nature trails. A pristine area of coral ideal for snorkelling is just off the beach.
The Six Senses Spa lives up to its well-burnished reputation. Its open design allows the sound of the nearby waterfall to permeate the setting, amidst the aroma of essential oils and incense. Trained therapists deliver traditional Vietnamese massage, Thai massage, acupuncture, sound healing therapies, facials, and a full menu of signature treatment packages, along with yoga and Tai Chi. Clearly among the best in Vietnam, this spa has something for everyone.
Service standards in the resort are appropriate for the highest levels of luxury; nothing is left undone. Extra touches complete the experience, like the small shelters and resting places throughout the site where someone greets you with a cold drink and a cool flannel.
All villas are designed to be completely private. The resort treats this issue very seriously – taking photographs that include other guests is not allowed unless they give permission, for example.
Guests are encouraged to provide in advance as much information about their preferences as possible, so that everything is waiting for them on arrival, even to the extreme of their preferred room temperature.
Disabled people and guests in higher standard Villas are provided with a personal assistant. He or she will be on hand continuously to provide information, attend to chores, arrange meals or activities – in fact, anything requested. Guests with small children can also request this service.
Another innovative feature is the ‘wine cellars' (cabinet maintained at the correct temperature). Guests can choose their own selection from the comprehensive range in the resort's cave (the real McCoy!) – at additional cost, of course.
An espresso machine, a customised mini bar and DVD player are all standard facilities, along with an iPod on request, preloaded with your selected library. In addition, guests have full access to the considerable facilities of the Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang, located directly on the beach at the southern end of Tran Phu Boulevard in Nha Trang City.
The staff's mission is to provide a perfect stay for guests, from the welcome bottle of champagne straight through to departure. This level of luxury is not cheap, but considering the quality of the service and facilities, it could be ideal for a honeymoon, an extra-special occasion or the holiday of a lifetime.
Room facilities:
Villa Categories |
Hilltop Villa |
Beach Pool Villa |
Water Villa |
Rock Villa |
Presidential Villa |
Number of rooms |
13 |
35 |
5 |
4 |
1 |
Villa position |
Overlooking the bay |
On the beach |
Over the water |
Amidst the rocks |
Exclusive waterfront |
Villa size (m2) |
158 |
176 |
154 |
187 |
271 |
Bed arrangement |
Double |
Double |
Double |
Double |
Double |
Window |
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Balcony |
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View (M=mountain, G=garden, S=sea) |
M, G, S |
G, S |
M, S |
M, S |
M, S |
Extra bed (double couch sleeper) |
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Baby cot |
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Air conditioner |
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Cable television |
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Personal safety box |
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Wifi (free) |
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Cable Internet connection |
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Laptop/Internet TV |
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Bathtub/shower |
Bathtub w/ shower, outdoor rainshower |
Bathtub w/ shower, outdoor rainshower |
Bathtub w/ shower, outdoor rainshower |
Bathtub w/ shower, outdoor rainshower |
Bathtub w/ shower, steam room |
Floor |
Wood |
Wood |
Wood |
Wood |
Wood |
Extra services or facilities |
Dining room, deck and sundeck |
Covered veranda, foyer, outdoor desk, pool deck |
Dining room, deck, sundeck, floating terrace |
Living room w/ separate bath, deck, sundeck, floating terrace |
Dining pavilion, massage pavilion, steam room, deck, jetty for private speedboat access |
Additional room facilities: IDD telephone, tea & coffee facilities, buggy service, bicycles.
Hotel facilities:
Outdoor pool |
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Non-smoking floor(s) |
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Pool bar |
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Non-smoking villas (all) |
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Children's pool |
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Vietnamese/Asian restaurant |
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Fitness/health centre |
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International restaurant |
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Sauna |
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Patisserie/coffee shop/cafe |
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Massage |
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Business centre |
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Jacuzzi |
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Accessible for the disabled* |
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*Beach Villas are accessible with personal assistant.
Additional hotel facilities: 'airport transfer (car and boat), personal butler, laundry & valet (no dry cleaning), babysitting and complimentary childcare service, PCs in reception area with print/fax/copy services, multilingual hosts (German, Russian and Japanese).