When travelling via Vietnam and The Philippines for six weeks, chances are high your lodging goes to be eclectic. From hostels and homestays to boutique lodges and luxurious resorts; we just about lined all of it. The vast majority of our lodging was fairly fundamental, however as a luxurious journey blogger, my journey wouldn’t have been full with out sampling slightly indulgence alongside the way in which.
As a part of my collaboration with Kuoni, I bought to expertise two of the easiest lodges in Vietnam and The Philippines. The primary was the spectacular Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, which we stayed at once we have been half means via our North to South Vietnam Itinerary. From weary traveller to pampered Travelista, right here’s the story of my time at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay…
A World Away from Nha Trang
If you happen to have been to ask me to record the highlights of Vietnam, Nha Trang wouldn’t be one in all them, however don’t let that put you off. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay sit on the sting of a non-public peninsular and is in a location all on it’s personal. The resort is simply accessible by water by way of on 20-minute speedboat trip from Nha Trang. This switch service is out there to all friends.
After a bumpy evening spent on an 8-hour evening bus from Hoi An, we arrived in Nha Trang barely dazed and saggy. We have been forward of schedule, however our Six Senses switch additionally arrived early to whisk us off to the resort’s personal dock on the sting of Nha Trang. We have been in a lot want of some luxurious, which felt prefer it started from the second we stepped contained in the automobile.
Easily gliding in the direction of the Ninh Van Bay because the resort’s jetty steadily is available in to view is a second to recollect. Arriving by boat provides you the angle of how personal and secluded the resort actually is.
Breakfast with a View
Due to our in a single day journey and early morning arrival, the very first thing on our minds was breakfast. We have been met on the Jetty by Hon, who defined he was to be our Visitor Expertise Supervisor (GEM) throughout our keep. The GEM’s are Six Senses’ equal of a non-public butler, however they don’t use this time period. Hon gave us a fast web site tour of the central grounds earlier than driving us to Eating By The Bay, the resort’s essential restaurant the place breakfast is served day by day. Hon defined he was solely a cellphone name away for something we’d like throughout our keep, comparable to reservations, particular requests, queries and transportation.
I’ve sampled many a breakfast buffet in my time, however nothing might have ready me for the magnitude of Ninh Van Bay’s providing. From a well-known Full English to continental classics, pho to curry and dim sum to recent sushi, the unimaginable unfold caters to each breakfast choice around the globe. Waffles, pancakes and eggs are skillfully made to order, and you may custom-design your personal juices on the smoothie station. Selecting what to placed on my plate first was the toughest determination I needed to make that day.
Moving into our Seaside Villa
After probably the most enjoyable (3 course) breakfast, it was time to test in. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is a villa-only resort and there are 59 of them in complete. There are 4 essential villa varieties to select from; Hill High Villa, Rock Pool Villa, Seaside Villa and Water Villa. Kuoni had organised for us to remain in a Seaside Villa, which was undoubtedly the right choice for us.
I used to be blown away by the dimensions, design and high quality of our seaside villa and the eye to element was the very best I’ve ever skilled in a luxurious resort. The duplex-style villa consisted of a big grasp bed room with king dimension mattress and sweeping views of the bay, an enormous rest room with a wood tub and his and hers sinks, a non-public out of doors bathe space, indoor bathe and bathroom. There was even a relaxing bottle of bubbly ready on the facet for arrival, together with recent fruits. On the second flooring was a big open-air front room with plush furnishings, mini bar and low making services (undoubtedly the place to throw a celebration in the event you have been entertaining friends).
The very best bit about our seaside villa was the extremely stylish personal pool and out of doors space. Past the pool a slender path prepared the ground proper on to the seaside. I couldn’t wait to get up within the morning and leap straight into the ocean.
Exploring The Bay
After settling into our lovely villa it was time to hit the seaside and benefit from the inclusive water sports activities actions. Throughout our time at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay we went snorkelling, kayaking and SUP boarding (rise up paddle boarding). The water was completely clear and the bay’s coral barrier meant that marine life could possibly be found a brief swim from the seaside. The truth that all of those prompts have been inclusive felt like an actual bonus.
A snorkelling route is mapped out on the seaside to make sure friends can see the very best a part of the reef with out damaging any of the coral. Entry to all of those actions can be found by way of the Discovery Centre, the place I additionally learnt concerning the improbable eco-friendly and sustainability programmes throughout the resort.
A New Spa Expertise
As a self-confessed Spa addict, I used to be solely too conversant in the wonderful popularity of Six Senses Spas. Getting to go to the Spa at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay was an actual spotlight of my keep, particularly because it allowed me to expertise one thing new. The Spa at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is positioned up within the hilltops and appears like a vacation spot in itself. A stepping stone walkway results in the central reception, which is surrounded by particular person spa villas.
My advisable therapy was the 60 minutes Vietnam Therapeutic massage, which concerned stress level strategies and invigorating actions. The ‘new’ factor throughout the therapeutic massage was the heated suction cups that have been used on my again all through the therapeutic massage. It was a wierd, heat sensation that undoubtedly added to the entire expertise. My therapists palms have been magic and the therapy felt very personalised from begin to end.
Gourmand Delights
On our first night on the resort we opted to eat at Eating By The Rocks, the resort’s signature restaurant. Situated excessive on a rocky hillside, the al fresco gourmand eatery is by far probably the most atmospheric and romantic place to dine. The meals, service and setting is one thing particular and undoubtedly value attempting a minimum of as soon as throughout a keep right here. I additionally beloved the relaxed eating atmosphere at Eating By The Bay, which serves a collection of beautiful Worldwide dishes. I keep in mind sitting down on a candlelit desk in entrance of the calm bay. I felt a heat ocean breeze and heard crickets buzzing within the background. After my therapeutic massage and a day the solar, it was nothing in need of heavenly.
A Vietnamese Cooking Class
One other spotlight of our keep at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay was a non-public Vietnamese Cookery Class. The expertise began within the resort’s intensive herb backyard, the place the chef talked us via the entire hottest herbs in Vietnamese Cooking. We discovered to cook dinner 4 dishes in complete, all of which we bought to eat upon completion. Not being that domesticated myself, I used to be shocked at how a lot I beloved the expertise. It made me realise how simple it may be to make recent, aromatic and superbly flavoured meals, with the proper substances and good instruction.
The Verdict
It was my first time staying at a Six Senses Resort and I’m now so intrigued to find extra. From the placement to the meals and the employees to the unimaginable villa, my expectations have been exceeded with each factor of this lodge keep. We solely bought to remain right here for two nights, so I can solely think about how relaxed, content material and nicely rested you’ll really feel by being right here per week. Whether or not you’re in search of an expensive pit cease as a part of an extended journey or in want of a 2-week break in an Asian paradise, make sure that Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is on the highest of your record.
Good for: honeymoons, wellness and spa lovers, teams of 4 adults seeking to share a villa
What did you consider my Six Senses Ninh Van Bay assessment? Have you ever been right here your self, or are you now impressed to go? If you happen to loved this publish, please depart me a remark within the field beneath.
This publish has been sponsored as a part of a content material collaboration with Kuoni. All views are my very own. To expertise Six Senses Ninh Van Bay for your self, communicate to the journey consultants at kuoni.co.uk
