When travelling by way of Vietnam and The Philippines for six weeks, likelihood is your lodging goes to be eclectic. From hostels and homestays to boutique accommodations and luxurious resorts; we just about coated all of it. Nearly all of our lodging was fairly fundamental, however as a luxurious journey blogger, my journey wouldn’t have been full with out sampling a little bit indulgence alongside the best way.
As a part of my collaboration with Kuoni, I acquired to expertise two of the easiest accommodations in Vietnam and The Philippines. The primary was the spectacular Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, which we stayed at after we have been half means by way of 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
In case you have been to ask me to checklist 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 barely accessible by water through on 20-minute speedboat journey from Nha Trang. This switch service is offered to all company.
After a bumpy night time spent on an 8-hour night time bus from Hoi An, we arrived in Nha Trang barely dazed and baggy. 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 direction of the Ninh Van Bay because the resort’s jetty step by step is available in to view is a second to recollect. Arriving by boat offers you the attitude 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 want throughout our keep, reminiscent of reservations, particular requests, queries and transportation.
I’ve sampled many a breakfast buffet in my time, however nothing may 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 desire around the globe. Waffles, pancakes and eggs are skillfully made to order, and you may custom-design your individual 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 essentially 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 sorts 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 positively the right possibility for us.
I used to be blown away by the scale, design and high quality of our seashore villa and the eye to element was the most effective I’ve ever skilled in a luxurious resort. The duplex-style villa consisted of a giant grasp bed room with king measurement mattress and sweeping views of the bay, an enormous rest room with a wood tub and his and hers sinks, a non-public outside bathe space, indoor bathe and bathroom. There was even a calming bottle of bubbly ready on the aspect for arrival, together with recent fruits. On the second ground was a big open-air lounge with plush furnishings, mini bar and low making amenities (positively the place to throw a celebration for those who have been entertaining company).
One of the best bit about our seashore villa was the extremely stylish personal pool and outside space. Past the pool a slender path prepared the ground proper on to the seashore. I couldn’t wait to get up within the morning and bounce straight into the ocean.
Exploring The Bay
After settling into our lovely villa it was time to hit the seashore 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 may very well be found a brief swim from the seashore. The truth that all of those prompts have been inclusive felt like an actual bonus.
A snorkelling route is mapped out on the seashore to make sure company can see the most effective a part of the reef with out damaging any of the coral. Entry to all of those actions can be found through the Discovery Centre, the place I additionally learnt concerning the incredible eco-friendly and sustainability programmes inside the resort.
A New Spa Expertise
As a self-confessed Spa addict, I used to be solely too accustomed to the wonderful repute 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 situated 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 beneficial remedy was the 60 minutes Vietnam Therapeutic massage, which concerned stress level methods and invigorating actions. The ‘new’ ingredient inside 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 positively added to the entire expertise. My therapists fingers have been magic and the remedy 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 essentially the most atmospheric and romantic place to dine. The meals, service and setting is one thing particular and positively price making an attempt at the very least as soon as throughout a keep right here. I additionally liked the relaxed eating atmosphere at Eating By The Bay, which serves a number of attractive 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 by way of all the hottest herbs in Vietnamese Cooking. We realized to cook dinner 4 dishes in complete, all of which we acquired to eat upon completion. Not being that domesticated myself, I used to be shocked at how a lot I liked the expertise. It made me realise how straightforward it may be to make recent, aromatic and fantastically flavoured meals, with the correct 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 situation to the meals and the employees to the unimaginable villa, my expectations have been exceeded with each ingredient of this resort keep. We solely acquired to remain right here for two nights, so I can solely think about how relaxed, content material and properly rested you’ll really feel by being right here every week. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for an expensive pit cease as a part of an extended journey or in want of a 2-week break in an Asian paradise, be certain that Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is on the highest of your checklist.
Good for: honeymoons, wellness and spa lovers, teams of 4 adults trying to share a villa
What did you consider my Six Senses Ninh Van Bay evaluate? Have you ever been right here your self, or are you now impressed to go? In case you loved this put up, please depart me a remark within the field beneath.
This put up 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 specialists at kuoni.co.uk