Our founder Dervla Louli Musgrave checks into the award-winning eco-chic resort in Vietnam with her family for an unforgettable stay.
Location
Nestled in a secluded bay in Vietnam, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is an eco-chic luxurious sanctuary that offers a range of family-friendly experiences. The award-winning resort’s commitment to wellness and sustainability is at the heart of its philosophy, and it has implemented a range of eco-friendly practices, including using solar panels to generate electricity, recycling waste, and using locally sourced ingredients in the restaurants. Its efforts in sustainability have earned it numerous awards and accolades, including the Green Globe certification programme.
Accommodation
The resort boasts 62 chic and spacious villas, each with a private pool that can be fenced off for children’s safety. The villas are bright, airy, beautifully designed, and feature modern amenities such as air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and private swimming pools. The beachside villas offer stunning views of the ocean, while the water retreats are perched above the water, offering guests a unique and unforgettable experience. All of the villas are designed to provide guests with a sense of privacy and seclusion, making them the perfect retreat for those looking to relax and unwind.
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The aesthetic of the resort is barefoot luxury so you may spot some geckos (a sign of luck) and some other little local wildlife around your villa. My son learned how to appreciate caterpillars and a few other new friends during our stay. For an otherworldly stay book the water reserve, which is set at the water’s edge in a private bay with a slide from the master bedroom to the private infinity pool. For children, I recommend the beach villas which are a few steps from the sandy beach shore.
Our Experience
The care and attention given to children staying at the resort is second to none. All of my requests ranging from blackout blinds, car seats, early breakfast times, a pool fence, and an itinerary that took into account his nap and dinner times were seamlessly noted pre-arrival and executed once there. The journey which included a direct flight from Hong Kong to Nha Trang and private transfer by car and boat to the resort was a breeze and the warm welcome on arrival set the tone for our perfect stay. Visas are required to enter 72 hours pre-arrival which the team can assist with.
As soon as we arrived my son bounded into his bedroom in our two-bedroom beach villa, scooped up the stuffed langur in the teepee, pointed to the wooden cot, and went straight to sleep within minutes thanks to the blackout blinds. The villa pool was protected with a child safety gate to give us peace of mind, and the beach out front was sandy and shallow.
Upon waking he went straight to the GROW with Six Senses Kids Club where the outdoor and indoor sustainable playgrounds, full activity schedule, and mini water world kept him entertained for hours on end. After an hour it was time for the beach and pool until early dinner at Dining by the Bay and bed. We brought our nanny with us so that we could enjoy the more grown-up side of the resort like wellness, sports, and dining, but babysitting is available on-site by a stellar team.
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Sustainability
The resort’s commitment to sustainability is a huge attraction for guests. It extends to its dining options, with the chefs growing and sourcing the freshest local ingredients to create delicious and healthy dishes. The resort seamlessly integrates plant-based options into all of the menus, and they account for 50% of dishes. This is because health and wellbeing are of vital importance to the resort in every way but it is done in such a delicious and generous way you feel pampered not restricted. The F&B options offered us a perfect variety during our four-night stay.
Dining
Guests can enjoy dining by the bay, where they can savour delicious Vietnamese cuisine while taking in the stunning views of the ocean. Alternatively, they can dine on the rocks, where they can enjoy a romantic dinner under the stars. Sunset cruises, cocktails on the jetty, private beach barbecues, local cooking classes at Grandma’s Kitchen, lunch by the pool, and the impressive plant-based set menu at Farmhouse are all absolute musts during any stay.
Out of all the dining options breakfast was our family’s favourite. The team accommodated my son’s early-rising tendencies graciously and he was always the first person at the breakfast buffet at Dining by The Bay, sometimes a lot earlier than the 7.30 am opening time. There are so many healthy options and after devouring some fruit, pho, and eggs he would return for more of the same for his 10 am mid-morning snack while my husband and I enjoyed fantastic Vietnamese coffee.
Family-Friendly Activities
The GROW with Six Senses programme for children is a highlight of the resort’s commitment to sustainability. This programme is aimed at educating children about sustainability and wellness, and it is built around a series of fun and interactive activities. It is led by a team of passionate educators who are committed to inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders. By participating in the GROW programme, children can learn about the importance of sustainability and develop an understanding of how they can make a positive impact on the environment.
During our stay, my son planted an orange tree, learned about the endangered langur species, watered plants in the organic garden, and ate a rainbow of fruit and vegetables grown on-site. The free homemade ice cream was another highlight that all children will love too. The Kid’s Club is staffed by trained professionals who are passionate about working with children and creating a safe and engaging environment for them to learn and play.
There’s an outdoor jungle gym, mini water world, and a sustainable playroom complete with eco-friendly soft material ball pit, and micro wooden furniture and accessories that I wanted to bring home for my son’s nursery. Homemade playdough, painting, arts, crafts, mini pampering sessions, and more are all available on the kid’s activity menu. There’s also an outdoor movie night along the jetty under the stars which is a beautiful way for children to end their day.
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The resort offers a range of special experiences for adults and guests, many of whom were enjoying romantic holidays and large family reunions during our visit. The Experience Centre offers a range of pursuits that we availed of such as sailing, eFoiling, Banana Boating, PADI Diving, snorkelling, hiking, coral restoration, langur discovery, early morning hikes, to name a few. During my son’s afternoon nap, we went to the spa for signature deep tissue massages, sound healing, aerial yoga, biohacking, wellness screenings and relaxed by the pool and beach. My activity levels stayed up over my mandatory 10,000 steps, and it was easy to get workouts in at the gym and between eating so many delicious but healthy meals and running around after our little one at the beach. We had a blast but felt healthy heading home.
Overview
As with many memorable places, it’s the people who make it unforgettable. Benjamin, the General Manager of Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, is a visionary leader who has played a key role in the resort’s success. He has a deep passion for sustainability and wellness and has worked tirelessly to create a resort that is both luxurious and eco-friendly. Benjamin’s leadership has helped to create a team of dedicated and passionate staff who are committed to providing guests with an exceptional experience.
During our visit Patrick, Leo, Anna, Tim, Ian, Rachel, Queenie, Lyn, and the 380+ team made our stay extra special. As new parents on our first family wellness holiday, we couldn’t believe how easy everything was. Our son had an absolute blast while being exposed to new cultures, tastes, sights and sounds, and we created memories that we’ll have for a lifetime. From the personalised monograms outside our villa and on our bikes, to the sensational and fresh food, there is no doubt we will be back to the sanctuary that is Six Senses Ninh Van Bay soon.
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