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Location

Just 15 minutes' from the pretty town of Hoi An and fronted by nearly 25 miles of powdery, platinum-white sands sweeping all the way to Danang, the Nai Ham’s location is inspiring. Wander along the shore and see local fishermen hauling nets into bamboo boats or head into Hoi An for a cultural hit (the hotel operates a complimentary shuttle five times a day). The nearest international airport, Danang, is a 30-minute drive from the hotel.

Style and Character

Previously known as The Nam Hai and long regarded as one of the finest hotels in Vietnam, this sultry seaside resort joined the Four Seasons hotel group at the end of 2016. Stepping into the open-air lobby which overlooks the cobalt-blue South China Sea will have you picking your jaw up off the floor. Grey stone, pagoda-style roofs, palm-trees strung with jewel-coloured lanterns and reflective pools celebrate traditional Vietnamese temple architecture. The surrounding tropical foliage is tended by 100 gardeners.  

Service and Facilities

Aside from the incredible beach, there are no less than three glittering swimming pools to choose from; pick your spot, lie back and enjoy the sunglass cleaning service, cold towels and ice-cream which are delivered to your lounger periodically.

If you prefer to stay active, there are plenty of complimentary activities to choose from, including sunrise power walking, beach tai chi, stability yoga and rice field cycling, as well as a number of paid explorations of the local area. Or you could try out the tennis, badminton and squash courts, the well-equipped watersports centre or the splendid Heart of the Earth Spa, which offers restorative massages and facials to help thwart jet lag and sunburn.

As you would expect from the Four Seasons, the staff are superb.

Rooms

Most villas offer views over the South China sea and all are decorated in a sensuous, contemporary Asian style; peaked roofs, dark wood floors, soothing colours and textures, and plush outdoor spaces where you can lie on oversized loungers and be lulled to sleep by the ocean. They are generously proportioned, some have swimming pools, others sunken bathtubs, while family villas come with additional dens to comfortably tuck two kids into.

Food and Drink

There are two outstanding restaurants; Café Nam Hai offering Western and Indian dishes – the cinnamon smoked lamb was divine – and lantern-lit Vietnamese restaurant La Sen – here, I recommend the sweet-juicy suckling pig.

One of the most enjoyable eating experiences, though, has to be preparing and cooking your own meal with the hotel’s Cooking Academy; the day starts with an early morning water buffalo ride through rice fields and ends with a tableful of crispy prawn pancakes, sizzling pork skewers and peppery salads.

Breakfast is worth rolling out of bed for; a majestic spread of tropical fruits, fragrant Vietnamese broths, cheese and charcuterie, truffle-soaked eggs and freshly-baked breads and pastries.