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The Nam Hai Hoi An, Vietnam
AT A GLANCE
OVERVIEW
When it opened its doors in late 2006, the Nam Hai immediately earned the status of Vietnam's most stylish and luxurious resort. Owned by Indochina Capital – one of Vietnam's leading real estate developers and financial services firms – who poured US$56 million into the project, the Nam Hai is part of GHM's portfolio of properties and its immaculately manicured grounds lie between the port city of Danang and the UNESCO world heritage site of Hoi An on the country's splendidly scenic Central Coast.
ACCOMMODATIONS
All 60 villas and the vast majority of the 40 one-to-five bedroom pool villas (each with its own plunge pool and butler service) have views of the alluring soft white sands of Ha My Beach and the Gulf of Tonkin beyond. The villa interiors, which are the work of renowned French architect Reda Amalou and Indonesian designer Jaya Ibrahim, take elements from traditional Vietnamese living, with a curtain-enclosed elevated king-size bed made from dark-stained teak surrounded by amenities that are rather more modern in aspect – including a flat-screen TV, espresso machine and iPod dock. High ceilings, a spacious bathroom (stocked with branded toiletries), a private outdoor rain shower and a walk-in closet make staying here a truly Zen-like experience. The only slight demerit: the complexities of the villas' lighting system may stump the less technically savvy out there. But help is always at hand in the form of the resort's helpful and efficient staff.
DINING
The resort's signature dining room, unimaginatively named The Restaurant, overlooks the hotel's splendid water gardens and serves up a pleasing assortment of Vietnamese and international cuisine. The wine list, meanwhile, is extensive enough to delight even the most serious oenophiles. The Restaurant is also the venue for the daily buffet breakfast (included in the room rate), which is excellent. Fresh seafood, grills and local fare is served at the resort's other eatery, the 88
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NUMBER OF ROOMS 100 villas, including 60 one-bedroom villas and 40 pool villas with one- to five-bedrooms. Pool villas come with their own plunge pool and butler service. HIGHLIGHTS Striking interiors and high-tech gadgetry is the name of the game. Home to a first-class spa and one of Southeast Asia's best infinity pools. PRICE For a stay during May, the resort's website quotes US$495 for a one-bedroom villa per night; pool villas from US$887. Includes breakfast. CONTACT The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Hamlet 1, Dien Duong Village, Dien Ban District, Quang Nam Province; tel +84 510 394 0000; thenamhai.com
laid-back Beach Restaurant, while the resort's expansive and well-stocked bar offers indoor and outdoor seating.
LEISURE FACILITIES
The Nam Hai's award-winning spa is rightly considered one of Asia's finest and provides a full range of face and body treatments, including therapeutic massages, detoxifying body wraps and romantic bathing ceremonies. As one would expect from a resort of this stature, the Nam Hai comes with not one but three pools, including its piece de resistance, a magnificent infinity pool that abuts the beach.
WHERE'S THE GOLF?
The Montgomerie Links, another Indochina Capital-owned property, is located only 10 minutes away. Probably the pick of Colin Montgomerie's Asian designs, this championshipHKGOLFER.COM
length course incorporates striking bunkering and well thought out green complexes. Greg Norman's wonderful Dunes Course at Danang Golf Club is also nearby. A mesmerizing sandbelt-style track laid out over the purest of golfing terrain, the Dunes is one of the most architecturally significant courses to have opened in Asia in years.
VERDICT
While a number of new hotels and resorts have cropped up along Vietnam's Central Coast in recent times, the Nam Hai continues to lead the way in terms of pure luxury and service. Its proximity to Danang's two golf courses and international airport (30 minutes) is an obvious boon, and while US$495 a night for a onebedroom villa puts it in the decidedly pricey category, one feels after a few days' pampering that this actually represents excellent value for money. –Alex Jenkins Heaven in Hoi An (clockwise from top): The Nam Hai's splendid ininifty pool is within touching distance of the pure white sands of Ha My Beach; a view over the exquisitely manicured grounds; the interior of a 'standard' one-bedroom villa; the resort's awardwinning spa
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