The Nam Hai Hoi An is a Four Seasons Resort in Hoi An, central Vietnam. The resort is considered one of the most luxurious hotels in Asia. I was excited to come back here after a pleasant first experience four years ago when I got to live in real time what it’s like to stay in one of the best resorts in the world.
But, as a travel writer, I know that the first experience sometimes works like a honeymoon: with everything feeling so wonderful and new, it may be difficult for the mind to judge clearly. I needed to go back and prove that it wasn’t just pure excitement and that the Four Seasons Nam Hai could live up to its reputation.
Read the Four Seasons Vietnam review and see how it went!
Content of this article:
Arriving at the Four Seasons Resort Hoi An
Arrangements can be made with the Four Seasons Concierge for the airport ride before arrival.
The Four seasons Vietnam airport is Da Nang airport, the third busiest airport in Vietnam, with daily connections to Vietnam’s main cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as international flights to and from Singapore, Seoul, South Korea, and Malaysia.
If you didn’t pre-book the hotel airport transfer, you can also take a taxi or request a Grab car at the airport. Most Grab drivers don’t speak English, but as you can enter the destination in the app, it works out.
Tip: Grab is the Asian equivalent of Uber, and you can download their app on your phone. A ride to the Four Seasons with a Grab car costs 320,000 Vietnamese dongs ( about 12 USD).
The ride from the airport to the hotel is 40 minutes long (18.6 miles). Along the way, you will drive through Danang city and pass all the 5 star-Vietnam resorts lining the coast between Danang and Hoi An.
Should you spend time in Danang before going to the Four Seasons?
On my first trip, I spent one night in Danang to explore the city. There is not much to see, so I would recommend going directly to the Four Seasons. Hoi An or the imperial city of Hue are more exciting cities with a relaxed vibe.
How was the check-in at the Four Seasons Nam Hai?
I need to emphasize how satisfied I am with the Four Seasons Resort in Hoi An service. I felt welcome and attended from the moment I walked in for check-in and all the time throughout my stay.
Someone will take you to the lobby, and then you will be escorted to your villa, where you will be offered a welcome drink and be introduced to your butler, the person who will assist you all the time you spend there, making sure all your needs are covered.
How is the Four Seasons resort in Hoi An?
The Four Seasons resort in Hoi An is simply spectacular. Many villas have their own pool. So it doesn’t matter if you’re traveling alone, with a partner, or with friends; you can still get your own private, magnificent pool. The Four Seasons Vietnam offers spectacular villas with up to five bedrooms, making it the perfect choice for a family vacation on the beach in Vietnam. It is a great place to reconnect with your family and spend quality time together.
However, it should be noted that not all pools offer sea views. You have to choose between absolute quietness and privacy in the hilltop villas or enjoying the spectacular panorama from the ocean-front villas.
One of the best aspects of the Four Seasons Vietnam is that it feels very spacious. The Nam Hai resort is extensive, and whether you move from your villa to the Spa, it’s quite the walk. The walkways are pretty with greenery and flowers, and I enjoyed doing my 10,000 steps a day. If walking is not your thing, don’t worry, this resort offers golf buggies for you to move around the premises if you want. Each room also comes with a bicycle to move around the resort.
Tip: If you don’t like walking and want to be close to the action, ask for a room or villa near the main pool.
What Villa to choose when staying at the Four Seasons Nam Hai in Vietnam?
All the guests of the Four Seasons Resort Nam Hai, Hoi An stay in spectacular villas many of which have their own private pools.
The cheapest villas have only one bedroom with no pool or living rooms but they all have a nice ocean view and are a good option if you don’t plan on spending much time in your room.
The 1 bedroom pool villas are also by the beach and have a large private pool and a separate living room. Read below for a detailed review of those villas. I recommend those if you plan on spending a lot of time in your villa and want to enjoy the sea view
The hilltop villas are at the back of the resort on top of a little hill. They don’t offer a sea view but they offer more privacy and are slightly cheaper than the sea view villas. They also come with a pool. Read my review of the 3-bedroom hilltop villa below.
Tip: During my last stay in March 2023, construction was going on on the south side of the resort and could be heard from the hilltop villa so ask for a villa closest to the reception.
Review of the one-bedroom sea-view pool villa at the Four Seasons Vietnam
On my second trip to the Four Seasons Nam Hai, I stayed at the one-bedroom pool villa surrounded by gardens, with a comfortable king bed.
( if you want to know more about the three bedroom hilltop pool villa, read my previous review of the Four Seasons Hoi An)
This one-bedroom pool villa is ideal for a romantic getaway. You have a separate pavilion, perfect for a candlelight dinner.
During the night, you can relax while listening to the sound of nature and tropical surroundings.
Please note that the beds in these villas are situated on top of platforms and elevated above ground level. This brings a feeling of royalty and majesty, but be careful with those steps when it’s dark.
Even though you probably want to spend time outdoors enjoying some private paradise, you also have everything you need for a pleasant indoor experience. The villa features a bar, tea/coffee maker, newspapers, flat-screen TV, and a premium Wi-Fi connection. You also have a pretty good Bose sound system to listen to the music you like.
The bathroom is large, with an indoor shower and an outdoor shower.
The bathtub is located in the bedroom, just behind the bed, which can be a bit weird. However, I enjoyed a bubble bath with flowers and oils after a day of exploring the city of Hoi An, and it was heavenly.
Most Hoi An Four Seasons villas have sea views and are located along a beach/grass area. I went to the Four Seasons for a relaxing holiday, and the private pool didn’t disappoint. It is pretty large for a hotel private pool. The garden is heavenly, with plants and birds singing. I spent countless hours in the peaceful refuge.
My villa was in the back of the resort. It did have a lovely sea view but was a bit far from the sea. However, I recommended this in my previous review, and I’ll do it again this time: if you can, book a beachfront villa because the sea views are spectacular.
One detail I like is that each villa has a copy of the book “Love Letter to the Earth,” written by Thich Nhat Hahn, a Vietnamese Zen Master. The text invites people to connect with themselves and the planet and look inwards through meditation. It is a fantastic read that made my stay even more special. Thich Nhat Hahn is one of the most famous meditation teachers in the world and is from the Hue region where the Four Seasons Vietnam is located.
Review of the 3 bedroom Hilltop pool villa
On my last trip to the Four Seasons, I was lucky to stay in a 3 bedrooms villa with a large pool with my familly. It is called Hillside pool villa. As its name indicate, it is located on a hill at the back of the resort. Unfortunately, it didn’t have a sea view despite the elevated location.
The Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An is so spacious that it is quite a walk from the hilltop villa to the spa or beach but golf buggies were easily available.
Tip: Bicycles are provided with each room but make sure you check the brakes before using them. A few of our bikes were in a dangerous condition.
The villa has been crafted with massive timber frames to look like authentic Vietnamese garden homes. There is quite a balance of spaces allowing to spend equal amounts of time inside and outside. The villa has 2 private gardens, one at the back with a pool complete with an amazing outdoor rain shower, which is perfect for after those days at the pool, and one at the front with a relaxing fountain. Everyone will want to spend lazy afternoons on the daybeds that can be found on their terraces, as they are the perfect place for relaxing while inhaling the fresh air.
The hillside villas were great for privacy and quietness, but I would probably recommend the beachfront villa as the beach is spectacular
Review of the service at the Four Seasons Vietnam
I spent a lot of time in luxury hotels worldwide, and few hotels have staff as good as the Four Seasons Vietnam. Balancing attention to detail, proactiveness, and respect for privacy is hard, but the Four Seasons Vietnam got it right.
Each villa comes with a butler to assist you during your stay. Their only job is to make your stay more comfortable. My butler Nhi was exceptional. She was able to anticipate my needs and provided countless attention throughout the day while at the same time giving me peace and privacy. For example, each time I returned to the villa, she would arrive and be ready to offer me tea and freshly cut fruits.
Review of the food at the Four Seasons Resort Vietnam
The Four Seasons resort in Hoi An offers a wide range of culinary options within the complex, so you almost do not need to go out. There is also in-villa dining! So you don’t even need to leave your villa!
The day starts with lush breakfasts, including all kinds of fruits and pastries at Cafe Nam Hai. You can eat inside or take your fresh meal to the pool, overlooking the sea and enjoying the morning breeze.
You also have Lá Sen, a fancy restaurant next to the beach with contemporary Asian and Vietnamese food. If we’re talking drinks and cocktails, you have both a beach bar and the main bar with signature drinks.
Don’t miss the afternoon tea. It can be delivered straight to your villa and it is spectacular.
You can see an example of the Nah Hai cafe evening menu below
TIP: If you are looking for something more casual near the resort, there is a western restaurant a few minutes walk from the Nam Hai on the beach to the right side. The name is Papa Shark. They offer pizza, pasta, and burgers. The vibe is very relaxed.
My personal advice here, however, is that you take some time to eat outside the resort in Hoi An as the place is famous for its food. A free shuttle at the hotel departs at 5 pm and 8pm.
Tip: I recommend taking the 5 pm shuttle so that you have a bit of time to explore the town of Hoi An before dinner. If you want to come back on your own schedule, you can take a local taxi or a Grab car ( The Uber equivalent in Asia). A Grab car from the Four Seasons to Hoi An costs around 120 Dong ( about 5 USD).
Review of the activities at the Four Seasons Nam Hai
There is plenty to do at the Four Seasons Vietnam. The resort offers mindfulness, wellness, and cultural ritual activities that reflect the sense of place and the people of Vietnam.
The beach and the pool at the Four Seasons Hoi An
Inside the resort are three infinity pools where you can linger and relax all day. Once again, I have to highlight the Four Seasons The Nam Hai service, where the staff will gently come over to you at the pool and offer towels, ice cream, or even cucumber to refresh the eyes.
The beach is beautiful with white sand and turquoise blue water. The resort is so large that the beach never feels crowded.
Yoga and meditation at the Four Seasons Hoi An
The four seasons offer daily complimentary Yoga and meditation classes. You can see the schedule of activities below.
The Yoga sessions in the morning were quite basic as they needed to accommodate many beginners yogis.
Tip: Don’t miss the cocoon meditation. You hang inside a large fabric hammock that looks like a cocoon. It gives you the feeling of floating and is hugely relaxing 😊
But what moved me the most was the “Evening ceremony.”, it starts at 6.30 pm with the sunset. You’ll float wishing candles on the Spa’s lagoon next to a glass Buddha sculpture. It is a great time to calm down, reflect on the day and your life, and remember to appreciate the present moment.
Other complimentary activities
In addition to all the sports activities, The Four Seasons offers a group bike ride through the rice fields and the neighboring village. Don’t miss it, and make sure you book ahead as the capacity is limited.
Craft activities are also available. I learned how to make a traditional lantern, and it was fun.
You can see below the schedule of complimentary activities at the Four Seasons Vietnam while I was there
The cooking academy
One highlight is the Cooking Academy at the Four Seasons resort in Hoi An. You can take cooking classes from professional chefs specializing in Vietnamese, Indian and Korean dishes. For the class recipes, the ingredients are picked from the resort’s own organic garden.
Water activities at the Four Seasons Vietnam
The water sports center is right on the beach and offers sailing, windsurfing, and paddling. Sailing used to be complimentary during my trip four years ago, but it is now chargeable.
You can see the price list of water activities below. ( apologies for the bad photo but the price list stayed in my beach bag too long…)
The Gym at the four Seasons Hoi An
The Gym is pleasant and very well-equipped with a mix of cardio and weight machines. During my stay, it was mostly empty. I also did cross-fit sessions, and Thien, the trainer, was excellent. He made the sessions challenging and entertaining.
Next to the Gym are a few tennis courts. Schedule it towards the beginning or the end of the day as it gets boiling with the midday sun.
Review of the Spa at the Four Seasons Hoi an
I am keeping the best for the end. The Spa at the Four Seasons Vietnam is exceptional.
They aim to also focus on emotional recovery. The Spa concept is based on Zen Master Thich Nhat Hahn’s teachings. Spa treatments are classified into three categories: Stability, creativity, and non-judgement. Besides the expected Spa offers like facials and massages, you also get crystal bowls rituals to “calibrate your energies,” bathing ceremonies, and meditation time.
The Spa rooms are incredible. Each of the eight spa rooms is its own overwater pavilion. The first room has the treatment room, shower, and steam room, while the second has an oversized bathtub.
I did the Nah Hai Earth sound ritual and came out of it transformed. It is their signature treatment, so don’t miss it. It started with a foot-purifying smoke and scrub, followed by a relaxing bath.
I really enjoyed soaking in the tub with the windows open onto the pond and watching the birds feeding. The massage incorporated a gem-tipped tuning fork. My masseuse was talented and knew how to go deep into the muscles while simultaneously achieving relaxation. The treatment finished with a sound bath, leaving me softer and more relaxed than ever!
Tip: Book early as the Spa is popular, and the most popular times get booked up.
The Spa is not to be missed. It was voted “Best emotional recovery spa” by Conde Nast Traveller in 2019.
As you can see, there is plenty to do at the Four Seasons Hoi An. But don’t forget to relax too!
Exploring the town of Hoi An
The Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai is located 20 minutes away from Hoi An’s historic center, named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. While the resort itself offers many fun activities, and it would be tempting to stay within the premises the whole time, I strongly suggest you take the time to explore this charming Vietnamese town.
Hoi An is located right in the middle of Vietnam. The main attractions are in the old town, which is relatively small, and you can explore it in one single visit, either on foot or riding a bike. Cars are not allowed in the old town for most of the day.
These are nine things you can do in Hoi An while you stay at the Four Seasons The Nam Hai:
1.Take an evening walk.
Make sure to be in Hoi An’s downtown by the early evening. This is my most important travel advice for Hoi An. The streets in the old town lighten up with numerous traditional lanterns, and the atmosphere is very special. You can also take a walk along the riverside.
2. Float a lantern in the river.
2. Float a lantern in the river.Speaking of lanterns, Hoi An is actually referred to as “the city of lanterns.” There is even a lantern market where you can buy your own. If you happen to visit the city while there’s a full moon, there’s a ritual: buy a lit lantern, float it in the river, and make a wish. The city turns all of its lights off for this occasion.
3. Take pictures of the old town.
A few highlights are the Japanese bridge (built in the XVI century to divide the city into two: The Japanese quarter and the Chinese Quarter, The Phuc Kien Assembly Hall (a beautiful temple with stunning architecture), the Museum of Sa Huynh Culture, and the Museum of Trade Ceramics (ancient ceramic pieces).
4. Enjoy Vietnamese food.
I’ll repeat it! Don’t hesitate to try local delicacies in one of Hoi An’s numerous restaurants. These places are supplied with fresh produce from Vietnam’s countryside and fresh seafood.
Tip: The most famous local dish is the Banh Mi Sandwich. While most people on Instagram recommend the Banh Mi Phuong stall, locals from Hoi An will tell you that Madam Khanh is the best place that still has an original taste. Sandwiches there cost less than 2 USD and are indeed very tasty.
5. Explore local arts and crafts.
Hoi An has a strong arts and crafts scene. You’ll see many local shops along the center’s streets: silks and fabrics, ceramics, tiles… and tailor shops. I even had custom clothes made once in Hoi An.
6. The Cocktail tour of Hoi An:
An original way to discover a town is through its bars and cocktails. A small Hoi An company has designed an evening tour that allows you to do just that. They take you to four unique bars in Hoi An and tell you stories of Vietnam while you sample local food and drinks. Our first stop was at a cute coffee house with some of the best coffee in Hoi An. They also let us sample their home-smoked ham.
Our next stop was the tallest building in Hoi An old town. We got there just in time to admire the sunset and the rooftop view over the old town.
The whiskey sour cocktail was strong! The third location was a bar that used to be a police station and is still full of artifacts from the Vietnam war.
We ended the tour at a rooftop bar on top of the Hoi An market. Here, we made the cocktail ourselves with Pho-infused gin (Pho is one of the famous dishes from Vietnam). 
They organize the cocktail tour every day and it is better to book ahead. You can find more info about the tour on their website here
7. Partying in Hoi An:
Hoi An is not exactly a party town but has a relaxed cafe and bar culture. If you want to party, check out Coco Casa, which is sometimes busy on weekends.
Tip: Hoi An can be very busy with local tourists on Vietnamese Holidays, so it is best to ask the concierge and plan your Hoi An visit on a quieter day.
8. Get tailor-made clothes done
Hoi An is full of tailor shops that can make clothes at record speed for you. The quality of the tailoring and the fabrics vary greatly from shop to shop. I had a few cotton and linen shorts copied at Yali couture and I was quite happy with the results. The best is to visit the shop as soon as you arrive. Ideally, you need 3 or 4 days as they will do a fitting before finalizing your clothes. They can come to the Four Seasons Resort for the fitting and can also come to deliver your finished clothes to the hotel so that you only need to go to the shop once to get the process started.
Explore the Hoi An countryside and meet the local people
On my last trip with the family, we did a trip organized with Experience Travel Group, a bespoke travel company that offers immersive holidays in South and Southeast Asia. They put together a full-day experience for us.
Our guide greeted us at the Four Seasons lobby and gave us a brief introduction before leading us to the dock. Once there, we boarded our private boat and embarked on a river cruise, taking in the sights of the local fishermen passing by and casting their nets into the water. We got to experience 2 different fishing techniques. The fisherman greeted us on their boat. The first technique was about hand-throwing a large net from a small boat.
The second technique was much more sophisticated. They created a huge net and pully system in the river. We helped them raise the net and it was hard work. Those nets are very heavy!
As we approached the Cam Thanh water coconut forest, we saw brightly colored coracle boats made of bamboo that have been used for thousands of years in coastal and riverside towns throughout Vietnam. We had the opportunity to try and fish crabs in the palm trees.
After all this excitement, we enjoyed snacks and a cup of tea at a local restaurant before embarking on a short bike ride through the Vietnamese countryside.
The bike ride took us along narrow trails through the villages and rice fields, eventually leading to the Tra Que herbal vegetable village. Here, we explored the organic gardens filled with fresh herbs, spices, and vegetables.
We had the chance to learn about the history and traditional customs of the charming village before visiting the organic herb gardens with a local farmer. They taught us about organic farming techniques.
We then put our culinary skills to the test and learned to make Tam Huu, a local delicacy of rice pancakes and banana flower salad, and Banh Xeo, a specialty pancake from Central Vietnam. We enjoyed a delicious lunch made with seasonal fresh produce that complemented our home-cooked meal.
To end the day, we indulged in a herbal foot massage to unwind before heading back to The Nam Hai.
The whole experience was incredible and delighted both adults and children. It was fast-paced and extremely well-organized. In a few hours, we went on four different boats, fished, rode bicycles, cooked lunch, met with a local farmer, and even had a foot massage. We all came back to the Nam Hai resorts with huge smiles on our faces.
If you want to see more of Vietnam than just the Four Seasons Resort, I highly recommend having Experience Travel Group organize a bespoke trip for you. They work with local partners and private guides with signature ‘give back’ and ‘secret’ elements along the way. They tend to use characterful and boutique hotels that give a sense of place – very often combined with stays in some of the best hotels in the region, such as Four Seasons Nam Hai. Prices start from USD 4800 per person, including international flights, hotels, excursions, guiding, and all internal transport. All Experience Travel Group holidays are ‘tip-inclusive’ and include a carbon contribution via their carbon capture partners Seatrees.
Conclusion: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai review
There is no hesitation in admitting that the Four Seasons Nam Hai is one of the best hotels in Vietnam and one of the most exclusive beach resorts. But once again, I have concluded that it is not the beautiful infinity pools, the food, or even the villas that sets this hotel apart (even though those are really nice). Instead, what differentiates the Four Seasons Hoi An is the excellent, impeccable service that takes your beach vacations to the next level. The resort is perfect for families or people looking for a relaxing beach vacation.
I have also reviewed the Six Senses Con Day which is the other best beach resort in Vietnam. Read my review of the Six Senses Vietnam here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Four Seasons is the best?
It is difficult to declare one Four Seasons as the best, as there are so many of them, each with a special charm. But The Nam Hai Vietnam is definitely among the best Four Seasons in the world. If you want to know more about Four Seasons, read my reviews of the Four Seasons Bali, the Four Seasons Costa Rica, and the Four Seasons Sharm el Sheik in Egypt.
What company owns four seasons hotels?
The majority of the company belongs to Bill Gates’s firm Cascade Investment.