An Lam Retreats Ninh Van Bay Resort

The food worked really well for our family, which includes vegans, vegetarians and a pescatarian. There was plenty of variety, including a separate vegetarian menu with lots of tasty choices. Breakfast was filling enough to keep us going until dinner. Prices were about what I expected for an island resort, and still below what we’d pay in Australia. It wasn’t as cheap as mainland local restaurants, but beer was inexpensive. We stayed five nights in April 2026 at An Lam Retreat Ninh Van Bay, with two pool villas for our family. Both were incredible, and the bathrooms were the most luxurious I’ve come across anywhere. I’m an interior designer with high standards, and the villas really impressed me. There are good activities and amenities on the island. Excursions, though, were very expensive and beyond what we could afford. I’d love to see some less costly options offered.

The rooms were spacious, with a comfortable bed, shower and bathtub, though the interior felt like a slightly odd mix. The team, especially at the restaurant, tried to make the best of things despite the disappointing facilities and missing items. The public areas were poorly maintained. Two thirds of the pool chairs were broken, about half the beach equipment was broken, and some deck areas hadn’t been cleaned overnight. The gym had no air conditioning, and its electrical equipment didn’t seem up to safety standards and sometimes didn’t work. The so-called private beach is a joke. There’s only room for two beach chairs at low tide, and the ocean was dark and unclear.

Seeing Black-Shanked Douc Monkeys in the nearby trees each morning and evening was the standout for us. They’re critically endangered, and watching them feed from our room felt like an experience money can’t buy. We stayed four nights in January 2025 at An Lam in Treetop Pool Villa 1, set in beautiful Ninh Van Bay with unspoilt jungle behind it. The elevated villa felt very private, with a long staircase up to it, a roomy interior and bathroom, and a spacious deck with a plunge pool and gorgeous bay views. Staff were kind and helpful. Our room was cleaned while we were at breakfast without us needing to ask. I told our butler I was pescatarian, and the restaurant staff knew after that. It was easy to message the butler on WhatsApp, and requests like clearing room service plates or bringing more water were handled straight away. The food was good, especially the Asian-style dishes; the Western ones were less successful. It wouldn’t be the best food you have in Vietnam, though we had some tasty meals, and I think there’s room for improvement. Prices are high by Vietnam standards, as I’d expect at most five-star hotels compared with local restaurants. I’d highly recommend the hotel. For the quality of the stay, it offers good value and is often the best value of the three hotels on Ninh Van Peninsula. The natural setting and wildlife were especially memorable.

Our butler, Thom, looked after us with so much warmth and care throughout the stay. Her kindness and professionalism made each day feel special, and we felt truly looked after. We spent five days at An Lam Retreats Ninh Van Bay, surrounded by mountains, sea and quiet. The resort sits naturally in its surroundings and gave us a rare sense of privacy and calm. Waking to those views and ending the days feeling grateful made it a real chance to slow down and reconnect as a family. It became one of our most beautiful and meaningful family vacations, a memory we’ll hold onto for a long time. We left with full hearts and hope to return someday.