Vietnam Backpacker Hostels - Ninhvana

Near, our Guest Services Manager, was a real highlight. He consistently went above and beyond, and the service overall was excellent. The breakfast buffet was another strong point, with lots of choice, lovely presentation, and consistently delicious food. The other dining experiences were disappointing for the resort's reputation and prices. The cave dinner, à la carte meals, and Grandma’s Kitchen all fell short: every à la carte dish we had was very oily, and the food at Grandma’s Kitchen was extremely dry. We also found the couples massage disappointing. The therapists asked what we wanted them to focus on, my husband said his feet and I mentioned my glutes, but neither area was addressed. We said it was our honeymoon and were asked to provide documentation. We did, and got two pillows on the bed. The resort is isolated, so we understood prices might be higher, but many felt inflated or gouged given the food and spa quality. Having just come from the Four Seasons, we didn't find the consistency or value comparable. There were beautiful moments and great service, but it didn't fully meet our expectations, and we probably won't stay at another Six Senses.

The setting is beautiful, the food was good, and our butler was pleasant and attentive. Most of the stay went well, but three incidents really bothered us. Our kayak flipped, and there was no lifeguard or staff member around to help. We were stuck in the water for nearly 30 minutes and got back only by holding onto a family member's kayak. If the tide had been rougher, it could have ended badly. At checkout they refused our US dollars over even the tiniest stains. We'd exchanged the same notes without trouble in other Vietnamese cities, but here they wanted bills so pristine they might have been hand-delivered by the Chairman of the Federal Reserve. Also, our transfer driver spoke very little English. I asked him to stop at a supermarket, and he nodded, but drove straight to the port instead. The resort needs to improve its safety procedures and take a more realistic approach to guest service.

The natural setting is stunning, but the rest of our family stay, with my parents, wife, and two kids, was disappointing. Vegetarian choices were very limited for a luxury resort, and the hotel struggled to provide food that wasn't on the menu. From day one, staff seemed dismissive and treated me like a tourist to take advantage of. They came across as more interested in upselling and charging than making guests feel welcome. Restaurant service was poor, and they overcharged us several times for the kids' meals. Children under 6 eat free and those aged 7-11 pay 50%, but I had to point out the mistakes, and it took them a while to acknowledge them. One evening my wife ordered a glass of Prosecco at the bar and received only half a glass. When she questioned it, staff didn't seem pleased and poured a little more to keep us happy. The service felt impersonal and short on the attention to detail expected at this level. I've stayed at several Six Senses resorts around the world and felt let down here. The beautiful location couldn't make up for the lack of genuine hospitality and the focus on profit over the guest experience. I wouldn't return.

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay gave my wife and me a stay we won't forget. We've been to luxury resorts in Thailand, Bali, Mexico, and Japan, including places known for excellence, but Thao was the finest hospitality professional we've ever met. She anticipated what we needed, remembered the small things, and made each part of the stay feel tailored to us. Her work even made me think about how I could improve my own craft and serve my clients back home better. The resort's culture felt warm and sincere. We were treated like family, not guests passing through, and the team's care felt natural rather than scripted. Every detail seemed thoughtfully handled. Thao's kindness, meticulous attention, and heartfelt care made a huge difference. The setting is breathtaking, but what made this experience so personal was the people. We'd recommend the resort without hesitation to anyone looking for a truly special stay. Thank you to everyone we met, especially Thao. We hope we can return one day.