Hotel Review: Nam Hai, Hoi An

The stunning Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam is one of my all-time favourite holiday resorts. The villas are dotted amongst luscious tropical gardens, and the endless stretch of white sand makes for one of the most spectacular beaches in the world. Everything at the Nam Hai screams luxury and relaxation – including unfortunately the price tag!

Nam Hai Hotel Hoi An Vietnam

Bedtime at the Nam Hai

The Nam Hai is an all-villa resort, giving you lots of privacy. Choose from 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and even 5-bedroom villas, making life easier for families or groups holidaying together. All but some of the one-bedroom villas come with private pools. The villas are decorated in traditional Vietnamese style, with lots of dark wood, billowing drapes and local artwork. Enormous four-poster beds and outdoor showers add to the sense of luxury.

 

However, the bedrooms are full of hazards if you are travelling with small children – to begin with the bed sits on a raised platform approximately two feet from the ground. On this platform there is both a sunken writing desk and a sunken bath… pretty much a disaster waiting to happen if you have an energetic toddler with you. Additionally, there are steps leading from the bedroom to the living area. If you opt for a pool villa, you obviously have another hazard right there in your garden!

Nam Hai Hotel Hoi An Vietnam
The Nam Hai villas are dotted amongst the beachside tropical garden setting

Playtime at the Nam Hai

The Nam Hai boasts three gorgeous swimming pools, which cascade down the length of the resort, from reception to the white sandy beach. All the swimming pools are lined with palm trees and enjoy uninterrupted views out to sea. However, note that children are only allowed in one of the three swimming pools – although this is definitely the most fun pool, with trickling water fountains and plenty of platforms to launch yourselves off. My kids particularly loved the ‘special treats’ that were delivered throughout the day by the pool – from fruit kebabs to chocolate coated ice creams!

There is also a tennis court, a fabulous spa and plenty of grass for the kids to run around on… and of course not forgetting the endless stretch of pristine beach. If you need some adult-only time, there is a kids activity villa, where you can drop off children aged 4-12, to be entertained with a variety of games and activities.

Nam Hai hôtel Hoi An Vietnam
The endless stretch of beach is perfect for kiddie playtime

Dinnertime at the Nam Hai

There are two restaurants at the Nam Hai – The Restaurant and The Beach Restaurant. A generous buffet is served at The Restaurant for breakfast in the morning – including champagne, which is always appreciated by holidaying parents! Here, you can choose from indoor air-conditioning, or the outdoor deck overlooking the swimming pools. At night, they serve an eclectic mix of Indian and contemporary fusion dishes.

The Beach Restaurant is the ideal spot for lunch with its stunning view of the beach. They dish up a selection of Vietnamese classics and western comfort food such as pizzas, salads and burgers. Once the sun sets, traditional Vietnamese musicians provide a relaxed atmosphere for a Vietnamese feast at the candlelit tables.

There is also a bar above the Restaurant, which serves cocktails and drinks to live piano music until 1am. We were the only people in here whenever we visited!

Hoi-An with kids
Explore the winding streets of beautiful historic Hoi An.

In the ‘hood

The beautiful and historic Hoi An is just a 20-minute drive from the Nam Hai and is widely regarded as Vietnam’s most charming town. You could happily while away a few hours wandering the streets here, admiring the architecture, browsing in the souvenir and art shops and stopping off for a spring roll or two. If your children are too young to wander the streets for long, give their little legs a rest by hiring a cyclo driver to pedal you around for some exertion-free sightseeing.

Check out the latest prices for this hotel here:

Hoi An is also famous for its tailor shops, which are everywhere. Come armed with a favourite outfit to have copied, or browse through Pinterest on the shop’s iPad (yes really!) Ask your hotel for a recommendation, as the quality of the shops varies hugely. It’s not just for adults either – my 3-year old loved picking out some material and being measured up for a new skirt.

There are lots of fun day-trips that take you into the countryside to learn about the local farming and fishing communities and if you’re looking for some culture, the ruins of My Son Sanctuary are considered by many to be Vietnam’s most significant archeological site. My Son Sanctuary can be visited in a half-day trip, including a boat trip back to Hoi An.

Conclusion

The Nam Hai is one of my favourite resorts anywhere in the world. Without a doubt, if I were returning to Hoi An with no kids or with older kids, I would choose to stay at the Nam Hai. However, with small children or toddlers, I would probably recommend the Hyatt Regency in Danang over the Nam Hai. You can read our review of the Hyatt Regency Danang here.

*Update January 2017: Please note that since we reviewed the Nam Hai it has been taken over by Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. All reports I have heard from readers who have stayed there have been exceedingly positive. It seems the Nam Hai has only got better!

 Check here for the latest prices and more information about the Nam Hai.

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Nam Hai hôtel Hoi An

Mum on the Move stayed “undercover” at the Nam Hai and paid for their own stay in the hotel. All opinions expressed are honest and our own. This post contains affiliate links. If you book a hotel through the affiliate website, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

 

4 thoughts on “Hotel Review: Nam Hai, Hoi An”

  1. Love Vietnam and Hai Hoi is one of the best city’s! Next time i will buy a motorbike and bike all of Vietnam. Great beaches and great history in Hai Hoi. I was surprised all of the Russian owned resorts!

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  2. Great post – I would love to stay at the Nam Hai it looks divine. But this post does make me feel slightly better about not doing it with the kids this time round! We’re currently in Hoi An and enjoying our stay – we’ve rented a house which is amazing to spread out in, but not a very luxurious option.

    Reply
    • Thanks Rachael – yes it is divine, I dream of it all the time, lol. Maybe when the kids are older we will go back (or better yet leave them with the grandparents for a weekend!) but for now we prefer something a bit easier with the kids. Enjoy the rest of your time in Hoi An! Did you see my post on the farming & fishing tour? One of the most fun things we have done in Hoi An if you have time 🙂
      Marianne Rogerson recently posted…Hotel Review: Alamanda Palm Cove, AustraliaMy Profile

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