Four Seasons The Nam Hai is, in our opinion, one of Vietnam’s most beautiful resorts. Awarded two Michelin Keys and a Forbes Five-Star rating, the resort combines understated luxury with exceptional surroundings. During our stay, it is the peaceful atmosphere, our beachfront villa and the genuinely personal service that leave the strongest impression.

Stay: 4 nights in September 2026 | Villa: Beachfront Villa #5290 | Highlights: Personal service, beachfront villa and atmosphere | Room for improvement: Direct beach access from the villa, limited housekeeping and turndown surprises, and occasional mistakes when serving dishes | Ideal for: Luxury beach holidays, honeymoons and travellers seeking tranquillity near Hoi An | Rating: 9.9/10.

On our way to the resort, we pass several large international hotel properties. Some rooms even appear to face the road rather than the sea. Then the familiar Four Seasons logo comes into view.
From the road, there is little to see beyond a wall and an impressive entrance, as is often the case with luxury resorts. Yet it immediately feels familiar. There is something about Four Seasons properties that makes us feel at home, even before stepping inside. We experienced that same feeling at Four Seasons Sayan.

As soon as our car stops, several members of staff approach to welcome us. The doors are opened, our luggage is taken care of and our names are confirmed.<br/>We are escorted inside, but instead of heading towards the reception desk, as expected, we continue through the building to the rear terrace. Suddenly, the swimming pools, beach and ocean unfold before us. The view is simply breathtaking.

After handing over our passports and credit card, we are offered a delicious iced lime tea. The resort manager comes over to introduce himself and shares a little about the property. When the receptionist returns, she seamlessly takes over.
Everything feels effortless and natural, without the slightly rehearsed atmosphere that can sometimes accompany luxury hotel check-ins.
Following some practical information, a buggy takes us to our villa.
The resort is ideally located for exploring the surrounding area. Hoi An is approximately fifteen minutes away by car, with a complimentary hotel shuttle operating three times daily. The city’s historic Ancient Town is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Da Nang is around thirty minutes away and easily reached using Grab. The resort itself occupies an expansive, beautifully maintained beachfront estate, offering a remarkable sense of space and privacy.

We have stayed at a beachfront villa, and our first impression is excellent. Passing through the entrance gates, we enter a private garden with a spacious villa and the ocean just beyond.<br/>There are two villas next to each other, and we are escorted to one of them. Once inside, the generous proportions immediately stand out. There are several seating areas, but our attention is drawn straight to the sea. For us, that view is difficult to beat.

The entrance leads directly into the combined living and sleeping area. Opposite the front door is a cabinet housing the coffee machine and minibar. In front of it stands a desk overlooking the first seating area, the bed and, naturally, the ocean.

The main lounge area is designed for relaxation, with low, comfortable sofas that invite you to settle in for a while. Behind it stands the bed.
Together, the lounge and sleeping area form something resembling a large, beautifully designed alcove. Curtains can be drawn in the evening, allowing the spaces to feel connected while still providing some separation.
The bed offers the comfort we have come to expect from Four Seasons, although it feels slightly smaller than those we have experienced at other properties. The pillows are different too, but overall, the sleeping comfort remains excellent.

A few steps below the bedroom is a second seating area, positioned directly in front of the large windows. The television is discreetly concealed behind the bed, facing the sofa in this lower living area.

At the rear of the villa is an exceptionally spacious bathroom. Both sides feature wardrobes with hanging space and drawer-style shelving, as well as individual washbasins.<br/>Further along, the toilet is located on one side and the shower on the other, both overlooking the garden. The shower is generously sized, with a powerful rainfall showerhead. There is also a bathtub.

Every evening, as part of the turndown service, candles are lit near the entrance and in the bathroom. We particularly appreciate this thoughtful touch. Even with the lights switched off, the bathroom retains a soft, warm glow. The candles are removed during the day and replaced each evening.

An outdoor shower is one of those small luxuries we particularly enjoy in a tropical destination. Ours offers complete privacy, making an open-air shower a wonderful way to start the morning.

A door from the living area opens onto the garden, where a sofa provides a lovely place to sit and enjoy the ocean view.<br/>The villa is elevated above the beach, with a wall separating the garden from the sand. Unfortunately, our villa does not have steps leading directly down to the beach.<br/>To reach the sand, we have to walk past the neighbouring villa. We are not entirely sure whether this is the intended route, but as the neighbouring villa is unoccupied, it does not feel intrusive.

The turndown service is consistently well executed. Each day, we receive a small card featuring an inspirational saying, occasionally accompanied by biscuits.
Nevertheless, we find the additional touches during housekeeping and turndown somewhat limited, particularly compared with our experience at Capella Hanoi.

The resort offers several dining options, including the Japanese restaurant Nayuu, the Indian-inspired Cafe Nam Hai and the Vietnamese restaurant La Sen.

On our first evening, we dine at Cafe Nam Hai. We have a lovely table outside, with the gentle sound of the waves in the background. The service is attentive and the food is outstanding.
We choose chicken prepared with Indian spices. That evening, a chef from Four Seasons Bangalore is visiting the kitchen to prepare authentic Indian dishes. The flavours are wonderful, and we thoroughly enjoy the experience.

We also thoroughly enjoy La Sen. We start with a pomelo and coconut salad, beautifully presented with generous pieces of coconut and pink pomelo. For our main courses, we choose a yellow curry and charcoal-grilled chicken served with a deliciously spicy coriander sauce.

One minor disappointment is the way dishes are served. Throughout our stay, we notice that plates are regularly placed in front of the wrong person, something that happens in several of the resort’s restaurants.<br/>For example, the charcoal-grilled chicken is confidently presented to one of us, even though it was ordered by the other. Only when we point out the mistake are the plates exchanged. It is a small detail, but at this level of hospitality, these things stand out.

The Sol & Sao bar is another highlight and, like La Sen, well worth a visit.
For us, the atmosphere is among the most beautiful we have experienced at a beachfront resort. The elevated terrace overlooking the beach is a particularly special place to spend an evening.
As darkness falls, we sit listening to the waves and feeling the sea breeze while enjoying our drinks. During our stay, the Tiger Market cocktail becomes a firm favourite.

We did not dine at Nayuu, the resort’s Japanese omakase restaurant. As we are not looking for a full tasting menu, we decide to give it a miss.

The gym is housed in a separate building near the entrance to the resort. It is a spacious facility with its own reception area and changing rooms.

There is an extensive selection of Technogym equipment, ranging from cardio machines to strength-training equipment. Everything looks modern and is maintained to an excellent standard.

The wellness area adjoining the gym is relatively small. The changing rooms include a Finnish sauna and a steam room.<br/>Guests are advised to inform reception approximately thirty minutes before using the sauna, allowing sufficient time for it to heat up.<br/>There are no dedicated relaxation lounges in this part of the resort, which makes the wellness facilities here rather limited.

The three swimming pools at Four Seasons The Nam Hai are arranged on different levels, creating a spectacular view across the tropical gardens towards the ocean.<br/>There is a Family Pool, a lap pool for swimming lengths and a peaceful infinity pool known as the Quiet Pool.<br/>We always choose the Quiet Pool, where there are plenty of comfortable sun loungers.

The poolside service is excellent. As soon as guests arrive, a member of staff accompanies them to their loungers and prepares the towels. Bottled water follows almost immediately.<br/>Throughout the day, staff offer small refreshments, including ice cream, fresh fruit and drinks. These thoughtful touches are particularly welcome in the tropical heat.

Tall palm trees surround the pool area, providing plenty of natural shade. The views across the other pools towards the sea are magnificent.<br/>Even the ocean is wonderfully warm during our stay. Given the region’s tropical climate, we imagine the water remains pleasant for much of the year.

There are also sun loungers and parasols on the beach, although relatively few guests seem to use them. The loungers are exceptionally comfortable, and the same attentive service is available here as around the pools.

We visited the Four Seasons The Nam Hai during the low season, and according to one member of staff, approximately half of the villas were occupied.<br/>As a result, the resort feels wonderfully peaceful and exclusive.<br/>There are families with children staying at the resort, but we hardly notice them. Children have their own Family Pool and are not permitted to use the Quiet Pool.<br/>This arrangement works extremely well. The Quiet Pool really does live up to its name.

Breakfast at Four Seasons The Nam Hai offers an extensive selection.<br/>The buffet features exceptionally fresh bread and pastries, beautifully presented fruit and a wide variety of toppings and accompaniments.<br/>There is also a generous selection of hot dishes, with a particularly strong emphasis on Indian cuisine. Perhaps this is connected to the visiting chef from Bangalore.

In addition to the buffet, guests can order freshly prepared egg dishes and breakfast specials from the à la carte menu.<br/>Some of the more elaborate specials require approximately 25 minutes of preparation. We do not order these, although the descriptions sound very appealing.<br/>Service at breakfast is attentive and friendly, apart from the occasional mix-up when dishes are brought to the table, as mentioned earlier.<br/>Staff are happy to engage in conversation, and empty plates are cleared promptly. Overall, the level of attention is exactly what we expect from a Four Seasons resort.

What an exceptional resort.<br/>Although Four Seasons The Nam Hai does not feature in the 2026 extended top 100 of The World’s 50 Best Hotels, we believe it thoroughly deserves a place among the world’s finest hotels.

The resort occupies an enormous, beautifully landscaped estate. The bicycles provided at each villa are therefore far more than a charming extra.<br/>The lawns are remarkably green and watered extensively every day. The landscaped gardens are meticulously maintained, with staff constantly removing fallen palm leaves, trimming plants and caring for the grounds.

For us, what makes Four Seasons The Nam Hai so special is the combination of luxury, tranquillity and genuinely personal service.<br/>Whenever we return from the busy streets of Hoi An or Da Nang and pass through the resort gates, it feels as though we are entering another world. The traffic, noise and crowds give way to peace, open spaces and lush greenery.

We feel thoroughly looked after throughout our stay.<br/>We have several conversations with members of the management team about the resort and our experiences. We appreciate that they take the time to speak with guests personally rather than remaining behind the scenes.<br/>Wherever we go, members of staff seem to know our names. That level of recognition makes a real difference.

And the personal attention goes beyond simply greeting us by name.
On our second morning, the breakfast team remembers exactly what we ordered the previous day and asks whether we would like the same again.
These may seem like small details, but they are precisely what elevate a luxury hotel stay into something memorable. We experienced a similar level of personal attention at Four Seasons Otemachi.

The bicycles provided with every villa are another unexpected pleasure.<br/>Buggy services are common at luxury resorts, but being able to cycle independently through such beautiful surroundings adds a completely different dimension to the experience.<br/>Even here, the staff think of everything. While we are having breakfast, someone notices that our bicycle tyres need air and inflates them for us.<br/>We never have to concern ourselves with the little practical details.

And ultimately, it is these moments that stay with us.<br/>Taking an outdoor shower in complete privacy in the morning. Cycling through the gardens on our way to breakfast. Returning to our villa in the evening to find the candles already glowing.<br/>Individually, these may seem like small pleasures. Together, they define our experience of Four Seasons The Nam Hai.

Having stayed at Capella Hanoi immediately before arriving here, where the service was exceptional, we were particularly impressed to discover that Four Seasons The Nam Hai delivers a similarly high standard of hospitality.

Scores

• Ambience: 10,0
• Room: 10,0
• Value for Money 9,8 (one of the most expensive resorts in the country)
• Service: 9,8
• Housekeeping: 10,0
• Overall: 9,9