Six Senses Ninh Van Bay

Set on a stunning stretch of beach only accessible by boat, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay fulfills a castaway fantasy from the comfort of a barefoot-chic private pool villa.

• The coral reef just off the beach, buzzing with marine life and excellent for snorkeling
• The chic beachfront pool villas with spectacular views and footpaths to the sea
• The romantic Dining by the Rocks restaurant, accessible by a jungle pathway and featuring panoramic views and a seasonal tasting menu

Aboard a speedboat zipping away from the mainland, the first glimpse of Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is a dazzling cove. Next, granite boulders stacked in dramatic formations come into view, followed by a smattering of thatched roofs along the beach and up the hillside. A deck reaches out to sea, and on it a line of smiling, waving staff. It’s a far more elegant arrival than washing up to shore, but Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is every bit a castaway paradise.

Set on a peninsula in the east Vietnam Sea that is only accessible by boat, Ninh Van Bay runs along the side of a forested mountain and cascades down to a crescent-shaped beach. A coral reef buzzing with technicolor marine life lies just a few feet off the shore. Sandy pathways lined with lush forest connect the villas to the three restaurants, main pool, spa, water sports center and tennis courts, all accessible by bicycle or buggy. Each villa is assigned a butler, available by direct dial to assist with every request.

Of the many luxuries at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, one of the most extravagant is space. The 59 villas have soaring ceilings, oversized open-air living rooms and terraces opening up to generous private pools. The bedrooms are a study in barefoot luxury: whitewashed and spotless with textured walls, romantic canopy beds and wood-paneled ceilings. Many rooms have a beckoning bay window with a lounger that can seat two overlooks the sea. Stylish bathrooms are airy with earthy details: bamboo ceilings, indoor and outdoor showers and an authentic wooden Japanese soaking tub.

The beachfront villas are duplex-style, with the bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor and an open-air living room upstairs boasting panoramic views (this area is ideal for an in-room meal). Romantics seeking privacy and seclusion will love the Water Villas, set in the rocks past the beach and only accessible by foot on jungle pathways. These villas feature a private pool carved into the rocks and sit directly over the sea, with wooden steps leading down to the water, just a few strokes away from the reef. The overwater deck provides a totally romantic setting for a private BBQ dinner at sunset.

The jaw-dropping Rock Retreat is a totally private, two-bedroom extravaganza with a large pool carved into a boulder and is accessible by speedboat or a 20-minute walk through the jungle. The newest villa is the gorgeous three-bedroom hilltop reserve, which boasts the largest pool on property, a spacious deck and incredible views to the sea and Nha Trang in the distance.

Active travelers can spend their days snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, water skiing, hiking through the jungle or fishing. After a long day on the water, the Six Senses spa is a serene sanctuary in the jungle with open-air elements and award-winning treatments. For those looking to experience more of Vietnam, cultural tours to the local villages and working rice fields can be arranged.

Couples and families looking to retreat into a gorgeous, barefoot-chic villa for ample pool and beach time. Travelers who enjoy heading off property for meals and excursions may feel stir-crazy.