Namia River Retreat Hotel

Vietnam

Three separate but connected resort villages, each with its own identity, together form a wellbeing-focused sanctuary in Vietnam, with Hoi An’s Ancient Town a bamboo-bicycle ride away

Pairing serenity with cultural connection, this inspired sanctuary spans a pocket of coastline and its own island. Three distinct villages make up this modern retreat that lies at the edge of the formertrading port, Hoi An, and its famously well-preserved Ancient Town, which itself lies amid a landscape of vibrant green rice fields on Vietnam’s central coast. Craft Village, featuring The Merchant restaurant, clings to the mainland coast; while both River Village, home to The Fisherman restaurant, pool and boat dock, and Light Village, where you’ll find the spa, take over Con Ba Xa islet.

Integral to the whole experience is wellbeing, rooted in Vietnamese tradition, with Namia even being named a founding property of the new Wellbeing Collection by Small Luxury Hotels of the World earlier this year. Ancient healing practices, from herbology to reflexology and mindful breath-work, meet contemporary spa design; the Lumina spa gently curves around the river’s contours, with views over the water from tranquil spaces encompassing steam rooms, a cold plunge, outdoor wellbeing salas and two apothecaries.

The retreat’s 60 pool villas, designed with natural textures and commanding palm forest or river views, open out on to terraces and they all come with bamboo bicycles for getting into town easily. Sustainability, community engagement and cultural preservation are at the heart of this hotel’s ethos, a philosophy that is reflected most through its complimentary activitiesincluding sunset cruises and guided cycling trails.

The dining experience pays homage to local traditions too,with The Merchant putting outmodern interpretations of traditional Vietnamese dishes, inspired by Hoi An’s merchant past, and a focus on freshly caught seafood at The Fisherman.

Words by Lauren Jade Hill. Photography by Frederik Wissink.

Doubles from £444. +84 235 396 9888, namiariverretreat.com