Hoi An: The Hidden Jewel and the Four Seasons Resort||||Hoi An has truly been my favorite city to visit so far. As our trip nears its final leg in Saigon, I can’t help but reminisce about the breathtaking beauty and charm of Hoi An. Staying at the Four Seasons was like stepping into a tropical paradise. The resort was immaculate, and our three-bedroom villa was nothing short of spectacular.||||Upon entering the property, we were greeted by a lovely front entrance gate, complete with a front yard and fountain. The main living room was spacious and inviting, featuring a large family table, numerous sofas, and a television. This space opened up to a beautiful pool surrounded by lush gardens that were meticulously maintained.||||To the right of the main living room was a king bed villa with a stunning sunken bathtub and bedroom. On the left were two additional villas. The boys stayed in one while the girls and I took the other. The girls’ villa was particularly enchanting, with silk-like curtains draping around the canopy bed, making it look like a room fit for princesses. My room, the master suite, was simply incredible. Each villa had sliding glass doors that opened up to a beautiful backyard, leading to the pool, creating a serene sanctuary for us.||||Our first night at the Four Seasons was unforgettable. We dined at the hotel restaurant, sitting by the pool despite the stifling June heat. Fans blew on us as we enjoyed a glass of red wine, but even at 9 PM, the heat was intense. The ambiance was serene, with beautiful Asian musicians playing live music on traditional instruments. The instruments, which I couldn’t name, added a unique and captivating sound to the evening, enhancing the magical atmosphere. Although dining out in Vietnam can be very affordable, this meal was much pricier than anything we spent out on the streets. However, the ambience and experience were definitely worth it.||||The next day, we spent our time enjoying the hotel’s amenities. Our private butler, Ngan, was a gem. I playfully remembered her name by thinking of the word “tank” and adding it in, calling her “Ngan” the whole time. She always smiled and responded warmly, making our stay even more delightful. Ngan went above and beyond to ensure our stay was perfect. She helped us with reservations, organized our laundry, and even made me ginger and lemongrass tea to soothe my sniffles. Her kindness and dedication made saying goodbye to the Four Seasons the hardest part of our departure.||||But it wasn’t just Ngan who made our stay exceptional. Every time we needed to go somewhere, we just had to push zero on the phone, and a six-seat golf cart would pull up within moments to take us wherever we wanted to go on the property. Everyone greeted us with a smile and took exceptional care of us.||||A Special Memory at the Villa||||One of the most memorable moments of our trip happened at the pool in our villa. Nat and Sam got engaged, and we captured their beautiful engagement photos there. It was a magical setting, and those pictures will hold a special place in their hearts forever. I even told them that maybe one day, they could bring their children back and share the story of their engagement in Vietnam. The villa and the pool will always be a place of cherished memories.||||Exploring Hoi An||||During our stay, we indulged in a lot of shopping and spent considerable time with a tailor. We became so close that we’re shipping items back to her friends in America! One of the highlights of our shopping trip was when Natalie had her wedding dress made by a tailor recommended by the Four Seasons. The dress turned out beautifully and will be a cherished memory of our time in Hoi An.||||One of our other highlights was visiting the Golden Bridge, which reminded me of Epcot. It boasts the Guinness World Record for the highest and longest cable car. If you have a fear of heights, this might be one to skip!||||We also explored the My Son Sanctuary and Marble Mountain, each offering a unique glimpse into Vietnam’s rich history and culture. Touring the old town of Hoi An was a magical experience, especially seeing the lantern boats. Our meal at Morning Glory Signature Restaurant offered a spectacular view, making it a perfect dining experience.||||The Best Meal of the Day||||Every morning, we enjoyed a delightful breakfast that was part of our villa experience. We would go to the main area of the hotel restaurant, which provided an incredible buffet. The spread included the most beautiful fruits and native foods, but they also had a menu featuring more western dishes like omelets and hashbrowns. Our family particularly enjoyed trying the traditional foods each day, making breakfast our favorite meal. The combination of a stunning setting and delicious food made for a wonderful start to each day.||||A Fond Farewell||||Leaving Hoi An was bittersweet. The staff at the Four Seasons made us feel like family, and their genuine care and concern were touching. They treated a scrape on my arm daily, and even the hostess noticed my sniffles and made me special tea. Ngan’s warmth and efficiency made our stay seamless, and we truly felt at home.||||As we packed our bags and said our goodbyes, we were filled with a mix of sadness and excitement for our next adventure in Saigon. Hoi An left an indelible mark on our hearts, and I highly recommend spending more time here than we did. Five days simply wasn’t enough to experience all the beauty and culture this city has to offer.||||Luxury Arrival and Exceptional Service||||When we arrived at the airport in Hoi An, the Four Seasons had their luxury transportation vehicle waiting for us. They also brought an additional vehicle because we had so many people and so much luggage. Throughout our stay, they offered that vehicle to us numerous times. It was very nice and had Wi-Fi on board, which was a big hit with the kids. The exceptional service didn't stop there. We met a wonderful taxi driver in town who picked us up several times, waited for us, and even helped us buy additional luggage when we had too much clothing to pack. This level of kindness and helpfulness truly exemplifies the warmth of the Vietnamese people.||||Final Thoughts||||Hoi An has been a highlight of our trip, offering a perfect blend of luxury, culture, and heartfelt hospitality. As we move on to Saigon, we carry with us the memories of this enchanting city and the wonderful people we met. Our journey through Vietnam continues, and I can’t wait to share more of our adventures!||||||Hashtags:||#HoiAn #VietnamTravel #FourSeasonsResort #LuxuryTravel #TravelDiaries #VietnamAdventure #HoiAnTravel #FourSeasonsHoiAn #ExploreVietnam #TravelBlog #TravelWithUs #EngagementPhotos #DestinationWedding #GoldenBridge #MySonSanctuary #MarbleMountain #LanternBoats #MorningGloryRestaurant #LuxuryResorts #TropicalParadise #TravelMemories #DiscoverHoiAn #LuxuryArrival #ExceptionalService #VietnamCulture #FamilyVacation #TravelExperience #Kindness...
Read moreDuring a 3-week Vietnam trip in April my son and I visited the beautiful city of Hoi An. While we were there, we stayed at the Hoi An Four Seasons Villa, a wonderful small family-run hotel on the outskirts of Hoi An. ||The location of the hotel, set on the edge of the rice fields, is beautiful, quiet and peaceful. By chance, while we were there we were also lucky enough to be able to watch part of the rice harvest take place right in front of the pool area. Although the hotel is set away from Hoi An’s historic city centre, it is also removed from the noise and traffic of the city. But the hotel is still close enough to walk into the city centre or you can take a quick and cheap Grab scooter or car (the Vietnamese equivalent of Uber) if you prefer. ||Our second-floor family room was spacious, bright, very clean, comfortable beds, and had a balcony with a nice view of the pool and out to the rice fields beyond. The only thing to keep in mind about this hotel is that it does not have elevators, so it is unsuitable for people with mobility issues. ||The pool was fantastic! It was a good size and well maintained with tables and lounge chairs around the pool area, and it was never crowded. The made-to-order daily breakfast (ordered the night before) was excellent and included a selection of Western or Asian breakfast options, fresh in-season fruit, juices and coffee or tea. Make sure to have the fruit pancake they offer as part of the breakfast selection. It was delicious! The hotel owners and their staff were always very friendly, kind, and helpful. When we were late arriving due to train delays from Ho Chi Minh City, they prepared something for us to eat even before we checked in. This thoughtful gesture was very much appreciated as we were both very hungry and irritable by the time we arrived at the hotel. If needed, they also offer transportation to and from the airport and train station in Da Nang, as well as arrange tours. ||We were very happy that we made Hoi An Four Seasons Villa our hotel choice for our stay in Hoi An. It offers great value in a lovely setting. Highly...
Read moreThis is a beautiful, quiet, special hideaway spot that's perfect for wanting to unwind. The people are extremely nice and accommodating, and you will be treated very well here. When I first came in, I was exhausted from my flight and a bit nauseous from the drive from Da Nang with all the stops and starts and honking. I was greeted with some of the best calming tea and fresh, delicious cut watermelon. There's lot of trips you can arrange, although I can't speak to them because I ended up just relaxing and wandering the city and beach. It's a very great location not too far away from the Old City - just a 20ish minute walk and you can also bike if you like. There isn't a hotel bar, but the refridgerator has fairly priced beer and drinks if you would like that. Seems great for families, too - no loud and young party goers while I was there. The only complaints one could have is yes, there are chickens, but I don't think they are too loud or obstrusive unless you're really sensitive to that sort of thing. The shower was a bit temperamental, and I almost scalded myself a few times, but aren't all of our showers at home like that, too? I would definitely recommend staying at Hoi An Four Seasons Villa for anyone wanting to enjoy and explore Hoi An without too much...
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