Asia
Namia River Retreat: a wellness inclusive stay in Hoi An
Mar
Hoi An in Vietnam is arguably one of the most picturesque town in the country, perched on the river with architecture influenced by Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese culture who came to the town by boat. Namia River Retreat is one of the latest addition near the city, a wellness-inclusive resort on the river that’s a short boat ride or scene riverside walk to the old town but away from the hustle in its own tranquil bubble.
I had a wonderful stay there and am excited to share my review in case you want to visit for yourself:
Table of Contents
Overview of Namia River Retreat
Namia River Retreat is a tranquil wellness-inclusive resort situated on the picturesque Cồn Ba Xã Islet in Hoi An, Vietnam. Inspired by Vietnamese herbology, the retreat combines cultural experiences with holistic wellness therapies, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the serene beauty of the surrounding landscape and the rich heritage of Hoi An.
How to Get to Namia River Retreat
From Danang Airport:
Namia River Retreat is conveniently located approximately 30 kilometers from Danang International Airport. Guests can reach the resort via Grab/taxi or pre-arranged shuttle services, which typically take around 40-60 minutes.
Namia River Retreat Amenities
Namia River Retreat is designed to be an all-inclusive zen escape in Hoi An. It’s the perfect place to chill and enjoy the peace and quiet, but there are also many daily activities that you can join to explore the culture and keep yourself engaged.
The resort is big since everyone will be in a villa, below is a map so you know where things are:
Swimming Pool
While you have your own private pool to swim in, you can also head to the main pool where you can swim laps with the pool bar nearby. It has a stunning views of the Thu Bon River and there is also a kid’s pool.
Fitness
They have several fitness facilities for the guests and also as part of the daily activities.
Fitness Center
A well-equipped fitness center is available and they have a comprehensive range of equipment for all workout purposes.
Yoga
There is daily morning and afternoon yoga at the studio adjacent to the fitness center.
Mediation Sala
The meditation sala is at the edge of the resort that offers a serene environment for morning meditation.
Kid’s Playzone
There is a kid’s playzone next to the kid’s pool that is indoors with air conditioning as well.
The Spa: Lumina Well Being
The spa at Namia River Retreat specializes in treatments inspired by Vietnamese Herbology, offering guests a unique experience with herbal remedies, traditional therapies, and wellness journeys tailored to individual needs.
We have to fill out a healthcare questionnaire on arrival to list out any injuries or health issues. For each day of your stay, you receive 90 minutes of treatments but you do need to reserve the time in advance.
Here’s what you can do as part of your treatment:
River Sauna & Plunge
Enjoy the riverside herbal sauna and old plunge. This is a communal and complimentary activity so you can inquire at the spa to do it throughout the day.
Herbal Hammam
This unique treatment utilizes locally sourced herbs combined with traditional steam therapy. The herbal hammam is designed to cleanse the body, open the pores, and enhance relaxation while honoring Vietnam’s rich herbal traditions.
Signature Massage Treatments
Lumina Well Being Spa features a variety of traditional massage techniques, including:
Vietnamese Massage
A deep tissue treatment that focuses on releasing tension and improving circulation using rhythmic techniques. There are several types of massage body oil you can choose from.
Cupping Therapy
Cupping therapy uses heated suction cups that are used on the upper body in combination with Vietnamese massage to release tension in the back, neck, and shoulder.
Facial Reflexology
Also known as Dien Chan, this treatment uses 5 acupressure tools to release face, head, and neck tension while providing relaxation for the mind.
Acupressure Therapy
Utliising Dien Chan tools and body oil, the acupressure therapy focuses on pressure points all over the body.
Daily Activities
The resort curates a range of daily activities, including cultural experiences, yoga classes, and guided exploration of the beautiful surroundings, ensuring a holistic stay. You do have to book a slot in advance as the resort will have to prepare for it.
It’s best to check on booking or arrival the timetable for the activities, but this is the one available during my stay:
6:00 – 6:45 Guided Bicycle Trail
7:00 – 7:30: Tai Chi (Duong sinh)
7:30 – 8:00: Silent Mindful Walk
8:00 – 8:45: Yang Flow Yoga Class
9:15 – 9:30: Blessing Tree Meditation
11:00 – 12:00: Kids Eco Crafting
14:00 – 14:30: Basket Paddle around the island
16:00 – 16:45: Yin stretch & breath
17:00 – 18:00: Sunset Cruise
18:30 – 19:00: Lantern Lighting Ritual
20:00 – 20:45: Sleep Yoga Session
Shuttle to Hoi An
There are shuttle boats and shuttle bus services to the Hoi An Ancient Town and the beach respectively, but schedule is limited and ends by mid afternoon:
Shuttle boat to Hoi An
The shuttle boat docks at the Mango Room near the ancient town. It’s worth noting that the journey is about 25-30 minutes, which is around the same amount of time as it’ll take on foot.
Depart: 8:00, 10:00, 12:30, 14:30
Return: 9:00, 11:00, 13:30, 15:30
Shuttle bus to An Bang Beach
An Bang Beach is the beach to the north (Hoi An is on the south side of the peninsula on this end) and is a nice beach with plenty of eateries.
Depart to Salt Bar Hoi An: 10:00, 14:00
Return:12:00, 16:00
Restaurants in Namia River Retreat
The retreat features dining options that highlight locally sourced ingredients, offering authentic Vietnamese cuisine as well as international dishes crafted by talented chefs.
The Merchant
The Merchant is by the welcome lounge and where breakfast is served. It focuses on Vietnamese cuisine and Hoi An’s specialty.
Breakfast at the Merchant
The breakfast spread at the Merchant was comprehensive with a noodle station, plenty of delicious pastries, and a buffet spread.
I’m impressed with the variety of the fruits as well as the assortment of cheese and cold cuts.
You can also find Vietnamese and local specialty during breakfast in addition to the wonderful buffet spread. We got egg coffee as well as Cao Lao, Banh Xeo, and also Mi Quang.
Lunch at the Merchant
Merchant offers a Taste of Hoi An menu that is inspired by Hoi An and Vietnamese cuisine, with a selection of cold and hot appetizers as well as sharing style dishes (which can also be single portion).
We tried the steak tartare and the salmon ceviche as starters and both are delicious. We had the Namia Roast Duck and the Rib eye roll steak as main, the former is a bit tough (same as the duck at breakfast), but the steak was delicious.
They also have an extensive beverage menu, including local wines and herbal teas as well as kombucha.
For dessert, we both got the chocolate lava cake and it’s so gooey and good that I still think about it.
The Fisherman
The Fisherman is an open concept restaurant by the main pool. Inspired by the region’s rich fishing culture, The Fisherman offers a relaxed and casual dining atmosphere where guests can savor the freshest catches from the sea. This restaurant is dedicated to showcasing local seafood through expertly prepared dishes that highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Namia River Retreat Villas
Namia River Retreat only has villas and they feature spacious open-plan layouts, modern amenities. You’ll either have a stunning view of the river or the lush nipa palm forest, and also unlimited minibar with non-alcoholic drinks as well as snacks.
They also have a few family villas as well as a honeymoon villa.
Nipa Villa (River View)
We stayed at the Napia Villa and the first thing that caught my attention was the giant sunken tub in front of the bed and the private pool sparkling invitingly under the sun.
The villa is open plan with the bathroom behind the bed and the living room with fully stocked minibar and snacks amenities. The selection of filtered coffee is impressive and clearly labelled.
Sustainability in Namia River Retreat
Namia River Retreat is committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The resort employs eco-friendly practices, including the use of local materials in its construction and operation, waste reduction strategies, and initiatives to support local communities. By preserving the natural beauty of Hoi An and promoting cultural heritage, Namia River Retreat strives to provide a responsible and enriching travel experience for its guests.
