Vietnam is quickly becoming a major travel hotspot, but most well-heeled travelers have never heard of Con Dao. It is a group of stunning pristine tropical islands off the southern tip of Vietnam. The fact that most have never heard of it is what makes it exclusive. It’s also the location of an unforgettable vacation courtesy of the Six Senses Resort and Spa Con Dao, Vietnam.
Six Senses is an exclusive hotel brand with only nine resorts in wonderfully secluded and exotic locations around the world. Their Vietnamese property is located in Con Son which is the largest of the 16 islands in the Con Dao archipelago. The island is mountainous with many isolated beaches and surrounded by clear blue water. There is an active harbor, local market, and many landmarks and temples to explore. The only traffic jam there is when the occasional group of cows crosses the road and holds up a few cars and motor bikes.
Six Senses Con Dao is on a mile long stretch flawless stretch of beach in a cove surrounded by a rugged natural reserve. Couples can be seen each morning walking hand in hand along the beach. No need to jockey for position for best spot on the beach for your chaise lounge. In fact, they don’t even have them on the beach. For beach views and sun tanning, your chaise lounges are on your villa’s private pool deck with direct views of the beach and sea.
There are only 50 villas on the property. The décor does not feature fancy neon lighting or trendy color palates, just what you would find in nature with teak wood and bamboo as the main building materials. The heart of the resort is designed after a traditional Vietnamese fishing village and perfectly blends in with the natural surroundings.
Most of the villas are two stories. On the first floor is your full-sized pool, deck and outdoor living space, indoors there is a spacious bath with large tub. The shower is outdoors in a garden courtyard. Upstairs is beautiful with a king-sized bed with draped netting. The bed faces the ocean and the sound of the waves lulls guests to sleep each night. There is a balcony with sitting area and unobstructed sea views. There are other villas with two, three, and four bedrooms and even larger pools and a full kitchen perfect for large families or friends traveling together.
The dining experience at the Six Senses Con Dao is exquisite. Couples gather at their By the Beach restaurant for a candle lit dinner under the stars and an eclectic menu of seafood, meats, and local dishes with excellent wine pairings. Their other restaurant is the Vietnamese By the Market which serves exquisite traditional Vietnamese dishes.
Many guests vacation there to celebrate a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday. The resort goes above and beyond to create an even more special memories with a series of destination dining experiences such as dining in the wine cellar, in their vegetable and herb garden under, or high on a cliff overlooking the sea.
Six Senses Con Dao provides holidays for those looking to just relax or for the active traveler and the resort’s activities team has a wide variety of options to choose from. A great way to see the island is to explore by motor scooter and the tour will take guests to the center of town and to explore the market as well as to temples, pagodas, and other landmarks.
Con Dao is in the middle of the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Thailand so there are endless options to enjoy the water from above and below. The resort can arrange snorkeling or scuba dives to see beautiful underwater life with amazing coral formations and exotic and colorful fish.
There’s also plenty to do at the resort as well from movies nights under the stars, countless activities for children, and even a golf where guests can drive EcoBioBalls into the sea which dissolve and serve as fish food.
To relax and rejuvenate, the Spa at Six Senses Con Dao is a complete facility in a natural setting. The Vietnamese treatment is a highly recommended traditional massage incorporating pressure point techniques, heated suction cups, and local natural oils. The spa menu is comprehensive with a wide range of spa services from pampering, to therapeutic, Yoga to beauty. Transformative wellness journeys are also offered from three to 21 days.
What really makes the experience at the Six Sense Can Dao unforgettable is the friendly service that guests receive at each interaction; from the warm and friendly greeting at the airport to the restaurant staff or the house keeper. As you walk around the property, you will constantly hear the Vietnamese greeting of Xin Ciao with a warm a friendly smile from the staff.
Each guest is also assigned a GEM or Guest Experience Maker which is there to make sure that all of your needs are met. Need a spa appointment, advice on where to go, or anything to make your trip complete, you have a personal assistant to make sure it happens and is hassle free.
Six Senses Con Dao is one of those vacation experiences that gets it just right. The resort is located on an exotic tropical beach and only has 50 villas so it never feels crowded. The spa, activities, dining is exquisite and, to top it all off, the service could not be more warm or professional. For those looking for an unforgettable tropical getaway in South East Asia, the Six Sense Con Dao is the perfect choice.
