Vietnam is always a good idea. From the limestone islands of Ha Long in the north to the untouched beaches of southern Phu Quoc, we love exploring this country from top to toe. So when we were asked to review the recently-opened The Anam, Mui Ne, we jumped at the chance. Perched on the white-sand beaches of Mui Ne, Vietnam’s kite-surfing mecca just four hours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Anam is a tranquil home-away-from-home with some of the best service we’ve ever encountered.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

The Anam, Mui Ne review

The reception of this colonial-style property faces the ocean, a layout seen to bring prosperity in Vietnamese culture. And while our stay at The Anam, Mui Ne was effortless, we soon found out that–like the well-thought-out foyer, every detail from the perfectly manicured lawn to the artwork and amenities had been carefully considered.

Fresh tea is served on arrival to all guests and I was blown away by the ever-friendly staff who we got to know by name. In fact, the exceptional service and overall experience truly made me wish I didn’t have to leave.

Eco-friendly to the core

The Anam’s dedication to sustainability is worthy of its own review, with the hotel aiming to eventually be fully carbon neutral. The commitment goes beyond the visible inclusions of recycled water bottles, bamboo tote bags, and even scales powered by a dynamo in the rooms.

The lush pink bougainvillaea which winds around the many trellises uses coconut husks – taken from the gently swaying palm trees which surround the hotel, for growth, which require less water than soil. Also, the water used for laundry service is repurposed to hydrate the seemingly evergreen grass outside.

Currently, much of the hotel’s water and heating is based on solar power, however, they are also building their own filtration plant to reduce their output further. Our visit coincided with Earth Hour when the hotel switched off the lights and lit candles on the grass – something the hotel’s General Manager Peter Ye told me is actually a regular occurrence to save on power (and add to the romantic ambience).

The room

guestroom at The Anam, Mui Ne
Step inside your own private pool villa and start relaxing

There are just seven private pool suites at The Anam, numbered to allow for the remainder of the rooms to begin with the lucky number eight. Ours was breezy and open plan, with a living area, king-sized bed and a 22 sq-m pool area complete with sun loungers, artfully hidden by leafy plants.

The theme of deep brown teak furniture is seen throughout with the wood itself sourced from sustainable forests. In pride of place on the wall was a beautiful piece of artwork reminiscent of Monet’s water lilies, just one of 250 pieces commissioned from some of Vietnam’s most famous artists.

If The Anam didn’t have a spa, you’d spend most of your time enjoying the spacious bathroom which has double sinks, a rainfall shower, and a free-standing claw-foot tub. All of this is accented by warmly glowing lanterns, as seen so frequently in Old Town Hoi An. Two televisions, a minibar, and a Nespresso machine make up the amenities, along with two sets of slippers – one for the room and one for the beach.

Eat and drink

Both of the restaurants here reflect the diversity of Vietnam’s heritage and cuisine. Lang Viet (meaning Vietnamese Village in English) sits on the beachfront and serves delicious classics such as Bún chả and Phở, along with plenty of local seafood like Cha Ca La Vong (crispy turmeric-marinated fish). The restaurant’s elegant woodwork, inspired by traditional Vietnamese villages, was handcrafted over six months by one family of skilled artisans.

Lang Viet restaurant interior
Discover the latest delicacies on offer at Lang Viet

On our last day, we sat down at all-day restaurant Indochine which offers an extensive breakfast buffet that includes everything from fresh fruit to baked bread shaped like crocodiles. For the remainder of the day, it serves freshly prepared international cuisine; the signature herb-crusted sea bass with hibiscus sauce is a particular highlight.

To round off the evening or for a midday pick-me-up, Saigon Bar has all the old-world charm you could want along with a selection of wines, spirits, and cocktails. The hotel also has ambitious plans to build a rooftop bar in the coming years, so stay tuned for that.

Wellness and activities

Simply walking into The Anam, Mui Ne makes you feel relaxed, but the hotel has plenty still to offer to keep you feeling that way. The centrepieces are the two never-ending infinity pools; one freshwater and one salt, lined with palm trees and water features and providing uninterrupted ocean views.

The Anam Spa has five treatment rooms with a vast menu of scrubs, wraps, and massages available. We opted for the Rippling Waves Massage, which combines Swedish, Thai, and Hawaiian techniques to mimic the rhythm of the ocean. It was extremely relaxing and was followed by a trip to the sauna and Jacuzzi. After each treatment, staff provide cool towels and hot tea with candied ginger to further your rejuvenation.

For those travelling with kids or if you’re keen to take advantage of Mui Ne’s wealth of outdoor activities, The Anam has an onsite water sports centre with kayaks, SUPs, and kitesurfing available. This sits next to the hotel’s well-laid-out fitness centre, games room (complete with pool, ping pong, and darts), kid’s club and yoga studio, with classes bright and early each morning from 6:30am.

The Anam Spa therapist massaging client
Rejuvenate and realign at The Anam Spa

Mui Ne proper is famous for its lively fishing villages, Champa ruins, and red and white sand dunes, all of which can be visited on a private hotel tour.

The Anam, Mui Ne feels like your very own beachside villa; the kind of place where staff greet you by name and know your favourite coffee, with crashing waves and endless activities on your doorstep.

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