I had planned to visit Hoi An for years now but never got round to seeing the trip materialize. Until I flicked through a glossy magazine one day to discover the Nam Hai. The fact that it is a GHM Luxury hotels chain already meant I was already halfway there in mind. Now it was all a matter of getting myself there physically to finally be spellbound by the UNESCO World Heritage centre of Hoi An.

Although the trek to Ho Chi Minh is not one I would describe as pleasurable, it is something that is inevitable if you want to get there. For me, I was willing to overcome any form of obstacle if it meant that I would, at the end of the day, be able to swan about in a cocoon of luxury. The promise of Hoi An was as soothing a word as any and it certainly did not disappoint. With sumptuously appointed guest rooms, each one with its own balcony overlooking the East Sea and a private garden, it is a welcome respite from the blistering Hoi An heat and humidity.

A couple of caveats though. I found the terraced levels in the room a tad unsafe, especially if you have ambitious plans to attack the mini-bar (which I did). The room's rectangular shape meant that there was very little space on either side of the bed and it felt more like being in a hallway than a guestroom. The flatscreen TV was definitely way too close for comfort and was placed on the right side of the bed, which meant guests would need to crick their necks into order to enjoy a movie. But other forms of entertainment was aplenty and I chose to soak myself in the decadent lacquer bathtub whilst listening to soothing lounge music on the in-room iPod, an experience which definitely made up for the hotel's pitfalls.

One other thing you'll need to trade off if you opt for luxury over culture. Hoi An city itself is not quite accessible from the hotel. It is a 15-minute car ride away and guests can catch free shuttle services to the town centre and back. This didn't quite work for me as I enjoyed to stroll through the little alleys as I pleased without having to feel the pressure of finding my way back to the meeting point before the last shuttle leaves.

If you're in Hoi An and luxury is a prerequisite when travelling, you can't go wrong with the Nam Hai. Compromise location for a slice of luxury and tranquility, then think lazy afternoons by the pool and uninterrupted views of the sea and you have everything you'll need to know about the Nam Hai. This hub of sophistication is nothing more than Hoi An's poster child for modern luxury.

Modern luxury awaits at the Nam Hai

Feel the sand underneath your feet as you gaze into the East Sea

Fancy a bit of lounge chair tourism? The poolside is perfect for that.