

There’s a new spot to add to the list of “Places that are easy to get to from Hong Kong with Little Ones in Tow!”… Forget Koh Samui, Phuket and Bali and consider heading off to Con Dao on your next family trip. Never heard of it? I hadn’t either, but thankfully my husband is happy spending hours online searching out new destinations and fab hotels, and stumbled across this gem of an island just a 30 minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City. The only thing Con Dao is famous for is being a former penal colony for Vietnamese political prisoners under the French and American occupations, but thankfully for those of us who might not consider such places the ideal spot for a beach vacation, the Six Senses Con Dao (basically the only hotel on the little island) has engaged Buddhist monks to chant any lingering “bad vibes” away… Phew.
The Six Senses style in general is rustic and eco – plenty of bare wood and clean lines. If you’re looking for super-luxe, this is not the hotel brand for you. The villas and main buildings let the beauty of the natural environment shine through, and are surprisingly kid-friendly as there aren’t any knick-knacks, precious fabrics or super-fancy electronic bits and bobs to ruin. All of the rooms at Six Senses Con Dao are individual villas, each with their own private pool and sea view. And WHAT a view. White sand beach, turquoise sea, mountains and jungle as far as the eye can see. I’ve never been somewhere so utterly unspoiled.
We did find that service could sometimes be a little slow, but by the end of the week our Hong Kong selves had calmed down (thanks to some lovely massages in the spa) and we were happier to go with the pace of island life. The staff were so lovely with our daughter, always wanting to play with her, carry her around and entertain her that she left totally spoiled and happy. I’d definitely recommend Six Senses Con Dao for your next family getaway — it’s the polar opposite of our hectic city lives, and we left totally relaxed and fully unwound!
Been on any great holidays lately? Fancy writing a travel review for Sassy Mama to help out other mamas traveling with kids? Drop us a line at sassy@sassymamahk.com!