Although seasoned travellers and backpackers are slowly rediscovering it post pandemic, flocking, especially, to the coastal resorts, mountains or some holiday inns in the summer, Vietnam is still woefully overlooked by most travellers. Apart from the typical trio cities of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Da Nang, Vietnam also boasts Cam Ranh, located in the South Khánh Hòa Province in south-central Vietnam. With its unspoilt, peaceful beach environment, it easily qualifies as an under-the-radar city.
Yet at the end of a stretch of hotels and resorts driving out of airport, the bright lights of a beachside resort – Alma Resort Cam Ranh – has everything you could ask for in an all-encompassing vacation. Opened during the pandemic in 2019, the independently owned and operated luxury resort is breaking new ground in Cam Ranh, which is growing as an upscale alternative to nearby Nha Trang.
Alma in sunset
Alma Resort commands some 30ha of inspiring ground, offering 580 oversized suites and pavilions that afford spectacular vistas of Long Beach and complete with a host of world-class facilities. Situated on Bai Dai Beach – it’s a 10-minute drive from Cam Ranh International Airport – the resort is prefect for families.
Step into the stately lobby and you’ll be transported to a charming village, with exquisite buildings connected by cobbled paths and open spaces. You can explore the resort on foot or by golf buggy, savouring every moment as time slows down here. While the resort dominates with its sky-sprawling buildings on one side, the other is untouched, with pristine epic 180° views of the beach and mountains.
Luxuriously Spaces
We checked into the Ocean View Suites, a bright and contemporary space that is just a short stroll away from the waves. The room features an extended balcony with patio table and chairs overlooking the ocean, from where you can catch the glorious sunrise as early as 5am. All 580 keys at the place offer the ultimate comfort and cosiness you need, making each room feel like home, but on a grander scale.
Alma Resort’s spacious accommodations include one-, two- and three-bedroom Ocean View Suites that span 71, 114 and 165 sq m, respectively, while the two- and three-bedroom Ocean View and Ocean Front Pavilions range from 144 to 224 sq m each. All suites and villas feature master bedrooms with soaking bathtubs and separate rainwater showers, huge living rooms with massive sofas, kitchens and dining areas. The three-bedroom pavilions and two-bedroom ground floor pavilions boast private swimming pools, and there are private Jacuzzis in the two-bedroom upper floor pavilions. Inland from the villas, the suites are housed in two V-shaped towers, affording panoramic sea views.
Family-Friendly Spaces
Alma Resort also offers an impressive array of recreational facilities. This vacationland has 12 swimming pools, each one cascading down to the beach and providing breath-taking views of the surroundings. There’s also a fantastic Splash Water Park, where thrilling water rides and slides await.
Families with children will appreciate the Youth Center and Kid’s Club, where children can be entertained with arts and crafts, trampolines, climbing structures and other exciting activities. Beside a mini supermarket for added convenience, there’s a watersports centre for active folks with kayaking and boogie boarding equipment.
When it comes to outdoor activities, there’s plenty to keep you entertained – a well-equipped gymnasium, yoga room, an 18-hole mini-golf course, giant chessboard, archery range, and tennis and volleyball courts. For some leisurely fun, go mingle around the art gallery, on-site science museum, karaoke room, amphitheatre and 70-seat cinema.
A pampering experience at the award-winning Le Spa with its top-notch services and relaxed atmosphere. Le Spa features 13 separate treatment villas sprinkled across the landscape, each named after a different Vietnamese flower, as well as saunas and steam rooms for males and females, two lounges and a beauty salon.
With such a panorama of amenities, there’s no doubt that you’ll have a splendid time during your stay at Alma Resort.
Diverse Foods & Beverages
Begin your day with an exquisite breakfast experience at Alma Garden, a restaurant perched above the picturesque pool terrace. Here, the restaurant holds a live cooking display and a generous selection of buffet stations offering a diverse range of Western and Asian breakfast classics even as you delight in the aroma of freshly baked pastries and indulge in juicy, succulent fruits.
Alma Lounge
A more tranquil setting to enjoy lunch at Alma Lounge in the main lobby area provides a calming ambience. A smaller breakfast selection is also available at the lounge, including bowls of classic Vietnamese noodles and soup that will leave your taste buds tingling with delight.
As the evening draws closer, take pleasure in the enchanting live entertainment from the resident pianist and singer. And if Italian cuisine is your preference for dinner, then La Casa is the perfect destination for you. Witness the magic as handmade pasta and pizza are expertly crafted fresh from the oven to your table.
Alma Food Court
For a more casual dining experience, head over to the Alma Food Court, where you’ll find an array of food-truck and -station concepts. Indulge in juicy burgers at New York Burger House, Japanese sushi or succulent chicken at Chicken ‘N Go. Satisfy your sweet cravings with French Bakery classics and give in to your love for Vietnamese cuisine with the sumptuous delicacies at An Nam.
Atlantis
With its seaside location, Atlantis is a wonderland for seafood lovers. Enjoy the freshest of seafood with the patio deck right on the private beach. The restaurant offers a wealth of taste of local and imported seafood delights plus salads and many more.
There are equally great choices if you’re looking for an aperitif or night cap – Alma Lounge, American Bar, Pool Bar and Beach Bar all offer a great selection of draft beers and cocktails against the backdrop of a picturesque sunset.
City Exploration
While there’s plenty to experience in the resort, it’s worth stepping out to discover the surrounding of Cam Ranh. Just 40 minutes to Nha Trang city, we had the opportunity to indulge in the local culture and cuisine with Alma Resort and Zazen Travel’s exceptional cooking class and local cultural tour.
The first stop of ‘A Journey Through Culture and Cuisine’ around Nha Trang began with a visit to the bustling Cam Duc market, where we enjoyed local morning snacks and purchased fresh produce. Then, we visited a distinctive cobblestone temple in Cam Lam, Chùa Đá Quan Âm Temple, skilfully constructed by an inspiring monk. Two miles further on, we stopped by a local mango garden to learn about the plantation of mangoes and taste the freshly ripened fruit. We then returned to the resort for a hands-on cooking class, where we learned to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes such as Vietnamese Spring Rolls, Deep Fried Seafood Spring Rolls and Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup.
There are, additionally, a stretch of places of interest around the coastal resort city that merit a closer look. Truong Son Craft Village is a must-visit destination for its local culture and arts, including ornamental products, traditional music performances, creative artwork and hand embroidery. Destinations of a more spiritual kind include Nha Trang Cathedral, a beautiful, classic European-style church 80 years; Long Son Pagoda, home to the world’s biggest Buddha statue; and Ponaga Tower, a pure and peaceful historical site of worship for the Cham people.
All in, Alma Resort is truly a one-of-a-kind destination, with its hard-to-beat array of facilities and surrounding attractions that offer every guest the ultimate holiday experience.
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From now until 31st of July 2024, Alma’s exclusive “stay 3, pay 2 nights” Timeless Moments package is offering an indelible family getaway with unlimited access to the unrivalled amenities, and dedicated spaces for children and teenagers. A not-to-be-missed rate starting from VND7,621,219 (approximately MYR1,470) for 2 nights in the 1 Bedroom Superior Suite. The rate is inclusive of breakfast for two guests and other exclusive benefits.
For more information, visit alma-resort.com. Follow Alma Resort Cam Ranh on Facebook and Instagram for more updates. For reservations and enquiries, call +84 258 399 1666 or email info@alma-resort.com
Alma Resort Cam Ranh
Nguyễn Tất Thành, Cam Hải Đông, Cam Lâm, Khánh Hòa, Vietnam
