Ripples, Tanlines & Nirvana | Revive your spirit at Alma Resort in Cam Ranh

Catch a soul-nurturing dose of that glorious Vietnam-in Sea at Cam Ranh’s Alma Resort, where palatial luxury and coastal escapism unite as one of the country’s most stunning reincarnations of unfettered bliss

TEXT MONISHA SIVANESAN
IMAGES COURTESY OF ALMA RESORT

Flying somewhat under the radar in comparison to her more popular sisters like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang (at least for now), Cam Ranh is poised to be the next It girl in the beachside resort scene; some would say she already is. Once known as Southeast Asia’s greatest deepwater harbour which most likely accounts for its rich military background, this up-and-coming city located in the Khánh Hòa Province in South-Central Vietnam is now a family-friendly vacation hotspot… where juicy golden mangoes that naturally grow sweeter than fructose syrup are found aplenty, while untouched coastal pleasure away from boisterous crowds, and the beep beeps in lieu of turn signals that have become part of the country’s familiar soundtrack, eagerly awaits.

Surprising bonus point: forget about breaking the bank in Seoul and live out your K-drama daydreams here, where South Koreans find themselves to be the majority of the city’s most loyal tourists.

In just over two short hours of soaring high above the cotton-candy clouds from Kuala Lumpur straight to Cam Ranh, and another quick 10-minute drive from the airport, you’ll soon arrive at Alma Resort. More than just another 5-star getaway on the waterfront stretch, more than just another seductive escape on the hospitality strip, Alma is a steadfast vessel for a soul-centric way of life, championing absolute carefree indulgence above all else.

Having opened its doors just before the onset of the infamous global pandemic, its reputation as an upscale alternative to nearby Nha Trang is only growing by the day — possibly more so since its acquisition of the Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ ‘Best Luxury Beach Resort in Vietnam’ and the ‘Best Luxury Family Resort in Vietnam’ categories in 2023 and 2021, respectively. With that said, there’s no better time than now to explore the resort’s whopping 30-hectare grounds.

Like the beach’s lily white sands gently kissing the pellucid sea that glitters under the cheerful sun, so do the 580 oversized suites and pavilions that all afford sweeping vistas of the ocean — and it’s all thanks to the modern minimalist design and nautical colour scheme in play. Most generous in size, and this includes even the most basic entry-level rooms, the sky-high suites are equipped with everything one would possibly need. Apart from the spacious bedroom(s), it features a living room, separate bathtub and rainwater shower areas, a lengthy balcony and patio, along with a kitchenette and dining area.

If you’d prefer to stay a lil’ closer to the waters and enjoy extra privacy, choose either the oceanfront pavilion set within touching distance of the waves or the ocean view pavilion set amongst the resort’s elevated landscaped pathways. While these two share the suite’s aforementioned amenities, both level up with the addition of a private pool or a jacuzzi, not to mention a bigger space for larger groups and a shorter distance to Long Beach, where sunrise chasers will be especially thrilled.

Taking a waterfall approach, twelve individual pools — one of them even faces a projector for unique movie nights — cascade all the way down towards the pristine private beach. In order to reach the waves though, you’ll first have to bypass the plentiful facilities and recreational pursuits in store; this includes, but is not limited to, a spa, 70-seat cinema, waterpark, convention centre, amphitheatre, science museum, gymnasium and yoga room, 18-hole mini golf course, youth centre with virtual reality games, kid’s club, watersports centre and a mini supermarket. Suffice to say, there’s no shortage of options to amuse all sorts, and since the mega resort is as expansive as the eye can see, opt for the super popular buggy if you’re not in the mood to walk the distance in between.

If there’s one bucket list item you definitely need to cross off during your stay, it has to be Le Spa. It offers two lounges, ‘his and hers’ saunas and steam rooms as well as an assortment of treatments, including ones just for children. Each named after a different local flower, its 13 private wellness villas are sprinkled across the landscape, perhaps to make its peaceful, and thankfully pesky insect-free, grounds a part of the healing journey. How impressive is it really, you ask? It clinched a coveted spot in the ‘Top Ten Hotel Spas in Vietnam’ category of the T+L Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023, held by the prestigious Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau publication.

Curated to please heterogeneous taste buds from around the world while ensuring the flavour palette of Cam Ranh comes across with pride, Alma’s colourful dining landscape features a broad spectrum of restaurants helmed by top chefs, a six-outlet food court as well as a classical bar, pool bar and beach bar.

Looking over the pool terrace down to the ocean, Alma Garden is the place to be for a lavish breakfast buffet. Come lunchtime, the Alma Food Court is a great all-day spot if you’re looking for something more specific like New York burgers, Vietnamese noodles or Japanese sushi. Sweet tooths can wrap up their meal with the country’s signature coffee from the Espresso Bar, and some freshly baked pastries made by in-house pâtissiers at the French bakery.

Once night falls, the dining scene comes alive in several ways. Classy and elegant, bask in the buzzing atmosphere of an Italian trattoria and savour original Tuscan delights while the grand piano plays melodic tunes at La Casa, or explore a harmonious blend of Thai, Korean and Japanese delicacies at Asiana.

On the other hand, enjoy the al fresco approach of Atlantis’ barefoot beachside dining where a cooling breeze, stunning full moon views along with fresh seafood delights await on the patio deck; alternatively, you can sit inside the restaurant, exquisitely designed with blue scallop tiles, clear glass walls and wooden furniture.

Prioritising sustainability and self-efficiency, Alma adopts the wholesome farm-to-table concept by growing its very own herb and nursery garden, along with a chicken farm too. Coming full circle on this green production-to-consumption path, leftovers from the kitchens are used as compost while the farm is watered with recycled water. Other measures in place to reduce its carbon footprint include a water treatment plant, an electric buggy station, garbage recycling and the paperless Alma App. With even more eco-friendly efforts in the works, we can’t help but tip our hats to them.

Emblematic of the nation’s maturation as a wanderluster’s paradise, this idyllic resort is the epitome of the S factor: shores, sunshine and sophistication. Exceptional personalised services, elevated amenities and authentically curated experiences, in conjunction with a natural coastal backdrop, all come together to rightfully reflect the sublime modern oasis that it is. Summoning the desire for an escape and a return simultaneously, this is the ultimate seaside destination to reset inner rhythms and rejoice in passing moments.