By JD Free | Travel Contributor

On a sun-drenched stretch of southern Vietnam’s Cam Ranh Peninsula, Alma Resort rises like a quiet monument to modern luxury—vast yet personal, contemporary yet rooted in its environment. Recognized as the #9 hotel in the world by Travel + Leisure’s 2024 World’s Best Awards, this expansive coastal retreat delivers more than a tropical escape: it offers a seamless blend of sophistication, sustainability, and soul.

Set on 30 hectares of prime Long Beach frontage, Alma delivers a curated experience for travelers who prefer authenticity over pretense, stillness over spectacle, and conscious design over mass-market gloss.

✦ Ready for Vietnam’s ultimate beachfront retreat?

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Suites and Pavilions: Space, Light, and Privacy at Scale

The resort’s 580 accommodations are divided between spacious suites and multi-bedroom pavilions, each a study in thoughtful simplicity. Floor-to-ceiling glass, expansive terraces, and calming neutral tones invite nature into every space.

The one- and two-bedroom ocean-view suites feature oversized living areas, spa-style bathrooms, and sun-washed balconies ideal for long, languid mornings. The three-bedroom beachfront pavilions, with private pools and full kitchens, offer elevated privacy for families or small groups—while maintaining a level of design discipline rare in such generously scaled accommodations.

Twelve Tiers of Water: The Cascading Pools

Few resorts in Asia rival Alma’s aquatic statement: 12 landscaped pools cascading in elegant succession from the hillside to the shore. Each is designed with purpose—some for quiet relaxation, others for family splash zones—so that no pool ever feels crowded or chaotic.

Framing it all is the beach: a postcard-perfect expanse of golden sand and calm waters, flanked by loungers, private cabanas, and water sports options that include kayaking, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. The experience is quiet, curated, and impeccably managed.

Le Spa: Wellness That Resonates

Nestled within a tropical garden, Le Spa is a peaceful sanctuary of 13 treatment villas, steam rooms, saunas, and a beautifully designed relaxation lounge. The menu draws on Vietnamese wellness traditions infused with global techniques—think lemongrass oil massages, singing bowl meditations, and three-tiered MediSpa facials.

The spa also offers multi-day wellness journeys—ideal for high-performing travelers who seek a deeper reset. With sunrise yoga, healthful cuisine, and personalized rituals, Alma makes wellness feel less like a side offering and more like a philosophy.

Dining: Fourteen Ways to Dine Well

Alma’s 14 restaurants and lounges cater to the discerning palate with an emphasis on freshness, regionality, and execution. This is not buffet monotony—it’s culinary variety delivered with confidence and care.

Alma Garden: The resort’s signature breakfast and brunch venue, expansive yet inviting.

Atlantis: Elevated beachfront seafood, with Vietnamese and Western classics served in a sea-breeze setting.

La Casa: Alma’s refined Italian trattoria, complete with wood-fired pizzas and handmade pastas.

Food Court & Street Eats: A vibrant marketplace offering everything from pho to sushi, banh mi to French pastries.

Alma Lounge, Pool Bars, and Beachside Bites: Casual but polished, ideal for cocktails, craft coffee, or a glass of crisp Chenin Blanc as the sun slips away.

Notably, Alma also supports culinary learning—with hands-on cooking classes, market tours, and wine pairings that place guests at the heart of Vietnamese culture.

Sustainability: Thoughtful, Not Trendy

Alma’s commitment to sustainability is neither boastful nor performative. It’s quietly embedded in operations:

A resort-managed solar power initiative—the largest of its kind among Vietnam’s resorts—is on track to offset nearly 35% of energy use. An on-site herb garden, chicken farm, and nursery support farm-to-fork initiatives and spa treatments. Regular beach cleanups and support for local children’s food security programs reflect Alma’s deep community ties.

For the globally conscious traveler, Alma proves that sustainability and luxury no longer live in separate worlds.

Culture, Connection, and Play: Experiences for Every Intention

Alma’s sprawling layout isn’t just about size—it’s about offering layered experiences for families, couples, solo travelers, and multigenerational groups.

On-site attractions include:

A cinema, art gallery, science museum, and amphitheater An 18-hole mini golf course and youth club with VR rooms Tennis courts, basketball courts, and a water park for children

For more immersive cultural connection, guests can explore guided excursions to nearby temples, Cham towers, and coastal villages—or join a resort-led Vietnamese cooking course, complete with a market visit and family-style meal.

Who It’s For: Sophisticated Travelers Seeking Soul

Alma Resort is ideal for those who:

Crave spaciousness, privacy, and unforced luxury

Expect excellence without flashiness Value sustainability that feels real

Travel with family, but want a resort that doesn’t compromise on adult elegance

Are tired of “five-star” resorts that simply follow a script

This is where experienced travelers land when they’re ready to rediscover the art of tropical hospitality—on their terms.

Final Thoughts: Vietnam’s Most Ambitious Coastal Resort Delivers with Grace

Alma doesn’t just aim to be big—it aims to be brilliantly balanced. In its lush footprint, elegant infrastructure, and deep local roots, it offers a rare achievement: a mega-resort that feels intentional, intuitive, and unfailingly generous.

From its design to its service, its solar panels to its sunrise yoga, Alma proves that luxury—real luxury—is no longer about extravagance. It’s about freedom, consciousness, and space to breathe.

✦ Ranked the #9 Hotel in the World by Travel + Leisure

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Editorial Note: This article contains affiliate links. Should you book through Orbitz or Expedia, we may earn a small commission—at no cost to you. Our content remains independently researched, written, and fact-checked.

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