Holiday Rip-Off. Paid Double for Zero 5-Star Service An Utter Betrayal of 5-Star Hospitality: Our Holiday Nightmare at Dhawa Ho Tram We booked our holiday stay at Dhawa Ho Tram with immense anticipation, lured by its stellar reputation and promising reviews. We were fully prepared for the crowds of a peak holiday season, but we were absolutely not prepared for the abysmal failure of service that followed. What was meant to be a relaxing getaway turned into a case study of operational chaos and profound disappointment. The Check-in Fiasco: A Masterclass in Incompetence Our arrival was an immediate omen of the disaster to come. We were instructed to take a seat in the lobby, with the implication that we would receive the personal, seated check-in service expected of a luxury resort. We waited, and waited, only to be completely ignored. No one approached us. Realizing we had been abandoned, I made my way to the reception desk, which was already swamped with a massive, frustrated queue. The true failure, however, was not the crowd, but the staff's shocking lack of adaptability. Despite the overwhelming number of guests, the front desk team mechanically recited lengthy scripts and explanations, showing zero situational awareness. A competent team would have streamlined the process to manage the influx. Instead, they exacerbated the chaos, leaving dozens of families, including our own, waiting in a state of growing frustration. The Pool: A Scene of Neglect and Indifference The pool area was another chapter in our dreadful experience. It was severely underserviced, with nowhere near enough lounge chairs for guests. When we asked the staff for assistance, we were met with a shrug and the equivalent of, "You're on your own." This dismissive, "fend for yourselves" attitude from staff who appeared utterly untrained was appalling. To make matters worse, the pool water itself was murky and visibly unclean—a serious hygiene concern and completely unacceptable for any resort, let alone one claiming luxury status. In-Room Service: A New Low in Hospitality The resort's inflexibility reached an insulting new low with our in-room requests. With a small child, we needed extra bottled water—a simple, fundamental request. We were flatly denied and instructed to leave our room and fetch it ourselves from a public water station. I was speechless. Forcing a guest to perform a basic service that is standard in virtually every hotel worldwide is not just poor service; it's a deliberate disregard for guest comfort and a clear message that we were an inconvenience. The Breakfast Battlefield at Nook Restaurant We had braced ourselves for a breakfast queue, and Nook Restaurant did not disappoint in delivering on that expectation—and then making it infinitely worse. After a long wait, we were finally told a table was ready. We walked in, only to find another family had already taken it. The staff's response was a complete abdication of responsibility: they claimed guests had just seated themselves, they had no control, and we would simply have to wait again. It was a logistical nightmare, highlighting a total lack of management and organization in their busiest outlet. Final Verdict: Do Not Be Fooled by the High Ratings I am still struggling to reconcile the highly-rated resort we read about online with the dismal reality we endured. Every single touchpoint—from arrival to dining to basic amenities—was a catastrophic failure. This was not a 5-star experience; it was a lesson in how a beautiful property can be utterly ruined by incompetent management and poorly trained staff. Our trust was misplaced, and our holiday was spoiled. I cannot, in good conscience, recommend Dhawa Ho Tram to anyone. Save your money and your...
Read moreI stayed at Dhawa during the September holidays. Before going, I read several reviews, which were somewhat mixed. However, after our stay, my family and I thoroughly enjoyed our time at Dhawa and had a very satisfying vacation. Of course, there were both positive aspects and some minor points of concern, but overall, I felt that this is a wonderful hotel.
Pros: • The shuttle bus between Ho Chi Minh City and the hotel is included in the room rate, saving the hassle of arranging transportation. • The pool is not too deep; even in the adult pool, an average adult can stand upright with their face above water and breathe comfortably. • There are many child-friendly activities, including bubble pools, scheduled regularly, all at no extra cost. This is great since Ho Tram generally has limited entertainment options outside the resort. • All rooms have ocean views. While the rooms are not very large, the design is elegant. I especially liked the shower room design. • Most staff members can communicate in English. • Front desk, pool, kids’ club, spa, and bar staff were friendly and helpful. The staff at the kids’ club, bar, and spa left particularly positive impressions. • The breakfast buffet was satisfying, with especially delicious bread. • There is a free tea, coffee, and cookie service near the front desk; I particularly enjoyed the purple tea.
Areas for improvement: • Some staff members were not familiar with the resort’s activity schedule. • Some vending machines were broken and could not be opened manually. • Combs and razors were not provided by default at the sink. I’m not sure if this is for cost-saving or environmental reasons, but it would be appreciated if these were provided in advance, as they are inexpensive items.
Points understandable due to high occupancy during the holiday: • Long queues at the front desk caused some delays during check-in. This was likely due to overlapping arrival times from the complimentary shuttle buses. Other resorts offering free shuttles experience similar situations (e.g., Vung Tau Vias Hotel, Holiday Inn Ho Tram Resort). While the hotel technically meets the national 5-star standard for reception hall size (100m²), this is worth noting. • Breakfast buffet required a short wait. On both days, the wait was only about 5 minutes, which was acceptable, even for a hungry toddler.
Overall, we were extremely satisfied with our stay. We would gladly return and would recommend this hotel to others. Thank...
Read moreFirst impressions last a lifetime with me and Dhawa Ho Tram made the impression on me that will last a lifetime. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted by friendly, smiling staff who were obviously genuine and sincere with their enthusiasm to welcome my family and myself to this wonderful resort. Check in was fast and efficient and I was shown to my room in not time at all. I chose the two-bedroom apartment and it was spectacular, offering optimum comfort and wonderful beach views, overlooking the pool and other resort facilities. We wasted no time getting to the pool which was the perfect temperature. The kids loved the play area. What I particularly liked was that every time I walked past a staff member, they made eye contact and smiled, or some gesture to make all of us feel welcome. I enjoyed a drink at both bars during my stay. I particularly liked the top bar in the evening. We ate in both restaurants one offering Vietnamese food and the other offering a Mediterranean style. Both were faultless as well as the service offered by the young staff members. A full buffet breakfast was a delight to wake up for. There was a range of Vietnamese food as well as western delights such as freshly made omelette, bacon, cold platters and savory meals. I was offered tea and coffee at the table and I loved getting served a fresh pot of tea. I had to make sure I saved room after gorging myself for the pastries, which were to die for. The resort has a great gym to get exercise for guilt free indulging in the restaurants. Every part of my stay from check-in to check-out was an absolute delight for myself and my family. I should mention the wonderful kids club which my kids loved and it gave me a chance to have some relaxion or drinking time. I rarely take the time or even have the time to write reviews, however on this occasion, I’ve had to make an exception. This review I have written deserves not only the precious time I have taken to write it, but all the accolades within it. Dhawa Ho Tram will be an annual trip for myself and my family. Thank you for a wonderful stay and I look forward to...
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