Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort — Hotel in Phuoc Thuan Commune

Rated as one of Vietnam’s top 10 hotels, this please really is amazing. In comparison with other 5* hotels in Vietnam, it is quite expensive, but you really do get a fantastic stay, and we found it to be good value and an amazing experience. ||Staff are super friendly, and really care about giving you a lovely stay. Such impressive people! Our waiter at dinner had got his job at the resort only a week earlier, and had moved house after a 10 hour bus ride, because he really wanted the job at this resort - I’d hire that guy in a heartbeat! What a great ambassador for the resort. And the Tai Chi was amazing!!||We had 3 days, and you absolutely don’t want to miss the tai chi. We had 2 instructors, Mr Duy, (“Julian”), and Mr Thong. They were both amazing, and such patient and good teachers! The Tai Chi is my most memorable part of the stay - so zen, and so gentle; I will carry this experience for years - thank you!||The hotel really is as beautiful as the pictures show - the place is stunning. So much to do - free archery, giant chess, badminton, tennis, pickleball, boules, swim-fitness, and all with a smile. ||Turning to the resort, we went in high season, so the resort was full - yet more than enough sun loungers, beds, hammocks, and you can choose a blast in direct sun, (merciless), gentle shade under an umbrella, or cool in a beach-bed with linen curtains, or my favourite which was under palm trees and dappled shade on the beach - with a call button next to every lounger, so you can have a lovely cold drink brought to you!!||Breakfasts were simply the best ever. Over our 3 days stay, there was so much choice that we could not try everything. And every item was of stunning quality. Orange juice literally freshly squeezed, croissants better than Paris, omelettes like Zeus would have on mount Olympus, and all delivered with a charming smile. ||The dinners were just as good, as were drinks. ||The rooms are more like a suite that a hotel room; we had 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, and a sitting area, with a large balcony, and floor to ceiling windows on 3 sides, with black out curtains, net curtains, or linen curtains. Aircon was quiet and efficient. Unmatched and lovely. ||The flower gardens and walkways are a treat - and there are free bikes you can borrow to ride around and explore the huge resort with scented trees, flowers and bushes around every turn, and kayaks and peddle boats both on the beach and the sea, as well as on the beautiful inland lake - which has an island which you do the Tai Chi on - truly beautiful, and so “zen”, it is like living in a postcard! Also there’s a mini-farm and petting zoo with lovely animals in a lovely setting - ducks, chickens, turkeys, peacocks, goats, sheep, pigs, guinnea pigs, rabbits, and even a cow! Also a labelled herb garden, where they grow the food you can use in the cooling school, (which is extra, about £20 each to do that - we didn’t do the cooking as we’d done it at Hoian earlier).||There were some very minor niggles; there wasn’t really enough water in the room, and the water that there is comes in metal single-use cans - which seems like a waste; would be nicer to have refillable bottles, so less waste, and maybe a bit more water, as we ran out every day - and with the heat and humidity, you really need it. And a super-minor niggle was that we were looking around the farm, which is pretty small, but as we went to leave - the doors were locked with us still inside!!! Odd that they didn’t see us still there or say anything! Luckily I had my phone so could look up the number for reception so we could escape!!||Other point to note is that the resort is 7km from anywhere to go or see. However this was not a problem as there is so much to do at the resort, but it does make you somewhat of a captive audience!||The beach itself is lovely, warm sea water, gleaming white sand with not a bit of plastic or debris anywhere, (a real problem all over this coastline…) the hotel cleans and sweeps the beach every day, and it is a paradise. There’s an area marked off for swimming, but given the size of the area and the size of the resort, it would be nice if this area was bigger as it’s fine for paddling, but you need to go outside the area to actually swim, and there is a bit of a rip-current. Would be nice if they could maybe extend the swimming area by 30-40m or so or even 100m, so you could really swim. ||The sand itself looks like it is possibly natural sand at the sea-level, but its so perfect above the high tide mark, I think this is trucked in - and you can see sand-bag groynes strategically placed to keep it in place. However it looks really natural, and is more perfect than any beach I can think of! With walk to walk palm trees it is a paradise on earth - and the view from the room (we were on 15th floor), is staggering - dense jungle to the West, and golden coastline to the East, the attention to detail in the rooms is amazing, as is the quality of everything. ||Overall the hotel is lovely, yes it is more expensive than other Vietnam places, but we thought worth it. I am hopeful we will get a chance to come to Vietnam again, and this hotel will be on the list of places we would definitely like to return to. We didn’t take the all-inclusive pack - and if we come again, I’d do that. We probably paid a lot less by only paying for what we had, but the extra feeling of freedom of all inclusive would have been...

It has the potential to be a stunning destination. The resort’s lush gardens, two beautiful pools (one for adults), beach access, gym, spa, petting zoo, cycle paths, yoga, and other amenities offer a lot to enjoy. But despite these features, my experience left me frustrated and disheartened, and I’m unlikely to return or recommend it to others.

We visited for a three-day retreat after exploring Ho Chi Minh City, only to be informed last-minute that several areas would be unavailable due to a private event. While the event was over by the time we arrived, it was disappointing to face such last-minute information. On top of that, activities were frequently moved around, and the resort failed to update their message boards or TV information, leaving us running around trying to find where things were happening.

A cab from Ho Chi Minh City to the resort cost around USD 50 and took about 2.5 hours. When I tried to book a return shuttle, I was told it was fully booked and had to arrange my own cab back. Lesson learned: book shuttles early.

Our check-in experience was baffling. After being given a full-board bracelet, we were about to be whisked off to our rooms in a cart only for a staff member to chase us with scissors to remove it, claiming it was a mistake. The language barrier made this awkward, but I stayed calm and asked for the correct information. Despite multiple requests, including emails to guest services, I never received the correct details for our stay. This became a recurring issue: I’d ask for simple things like coffee or bug spray, and they’d never arrive, or they’d mess up orders.

On the plus side, the rooms were phenomenal. We stayed on the 16th floor, overlooking the resort and the sea. The views, when the air pollution cleared, were breathtaking.

However, dining was another frustrating experience. The restaurants wouldn’t allow me to bring an order from one restaurant to another for my picky eater. The beautiful outdoor patio dining was marred by the relentless swarms of bugs after sunset. The food was delicious but shockingly expensive—significantly more than what we’d paid in Ho Chi Minh City or even in many first-world cities. Breakfasts were busy but had a good selection for all tastes.

The main pool was excellent, but finding poolside seating during busy times was a challenge. People would place their items on chairs and leave for hours, occupying the seats without actually using them. It’s also worth mentioning that the lifeguards were overly strict with kids playing ball games, even when they were far from anyone else.

The beach was a major letdown. Beyond the resort’s immediate area, it was littered with trash—plastic bottle caps, toothbrushes, straws, and packaging were all visible. A noisy tractor ran up and down the beach early each morning trying to clean up, adding to the disturbance. I didn’t even want to dip a toe in the water. One morning, there was a loud, chaotic ninja-warrior-style event happening right next to the beach, which felt out of place and disruptive.

While there is a small shopping center nearby with much cheaper snacks and drinks, that wasn’t enough to salvage the experience.

When I checked out, I was delayed while they checked the minibar, even though the room card had clearly stated most items were complimentary—a result of their earlier mix-up with our full-board arrangement. I provided them with a list of what we’d consumed, but they insisted on checking. After a bit of back-and-forth, they finally agreed to waive the charges. The cherry on top was a guest service staff member offering a vague "discount" or something for a future stay, which left me even more frustrated. Fix the issues at hand instead of dangling promises of future discounts.

The beautiful resort, amazing room, and some great amenities were overshadowed by service mishaps and lack of attention to detail. I left feeling more irritated than satisfied, and I won’t be returning. Even after presenting my loyalty card , no points were added and I won't bother following up, which...

Room Experience: As Meliá Rewards Platinum members, we were upgraded to a suite with a stunning view of a lotus pond. The suite was incredibly spacious and bright, with separate living and sleeping areas, a small kitchen, and a large terrace with a private pool. Everything was impeccably clean. We were welcomed with a local surprise of tropical fruit and sweets, which made for a warm and personal touch.

Service: The service was outstanding and attentive from start to finish. Even before our arrival, the communication with the Guest Experience team was smooth and thoughtful. They paid close attention to our individual preferences, which carried through to a personal welcome upon arrival, various conversations during our stay, and an efficient yet warm check-out. The “The Level” lounge provided excellent around-the-clock support, fulfilling requests quickly and with care. Personalized gestures, such as handwritten notes and thoughtful amenities, showcased the hotel’s exceptional hospitality. One area for improvement would be to further enhance the staff’s English language skills, as communication with some employees was occasionally challenging.

Dining Options: We booked half-board, which we highly recommend since there are few dining options outside the resort. The hotel has two restaurants open for dinner – one offering Asian-Vietnamese cuisine and the other serving international dishes. Both delivered exceptional quality and variety. Without a meal plan, the western-style prices could add up quickly.

Beach and Pool: The beach is stunning, with fine white sand and expansive views. The pools are equally impressive, offering direct vistas of the ocean. The peaceful atmosphere and beautiful setting made swimming and relaxing by the pool a highlight of our stay.

Fitness & Activities: The gym is modern and well-maintained, with large windows overlooking tropical gardens. I participated in a boxing class led by a private trainer, which was both challenging and rewarding. The resort also offers a wide range of activities, including a Vietnamese coffee class. Despite minor language barriers, it was an enriching experience that gave us insight into local coffee traditions.

Spa: The massage was excellent and highly professional. However, the spa facilities could be improved by offering better views, as this would enhance the overall ambiance. A tropical garden outlook, for example, would have been ideal.

Resort Grounds: The resort’s vast size and beautifully maintained gardens were truly impressive. Strolling through the grounds, with lotus ponds, lakes for paddle activities, and even a small on-site farm with animals like goats and chickens, was a memorable experience. This feature is likely fantastic for families with children, but we found it equally enjoyable as adults.

Location: The resort is situated in a developing tourism area with limited external attractions at present. It’s a great option for both international travelers and locals looking for a weekend escape from the city.

Brand Image: As frequent travelers and Meliá Rewards Platinum members, we have visited many Meliá properties worldwide and have always appreciated the brand. The Meliá Hồ Tràm Beach Resort left a strong impression and, in our view, stands out as one of the brand’s flagship properties.

Bottom Line: Meliá Hồ Tràm Beach Resort is an excellent choice for guests seeking tranquility, high-quality dining, and a versatile resort experience. The “The Level” area provides a perfect retreat for adults, while the resort remains family-friendly. Improving the staff’s English proficiency would further enhance the experience for international visitors. For a relaxing start to a Vietnam holiday or a long weekend getaway, this resort is highly...