Hon Tre Island, Vinh Nguyen, Nha Trang, Vietnam | 84 58-3598-188
Island location on beautiful private beach
Spacious rooms with flat-screen TVs and minibars -- most with balconies
Three restaurants and three bars, plus free breakfast buffet
Huge outdoor pool with kids' area
Turndown service and free overnight shoeshine
Recreation includes water sports, tennis, and volleyball, and activities
Full-service spa and a fitness center
Kids' club and outdoor playground, plus amusement park
Large business center and conference space
Free welcome drink on arrival
Free transfers from mainland to island and hotel
Free Wi-Fi and daily newspaper
Some staffers speak limited English
Island location is removed from the mainland (a pro for some)
Check-in can be slow at times
Some areas of the hotel can be noisy with kids
The 485-room Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang is a four-pearl property situated on the lovely island of Hon Tre. The traditionally styled rooms include flat-screen TVs, minibars, and electric kettles. Most have balconies, with views of the sea, gardens, or hills. The resort is packed with activities and features for both adults and children. There are three restaurants and bars, and a free breakfast buffet. Recreation includes tennis, water sports, and volleyball, plus there's a fitness center and daily activities. The main outdoor pool is massive, and kids get their own section there, as well as an indoor club and outdoor playground. There's even an amusement park. Travelers looking for something more subdued on the mainland might consider the Sheraton Nha Trang, which is more stylish but has less features.
Scene
Large property with bustling and busy vibe draws plenty of Asian families, groups, and tours
Guests are first greeted in the large reception area on the mainland before taking a boat or cable car to the island. This grand arrival sets the tone for a stay at the resort, with over-the-top decor that matches its exclusive island setting. There are three separate reception areas with soaring ceilings, tons of marble, and classic hardwood, brass, and rattan details. It's attractive, if not exactly fresh and modern, which sums up much about the style here. As such, it doesn't live up to its own luxury proclamations. Well-maintained walkways connect the buildings and various parts of the resort. With nearly 500 rooms and lots of attractions, this place stays busy and crowded with tour groups, families, and corporate gatherings. Many of the guests are from neighboring Asian countries, and there have been some issues with being able to communicate easily with staff in English. Additionally, couples in search of romance may want to look elsewhere, as the abundance of families with playing children does mean some noise.
Location
Located on Hon Tre Island, seven to 12 minutes from mainland
The resort is located in an integrated development on the private island of Hon Tre. There are a couple options for arriving at the hotel from mainland Nha Trang, including a free seven-minute speed-boat ride or a 12-minute cable car ride. Water taxis and ferries also are available. Guests then travel by tuk-tuk to the resort, which is surrounded by rain forest on a bay with calm waters and a long strip of white sandy beach. The pathways from the jetty to the resort are well-landscaped. Buggy services and regular shuttle buses take guests to different facilities on the island. The mainland pier for departures to Hon Tre Island is about a 40-minute drive from Nha Trang’s Cam Ranh International Airport.
Rooms
Traditionally styled, with flat-screen TVs and minibars; most with balconies and some sea views
The resort offers reasonably attractive rooms and suites with polished hardwood floors, rattan and wood furniture, neutral color schemes of tan and brown, and minimal decoration. Like the common areas, the look is traditional, and some might consider it to be fading a bit when it comes to elegance. All include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, safes, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and electric kettles. Modern bathrooms are tiled in black or brown and gray and come with granite or marble countertops, separate tubs and showers, toiletries, hairdryers, and magnifying mirrors. Robes and slippers are provided. Most rooms have balconies with a rattan table and chairs. Views are of the ocean, hills, or garden. Suites add additional space and a living room with a sofa and chairs. The luxurious Grand Presidential Suite has a separate living area with a bar plus an elegant dining table and chairs. Its bathroom has double sinks as well as a jetted shower and tub.
Features
Restaurants and bars, huge outdoor pool, private beach, gym, and activities for adults and kids
This resort is packed with features. There are three restaurants and three bars serving everything from buffets to traditional Vietnamese food in an open exhibition kitchen. The open-air Beachcomber Restaurant on the beach is the place for seafood dishes for lunch and dinner. The Seaview Lounge in the Executive Building overlooks a pool and features live piano music on most nights. The Lobby Lounge is a big, sprawling space with lots of cushy armchairs for lounging. There's also a bar by the main pool.
Reportedly the largest in Southeast Asia, the main outdoor pool is enormous, with an island in the center and bridges to connect the sides. Palm trees all around provide shade, as do umbrellas. Kids have their own section with slides, and lounge chairs are everywhere for the grown-ups. The wide, sandy beach is lovely, and the water is calm. Guests can relax on cushioned lounge chairs shaded by straw umbrellas.
Active guests can do water sports such as boating, surfing, parachute jumping, sailing, canoeing, fishing, and diving. The staff also organizes various activities like aerobics, bike tours, and yoga, and there's an on-site amusement park as well. The fitness center is large, light-filled, and equipped with a number of cardio and weight-training machines, plus free weights and exercise balls. Guests can also play tennis and there's beach and pool volleyball as well. For those who prefer to relax, Vincharm Spa offers a full menu of services, including massage, facials and body treatments, waxing, and laser treatments. The kids' club is colorful and spacious, with lots of toys and games. There's also a shaded outdoor playground with slides, swings, and climbing equipment.
A huge business center has multiple stations with computers, and the extensive events space can accommodate groups of all sizes up to approximately 5,000 people in the amphitheater. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.