Anantara Mui Ne Resort

There is no shortage of hotels for all budgets and styles in Phan Thiet and Mui Ne. The Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa, though, is a notch above virtually all of them, with an array of high-end amenities, elegant design incorporating regional touches, and beautiful beachfront grounds. The big, airy lobby has the property’s signature dark palette, which combined with cream-colored floors and walls lends the space a sophisticated feel. Huge windows offer views of mature fruit trees, colorful flowers, and tropical plants, and a big, black staircase leads to the main restaurant, which has a serene terrace overlooking a large lagoon, the pool, and the palm trees lining the beach. The main building has traditional pitched terra-cotta tile roofs, a white facade, and dark-wood balconies; the rest of the rooms are either in the adjacent building (designed in a similar style) or in low bungalow-style structures with private gardens and pools. 

The big, lush grounds allow for a serene atmosphere, and although the area around the pool and the beach is busy during the day, the vibe is still mellow and relaxing. We visited in February, and most of the guests we saw were European or Russian couples who spent their time around the pool with a book or a drink. Families seemed to prefer the privacy of their villas, all of which (except one) have private pools and outdoor lounges. The poolside bar draws ample guests at sunset with happy hour and daily drink specials, and the vibe is somewhat livelier.

The Anantara may be one of the most luxurious hotels in the area, but it is not always the most expensive. In this same price range, Cham Villas is a beautiful 17-room boutique with cute bungalows, a great pool, and a central location on the main drag. The Cliff Resort & Residences is generally a tad more expensive, but it is a good pick for those looking for apartment-style accommodation, as most of its rooms have fully stocked kitchenettes and living areas; location, though, is a little more secluded than the Anantara’s. The Princess d’Annam Resort & Spa is another luxury option with reasonable rates and appealing rooms, but location near the Ke Ga Lighthouse may be a little too remote for some. 

Anantara Mui Ne is located on a long, sandy beach a little outside of Ham Tien, home to the area’s main drag. There are no restaurants, bars, or shops in the immediate vicinity, but dozens of dining and drinking options can be found an easy 15-minute walk, or five-minute taxi ride, away. Sea Links Golf Course is also just a five-minute drive away, and other main attractions are a little farther afield. The historic Cham Towers can be reached in about 10 minutes by car, while the hotel is a 15-minute drive from the Fairy Stream, a creek famous for its red and white walls. Mui Ne -- known for its quaint fishing harbor and seafood restaurants -- is about a 25-minute drive away. The nearest airports are in Ho Chi Minh City and Dalat, each about a five-hour bus ride away. The hotel can arrange transfers to both airports for a fee.

Starting at 44 square meters (474 square feet), rooms at the Anantara Mui Ne are large, airy, and stylish. The dark palette, which combines local black wood, hardwood floors, clean lines, and soft white bed linens, is elegant and polished, while wood-lattice screens, silk accent pillows, and big sepia photos of area scenes add local charm. Dim lights make rooms feel sexy and intimate, but we found the space a little dark in the evening. Beds are comfortable and big, with plush toppers, four pillows, and soft duvets; villas feature four-poster beds with mosquito nets. All but Premier Rooms have furnished balconies, many offering sea views, and villas have spacious gardens with private pools and outdoor living areas housed in lovely open pavilions. Street-facing rooms may get traffic noise and have unexciting views of the small garden adjacent to the road. 

Standard in-room amenities include large LCD TVs, safes, electric kettles with free tea and coffee (espresso makers in villas), and minibars stocked with several types of beer, soda, sparkling water, red and white wine, juice, and half a dozen small bottles of liquor. A small tray offers an array of sweet and savory snacks such as candy, gummy bears, and chips, and free water is available daily. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but we found it unreliable in our main-building room, especially in the evening. 

Spacious bathrooms are sleek, with black stone tiles throughout, double sinks, a big backlit mirror, a huge Japanese-style soaking tub, and a separate rain shower. Thai-brand toiletries include not only the usual shower gel, hand soap, and shampoo, but also quality conditioner, bath salts, hand lotion, razors, toothbrushes, cotton swabs, and combs.

Dining options at the Anantara Mui Ne are varied and excellent. L’Anmien Restaurant, located a level below the lobby, offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a spacious dining room with a big outdoor terrace. The morning spread is nothing short of sumptuous, with dozens of Vietnamese and Western options, from pho to eggs and bacon, and several types of pastries and fresh fruit. Coffee and tea are served at the table, and a table with ice offers an array of fresh fruit juices. Waiters come around with the newspaper and with trays of fresh croissants and "pains au chocolat". 

For lunch and dinner, guests can choose between a casual meal at the beachfront Thung, or a light bite from the poolside Flow Bar. Our salads and sandwiches from Thung were good, but we found them overpriced, particularly for Vietnamese standards. Cham Lounge has a short tapas-style menu to accompany a long list of cocktails and drinks. Private dining is available at the Wine Room. 

The hotel offers direct access to a long, sandy beach with plenty of guest-only loungers and umbrellas. It can be windy in the winter, with rough seas and strong currents, which means it is virtually empty between October and May. The pool, however, is a great alternative -- it is large and beautiful, with an infinity edge overlooking the pool, a swim-up bar, and lots of padded loungers. There are also a shallow area for children and a large whirlpool for adults. Waiters go around the pool a couple of times per day with free refreshments. 

The spa is upscale and relaxing, with soft instrumental music, dim lights, lots of wood and stone accents, and five spacious rooms with two massage beds each. Treatments are made using natural products, including special coconut oil made in-house. The large, bright fitness center is equipped with high-end modern machines, including several for cardio exercises and a number for strength training.

The kids’ club is staffed six days per week and offers a wide array of activities, both indoors and outdoors. There are also four meeting rooms, including a ballroom for up to 150 guests. All have full audiovisual equipment, and all but one feature natural light and garden views. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, though it can be spotty, especially in the evening.