Bamboo Village Beach Resort & Spa

First opened in 1999 as a private home with a few extra rooms for friends and family, the hotel quickly became a favorite among the few travelers that made it to Phan Thiet back in the early 2000s. Today, the Bamboo Village has 147 rooms, a spa, two pools, and a restaurant, as is still one of the most popular resorts in town, not only for its wide, sandy beach but also for its pleasant rooms and beautiful grounds. Everything here is designed in a way that allows for a quiet, relaxing vibe. Lotus ponds bursting with flowers, man-made streams lined with natural rocks, and manicured grass lawns dotted with palm trees and bougainvillea wrap around a few bungalows and a couple of low buildings. The spa is tucked away amid lush greenery, and the hotel’s two pools allow for un uncrowded feel throughout. 

This tranquil vibe is probably better suited for couples than for families (and, in fact, most guests were Russian and European couples when we visited). But we did see a few kids playing in the pools, and the hotel does offer a few perks for children, including a playground and the option to add an extra bed in many room types. Still, those seeking a more kid-friendly hotel may want to consider the Cliff Resort & Residences, which has similar rates and features a lovely staffed kids’ club and large rooms, many with full kitchens. Travelers looking for something more secluded may want to compare rates at the Full Moon Village, which offers villa-style accommodation, a beach popular with water sports enthusiasts, and a charming pool.

Bamboo Village Beach Resort & Spa is located right on Ham Tien’s main drag, a two-way road lined with bars, restaurants, shops, and travel agencies. There is plenty of traffic right outside the hotel, but the sidewalks are better maintained and wider than in other areas farther away from the city center. This location is not only convenient for those looking to eat and drink out but also for travelers interested in exploring the area’s main sights. The Fairy Stream, a creek famous for its red and white walls, can be reached in about 10 minutes by car, while Mui Ne -- known for its quaint fishing harbor and seafood restaurants -- is about a 20-minute drive away. The hotel is a 15-minute drive from the historic Cham Towers. The nearest airports are in Ho Chi Minh City and Dalat, each about a five-hour bus ride away. The hotel offers transfers to Ho Chi Minh City, Dalat, and Nha Trang for a fee. 

The hotel has 147 rooms and bungalows, all with furnished balconies or patios, and garden or sea views. Decor varies between room types, and ranges from simple and contemporary in Nova Deluxe Rooms, to stylish and with a slightly rustic feel in bungalows. The 345-square-foot Dove Cottages are the lowest room category at Bamboo Village, with tiled or wooden floors, simple wooden furniture, and a small patio overlooking the garden adjacent to the road. On the other end of the spectrum are the Beachfront Bungalows, offering 474 square feet of space, cute Champa-inspired accents such as terra-cotta reliefs above the bed, and wooden floors. Bamboo Bungalows have bamboo floors, high thatched ceilings, and mosquito nets above queen-size beds. 

Although decor style is different in each room type, all rooms have the same amenities, including air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, electric kettles, and safes. All the rooms we saw were in good shape and clean thanks to the hotel’s comprehensive maintenance program. 

Bathrooms also come in a range of styles and sizes depending on the room type, but all have a mix of small and large tiles in white and earth tones, and round or rectangular sinks on stone or wooden vanities. Most rooms have either walk-in showers or shower/tub combos, but Junior Suites have big bathrooms with cute indoor gardens, big windows, and deep soaking tubs. Beachfront bungalows have beautiful outdoor bathrooms with separate soaking tubs and rain showers, lots of plants and stones, and retractable roofs for privacy. 

The hotel has dozens of loungers and umbrellas on one of the best beaches in the areas, with fine sand, generally less wind than others closer to Mui Ne, and waiter service. An excellent breakfast buffet is served daily free of charge for all guests at the beachfront restaurant, housed in a thatched pavilion with lots of cute ornamental carvings, simple wooden furniture, and a second-floor terrace with sea views. The spread is generous and tasty, with both Vietnamese and international options, egg and pho stations, fresh fruits, and a variety of breads and pastries. A la carte lunch and dinner are also served here, and weekly seafood barbecues are popular with guests. 

The hotel also features two small pools, both tucked away in the gardens and ringed with a handful of loungers each. The one closest to the beach seems to be more popular, and has a livelier atmosphere than the one by the lobby. A soft, fresh scent and soothing instrumental music welcomed guests to the spa, housed in several thatched open pavilions, including one with a sauna, a steam room, and a whirlpool. A wide array of treatments -- including Thai, Vietnamese, and foot massages -- are performed in cute bamboo huts with muslin curtains for privacy. The spacious, air-conditioned fitness center is suitable for a quick workout, with a decent array of cardio and strength-training equipment. A large movement studio with huge windows offers popular daily yoga classes for a fee.