The Cliff Resort & Residences

The Cliff Resort & Residences, which opened in 2012, feels fresh, upscale, and serene. Whereas most hotels in central Ham Tien are concentrated in a small area, the resort’s location just outside of the city center allows for expansive grounds. The gardens are lush and appealing, with plenty of tropical plants and flowers, and manicured lawns dotted with palm trees. As its name suggests, the Cliff is built on the side of a hill, and the ocean can be seen from just about anywhere on the property. The lobby and the main buildings are at the top of the slope, the pools are in the center, and the bungalows and villas are next to the beach. The hotel's interiors are stylish and contemporary throughout, with lots of natural wood and stone finishes, a subdued neutral palette, and clean lines that make spaces look even larger than they are. 

Travelers tend to only leave the property for quick visits to Ham Tien's restaurants and bars, or for half-day trips to the local sights. The atmosphere is peaceful, and guests spend their time sunbathing and reading by the pool or at the beach. The hotel caters to a diverse crowd, attracting mostly young and middle-aged European and Russian couples in winter, and Vietnamese families in summer. The pool, the beach, the kids’ club, and the movie theater are great perks for travelers with children, while the spa, the fitness center, and the swim-up bar appeals to adults wanting to get some R&R. 

The Cliff Resort & Residences is located on the main road that connects Phan Thiet and Mui Ne with the highway to Ho Chi Minh City. The Sea Links Golf Course is right across the road, but there's little else of interest in the immediate area. Still, Ham Tien’s main drag, a two-way road lined with restaurants, bars, and shops, is just a five-minute drive away, and taxis are plentiful and cheap. The hotel is less than a 10-minute drive from the historic Cham Towers, while the Fairy Stream, a creek famous for its red and white walls, can be reached in about 15 minutes by car. 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 from the resort. 

The Cliff Resort & Residences has several options for accommodations that include bungalows, condos, and villas. Each room type has its own unique style, ranging from bright and colorful to elegant and polished. The standard Azul Rooms are the cheeriest, with a beachy, blue and white palette. All-white furniture has clean lines, and there are blue accent walls with a sea-themed motif. Other units are more subdued and slightly more generic, with dark wood furniture and beige accents. About 90 percent have balconies with sea views, but Verde Condos only have a couple of small windows overlooking the gardens next to the road, and sometimes there's noise from traffic. 

All units have flat-screen TVs with international channels, electric kettles, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Minibars come stocked with wine, small bottles of liquor, beer, soft drinks, water, and a range of savory and sweet snacks. All but Azul Rooms and bungalows have fully equipped kitchens, with stovetops, full-size fridges, microwaves, and sinks. Villas have private pools with panoramic ocean views. 

Bathrooms are also roomy, and have separate showers and tubs, or walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads. Bungalows feature indoor-outdoor bathrooms, and Terra Ocean View Rooms have whirlpools on the terrace. All contain terrycloth robes and handy beach totes, and toiletries include razors, toothbrushes, combs, liquid hand soap in large containers, sewing kits, and cotton swabs.

The Cliff has an impressive lineup of amenities for an upscale stay. Guest have direct access to a nice sandy beach that's so quiet it's virtually private, and there are a few loungers and umbrellas, plus towels provided free of charge. Guests can also borrow sea kayaks for up to one hour for free, and there's food and drink service. The area is windy, and swimming is not advisable in winter due to strong currents; there's a flag on the beach with a color code warning of sea conditions. 

The hotel’s two pools are a good alternative if the breeze is too strong. The main pool is quite large and has swim-up bar, and there's a separate area for kids. Those seeking an even more laid-back spot can check out the smaller pool, which has a handful of loungers and umbrellas on a separate deck below the main pool. 

For dining, Vista Restaurant, located off the lobby, serves Vietnamese and international fare in an airy dining room, with a wide terrace that overlooks the ocean. A free buffet breakfast is offered, with Asian and Western options, such as eggs, pancakes, pho, rice dishes, pastries, and fresh fruit. Room service is available 24/7 for a fee. 

Wellness amenities include a spa, which has soothing instrumental music, candles throughout, indoor and outdoor massage rooms, a sauna, and a steam room. There are private and couples’ treatments, traditional Thai massages, manicures and pedicures, and salon services. Some treatment rooms have panoramic sea views. There's also a fitness center with large windows and an array of cardio and strength-training machines.

The hotel offers a range of great perks for families, including a staffed kids’ club with daily activities, a game room with pool and ping pong tables, and a movie theater with free movies in English and Vietnamese. There's also a playground in the gardens near the pools. Free bikes are available on a first-come-first-served basis, and there's free Wi-Fi throughout. The hotel can arrange airport transfers for a fee.