Saint Mary Beach Resort

It's a nice, relaxing resort, and it was very quiet when we visited during the weekday low season. Only two rooms were occupied. The spa was closed for our entire trip, though, which was pretty annoying for a hotel that calls itself a Spa-Resort. It's also far from every town, so without transport you're basically stuck there. I also don't like that you have to pay extra to watch special TV programs like Netflix or Apple TV. That should be included in the room price, or those options shouldn't be shown on the TV. It feels a little cheap.

The main drawback for me was the location. The Vista is a bit far from the city center, so finding different restaurants and cafes means going farther. It is something to consider if you want everything within walking distance. And while the private beach is beautiful for looking at and walking along, it's not great for swimming. I stayed in a clean, cozy bungalow overlooking a lush garden. Mornings on the balcony with coffee, birds, and rustling palms were lovely, and the bed was so comfortable it felt like home. The staff were warm, friendly, and always ready to help. I also loved the clean pool area, set among green lawns, where I could lounge for hours and feel like I had the place to myself. At sunset, the private beach was peaceful for long walks, with the waves and cool breeze. The resort is tucked away from the bustle, and I felt calm as soon as I arrived. It's a quiet place where you can disconnect and recharge. I left feeling refreshed and completely rested.

We had great service, with the staff doing everything they could to keep us happy. The resort is new, clean, and well put together. They even lent us a scooter, which helped because it's far from everything and transportation is hard to find. The pool felt a little small and seemed more suited to kids. We were let down that there was no spa. Guests looking for spa treatments might expect one when they see “resort and spa,” so they should build it soon. A paid shuttle to the larger areas would help too. A drinks menu and more food choices would also be welcome. Still, it's a nice little place with great staff.

We booked two rooms for one night at 2m per room, with a garden view on level 2. I thought that was a bit expensive. One room had an air conditioner that wasn't in perfect condition, but everything else was okay. The resort is about 30 minutes from Phan Thiet, so you'd need a car or motorbike to stay here.