Orchard Home Resort Nam Cat Tien

The dome room faced the nature reserve, and it was really peaceful and calming. Staff service was great. Food at the resort costs more than average, which is fair given the location, but the quality was below par and needs to improve.

Our room was the one part we quite enjoyed. We stayed in Dome 7, with a lovely river and mountain view, but there was no AC, a bad smell from the plastic, and the bedding was a bit moldy. The first night was peaceful. The second was a disaster. I asked about the noise policy because a large group was coming, and a staff member said no karaoke or loud music after 10 PM. At 11:30 PM karaoke woke us up. Staff didn’t help when we called. The music quieted at 1 AM, but people kept cheering loudly while drinking, then at 2:30 AM drunk guests were talking and screaming outside our dome. The pool bar sits in the middle of the resort on a hill surrounded by mountains, so the noise echoed everywhere, right into the quiet nature. The service didn’t match the resort price. The place has resources, but the owner doesn’t seem to invest in or take care of them. The receptionists and sales staff were helpful at first, then seemed to contact us only when they needed something or we’d booked paid services. Some restaurant staff had a bad attitude and didn’t seem happy to serve us. Food was very pricey, and as the resort is isolated, we had little choice: about 500k vnd for two dishes for two people, without drinks. I ordered salted fish fried rice, but got egg fried rice instead. I told the receptionist to check with the food staff and got no response. The facilities were poorly maintained. Lunch was at the main restaurant by reception, dinner at the pool bar, and breakfast back at the main restaurant. That setup wasn’t a problem until we showed up for dinner and the pool bar was dark and empty. A staff member called someone from the restaurant for us. Since the place was so poorly maintained, we asked to have dinner brought to our room. The pool is one of the resort’s signature features, but the water looked very dirty and there was lots of litter. One pool was empty, with branches and leaves in it, then got filled with water on our second day for a group event. I don’t think pool hygiene was being maintained. The bar and terraces by the river also looked like they hadn’t been cared for in a long time. Transport arrangements were disappointing, too. The ads showed a professional list of options and prices, but when we asked for the cheapest shared bus at 140k per person, they just sent a local bus company’s card and left us to book it ourselves. The only transport they offered was a private car from Saigon for about 1.3 mils each way for two people. We had to rely on taxis and paid 300k for a round trip to the park. Even with the discount, it was expensive compared with other places closer to the national park. I wouldn’t mind paying this much if the service matched. I hope the owner takes better care of this beautiful place, perhaps closes it for renovation and trains the staff to improve their attitudes. Otherwise, it’s such a waste.

The food cost too much for its quality, and the old room had a smelly toilet. There was no bus to the jungle, so the receptionist arranged a car for 300k per trip, round-trip, which was costly. Not recommended. I was too disappointed to take photos.

The room was old but clean, and the outdoor pool is really the main draw. Restaurant service was ordinary, though the people there were generous. Still, I’d choose somewhere else if I came back.