Carmelina Beach Resort

The pools offered a nice mix, and the grounds felt like a little pocket of paradise. My four-year-old had the best time in the pools, at the beach, at the kids' club with its ball pits, slides, and Duplo, and at the small farm with rabbits and chickens. He even enjoyed mealtimes. Matthew and Chau made us feel welcome in the dining area, and he looked forward to seeing them. The seafood was delicious and well priced, a special treat to have so much of it. The front desk was very helpful arranging drivers for day trips and our onward ride back to Ho Chi Minh City. We had such a wonderful time at this beautiful garden resort for families.

The family-run feel at Carmelina Resort in Ho Tram comes through in the warm service, and the staff were fantastic with children, especially at the buffet. Our room was spotless and luxurious, with a super comfortable bed and a huge balcony. The gardens and palms make it feel like a calm escape from the city; they grow their own produce and offer garden tours. My kids loved holding the little rabbits. There are lots of activities for children, including a playground, cinema, games room, painting, and three pools with kids' sections. One pool is designed just for children and has loads of fun features. Adults have plenty to do too, with a spa, pickleball, paintballing, and swimming. The restaurant overlooks the beach. Five stars don't seem enough; I'd give it six if I could. Highly recommend for families!

Leaving may be the hardest part. We arrived late at night and were mesmerised from the start. The welcome was warm, and the staff gave us a great introduction before helping us to our room. It was spacious, modern, cool, and inviting, with a lovely garden view. The manicured gardens, multiple pools, and children's activity areas make it hard to know where to look. Meals were all impressive: breakfast had both Eastern and Western dishes, lunch offered a diverse menu, and dinner had tempting choices for everyone. Carmelina Beach Resort has a real 'Wow' factor.

The weekend got very crowded because a large corporate team-building event ran for two days. The breakfast buffet was a highlight, though, with fresh produce from the resort gardens, an egg station, and two kinds of noodle soup. Since the resort is remote, dining elsewhere isn't really an option, and the hotel's other meals can be expensive with a smaller selection. Carmelina Resort is a beautiful, clean retreat for a remote escape. The staff were genuinely helpful and courteous from arrival, and gave us a personal tour of the grounds with refreshing passion fruit juice. I also liked their sustainability efforts and on-site produce gardens. Families have plenty to do: three pools including a saltwater one, an indoor kids' club, and an outdoor playground that looks mostly safe but a bit dated. Kids can feed the fish and visit the pet rabbits. Adults can play pool, and there are family movie nights.