Cham Villas^(unique)

Our brief comments:
A one hectare plot doesn't seem very large for a resort until you realise that it holds only fourteen villas. The Cham Villas resort is another of Vietnam's hotels that doesn't fit the tourism authority's classification criteria. Despite its obvious high quality, the limited number of rooms would probably restrict its official ranking to three stars - we consider it should be higher.

The Cham Villas resort is owned by a German/Vietnamese couple who have sought to establish an ambiance of solitude and privacy. The calm quietude suggests they have been successful.

Entering the resort, the scene is set by the Cham pictures and artifacts in the small reception area. Its sweeping lawns fringed with tropical trees and plants are immaculate and dotted with Cham statuary. read more about the Cham Kingdom

The white-walled, thatched Bungalows are a good size with dark hardwood furniture and firm beds. The chocolate/primrose/terra-cotta colour scheme works well, creating a sensation of cool shade and calmness.

There's no bath, but the shower room is well-designed and attractive. Outside is a large roofed patio with a daybed.

The Villas are slightly larger with similar decor, four-posted beds and a large balcony. Bathrooms are very good - neat with clean lines. Adjacent to the usual bath and shower combination is a large window looking out to a small enclosed garden.

All room categories have pleasant matt tiled floors and Cham ornaments and motifs.

The rectangular pool is surrounded by mature palms and other foliage providing natural shade to complement the sunshades over the attractive wooden sun beds.

The restaurant is open on three sides. Although small (it's a small resort!), it's pleasant enough. The short menu is tempting - a combination of Vietnamese and international cuisines, with several interesting German items. The wine list is good, and prices are sensible.

We liked the Cham Villas - the rooms are good, the gardens are excellent, the pool is fine and the resort's stretch of beach is clean and well furnished with thatched sun shelters and loungers. We can't comment on the food, but it looked appetising!

We were also impressed by the resort's commitment to the local culture. For example, the Cham artefacts and souvenirs for sale in the Gift Shop are manufactured locally by Cham craftspeople, and some of the members of the staff are ethnic Cham people.

The popularity of the Cham Villas resort is spreading rapidly, and a limited amount of further development is nearing completion. This will add two more Beach Front Villas but will not detract from the exclusivity and solitude of this special resort.

This isn't a resort for visitors seeking discotheques, thrills and excitement. Instead, you get exclusivity, tranquility, good food, and comfort - the ideal combination for relaxation.

We'll be looking for feedback from customers, but on the basis of what we've seen so far, the Cham Villas could become one of our Featured Hotels.

(Inspected May 2006)

Room facilities:

Room Categories	Bungalow	Garden Villa	Beach Villa
Number of rooms	4	4	6
Air-conditioner
Satellite television
Shower only
Bath with shower
Bath + separate shower
Personal safety box
Coffee and tea facilities
Laptop connection
Free broadband access
Extra bed available?
Child's cot available?
Room size (m2)	52	55	55
View	garden	garden	sea

Additional room facilities:

Hotel facilities:

Outdoor pool		Non-smoking floor(s)	n/a
Pool bar		Non-smoking rooms only
Children's pool*		Vietnamese/Asian restaurant
Fitness/health centre		International restaurant
Sauna		Patisserie/coffee shop/cafe
Massage		Business centre
Jacuzzi		Disabled access**

Additional hotel facilities: golf available at the Ocean Dunes Club at the rear of the Novotel Coralia in Phan Thiet