Probably the most family-friendly resort you’ve by no means heard of

After I arrive at Alma Resort, I’m a bit like that lifeguard – very, very doubtful.

It’s a 30-hectare sprawling conglomeration of parts, probably the most alarming to me of that are two enormous and never very architecturally engaging tower blocks set to the rear of the property and seemingly looming over it.

In these, 384 of its 580 suites are discovered and what their encasing lacks in attractiveness they make up for inside. They’re monumental one- to three-bedroom, stylishly appointed affairs with balconies affording unimaginable views of sunsets over Cam Ranh Bay and the South China Sea.

After which there’s the truth that the resort is an absolute river of a lot on the subject of facilities and leisure – lazy or in any other case. An 18-hole mini-golf course, tennis courts, sports activities of many varieties together with motorised water sports activities, a 70-seat cinema, 13-treatment-room spa, unbelievably nicely kitted-out youngsters’ golf equipment (two, one every for various age teams), a spectacular array of eateries together with a meals courtroom and mini-mart – and 12 swimming swimming pools.

That’s not together with the water park and in addition not together with the numerous plunge swimming pools that include the downstairs residences within the double-storey “Pavilions”, the tremendous spacious upper-end lodging set down close to the seaside through which I’m fortunate sufficient to be staying and which seem to be an entire different place in comparison with the realm across the towers.

So within the spirit of “in case you can’t beat ’em, be a part of ’em”, on a morning when my fellow travellers go away the resort and head off on an tour, I determine to remain and spend the time having a swim in each single a type of 12 swimming pools.

The property is on a big slope and the swimming pools are on terraces that adjoin in a sort of cascade to the ocean.

It’s about 9am, and it’s simply me and the gardeners after I take my first dips within the two low-key swimming pools down by the water’s edge, one among them with a bar – an incredible place for sundowners – accompanying it. Right now, the bar is closed, all is quiet and you may nonetheless watch the fishing boats getting back from their evening’s work.

It’s right here I admire the truth that Alma Resort has absolute beachfront.

I’m quickly swimming in an infinity-edged spectacular pool, 75 metres lengthy and surrounded by lounges and shady huts. It’s acquired loungers in shallows with bubblers aerating the water. It’s even acquired waterfalls. I really feel like I might keep all day however the “swimmin’ all of the swimming pools” mission beckons.

I head to a different and I see one lifeguard hasten to get towels for a pair as they arrive and one other assist any individual blow up their floaty. That’s indicative of the service all around the resort. It’s exemplary, regardless of the dimensions of the place.

In one other smaller pool it’s simply me and a child in a blue cap, matching rashie, reef sneakers and full-face snorkel who offers me an outraged look as I hop into it with him. I reckon he often has this little pool to himself, which is why he chooses it. However I inform him I actually admire his spectacular snorkel after which I’m his splish-splashing compadre.

On the subsequent pool, as I reapply sunscreen, I realise that each pool terrace has bogs. That’s some considerate infrastructure.

I hold making my watery approach up, till I’m on the foot of the towers and attain a youngsters’ pool into which I’m not allowed. I determine to take a buggy to the waterpark, which is the place, as I’m floating round that lazy river, that Alma Resort is smart to me. It merely does the big-resort factor brilliantly.

I’d come again for the swimming swimming pools alone however one among my favorite parts of the resort finally ends up being a large open inexperienced house that catches breezes and the place households fly kites within the afternoon. In opposition to the backdrop of all of the bells-and-whistles constructed setting, folks nonetheless gravitate to this straightforward pleasure, identical to me, and the easy pleasure of splashing about in a collection of 12 swimming swimming pools for no motive apart from they’re there.

Alma Resort is – let’s be sincere – constructed for particular markets. The principle nationalities listed here are Vietnamese and when pandemics and wars enable it, Chinese language and Russian guests.

Nevertheless it additionally has a lot to advocate to Australian company – it simply takes me a day stuffed with dips to understand it.

THE DETAILS

Fly

Jetstar flies 3 times per week from Sydney and 4 from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh Metropolis. From there, you’ll be able to fly domestically to Cam Ranh. The airport is simply a 10-minute drive from the resort. See jetstar.com

Keep

From about $180 an evening, see alma-resort.com.

The author travelled as a visitor of Jetstar and stayed as a visitor of Alma Resort.