This incredible property has all the hallmarks of a fantastic beachfront vacation, plus a beginner-friendly wellness program you can add on to your stay.
My first thought upon arriving at Melia Ho Tram Beach Resort: I don't want to leave this beachfront sprawl. And my second: there could be no better (or more photogenic place) to dip a toe into the world of wellness.
What's the neighbourhood like?
You'll find Melia Ho Tram Beach Resort about a two-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City; pass glittering neon lights, rice fields and farmlands until you reach the incredibly lush, emerald grounds of the resort. It's in the up-and-coming Ho Tram neighbourhood on Vietnam's south coast.
It's a sleepy seaside town, now home to a few upscale resorts and with more to come. It's also one of the best places for kitesurfing and windsurfing. If you are into water sports, be sure to head next door to the Hamptons Plaza complex, home to the Ho Tram Kitesurfing Centre.
A side note: I am told multiple times by multiple sources throughout my stay that Ho Tram is blessed with over 300 days of sunshine per year, so chances are high you'll enjoy absolutely glorious weather during your trip.
Where am I sleeping?
When I'm not enjoying the sunshine, respite comes in the form of The Level One-Bedroom Private Pool Villa I'm calling home. This spacious sanctuary has a kitchenette, large living area overlooking the private pool and, in my case, the meditative sway of lotus flowers blooming in the pond outside my door. There's a huge bedroom with another sitting area, and a bathroom with a spectacular standalone bathtub.
It's in my room that I get my first taste of the wellness offerings that Melia Ho Tram Beach Resort provides. As a villa guest on a seven-step wellness package (more on that later), I'm treated to extras to make my time here a little more intentional: a box of exercise equipment (resistance bands, a yoga mat, a set of weights and a gym ball); there's a singing bowl at the foot of my bed; a mindfulness colouring book on the bedside table, along with an amethyst crystal and bottle of sleep spray to help me unwind.
What's on the menu?
Whether you're here to embrace wellness or simply have a good time, your tastebuds will be none the wiser. Sasa is the place to be for buffet breakfast and a la carte Asian favourites. Or you might like to dine with your toes in the sand at Breeza Beach Club, my personal favourite, serving up Mediterranean-inspired plates. And of course, what's a trip to Vietnam without some local specialties? Muoi has that more than covered with an extensive, and impressive, menu of pho, stir-fried egg noodles, fresh seafood and more. There's also Elyxr Cafe which, as the name might suggest, is a peaceful, atmospheric cafe with gorgeous views over the resort and light bites – perfect for a quiet afternoon with a good book and a cup of tea.
The seven-step wellness package includes one detox set-menu dinner and a specially curated breakfast menu one morning during my stay. But don't let the word 'detox' put you off. You can look forward to the likes of Vietnamese shrimp rolls with passionfruit relish, grilled sea bass with mango and other delectable choices. You won't be left hungry!
What sets Melia Ho Tram apart when it comes to wellness?
Melia Ho Tram Beach Resort is a great place to come if you're curious about wellness resorts but don't know where to start, or if you want to try a few activities out with no strings attached.
There are four- and seven-step packages available that allow guests to unwind with a massage and a beauty treatment at YHI Spa, take part in wellness activities like yoga and tai chi, and choose a turn-down wellness ritual. My pick for the latter was the sunset bath ritual. I returned to my villa after dinner one evening to dimmed lights and an already-drawn bath filled with rose petals and a splash of essential oils. A truly decadent way to end the day.
The grounds of the Melia are expansive (the buggy service that can get you from A to B is great!). If the wellness packages aren't for you, but you want to invite a little mindfulness into your stay, head to the resort's Wellness Pathway. It's a gentle walk around the onsite lake, with eight signposted stops along the way to encourage reflection and engage the senses. Think a reading stop with a comfortable day bed and lending library, a bird-watching stop, a stop with an easel and art supplies, and a shaded platform with meditation cushions.
Who will love Melia Ho Tram Beach Resort?
Wellness aficionado or not, there's something for everyone at Melia Ho Tram Beach Resort. Walk the Wellness Pathway and get a massage (or two!). Spend lazy days by the beach or get the adrenaline pumping on the water. Hide from the sun under the shade of your cabana while the kids make the most of the enormous pool and mini water park. Stretch out at sunrise yoga or stretch your arm out to reach for your next tropical cocktail. There are rooms for two and there's also spectacular two-, three- and four-bedroom villas so you can bring the whole family and still have room for a quiet moment.
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The writer was a guest of the hotel.
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