Cham Villas Wonderland: A Review of Staying at Cham Villas Resort in Mui Ne

Set along the main strip in Mui Ne, Cham Villas feels like a garden wonderland of a different world. Every inch of this one hectare is covered with unique, Cham-era statues, coconut trees, rare plants, vibrant flowers and plush grass manicured to pristine, sharp lines around every villa. The gardens not only breathe fresh and floral air for the olfactory senses, but they also create privacy for each villa, shelter the pool and make separate nature areas to enjoy throughout the compound.

When I arrived to Cham Villas, I was greeted with a welcome drink of lemonade green tea and a wet towel to refresh my face and hands. After checking in, the polite and genuinely friendly girls at the front desk walked me to my room- or I should say, villa bungalow.

Maybe it was the beautifully balmy, warm weather and bright sunshine combined with the soothing effect of the refreshingly sweet and sour welcome drink, but I actually felt like Alice in Cham Villa Wonderland as we wandered through the tropical flowers and trees to find the private bungalow…

Even though the resort was at capacity, it was extremely serene and quiet and I hardly saw any other guests. I think that this calm ambience supported my “Wonderland” feeling even more since it didn’t seem like I was in busy Vietnam anymore. I’d been transported into my own personal, foreign, tropical escape made for exploring and pure relaxation!

This feeling lasted during my entire stay at Cham Villas. Upon entering the villa, a burning essential oil filled the room like at a luxurious spa. The detailing and styling of the villa was perfect: you can walk in through the front door and walk out through the back double doors to sit on the private deck with a lounging “day bed.” Ethnic-print covered pillows, a table and chairs for two made it a perfect place for a late night drink or hot tea. Inside, the showpiece of the room is the white linen-dressed, four-poster bed with draping white fabrics, setting a fantastical mood of both pure ecstasy and comfort. In the bathroom, the wall behind the tub is a full window, exposing a secret Buddha garden. And make sure to light some of the tea candles left out for you at night to enjoy the ambiance of your personal abode to it’s fullest.

In the morning, I was so excited to make the most of living in nature (well, you know, staying in a luxury villa in nature) and having a private deck/porch on my villa that I whipped out my yoga mat! (So happy I brought it with me!).

After this peaceful and energizing exercise, I couldn’t wait to go try the (included) breakfast buffet. I can happily say that it didn’t disappoint my daydreamed expectations - the buffet at Cham is superb. Choices include coffee/tea and freshly squeezed juices, made to order omelettes, crispy bacon, potatoes, breads/croissants, assorted jams, deli meats and cheeses and Vietnamese style fresh soups. It was incredibly satisfying for a breakfast-lover foodie like myself.

The sandy beach at Cham is a nice length from the breaking waves, setting plenty of distance between the Villas’ lounging chairs, umbrellas and the beach walkers or kite surfers. The other water-relaxation spot - the pool - is also very secluded as it is surrounded by tall palm trees and has plenty of loungers and tables as well. It is frequented by the lovely staff bringing complimentary fruit plates and wet wash clothes to guests. Again, this keeps the refreshing, spa-like experience of staying at Cham Villas consistent and delightfully surprising!

It’s hard to find a single thing to complain about Cham Villas; it’s so soothing, mystical and calm to experience staying here. If you want to take any day trips around Mui Ne, there is a binder full of specialized tour options in your villa, which the staff is happy to help arrange. I didn’t have the time to experience any spa treatments, but I’ve heard that the spa is excellent, too. It’s set up in a sweet bungalow outside, tucked in a corner of the gardens, making it a distinctive spa experience to remember.

Since a German-Vietnamese couple created Cham Villas, the influence of German fare is present on the menu at the wonderful open-air, centrally located restaurant. Or, for those who want more socializing action, head to the front of the grounds, just next to the road entrance, to their German restaurant/bar, Ratinger Löwe, which serves traditional German fare, International and Vietnamese food inside their original restaurant or on the table-filled patio. Of course there are many dining options within a very short walk of the Villas, too, thanks to its great location.

Anyway, I hope my that my hard work of relaxing and reviewing helps you visualize what it’s like to stay at Cham Villas…If you get the chance, please treat yourself to an experience at this Wonderland in Mui Ne and good luck returning from the rabbit hole!