Answer block: Amanoi is the best resort in Vietnam, and the service is the best we've experienced anywhere. It sits inside Nui Chua National Park on the south-central coast, with pavilions and pool villas looking over Vinh Hy Bay, a lakeside spa and a private beach club. It's remote, about 75 minutes from Cam Ranh airport, and expensive, with rooms from roughly $1,100 a night before 16.6% tax and service. If you can stretch to it, it's worth every dollar.
At a Glance
Best for: Couples, honeymooners and anyone who wants the best service in Asia.
Best room: An Ocean Pool Villa, with a private infinity pool facing Vinh Hy Bay.
Best thing to do: A treatment at the spa beside the lotus lake, then sunset at the clifftop pool.
Best meal: Lunch at the Beach Club, under the granite cliffs.
Best day out: A hike into Nui Chua National Park, or a visit to the fishing village in the bay.
The Setting
We stayed at Amanoi for four nights in 2025, and we're still talking about it.
Amanoi was Aman's first resort in Vietnam, and it's in a spot most visitors never see. It sits on a wide promontory inside Nui Chua National Park, a protected area of more than 29,000 hectares on the south-central coast. Below it is Vinh Hy Bay, a sheltered bay of fishing boats framed by granite cliffs and forested hills.
The drive from Cam Ranh airport takes about 75 minutes, and it's a beautiful one, winding along the coast and through the park. You arrive at the central pavilion up a wide flight of stairs, and the whole bay opens up in front of you. It's one of those arrivals that sets the tone for everything after.
The resort is spread across the hillside. Pavilions and villas peek out above the trees, linked by paths and buggies. There's a lotus lake in the middle, a clifftop pool above the sea, and a private beach club down at the water.
If you're planning a wider trip, our guide to the best hotels in Bali and our Bawah Reserve review cover two more remote escapes in the region.
The Service
This is the reason to go. We've stayed at a lot of very good hotels, and Amanoi's service was on a different level from anything we've experienced. Plenty of hotels have big teams. What set Amanoi apart for us was the level, not the headcount. Everyone we encountered was warm and friendly, providing so many thoughtful touches along the way to make our stay exceptional.
The Rooms
Every room has a view, of the bay, the national park or the lotus lake. The entry pavilions are about 95 square meters, with a big wooden sun deck, a living area and a bathroom with a freestanding tub and walk-in shower. The design is Aman at its best: dark wood, latticed screens, neutral tones and almost nothing extra.
The pool villas are the ones to book if you can. Each has a private infinity pool and a deck facing Vinh Hy Bay. There are also larger residences of one to five bedrooms for families or groups, and two wellness villas attached to the spa.
The Food
You eat in three main places. Breakfast and dinner are in the central pavilion, with views over the bay. Lunch is at the Beach Club, set under the granite cliffs on the sand. And there are private dinners on request, including barbecues at your villa.
The Spa and Activities
The Aman Spa sits beside the lotus lake, a short walk from the main pavilion, in a setting that's hard to beat. The two wellness villas next to it have their own treatment rooms for guests doing a longer retreat.
Beyond the spa, there's yoga and Pilates, two tennis courts, a library, non-motorized water sports at the beach, and guided hikes into the national park. The fishing village in Vinh Hy Bay is worth a visit for a look at local life.
What Could Be Better
It's remote. The transfer from Cam Ranh is around 75 minutes each way, and there's nothing else nearby, so you'll eat every meal at the resort. That's part of the appeal, but it adds up. Rooms start around $1,100 a night before the 16.6% tax and service charge, and dining and activities are on top.
Check rates at Amanoi
Who It's For
Book Amanoi for a honeymoon, a milestone trip or the beach leg of a longer Vietnam itinerary when you want total rest. It's also a strong pick for wellness trips, thanks to the spa and the wellness villas. Families can do it too in the larger residences, which have room for everyone and private pools. Skip it if you want a lively resort, lots of restaurants or easy day trips to towns. For that, the central coast near Hoi An is a better fit.
Getting There
Fly into Cam Ranh International Airport, which has domestic flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and some international connections. From there, it's about 75 minutes by car to the resort. Amanoi arranges the transfer, and it's complimentary for two guests on some booking offers.
Amanoi pairs well with a few nights in Saigon or Hanoi before or after. Plan at least three nights to make the transfer worth it, and four or five if you can.
Best Time to Visit and Book
The south-central coast is one of the driest parts of Vietnam. The best weather runs from roughly February to August, with calm seas and sunshine. October and November are the wettest months, and the sea can be rough.
Festive weeks, Lunar New Year and October's Golden Week (a peak for Asian travelers) book out first, and Amanoi asks for larger deposits then. For those dates, book four to six months ahead. Otherwise, two to three months is usually enough. Watch for Aman's longer-stay offers, which add value on three- to five-night bookings.
FAQ
Is Amanoi worth it? Yes, if service and seclusion matter most to you. It's the best service we've experienced anywhere, and the setting is extraordinary.
How much does Amanoi cost? Rooms start from roughly $1,100 a night, plus 16.6% tax and service. Pool villas and residences cost considerably more.
Where is Amanoi? In Nui Chua National Park on Vietnam's south-central coast, overlooking Vinh Hy Bay in Ninh Thuan province.
How do you get to Amanoi? Fly to Cam Ranh International Airport, then take the resort's transfer, about 75 minutes by car.
Is Amanoi good for families? It can be, in the multi-bedroom residences. But it's quiet and adult in feel, with no kids' club. It suits families who want privacy over programming.
What is the best room at Amanoi? An Ocean Pool Villa, for the private infinity pool and the view over the bay.
How many nights should you stay at Amanoi? At least three, given the transfer. Four or five nights lets you hike, spend time at the spa and actually slow down.