Kicking back at The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh - review

Accessing Vietnam’s golden beaches has never been easier. Stacey Marcelo and family hop on a flight from Hong Kong to the sunny shores of Cam Ranh

The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh review - lazy days by the main pool

Vietnam’s central coast has long been known for its powder-soft beaches and turquoise waters, but a new era of family wellness has dawned with the debut of The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh. As the first Westin property in Vietnam, the resort offers a sanctuary where parents and children can reconnect through thoughtfully curated wellbeing experiences.

And the best part is it’s easy to get there. With Hong Kong Express recently relaunching direct flights from Hong Kong to Cam Ranh, paradise is now just a short and affordable hop away. 

Stepping out of Cam Ranh Airport’s arrivals hall, our family holiday shifts gears. A swift ten-minute transfer later (barely enough time for the kids to ask, “Are we there yet?”) we enter The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh. Beyond the reception lie nine hectares of lush gardens framing a sparkling ocean. 

The resort, which opened in June 2024, features 207 rooms, suites and pool villas, plus a series of signature brand concepts that enable guests to Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well and Play Well. Family wellbeing is woven into every experience, from carefully configured villas and nutritious, kid-friendly dining to fun, curated activities: think children’s yoga, family cooking classes and the  thrill of sand dune camping along the coast. 

“At The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh, we understand that family vacations are among life’s most precious moments,” Jamie Jung Hun Lee, general manager of The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh, tells me. “Our holistic family program not only encourages young guests to sleep and eat well, it also inspires them to try energising new activities that boost their bodies and broaden their minds. And of course, adults will be able to enjoy some long overdue pampering.” 

Design and Accommodation 

The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh review - one-bedroom villas come with private pools

Designed by Andy Fisher Workshop, the resort subtly embodies Vietnamese spirit. Local brick screens celebrate regional craftsmanship, while interiors reference lobster traps and fishing villages - a nod to Vietnam’s cultural heritage.

Families can choose from airy guestrooms or breathtaking private one-to-three-bedroom pool villas (ideal for multi-generational travel or with a group of friends), each featuring Westin’s next-generation Heavenly Beds with temperature regulation, complemented by calming lavender balm to promote deep sleep and relaxation.  

Our 105sqm beachfront villa boasts a private pool, spacious living-dining area with kitchenette, a marble bathroom complete with soaking tub and rain shower and sumptuous Frette linen. A 5am stroll to the beach for sunrise is my cherished ritual every time I’m in Vietnam. For those who love to watch the sunrise, this is pure magic.  

Wellness for all ages  

True to Westin’s six brand pillars, well-being in Cam Ranh extends beyond the spa. While parents can indulge in some pampering in the Heavenly Spa, kids can take part in the Westin Family programme. The Kids Club offers a range of free and paid activities to keep little guests busy. My kids are treated to their first spa experience, donning mini robes in preparation for a foot massage. The journey begins with a foot washing ritual where lemongrass, rose petals, lime and lavender bath salts are added to the bowl before sitting back on the comfy bean bags and enjoying a relaxing foot wash and mini foot massage.  

The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh review - the kids take time out with a mini massage

The staff at the Kids Club are marvellous and keep them busy with activities from arts and crafts and local Vietnamese games. It gives hubby and I a much-needed break where we can relax by the pool, work out at the top-notch gym, read a book or have a pampering massage at the spa. I try the signature Heavenly Signature Massage which uses Westin white tea products combined with a heated compress to relax the muscles, before a 60-minute Swedish massage. My therapist is very skilled and I sneak back the next day for another go.  

There are loads of outdoor activities on offer, too.  We go kayaking, play pickleball and beach volleyball, swim in all three pools, bike around the resort and even hop into a traditional Vietnamese basket boat that spins us around in circles which the kids love. Hubby, not so much.  

Eat up

The Verandah’s open kitchen dishes up an amazing breakfast buffet complete with local and western favourites, as well as plenty of healthy items on offer, while Hang Ten Beach Bar & Grill elevates Vietnamese seafood with fresh, locally caught ingredients, prime international meats, and fresh produce grilled to perfection in a breezy beachfront setting. 

The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh review - learning how to cook crispy Vietnamese pancakes

I highly recommend booking a family cooking class while you’re there. We learned to make Bánh Xèo, a crispy Vietnamese rice flour pancake filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. The kids loved it and ate their creations with gusto.  

The Verdict 

The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh delivers a seamless blend of luxury, wellness, and family-friendly adventure. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or looking ahead to the next school break, it’s a compelling choice for families, particularly with such easy accessibility from Hong Kong.  

Getting there 

We flew with Hong Kong Express which operates a direct service between Hong Kong International Airport and Cam Ranh four times a week. From the airport it’s a mere ten-minute transfer to the resort.

Asia Family Traveller was a guest of The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh.