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The Sailing Club Mui Ne Resort is the latest addition to Phan Thiet/Mui Ne's ever expanding resort scene along the glorious Mui Ne beach. I had been invited to stay for a couple of nights by the partners in the venture - Peter Vidotto, Thanh Charles and Rod Quinton - to experience the Sailing Club concept and provide a review for ElephantGuide.
It should be noted here that the resort was in soft opening mode when I made the journey - rather foolishly travelling the 200 kilometres from Saigon on motorcycle. That said, the place was open for business and I was anxious to get out of town for the weekend, so the invitation was accepted with much gratitude. First impressions following an arduous, four-hour trek up Highway One from Saigon were those of absolute relief, soon changing to a sense of sheer pleasure just to be here. As I was led to my luxuriously appointed bungalow, I became ever more enthralled at the splendour of my surroundings - lush tropical gardens of a surprising maturity given that the resort has only just (soft) opened, water features including tranquil Lilly ponds, and the glorious Mui Ne beach and ocean lapping almost at my door. The concept at the Sailing Club Mui Ne is that of a fusion of cultures, East-meets-West but with a style and panache seldom achieved at similar resort hotels. The architecture is evocative of a traditional Vietnamese village while imbuing hints of Balinese and even Mexican influences with arresting details almost everywhere one looks. The majority of the resort's public areas are open aspect, with large French windows leading onto wide terraces, often overlooking the swimming pool or beach. The design concept is continued in the guest accommodation which is divided into four levels and price ranges - all of them stylish and comfortable. Deluxe, beach front villas with magnificent ocean views occupy the top position and command the highest rate (still only US$75 and great value for money), followed by very pleasant garden view bungalows and the resort's unique, two-storey "Sapa" houses - a design loosely based on a traditional Vietnamese long house. These house superior, air-conditioned rooms on the upper level and fan-cooled accommodation on the ground floor. All rooms enjoy views over the gardens and often beyond. I had originally planned a quick shower and change and then out to get my bearings. Once in my room however, I decided to take my time and enjoy myself. The Sailing Club's guest rooms simply reek of class - understated luxury elegantly executed, furnished in a simple, almost rustic style. This simplicity of design is not reflected in the levels of facilities and amenities in the rooms however. Mine was very well equipped with satellite television, telephone, useful working desk/dressing table and other amenities. Even the en suite facilities in the Sailing Club's rooms are cleverly designed and elegantly appointed, with little touches that constantly remind one of the resort's attention to detail - little stone jars containing the complimentary lotions, balms and creams etc. It was time to see about something to eat. The restaurant at the Sailing Club Mui Ne is a neat affair with tables set both inside the dining room and outside on a pool side terrace. With the resort having only just opened, the menu was limited, although there was still plenty of choice - starters ran from scallop soup or a Thai-style Tom Yum with prawns, clams and mussels, to spicy Thai beef salad and fried Calamari in a coconut and lemon grass coating. Mains on offer ranged from a commendable chicken pie with vegetables and mashed potatoes through seafood and vegetarian pasta preparations, roasted duck in a Mandarin sauce, imported New Zealand lamb chops, plus the inevitable and inimitable seafood - freshly caught by the Phan Thiet fleet, whose winking lights were visible on the horizon. Service is always a tricky subject when reviewing new operations, and the Sailing Club Mui Ne is no exception. Staff are polite, a few speaking relatively good English, but the majority naturally lack experience. Supervisors - a couple on loan from the Sailing Club Nha Trang - are quick to intervene when problems inevitably occur, although during my stay mistakes were relatively few. It should be stated here that service is a big headache for most hotel and resort owners and managers in Vietnam, including long-established operations in major cities, so a new venue in Phan Thiet is bound to experience a few teething pains. Anyway, suitably sated, I skipped dessert and ventured the few steps to the bar. All very fine so far. The bar at the Sailing Club is again open aspect, with stunning ocean views from the pool side terrace. The bar itself was obviously still in "startup" mode, with a limited though fairly comprehensive range of spirits, wines and beers available. A cocktail menu was forthcoming however. With only a few guests staying at the resort at this time, it is difficult to define quite how the bar will turn out as a venue, although the atmosphere was at once welcoming and lively, given the limited numbers making up the party. Music is via CD, the sounds cool jazz, R&B, modern soul etc., helping to ensure a convivial and comfortable ambience (the partners intend to host guest DJs and perhaps even live bands from Saigon and beyond at a later stage). Decoration around the public areas, including the bar and restaurant is predominantly photographic, with some excellent portraiture and life studies captured by the then-resident photo ace, Philip Meaney a few of whose pictures adorn these pages. During the day, the bar terrace provides a relaxing spot to sup or snack, with the pool close at hand for a refreshing dip. A snack menu offers a selection of reasonably priced delicacies including various salads and seafood specialities. However, the major daytime pursuit is currently soaking up the sun on the beach or by the pool - a time consuming operation on my first couple of days at the resort as the weather was unseasonably dull - a typhoon at sea and its resultant cold front stubbornly refusing to yield and depart from southern Vietnam. Water sports are planned and should be operational by mid-November, in time for the Sailing Club Mui Ne's grand opening. Also in the planning stages are various extreme-sports pursuits including quad-biking across the Hon Rom dunes, kite-surfing and more. Aluxury spa offering massage, sauna and professional treatments is also envisaged, as are a games room with pool table, a library, shop and business centre. Although these refinements were absent during my stay, I find waves lapping just a few metres from where I sit, deleriously happy and definitely satisfied, on the terrace next to the bar. I've been here five days now and have no intention of ever leaving (if only that were possible) and, yes, the sun is shining brightly. Details from: SAILING CLUB MUI NE
24 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Tel: (84-62) 847 440 - Fax: (84-62) 847 441-
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