Escape to Paradise: Ruby Star Villa, Vung Tau's Hidden Gem
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a review of Escape to Paradise: Ruby Star Villa in Vung Tau. I'm talking the real deal here, not some glossy, perfectly posed Instagram post. Think more… a slightly frazzled travel companion whispering the truth over a lukewarm coffee.
Escape to Paradise: Ruby Star Villa - My Honest (and Slightly Chaotic) Take
First things first: Accessibility. Uhm, okay, so this is where things get a little… complicated. They say facilities for disabled guests are available. But the devil, as they say, is in the details. I didn't personally need fully accessible things, but I definitely poked around a bit, and yeah, it felt… potentially tricky. The website kind of hints at it, which is better than nothing. If you really need super specific info, call them direct. Don't just take my word for it!
Getting There & Around (and the Parking Situation!)
- Accessibility: The review says facilities are available, suggest contacting them directly for specific information.
- Airport Transfer: Yes! Thank the travel gods! Vung Tau is far (and roads can be…interesting.)
- Car Park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Valet parking, Bicycle parking: They've got it all. Parking is free which is a MAJOR win. The charging station? Chef's kiss.
My First Impressions (and the Wi-Fi Crisis!)
Okay, so pulling up to Ruby Star Villa? Pretty good vibes. It felt… secret, like you'd stumbled into a hidden oasis. The exterior is not the pristine white of a luxury resort -- and I loved it. More soul, less sterile. My kind of place.
Now, the Wi-Fi. They shout about free Wi-Fi in all the rooms. And you know what? They weren’t lying! The signal was stronger than my resolve to NOT eat every single delicious thing in Vung Tau. Internet? Yeah, it was there! Internet [LAN]? Forget it. Who uses that anymore? Wi-Fi in public areas? Yep. Solid coverage across the villa.
Rooms: The Good, the Great, and the "Wait, What?"
My room? Let's get real. Air conditioning? Check, thank goodness! Because, Vietnam. Blackout curtains? YES! Slept like a baby, even with the (occasional) scooter symphony outside. A desk for working? Actually, it made me wish I could escape to paradise permanently. The coffee/tea maker? Essential. The mini-bar? Well-stocked, and I might have indulged more than once.
- Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens
There are some minor downsides though. While they say “non-smoking rooms”, on a few occasions, I thought I sensed a…lingering scent of something. Not terrible, but noticeable. The soundproofing? Okay, it mostly worked.
Food glorious food! (and the Dining Dilemma)
Okay, food. This is where things get REALLY interesting. Ruby Star Villa has a restaurant, and let me tell you, I ate everywhere.
- * Dining, drinking, and snacking: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
The breakfast buffet was… well, a buffet. Perfectly acceptable. The Asian breakfast? Get it. The Pho was actually pretty amazing… which I wasn't expecting. The coffee shop? Solid caffeine fix. The poolside bar was a definite highlight, perfect for sipping cocktails while pretending to read a book.
The Spa Escape (and My Face Plant)
Okay, confession. I'm not the biggest spa person in the world. But, I decided to bite the bullet.
- Ways to relax: Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]
I went for the massage, and it was… divine. The masseuse was ridiculously skilled. And the pool with a view? Spectacular. I also tried the sauna which was lovely.
Pool with a View: My Moment of Zen (Almost)
Remember how I said the pool with a view was spectacular? I found myself a sun lounger. Life was good. The water shimmered, the sun warmed my skin…And then, my phone, which I'd carelessly left on the edge of the lounger, slipped. Splassshhhh. The camera was broken. I had a moment of "OH MY GOD, I'M A CLUMSY ADULT". So, maybe bring a waterproof case!
Cleanliness & Safety (and the Sanitizing Saga)
- Cleanliness and safety: Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment
Safety seemed to be taken seriously. There were hand sanitizers everywhere, and the staff were wearing masks, which I appreciated.
Services and Conveniences: The Essentials and the Extras
- Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center
The concierge was great and helpful, I needed a tailor and she organised it! The luggage storage was handy. The daily housekeeping kept things clean.
For the Kids (and the Babysitting Bummer)
- For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal
I don't have kids, but I noticed they had kids facilities. The babysitting seems…available, but you will have to check with them for availability.
The Big Picture: Is Escape to Paradise Really Paradise?
Look, Ruby Star Villa? It's not perfect. It has its quirks. But it's got soul. It's got charm. The price? Totally reasonable. It’s a solid choice for a relaxed getaway.
My Takeaway: I'd go back. Definitely. Especially for that massage. And that pool. Just…I'll be keeping a very close eye on my phone next time.
Escape to Paradise: Ruby Star Villa - My Exclusive Offer (Because You Deserve It!)
Okay, here's the deal:
Book a stay of 3 nights or more, using the code "CHAOSVUNGTAU" and get a complimentary massage for two at the spa AND a free bottle of wine at the pool bar.
Plus, get 10% off all food and drinks at the poolside bar throughout your stay.
Why you should book now:
- You deserve a break. (Seriously. You do).
- This offer is for a limited time only. Don't miss out!
- Escape to Paradise is calling your name. It's waiting for you!
Click here to book your escape to paradise! (Go on, you know you want to!)
Hanoi Sunset: The Most Stunning View You'll EVER See!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is Ruby Star Villa, Vung Tau, Vietnam, raw and unfiltered. I'm basically winging this, but hey, that's the fun, right? Let's see how horribly, and wonderfully, this goes:
Ruby Star Villa, Vung Tau - The Chaos-Approved Itinerary (Maybe) - (AKA: Pray for Me)
Day 1: Arrival & The "Oh My God, It's Hot" Embrace
Morning (aka, the Unholy Hour):
- 6:30 AM: Wake up. Probably a lie. More like, be violently ejected from a half-sleep state thanks to the jet lag's cruel hand and the sun deciding to stage a supernova right outside my window.
- 7:00 AM: Stumble around the villa like a zombie. Locate coffee. This is mission-critical. Found it! Praise the gods. Also, the villa? Gorgeous. Like, Instagram-worthy gorgeous. I feel slightly inadequate. Am I supposed to look this put together? Probably not.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. The included breakfast! A glorious spread of fresh fruit, noodles, and…oh sweet baby Jesus, banh mi. My life is complete. Ate way too much already. Pretty sure I heard a few buttons on my pants groan in protest.
- 9:00 AM: Wander around the villa, taking a million pictures. Try to find the pool. Get lost. Discover a hidden courtyard that smells like jasmine and pure contentment. Suddenly understand why people retire here. Is early retirement a thing? I'm in.
- 10:00 AM: FINALLY, the pool. Jump in. It's amazing. The heat has already melted me into a puddle of sweat and existential dread, but the water is a cool, blissful relief. This is where I'm meant to be. I could live in this pool, I swear. Already plotting how to convince the staff to let me.
- 11:00 AM - Noon: More Pool Time Soak in the pool. Stare at the sky. Let a few worries wash away.
Afternoon: Beach Day, Attempted & Slightly Embarrassing
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Order something from the villa's menu. The food is SO GOOD. (Make a note to tip generously.) Consider napping. Override nap decision (stupid, jet-lagged brain).
- 2:00 PM: Beach! Okay, so I (foolishly) thought I could walk to the beach. It's not that far, but the sun is trying to murder me at every turn. Realize I forgot my sunscreen. Rookie mistake. Curse my lack of planning.
- 2:30 PM: Arrive at Bai Sau beach. It's beautiful, no doubt. But the sand is HOT. Like, "can't stand still for more than three seconds without doing a weird little dance" hot. Find a beachside restaurant for shade and a beer. Feel instant relief.
- 3:00 PM: Struggle to apply sunscreen while simultaneously trying not to get sand everywhere. Fail spectacularly. Look like a lobster who's been tango-ing with a sandstorm.
- 4:00 PM: Swim. The water is warm and salty and perfect. Watch the locals. Try not to look like a clueless tourist. Fail again.
- 5:00 PM: Beer number two (or three? Who's counting?). Watch the sun dip towards the horizon, painting the sky in glorious hues of orange and purple. Consider staying here forever.
- 5:30 PM: Realize I'm sunburnt. Badly. Curse my past self again.
- 6:00 PM: Head back to the villa. Shower. Slather myself in aloe vera. Feel like a slightly cooked tomato.
Evening: Dinner & the Night Market Gamble
- 7:30 PM: Dinner at a nearby restaurant. Recommend fresh seafood. It's Vung Tau. You have to. Over ordered a bit. But who cares? I'm on vacation.
- 8:30 PM: Explore the night market. OMG, the smells! The sights! The potential for delicious street food and cheap souvenirs! Prepare to haggle. Mentally practice my best, most charming "hello" in Vietnamese.
- 9:00 PM: Get completely overwhelmed by the sheer variety of everything. Buy a silly hat I definitely don't need. Spend too much money on grilled squid. Regret it later when I can't sleep because my stomach is disagreeing with me.
- 10:00 PM: Go to bed after a quick look at the stars.
Day 2: Temples, Markets & the Questionable Coffee
Morning: More sun, less regret (hopefully)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Feeling less like a baked tomato, more like a slightly tanned one. Success!
- 8:30 AM: Breakfast. Load up on fruits. The mangoes are amazing, and I am going to make the most of them (and not get heartburn).
- 9:30 AM: Visit Thich Ca Phat Dai, a beautiful Buddhist temple. The scale is massive. The incense is intoxicating. The views are breathtaking. Have a moment of quiet contemplation. Or, you know, try to. A screaming toddler ruins the mood, but hey, that's life.
- 11:00 AM: Go to the Big Buddha. Climb the steps. The view from up there? Epic. Worth the sweat and effort. Snap a million pictures. Try to remember to breathe.
Afternoon: Shopping, coffee, and a cultural immersion
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Decide to try and eat like a local. Find a small stall. Order something I can't pronounce. Hope for the best. The food? AMAZING. Makes a note to get the name of the place.
- 2:00 PM: Visit the local market. Navigate the insane maze of stalls. Buy some souvenirs. Practice my haggling skills. Get completely ripped off. Laugh it off.
- 3:00 PM: Okay, time for coffee. Vietnamese coffee is legendary. Wander into a cute-looking cafe. Order a ca phe sua da (coffee with condensed milk). Take the first sip. WHAM! Sugar rush. This stuff is strong. I'm suddenly ready to conquer the world after that. Or, you know, take a nap.
- 4:00 PM: Attempt to channel the zen vibes I felt at the temple. Fail. Become overwhelmed with the desire to buy more souvenirs. Resist temptation (sort of).
- 5:00 PM: Chill out by the pool. Read my book but honestly, more like stare at the water.
Evening: Sunset & Sizzling Sensations
- 6:00 PM: Hike to the top of the Big Mountain to witness the sunset. Hopefully, I can do it, considering the heat.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant recommended by the villa staff. Experience the flavor explosion of fresh seafood. Decide that I'm officially turning into a seafood aficionado.
- 8:00 PM: Relax and have a drink. Take a stroll on the beach. Take some photos.
- 9:00 PM: Write in my journal. Reflect on the day's adventures.
- 9:30 PM: Sleep like a rock, dreaming of beaches, temples, and delicious food.
Day 3: The Great Escape (and Maybe a Few Regrets)
- Morning: Last Bites & Lingering Feels
- 8:00 AM: One last epic breakfast. Devour ALL the banh mi. Cry a little because I'm leaving.
- 9:00 AM: Pack. Realize I've bought way too much stuff. Wonder how I'm going to fit it all in my luggage.
- 10:00 AM: One last dip in the pool. Soak up every last moment of bliss.
- 11:00 AM: Check out. Say a sad farewell to the amazing staff. Promise myself I'll be back.
- 12:00 PM: Depart for the airport/ next destination.
The End (…ish).
Look, this itinerary is far from perfect. There were missed activities. There were moments of glorious relaxation and moments of utter chaos. There was sunburn. There was questionable coffee. But that's the beauty of it. It's real. It's messy. It's me. And it was, without a doubt, a trip I won't soon forget. Ruby Star Villa, you were a dream. Vietnam, you’ve stolen my heart. Now to book the tickets for the next trip and not do any planning. Wish me luck! :)
Escape to Paradise: Unbeatable Beachfront Bliss in Colombo, Sri Lanka
So, what *is* this whole "thing" about, anyway? Like, what are we even talking about?
Honestly? I'm not entirely sure *we* even figured it out. It's like... that feeling you get when you're trying to explain a dream to someone, and it just doesn't quite translate. But, in a nutshell (a very crumbly, probably slightly moldy nutshell), we're trying to navigate this whole... *gestures vaguely*... thing called life. Asking questions. Making mistakes. Laughing a lot. Crying a little (okay, maybe a lot). And hopefully, learning a thing or two along the way. Picture a runaway train of thought, constantly veering off the rails (which is half the fun, right?).
Okay, but *specifically*, what *topics* are fair game here? Spills the tea!
Everything! Seriously. My toaster oven’s existential crisis? Check. The baffling allure of cat videos? Double check. The time I accidentally wore mismatched socks to a *very* important meeting? Oh, you know it's in the queue. We wander all over the place. Life, love, loss, the proper way to fold a fitted sheet (still working on that...) – it's all fair game. Think of it like a giant, rambling conversation at a coffee shop. You never know where the next tangent might lead. And you'll get some really, really bad jokes. Sorry, not sorry.
So, are you *experts* on anything? Because, let's be honest, most people aren't.
Experts? HA! Honey, if I had a dollar for every time I've felt utterly out of my depth... I'd be able to buy a small island, preferably one with a really, really good cocktail bar. We're not here to "expert." We're here to explore, to stumble, to share our screw-ups and triumphs equally. I can tell you with absolute confidence that I'm an expert in overthinking and a champion in the art of awkwardly worded apologies. Does that count?
What's the vibe you're going for here? Are we talking hyper-organized and professional, or... ?
Oh, honey, *organized* is not in the vocabulary. My sock drawer is more organized than this, and that's saying something. Think "slightly unhinged, but in a good way." Think "relatable chaos." Think "someone's inner monologue, unleashed." We aim for raw authenticity, even if it means occasionally tripping over our own words (which we will. Often.). Imagine sitting across from your best friend, and they're just spilling their guts. That's the vibe.
Okay, that sounds... interesting. But what if I disagree with something? What if I think you're totally wrong?
Please disagree! That's the whole point! Seriously, I *love* a good debate (as long as we can still be friends afterward, which, let's be real, is a gamble!). Life is messy and multifaceted, and there are a million different perspectives. If you think I'm completely off-base, tell me! It's a conversation, not a lecture. Plus, who knows, you might actually make me think twice. Which, honestly, I probably desperately need. Bring on the differing opinions, the thoughtful rebuttals, the passionate arguments! Just try to keep it civil, okay? Unless we're talking about pineapple on pizza. That's a bridge too far.
How do I, you know, STAY informed? Do you publish anything?
Ah, the million-dollar question! Okay, so I *intend* to. I got really excited about this a few weeks ago and envisioned daily updates, podcasts, the whole shebang. But, well... life happened. The laundry pile went rogue. My cat decided to nap directly on my keyboard. My brain decided to stage a coup and go on strike. So, yeah... Right now, I am just here, slowly coming to terms with the fact that I love this, but I lack consistent brain power. Check back occasionally, or, I don't know, send a carrier pigeon? (Kidding. Unless...?)
Let's get personal, if you are OK with that, what is the thing that you struggle with MOST?
OH, the struggle is real, my friend. It's a daily battle. I would say procrastination, but honestly, that feels too cliché, and something I'm actively working on. So I'd say, and even though it's a weird answer, it's probably my own inner critic. That tiny voice in my head that whispers nasty things like, "You're not good enough." or "Everyone is laughing at you." It's a real downer. It's the reason I stalled so much when I thought, "Should I actually post this?" And here we are... But sometimes, I try to silence it. Sometimes I shout back. Progress, not perfection, right?
What if I am *really* confused about something? Do I ask here?
ASK AWAY! Seriously, I adore a good question! Especially the ones, that you probably already know the answer but need to get it out. Or maybe, no one is going to answer at all! I will try my best to help- even if my best is only a rambling, slightly incoherent attempt to find the answer. Sometimes, even if I don't get it right at least the process of getting there is more fun than you'd think.
So... anything else?
Just one thing. If you read this and you felt *anything*... a flicker of recognition, a moment of laughter, a tiny spark of "me too"... then I've done my job. Because life is messy. It's confusing. It's beautiful. And we're all just trying to figure it out together. So, breathe. Take a deep breath and hold on with me. Here we go!
