On a quiet stretch of Bai Dai Beach, where Cam Ranh carries a slower rhythm than Nha Trang’s energy, Aquamarine Cam Ranh by Swandor has redefined what Ultra All-Inclusive means: not simply a long list of amenities, but a resort built to feel like a second home.
We sat down with General Manager Cengiz Karaagac, whose four decades in hospitality span Europe, the Caribbean, and Vietnam, and who was the first General Manager to open a resort in the Bai Dai – Cam Ranh area with the launch of Dessole Nha Trang in 2014, to talk about staying put, slowing down, and why Cam Ranh’s stillness may be its greatest luxury.
Many resorts talk about relaxation, but staying in one place for an entire trip is a different kind of commitment. What does that commitment look like day to day at Aquamarine Cam Ranh by Swandor, and how do you design around it?
At Aquamarine Cam Ranh by Swandor, we believe guests should never feel the need to leave the resort to complete their holiday. Just as important, guests know their full costs before they even arrive, with no surprise spending along the way. That is the essence of an Ultra All Inclusive experience. From the moment they arrive, everything they need is already included, from premium dining and beverages to entertainment, wellness, sports, and children’s activities.
Every day offers something different. Guests can begin their morning at the sea-view restaurant with a wide selection of breakfast dishes, spend the entire afternoon at the beach, by the pools, or at the aqua park, enjoy wellness treatments at Egna Spa, take part in sports and recreation programs, and close the evening with live performances, themed events, or music at Xone Night Club, an upcoming addition to the resort.
Our goal is to create a holiday where every moment is effortless, allowing guests to simply enjoy their time while our team takes care of every detail.
Wherever a guest is on the property, there’s food, service, and something to do waiting for them, almost like home. What actually goes into building that experience, and what changes for guests once they feel it?
Our Ultra All Inclusive concept is designed so that restaurants, bars, entertainment, housekeeping, guest relations, and recreation all work together as one integrated team. This brings guests uninterrupted service, with food, beverages, and entertainment available 24 hours a day. Guests can enjoy their holidays without ever feeling rushed by the closing times of our service areas.
Rather than asking guests to plan their day, we design the journey for them. Whether they want a quiet morning, a family adventure, or an evening celebration, every service is available naturally throughout the resort.
The result is a holiday that feels comfortable, intuitive, and stress-free. Guests spend less time organizing and more time creating memorable experiences with their loved ones.
Nha Trang has built its reputation on energy and easy access. What made Cam Ranh, quieter and less discovered, the right location for a resort built around slowing down?
Cam Ranh offers a natural setting increasingly rare to find: a beautiful coastline paired with a peaceful, unspoiled atmosphere. While Nha Trang is known for its vibrant city life, Cam Ranh allows guests to disconnect from busy schedules and reconnect with themselves and their families.
For an Ultra All Inclusive resort, this setting is ideal. Guests don’t feel the need to travel between different attractions because everything they need is already within the resort.
With the growth of the Ultra All Inclusive model across our hotels, and as neighboring resorts are increasingly embracing the same concept, we believe Cam Ranh will become known as an All Inclusive paradise for the wider Asia region.
Egna Spa invites quiet, while the Aqua Park and Xone Night Club bring energy. How do these two moods share the same resort without guests feeling pulled in different directions?
Modern travelers don’t look for just one type of holiday. They want flexibility. Some mornings they may want complete relaxation, while later in the day they might enjoy exciting entertainment with family and friends.
Our resort is designed around this natural rhythm. Egna Spa provides a peaceful retreat for rest and rejuvenation, while the aqua park, daily entertainment, sports activities, and Xone Night Club offer energetic experiences for those seeking more energy.
Because these experiences are thoughtfully located and carefully scheduled, guests can easily choose the atmosphere that matches their mood without one affecting the other. This balance is one of the defining strengths of our Ultra All Inclusive concept.
A family with young children and a couple on their honeymoon come here for very different reasons. How do you shape the same all-inclusive experience to work for both?
The beauty of an Ultra All Inclusive resort is that it offers freedom of choice.
Families appreciate our children’s club, aqua park, family pools, spacious accommodations, entertainment programs, and a variety of dining options suitable for every age. Parents can relax knowing their children are enjoying safe and engaging activities.
For honeymoon couples, the experience is completely different. They can enjoy romantic beachfront walks, private moments by the sea, spa treatments, fine dining, sunset cocktails, and peaceful spaces designed for relaxation.
Although they share the same resort, each guest creates a personal holiday that reflects their own interests and lifestyle. That flexibility is what makes the experience meaningful for everyone.
More resorts are opening along this coastline every year. What do you think will make Aquamarine Cam Ranh by Swandor the one guests remember?
At Aquamarine Cam Ranh by Swandor, we combine a beautiful beachfront location with genuine hospitality and a truly comprehensive Ultra All Inclusive concept. From diverse international dining and premium beverages to daily entertainment, family-friendly facilities, wellness experiences, and attentive service, every element is designed to create a complete holiday.
Most importantly, our team is committed to making every guest feel welcomed, cared for, and valued throughout their stay. When guests leave feeling relaxed, connected, and already planning their next visit, we know we have succeeded. That emotional connection is what will continue to distinguish Aquamarine Cam Ranh by Swandor in an increasingly competitive market.
The conversation with Mr. Cengiz Karaagac ended on a high note, leaving us with wonderful echoes of his craft and profound appreciation for Cam Ranh. Sincere thanks to Mr. Karaagac, and may Aquamarine Cam Ranh by Swandor continue to be an ideal ‘home away from home’, offering memorable Ultra All-inclusive journeys for all travelers.
Remco Christiaan Vaastra & Story of Creating a Four-Season Wonder by the Beach
About Aquamarine Cam Ranh by Swandor
Set along the pristine shores of Bai Dai Beach, Aquamarine Cam Ranh by Swandor offers a complete seaside escape through its Ultra All Inclusive concept, where every aspect of the guest journey, from accommodation and dining to entertainment and relaxation, is thoughtfully curated throughout the day. The resort features a total of 620 rooms and villas, including 502 Deluxe Ocean View Rooms, 56 Deluxe Triple Ocean View Rooms, 21 Beachfront Suites, and a villa collection currently under development. Designed with comfort and convenience in mind, the accommodation caters to a wide range of travellers, from couples and groups of friends to families seeking an extended holiday by the sea. Aquamarine’s culinary journey unfolds throughout the day, from breakfast, late breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Ocean Restaurant to light refreshments, 24-hour room service, and distinctive à la carte dining experiences. Meanwhile, a collection of bars and entertainment venues, including the Lobby Bar, Lobby Lounge, Pool Bar, and Beach Truck, offers an extensive selection of beverages at various times of the day. Complementing the dining experience is a vibrant programme of sports, games, live performances, and dedicated entertainment for both adults and children, creating an energetic resort atmosphere from morning until night. Amid these lively moments, Egna Spa provides a peaceful retreat with exclusive treatments tailored to the individual needs of each guest, completing a harmonious balance of indulgence, connection, and rejuvenation. At Aquamarine Cam Ranh by Swandor, guests are invited to experience a colourful and enriching holiday, where each day unfolds at its own pace, carefree, fulfilling, and as welcoming as a home away from home.
Executive Profile: Cengiz Karaağaç
Mr. Cengiz Karaağaç is an international hospitality executive with a career spanning more than four decades and extensive expertise in managing large-scale hotels and resorts across Türkiye, Vietnam, and other international markets. His distinguished professional journey has been closely associated with renowned hospitality brands and resort complexes, including Hotel Anatolia, Kamelya World, Dessole Sea Lion Resort & Spa, Dessole Royal Rojana Hotel, and the Dessole Hotels portfolio in Vietnam.He began his management career as Assistant General Manager at Hotel Anatolia in 1985, where he gradually developed a strong foundation in hotel operations, people management, and service quality control. Between 1998 and 2010, he spent more than 11 years with Kamelya World – FSP ve Yatırım A.Ş., one of the region’s large-scale resort complexes. This experience enabled him to build comprehensive, hands-on expertise in the organisation and management of accommodation, food and beverage, entertainment, and guest services. Mr. Karaağaç later served as General Manager of Dessole Sea Lion Resort & Spa before being appointed Area Director of Dessole Hotels in Vietnam in 2014. Today, in his role as Area General Manager of Swandor Hotels & Resorts in Cam Ranh, Vietnam, Mr. Karaağaç directly oversees the operations of the group’s resorts in the region. Drawing on his extensive operational background and a leadership style defined by discipline, practicality, and decisiveness, he focuses on strengthening business performance, developing professional teams, and delivering a consistent resort experience in which service excellence is shaped by the dedication, accountability, and genuine hospitality of every team member.