If you are looking for a bird’s-eye view of the city, you have probably heard about observation decks. Then again, why pay just for a view when you can get it with a rooftop pool glass bottom experience and a cocktail in hand? Let me tell you about a Sky Blue Lounge rooftop bar Panorama Hotel Nha Trang perched on the 40th floor of a famous skyscraper right in the city centre, opposite the Lotus Tower. It is an unusual spot, and I have some thoughts to share.
🚀 How to Get Up There and What to Know About Tickets
The entrance is simple: walk into the lobby on the ground floor and immediately turn left — there you will find the reception desk. Choose your package, pay, and a staff member will escort you to a private elevator that whisks you straight to the 40th floor. To begin with, the main thing to remember: the pool is open‑air and shallow throughout, which is convenient for both kids and adults. The shallow depth means non‑swimmers can comfortably stand, and parents can keep an eye on children without constant worry.
- Basic ticket (swim and lounge): 280,000 VND (daytime from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM). This includes a large towel and access to the entire area with sun loungers. This is the standard option for most visitors.
- View only (no pool): You can go up just for photos — this option costs significantly less, but check the price on site as it may change. It’s ideal if you’re short on time or travelling with someone who’d rather not swim.
- Combo with food (breakfast/dinner): You can also book packages that include meals. If you plan to stay long and have a proper meal, this might be convenient, but I would suggest reading my thoughts on the local cuisine first.
If you are still planning your arrival, you can find flight deals to Cam Ranh and be poolside within an hour of landing. The skyscraper sits right on the main coastal road, so any Grab or taxi driver knows it. If you’d rather explore the city on your own schedule, renting a car at the airport is a stress‑free option.
👍 Five Reasons This Place Is Tempting
Why should you go up there after all? Here are my personal pros from several visits.
- 🌊 Transparent Bottom and 360° Views: The main feature is the pool’s glass bottom and the view that opens up in all directions. On one side — endless sea, on the other — a panorama of the city and mountains. It is breathtaking. Moreover, swimming above a 40‑storey drop is a special kind of thrill!
- 🤫 A “Not for Everyone” Atmosphere: There are usually not many people. Unlike the crowded city beaches, you can find privacy here and truly relax to unobtrusive music. If you are lucky, you might even catch a light‑and‑music party — I once celebrated New Year here, and the rooftop fireworks display was simply incredible.
- 📸 An Instagram Dream (shh!): This place is made for beautiful shots. No matter which way you turn, you get a postcard view. The transparent edge of the pool creates an optical illusion that makes it look like you’re floating above the city — those are the photos that stop people mid‑scroll.
- 🏨 The Perfect Alternative to an Observation Deck: If you are choosing between paying for a viewpoint or something more, my advice is to pick this place. You get the same breathtaking panorama but a hundred times better because you can combine the view with a swim. It’s the same skyline you’d see from Altitude Rooftop Bar, but here you’re floating while you take it in.
- 🍺 The menu’s alcohol prices frankly disappoint, especially compared to other places. Beer is cheaper if you buy a «bucket» or «bouquet,» as they call it. But we have been smarter a few times: we brought our own drinks. The key is not to be too obvious about it. Nobody ever said a word to us.
👎 A Spoonful of Tar: What to Be Ready For
To keep your expectations realistic, here are the downsides I noticed.
- 💧 Water Cleanliness Is Questionable: The biggest drawback, in my opinion, is the irregular cleaning of the pool. You can often spot floating twigs, leaves, and other small debris falling from nearby trees. This slightly spoils the «luxury» vibe. It’s not dirty, but it’s not the crystal‑clear infinity pool you might have seen on heavily filtered social‑media posts.
- 🪑 Shortage of Shade: There are critically few loungers under a canopy or in the shade. If the day is sunny and hot, you risk getting sunburned. Arrive early to snag a spot. The uncovered loungers fill up last, so by 10:30 AM you’ll be choosing between direct sun and the bar stools.
- 🚻 Only One Changing Room for Everyone: And this is a real problem. The entire lounge has just one toilet, which also serves as a changing room. Lines are common. My advice: wear your swimsuit under your clothes to avoid waiting. There is also no shower, by the way.
- 🍔 Food and Drinks — Pricey and Hit‑or‑Miss: In my opinion, the price‑quality ratio of the local cuisine leaves much to be desired. The food seemed questionable, and the service was not always prompt. Alcohol prices are clearly inflated for Vietnam. So my verdict: this is not the place for a tasty, cheap meal.
💎 The Perfect Action Plan: How to Get the Most
- 🕘 Arrive at opening (around 9–10 AM): This is the golden rule. First, you can grab the best loungers. Second, mornings have the fewest people, so you can enjoy the peace and take great photos without crowds.
- 🌦️ Ideal Weather for a Visit: This place is great when the sea is murky after a storm and swimming is unappealing, or on an overcast but not rainy day. You will not get sunburned, and the city view will still be impressive.
- 🚗 Parking Question: If you are in a rented car or on a bike, the building offers parking. But spaces are limited, so keep that in mind. Arriving by Grab is usually simpler, especially on weekends.
🏨 Bonus for Those Who Fall in Love with This Place
The skyscraper housing this lounge is a city landmark, and you can do more than just visit for the day. A huge number of apartments and rooms with those same gorgeous views are available for rent. If you want to wake up and fall asleep to the best city panorama, you can find hotels and apartments in Nha Trang right inside this building. My full area guide on where to stay covers more accommodation ideas across every neighbourhood.
And if after relaxing on the rooftop you crave adventure, you can see from the window the cable car heading to the famous amusement park on Hon Tre Island — VinWonders. I have a separate, very detailed guide on how to spend a whole day there without collapsing from exhaustion. It’s a perfect combo: a lazy morning at the pool, then an afternoon of roller coasters and water slides.
Before any trip, I also make sure I’m covered — a good travel insurance policy gives me peace of mind, even when I’m just lounging on a 40th‑floor terrace.
💭 Final Verdict
In the end, this is a cool and highly photogenic spot where you can spend time in an unusual way. It is definitely worth going up at least once. Just remember my hacks, and your impressions will be only positive. So, is this rooftop pool glass bottom worth it? For the view alone, absolutely — just keep your expectations about the food, the shade, and the changing room firmly in check.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend experiences I have personally tested and loved.
