Regent Phu Quoc – Hotel Review

Nowhere is the passionfruit juice sweeter in Vietnam than poolside at Phu Quoc’s new Regent hotel. Maybe it’s the view from your day bed, stretching beyond your personal infinity pool, across a water-lily dotted lagoon, then out to the long stretch of milky white sand and aquamarine ocean that make up Long Beach. Or maybe it’s the fact that the island, a 45-minute flight west of Ho Chi Minh City, is situated in a Unesco Biosphere Reserve.

Where is The Regent Phu Quoc?

Lying on the south-western side of Phu Quoc, an island in the Gulf of Thailand, the Regent is a quick 17-minute (12-kilometre) chauffeured drive from Phu Quoc International Airport. Officially part of Vietnam (although Cambodia is much closer), the island is a short 45-minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City.

What’s near The Regent Phu Quoc?

The island is only 50 kilometres long, so day trips to the north for snorkelling and fishing expeditions are easy and can be ticked off in under five hours. Ditto for the southern archipelago, where you may want to visit pearl farms or fish sauce distilleries, the Hon Thom Cable Car or just laze about on another beach, like the beautiful Bai Sao. The island has two towns, An Thoi and Duong Dong, which are 15 minutes’ drive and 30 minutes’ drive respectively from the resort. Keen to stay closer to home? Grab a bike and cruise the beachfront promenade, but note although neighbouring developments nearby look completed, some of the cafes remain closed post-Covid.

Room Types

This Regent doesn’t do ‘rooms’. It does suites (176) and villas (126). Drawing inspiration from the surrounding nature, the contemporary décor is a harmonious palette of creams, blues, greens finished with gold accents. Expansive windows allow natural light to pour in and bathrooms feature separate showers (with rainfall showerheads) and baths as well as Acqua di Parma toiletries. Families hankering for water views and space will love the two-bedroom lagoon pool villas and their proximity to the restaurants and family pool.

Restaurants and bar

A front row seat at Fu Bar is a stellar spot for a sundowner – jump on the juniper-fuelled bandwagon and order a host of different gins. Head to any of the three restaurants for an epicurean experience: the French/Japanese Oku headed up by Nobu-trained Andy Huynh; the Balearic-inspired beachfront Ocean Club; or the Vietnamese/Chinese Rice Market for the Old-Fashioned Peking Duck. The daily breakfast served here (and the icy Vietnamese coffee) is another highlight. Order it à la carte or opt for the buffet option: its sheer size could rival a David Jones food hall.

Travel for work

A business centre, meeting rooms and a selection of venues are on offer should you wish to host an event, and there’s free high-speed internet.

The spa and pool

The spa boasts 10 treatment rooms and a Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio by Bastien Gonzalez. The must-book is a Tam Quat Reviver, a traditional Vietnamese massage that uses pressure-point kneading movements to break up concrete knots. Ask for Lily. Fancy a dip? There are four pools – clock laps at the health club, hang by the family pool that also boasts a wading area for kids, Instagram from the infinity pool that looks over the beach, or bask on a day bed at the Regent Club’s rooftop pool.

What you need to know

Regent has rebranded the butler concept – now, you’ll have a Regent Experience Agent on standby. Everyone gets one to help craft a personalised list of must-dos, like visiting a local favourite for breakfast or arranging private excursions to deserted islands.

SEE ALSO: 15 Ultra-Luxe Hotels Set to Open in the Next Year