Chen Sea
The Chen Sea Resort & Spa is located a short drive north of Phu Quoc's main town, Duong Dong, meaning guests can enjoy the serenity of an unspoilt stretch of beach, without being in complete isolation.
The resort has just 36 rooms in total, with a collection of Seaview and Beachfront Villas, all offering ocean views. These villas are spacious and modern, with private terraces and outdoor bathtubs. For a more classic Indochinese style, the charming Jacuzzi Villas are traditional timber Hoi An houses, which have been brought to the island and lovingly renovated to offer luxury accommodation, with an outdoor Jacuzzi. Finally, the Two Bedroom Pool Villas are the perfect option for families, or groups of friends travelling together.
Il Ristorante is located right on Cua Dong beach, and offers a menu of both international and local dishes, with a focus on the fresh seafood caught offshore each day. For light bites, cocktails and an ice cold beer, head to the oceanfront Ghe Lounge Bar which also makes a great sunset spot. In-villa dining is also available, and taxis are easy to arrange for dining out.
The spa at Chen Sea offers a wide range of treatments, including Vietnamese and Thai massages, reflexology, and relaxing baths infused with sweet smelling herbs. For those without their own pool villa, the ocean facing infinity pool and sundeck is another prime relaxation spot. If you ever get bored of beachside relaxation, water sports - including sailing and wakeboarding - can be enjoyed, and Tai Chi classes, cookery lessons, cycling tours or snorkelling and dive trips are all easily organised too.
Why We Love It
The lovingly restored Jacuzzi Villas are a great example of beautiful Indochinese architecture.
La Veranda
La Veranda is a stunning Phu Quoc beachfront boutique hotel that perfectly fuses French opulence with tropical island vibes.
The 70 bedrooms and villas all have private terraces or balconies to look out onto stunning views of the Gulf of Thailand or the gardens. The bedrooms are decorated in neutral tones, with large four poster beds and traditional dark wood furniture. Canopies drape over the beds to create a cosier feel for when it's time to wind down. All rooms feature TV, WIFI, ceiling fans, and sitting areas.
Le Veranda has two different restaurants to cater for all tastes. The Peppertree overlooks the ocean and the pool and serves a range of fresh, fine dining dishes. The Jardin is a more casual affair, serving pizzas and hearty fare near the beach. As well as the restaurants there is also a weekly barbeque on the beach - cooking up the catch of the day - and Le Bar is the perfect spot for a cocktail or two. For those looking for a romantic evening, request a candle lit dinner on the beach, complete with personalised menu and wine list.
The hotel offers a wide range of facilities such as cooking classes, wine tastings, or guests can take relaxation to a new level at Le Spa, which offers natural and locally inspired treatments. Alternatively, simply soak up the sun on the private beach and enjoy the tranquillity of this unspoilt Vietnamese island. There's plenty to do for the active go getters too, with a gym, volleyball and badminton courts, table tennis, bikes and various water sports - including snorkelling, scuba diving and kayaking.
Why We Love It
La Veranda was the first luxury property to open on Phu Quoc Island, so they know their stuff!
Six Senses Con Dao
Six Senses Hideaway Con Dao sits on a mile long sandy beach surrounded by dramatic mountains and has significantly raised the bar for beachfront properties in Southern Vietnam.
The hotel consists of 50 villas with private plunge pools and unobstructed views of the East Vietnam Sea. All are built with local hardwood panelling and granite and are fitted with hi-fi sound systems, LCD televisions and built in kitchens. There are also villas for families or groups of friends to take in their entirety. The Restaurant sits above the sand dunes with excellent views out over the bay and serving seriously good Vietnamese food. Guests with a penchant for poisson can watch the entire preparation process for seafood at the Fishery, while the Chef's Table allows guests to watch the cooks in motion as well as the beautiful views. There is also a coffee shop and a deli making fresh pastries every day. Guests can enjoy perfectly pampering treatments at the award-winning Six Senses Spa, set within a mangrove forest. There are four indoor treatment rooms, one Thai therapy room, three outdoor treatment salas, a yoga and meditation pavilion, and a juice bar. Away from the hotel, activities on offer include nature tours to see turtles and monkeys, snorkelling and diving.
Why We Love It
If you want a chilling contrast to the paradise of the hotel, visit nearby Con Dao prisons, originally built by the French and later used by the Americans during the Vietnam War. Sobering in the extreme, but fascinating nonetheless.