Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald Bay is a statement. It’s big, bold and in your face – precisely the opposite of what the Vietnamese tropical island of Phu Quoc used to be.
But times have changed.
It’s been reported that the island expects to welcome 5 million visitors in 2020.
The Phu Quoc International Airport, which was completed in 2012 and took over from the much smaller “regional” strip that was located in the centre of the island’s largest township Duong Dong, now handles direct flights from China, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sweden, Norway, Russia, Holland, Italy, Hong Kong, South Korea and England, including flights from many domestic locations.
By the time you read this, it’s likely more flights will have been added to that list, such is the pace that tourism is developing on Vietnam’s largest island, which actually lies south of the Cambodian coast, west of Kampot.
In fact, the western side of the island faces the Gulf of Thailand, which gives you an idea of just how far it is west of Vietnam’s mainland.
Managed by Accor Hotels, Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald Bay is located on the eastern side of the newly-developing southern tip of the island, a convenient 25 minutes from the airport by taxi or by resort shuttle bus, right on the beach.
The “condotel” has been designed precisely to accommodate the growing influx of tourists from Europe and Asia who want a “community” holiday experience, not an exclusive one where they shut themselves away from the rest of the world, although that is possible with the penthouse accommodation.
The swimming pool here is more like a waterpark, a contrast to most resort pools typically used for a quick plunge in between chapters of a great holiday read and a sip of a cocktail.
Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald Bay was opened in December 2018 and is one of the first large-scale resorts of its kind on the relatively untouched southern part of Phu Quoc.
First impressions of the property give you little indication of the sheer scale of the place. It’s not until you make your way outside to the pool area that you realise just how imposing it is.
There are 745 rooms and suites of various types catering for most needs and budgets. We stayed in the 45sqm Standard Room with a king-size bed and spacious balcony overlooking the pool and an ocean view in the distance. From up here, you get an even better understanding of the resort’s size.
The highlight of the Standard Rooms is that they are spacious, the beds are uber-comfortable and the room layouts have clearly been well-thought out. There are no sharp edges to bump into or whack your elbows on, and the decor is pleasant. The bathroom is generous in size, which means couples don’t have to squeeze by each other to use the amenities at the same time if they have to, while the sink and bench along the wall by the entrance is a convenient use of space.
One quirk that might unsettle some guests is that from the balcony you can see across the bedroom into the shower and toilet because of the floor-to-ceiling glass screens. Not a problem for those with nothing to hide, but for couples who might be getting to know each other, it may be cause for some red face moments. Still, privacy can be restored by pulling down the blinds.
All-in-all, this room type ticks all the boxes for a very comfortable stay for singles and couples. And thanks to the spacious balcony, it’s one of the few places at this price we’ve stayed recently where retiring to your balcony for the evening with a bottle of wine and room service is actually a great night in.
However, if you’d like to splash out a little for something a bit more high-end, Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald Bay has penthouses at 256sqm with two bedrooms, a living room, dining room and kitchenette.
They are located closer to the beach with amazing views and balconies that include their own private plunge pools. This is living large. They are perfect for a weekend escape from Ho Chi Minh City or a longer term family holiday stay.
The resort has multiple dining outlets offering Vietnamese and Western dishes, a swim up pool bar and a “beach house” bar close to the water. The spa treatments are excellent, in case you’ve had a strenuous day exploring parts of the island or watching out for the kids doing water sports activities.
If you’re looking for a big resort experience with plenty to do and see in the neighbourhood, Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald Bay might just be the stay you need.
For more information about Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, click HERE
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