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Review / We review InterContinental Hotel Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort off the southern tip of Vietnam, and it was an idyllic paradise

InterContinental Hotel Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort in an island off the southern tip of Vietnam.

We are spoilt for choice when it comes to holiday options in Hong Kong. Even when you separate the experiential holidays from the resort stays – where you lounge around and largely stay within the confines of the hotel for some rest and recuperation – there are plenty of locations to choose from.

Thailand’s proximity to Hong Kong has made it a popular family holiday destination for decades, while the Maldives is wonderful but a 6-hour plane ride away. If you are in the mood for something different that is also nearby, Phu Quoc island beckons in all its glory complete with brand new facilities.

Entrance to the resort

Phu Quoc is a relatively flat island and with a lot of room for development, allows architects to stretch their wings and create astounding spaces.

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Reception area

The rooms

InterContinental Hotel Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort, which opened over a year ago, is one of the first major hotel brands offering an all-inclusive resort on the island. The 459-room property has standard rooms ranging from 530 sq ft to four-bedroom villas that open up onto the beach.

Standard room

For those who prefer longer stays, there are serviced flats with a well-equipped kitchen and laundry.

Four-bedroom villa

The facilities

Because InterContinental Hotel Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort was built as an all-inclusive resort, there are many facilities to satisfy most of your holiday and non-holiday needs.

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Since the aim is ensure guests and their families are able to relax and enjoy themselves in comfortable surroundings, the complex houses five restaurants, each offering a different cuisine. Full and half board packages are also available.

INK 360 offers stunning sunset views.

INK 360 is the rooftop bar offering the most stunning sunset views in Phu Quoc. Since the 19-storey tower is the highest structure on the island there isn’t a better place to drink in the vistas. The intimidating yet darkly beautiful decor of steel octopuses is designed by Ashley Sutton, the designer behind award-winning themed bars such as Iron Fairies and J. Boroski. Children are allowed into drinking establishments in Vietnam, so it’s perfectly fine to share the fantastic views of the beach with your little ones.

LAVA seafood restaurant

At the opposite end of the scale you have LAVA. Perched on the beachfront, the seafood restaurant provides the freshest seafood and steaks in romantic lighting and a vast selection of wines and spirits.

Italian restaurant Ombra

Italian restaurant Ombra offers casual dining next to the pool, as well as grill restaurant Sea Shack and dual-themed Sora & Umi which serves exquisite Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine.

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Family pool

Aside from having the ocean on the edge of the complex, there are four pools on the property. There are two gorgeous main pools, an amazing family pool with slides and an activity area as well as another pool reserved for club members who want to get away from it all.

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Acclaimed gym instructor Mr Tung

The gym well equipped and serenely faces the lush green mountains on the other side of the hotel. The gym’s instructor, Mr Tung, offers group stretching and yoga classes for guests throughout the week. A stretching class with him works wonders for anyone who has aches and pains from the stresses of city living. We tried it and a 40-minute private session sorted out our lower backs and shoulders.

HARNN Heritage Spa

The resort also houses a world-class spa. The HARNN Heritage Spa uses products exclusively from the luscious Thai brand and the signature bamboo massage helps patrons unwind in the tranquil environment of the bamboo-thatched huts. While the therapy rooms sit on top of a lotus lagoon, the effect may not be what you imagine. The pond is filled with fish and depending on the weather, the water can be quite muddy – possibly something for the groundsman to figure out.

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Certified carers at Planet Trekker keep the little ones busy.

Facilities for the children are excellent. Apart from a dedicated pool area, Planet Trekkers, a 2,700 sq ft club, is staffed by certified carers where activities are arranged for the little ones.

Ham Ninh village

If you feel restless, the hotel can arrange trips with Red River tours to sample local fare such as the famous pepper farms of Phu Quoc or lunch at Ham Ninh fishing village.

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The hotel is designed for all kinds of stays and to meet all your needs. You can grab a coffee or a midday snack at the Mercado store, which also sells groceries and supplies for those who are at the property for longer stays.

Budget airline VietJet has started direct flights from Hong Kong to Phu Quoc shortening the journey from six hours to two and a half, making this an ideal location for quick getaways.

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