Like many travellers, Vietnam has always been on my bucket list, though my itineraries have often revolved around its major cities. Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang were the names I heard most often, while Phu Quoc rarely entered the conversation. That changed when I received an invitation from Regent Phu Quoc to experience ‘An Ode to Spain’, an immersive culinary programme dedicated to the flavours, traditions and artistry of Spanish cuisine.
Hosted in partnership with the Spanish Pantry Festival, the celebration brought together two Michelin two-star chefs and a collective of Spanish culinary artisans to present a series of curated dining experiences. Each menu reflected the breadth of Spanish gastronomy, drawing on regional ingredients, traditional techniques and contemporary interpretations that offered a layered portrait of the country’s food culture.
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Beyond the event, the resort itself became the highlight of the stay. Set along the south-western coastline, the first Regent Hotels & Resorts property in Southeast Asia carries a quiet clarity. Its architecture opens towards the sea and dissolves into the island’s natural landscape. This is how I spent a week at Regent Phu Quoc.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The journey begins before the resort is in sight. A two-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur brings me to Phu Quoc International Airport, where staff are already waiting on arrival. From there, a private transfer carries me on a 20-minute drive to the resort in quiet comfort.
Check-in takes place either at the main reception or up at the Regent Club. I am taken straight up, making the transition from arrival to check-in feel effortless. While the formalities are handled, there is time to settle in with a light bite and take in the atmosphere.
The Regent Club sits on Level 9 and feels more like a living room than a lounge. It runs all day, with food and drinks available whenever needed. Just steps away, the Sky Wing pool stretches out as an adults-only infinity edge, opening to uninterrupted ocean views, where sea and sky dissolve into a single horizon.
In the main lobby, a marble staircase cuts through the space, drawing the eye upwards as warm wood and ceramic forms soften the scale around it. At its centre, ‘Charming Deeps’ by Lasvit hovers like a suspended tide, its crystal surface catching and releasing light as the day shifts.
INSIDE THE VILLA
Regent Phu Quoc spans 176 suites and 126 villas, with the latter ranging from one-bedroom retreats to seven-bedroom residences designed for families and larger groups. I stay in a One Bedroom Beach Pool Villa, and the sense of scale registers immediately as I step inside.
Hidden beneath swaying palms, the 100-square-metre space feels open and composed, with a stillness that settles in once you’re within. Traditional Vietnamese detailing sits against a soft contemporary palette, shaping a modern take on island living. A living area flows into a compact kitchenette, while the bathroom features a double vanity and deep bathtub.
The bedroom is quieter still, with light slipping in through softened edges and a king-sized bed at its centre. My favourite feature is the private plunge pool, a spot I keep returning to during my stay.
THE DINING SCENE
Dining at Regent Phu Quoc is more than just another part of the stay. With six restaurants and bars across the resort, each space has its own identity. During ‘An Ode to Spain’, I rotate between Rice Market, Oku and Ocean Club, discovering how differently each space frames a meal.
Rice Market is where I end up most mornings, looking out towards the main pool as the day slowly starts to build. It moves between Vietnamese breakfast staples and a broader international spread, from pho and bánh mì to tropical fruit, cheeses and pastries still warm from the bakery. There is also an à la carte menu if you want to take things slower and pick your own pace.
Oku introduces a quieter, more intimate tone. The omakase counter anchors the room, where Japanese precision meets subtle French influence in a contemporary tasting experience that unfolds course by course.
Ocean Club brings everything back to the coast. Inspired by a Balearic beach mood, it centres on Mediterranean flavours, craft beers and an international wine list. Set against Long Beach, with its infinity pool and sun loungers, it is designed for long, unhurried afternoons that drift into evening.
LEISURE TIME
The sea is never far at Regent Phu Quoc. On board the Lagoon 46-foot catamaran, ‘Serenity’, it becomes the entire view. No edges, no interruptions, just water stretching into something almost abstract. There are plenty of ways to spend the time—fishing, snorkelling, paddleboarding, or, in my case, simply relaxing on the sun deck as the yacht moves gently across open water.
I also spent time at Long Beach, just steps from the resort. It is an easy place to spend the afternoon—sun, salt and occasional dips into the sea carry the day through to sunset, when the shoreline quiets into a slower rhythm.
If you’re into self-care, The Spa offers locally inspired treatments, while the Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio brings clinical precision to grooming rituals. A 24-hour gym caters to those who prefer to stay active at any time of day, fitted with modern equipment. For children, Regent Kids becomes its own universe, where playgrounds and whimsical treehouses keep younger guests engaged while adults carve out their own quiet time.
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All in all, my one-week stay at Regent Phu Quoc left a lasting impression. I arrived with little expectation, but the warmth of the hospitality, the considered design and the culinary journey shifted that perspective. If a quick weekend escape is on the cards, Regent Phu Quoc makes it easy to slow down and unwind.
REGENT PHU QUOC
Address: Phu Quoc Marina Integrated Resort Complex, Duong Bao Ward, Duong To, Phu Quoc Special Zone,An Giang Province, 92509, Vietnam
Contact: +84 297 3880000
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