JW Marriott Phu Quoc

Location: Southern Beaches & Islands | Vietnam

Price guide: $$$$$ $200-$350 per person per night

Set on a private beach on a sweeping bay, the luxurious JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa has a stunning setting, and thanks to being designed by inimitable architect Bill Bensley, this hotel is unique and quirky to say the least. Taking inspiration from its former alleged incarnation as a university, on arrival you will be greeted by the university mascots before entering a fantastical and brightly-coloured world.

Perfect forThose keen to experience a hotel that is an attraction in itself.

In the knowBill Bensley was given free rein to design this architectural wonderland, which pays tribute to the alleged 19th-century Lamarck University, complete with ‘campus grounds’ and ‘academic departments’.

Recommended for...

Chic Design
Luxury Hotel
Beach
Unusual

Hotel Overview

Sense of place

The JW Marriott Phu Quoc sits on the white sands and crystal waters of Khem Beach on the island of Phu Quoc, off Vietnam’s south coast.

Rooms at JW Marriott Phu Quoc

The 234 rooms and suites are spread across several ‘department’ areas, bringing the academic backstory to life, with each one uniquely designed so that every guest has a different experience.

The pastel-coloured buildings have a light and airy feeling, thanks to the high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. Many also have balconies looking out over the bay, and the oceanfront suites have sea views and private pools. The lavish interiors feature custom-designed furniture, polished woods and rich colours, and the marble bathrooms come with oversized tubs.

Food & drink

The range of cuisine includes freshly-grilled seafood from the local docks at Red Rum, and you can enjoy breakfast at beachfront restaurant Tempus Fugit and elegant French cuisine in a private dining room at Pink Pearl.

However, perhaps the dining highlight here is the Department of Chemistry, where the ‘chemists’ create exciting tapas and cocktails in a bar whose walls are decorated with the scientific elements, which will make you feel like you’re actually in a classroom.

Facilities

The hotel has three large outdoor pools for you to cool off in under the Vietnamese sun, including one that has a distinctive shell shape. For some more relaxation and rejuvenation, you can relax on the private beach and take a trip to the Alice in Wonderland-themed spa for a massage.

The Department of Physical Education has a fully-equipped gym, yoga classes and a 400-metre running track, in keeping with the university theme.

Activities at JW Marriott Phu Quoc

Like any university, the JW Marriott keeps you busy with a large range of activities, such as cooking classes for those who want to learn how to prepare authentic Vietnamese food. Further afield, go hiking in Phu Quoc National Park or kayaking down the Cua Can River.