InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort by IHG — Hotel in Phú Quốc

InterContinental Phu Quoc felt very much like InterContinental Hua Hin, where on weekends it will be rather packed with domestic travelers made up of families with children. The are more amenities here when compared, because they have a great kiddy pool. The kiddy pool section here is far better than those in Thailand hotels. Occupying a large dedicated shady section, it has a big water slide that’s not too crazy and won’t cause PTSD for children. Has shallows all over and a water play area that has a mini “big” bucket. The service level and everything else was similar. Compared again to Thailand, the stay here was much cheaper, therefore more bang for buck (THB 3,300 in Phu Quoc vs THB 5,300 in Hua Hin, a general assessment based on a normal weekday’s stay in a standard room). The breakfast was equally widespread but the kids’ corner beat InterContinental Hua Hin hands down. They have a big dining section dedicated to children with their own kiddy buffet spread. And it has got 2 play areas next to it. One is hosted by staff who keeps children entertained with activities, and the other is a cushioned play area with soft toys sprawled around.

The Club Lounge here features a private adults-only pool, a good place to get away from the noise. It was deserted most of the time because most of the guests were families with children on the weekend we were here. The exclusivity of the club lounge is elevated by the fact that, to enter the area, there is a great big metal gate which requires you to tap your card to open. The gates resembled those you find in embassies. They are heavy and sturdy, and it felt like we were entering a secure privileged area. For our child to enjoy the club’s benefits, we had to pay an additional USD 35. For me and my wife, we had the privilege of using my IHG Club Lounge Access Milestone Rewards for entry. One gets to enjoy beverages all day, food only offered during breakfast and cocktail hours. Breakfast, they have gourmet quality items on the menu. I will never forget the braised 3-layered pork here. They call it Buta Kakuni and it melts in your mouth oozing with the crafted sauces it was braised in. I never had this dish so tantalizingly good ever! We also tried their Lobster Pho and Unagi Don, the finest of ingredients. Another of their culinary creations which left an everlasting impression was the Chicken Picata during cocktail hours. By the name, it is Italian, but the taste was somehow a brilliant union of east and west. The sauce was excellent. I have no idea why I could taste a hint of ginger and Chinese wine, like those you find in dim sum steamed spareribs with black beans. Love it. I asked the waiter about the intriguing taste profile, he told me it was fusion. One gets to enjoy the club either sitting outdoors or in an air-conditioned room. Or be seated by the pool sipping a beer and having a meal. Nice, secluded environment the club is, with excellent food.

We chose this hotel because we read somewhere that they offered a complimentary shuttle to the airport just 15 minutes away. We planned to benefit from that on the day of our departure. However, it seemed they no longer offer the shuttle. Grab was our answer, a call and our ride arrived in a few minutes. In the immediate surroundings, there was nothing really much. A big development of empty shops and apartments fringed the roads that leads to the resort. The nearest supermarket is a very long walk away, and Phu Quoc Food Street, even further. The hotel does offer shuttle at fixed times of the day to Duong Dong night market some 15km away in the city center and that will be a better destination for a look-see-dine explore. And so, that concludes our 2 nights of stay in one of the better resorts in Phu Quoc. Our child wants to go back again because she enjoyed the pool...

Our five-night stay at the InterContinental Phu Quoc was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we arrived, the commitment to impeccable customer service was immediately evident. We were greeted with a seamless and personal welcome—the taxi door opened for us, bags whisked away, and we were guided directly to check-in. While the spacious, open-air lobby was bustling with guests, we were promptly escorted to a quiet, air-conditioned room for our check-in, a thoughtful touch that made us feel instantly cared for. Despite being early, we enjoyed welcome drinks and found a delicious lunch.

The resort’s convenient proximity to the airport makes arrivals a breeze. While it's a bit secluded from the downtown area, getting around is effortless, with a constant fleet of Grab taxis waiting right outside. Our room was a generous sanctuary for our family of three, comfortably accommodating all of us—and even my extensive two-monitor day-trading rig!

The international breakfast buffet was truly awesome, offering an incredible spread that catered to every palate. We indulged in everything from traditional Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese dishes to European and American favorites, alongside a huge selection of local fruits. The resort boasts an impressive array of amenities and activities, and while we regrettably didn't get to experience them all, the options were truly remarkable. We noted the twice-daily movies in what's supposedly Phu Quoc's only theater, along with hat painting, yoga, stretching, and facial classes. The spa was an exquisite and serene experience, with private treatment rooms nestled around a tranquil, hidden lake. There were two large pools with ample room to lounge, and we saw many children enjoying the resort's unique amenity: underwater scooters, available for $20 for a 30-minute session.

Every restaurant offered a delicious dining experience, though a return visit is in order to try the steak at Lava. When we craved a taste of home, the burgers and pizzas were a welcome comfort. The burritos, while an admirable effort, seemed to have a unique, local twist that moved them away from a traditional Mexican flavor profile. We also enjoyed live music by the poolside restaurant every night. The staff’s genuine customer-centric approach was evident in every interaction, from fulfilling small requests like an extra fork to ensuring our favorite green tea was always replenished. A special shout-out to Marcus, whose encyclopedic knowledge of the island and helpful advice on navigating transportation was a lifesaver. His assistance with our last-minute sightseeing plans made our daily excursions effortless and enjoyable. The InterContinental also thoughtfully provides lounge chairs, umbrellas, and bicycles for the beach.

Thanks to the InterContinental Phu Quoc, our vacation was truly...

We arrived at the hotel quite late at night, feeling very hungry, so we took the front desk’s suggestion to try Lava. At that time, there was only one table of guests. The waitress strongly suggested we try the promotional seafood platter. However, I was not interested as I do not eat fish or oysters. She responded with a contemptuous expression.

When I asked if I could use the cash coupon for the total bill, she strictly informed me that it was only applicable for drinks. Later, we asked another staff member who said yes. In the end, we were told that the coupon could not be used for the 20% discount because of the Ambassador privilege. I remember being able to enjoy both discounts at the Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake.

When we were asked for comments, I simply told them the beef was tasteless, and later we found an insect crawling on the rim of the dish. The staff seemed more concerned about my comment on the beef and ignored the sanitary issue.

The following morning, the assistant director of food and beverage approached us and asked for details. He then invited us to try Sea Shack. The table was far from the fan and became rather stuffy when the door was closed. We ordered one salad but only finished the shredded green mango and cashew nuts, leaving a pile of unknown items on the dish. The squid was too oily, and we barely finished it. The two main courses were unremarkable. There are many restaurants available in the vicinity, but his invitation turned out to be a paid patronage not worth trying.

We asked for a buggy, but another waitress suggested we try a dessert or a fresh fruit platter. While we were eating the fruits, another staff member reminded us that the buggy was waiting. We had to finish our fruits quickly. Without checking the bill, I was asked to sign it immediately.

Upon our checkout, the duty manager showed me the bill, including charges from Lava and Sea Shack. He told me that the 20% discount did not cover the drinks in Lava and therefore I had to pay for the difference. Yet, the cash coupon could be used in the restaurant without specifying whether it was for drinks or not. In the end, I was given a cash coupon that I could only use to buy some nuts from the cake shop. Surprisingly, the duty manager, Nguyen, displayed the bill details on the screen but refused to provide a printed copy, instead offering to send it via email. However, he was willing to send me the bill by email after my complaint. Ironically, I found the drink item from Sea Shack was missing, which showed the chaotic management style. This is the first time I have encountered senior management handling issues in this...