La Veranda

Situated on quiet and untouched Phu Quoc Island, La Veranda is the first luxury hotel to open on this up and coming island destination.

Renowned for its peaceful atmosphere and pristine beaches, Phu Quoc is emerging as a new destination on the Vietnam beach scene. As yet, the island has been more or less untouched by the beach bars and backpacker bungalows so common in other Southeast Asian beaches. Simple local-style seafood restaurants offer incredible feasts of freshly caught soft-shelled crab, king prawns or squid. Just an hour’s flight from Saigon, the island also has some pearl farms, jungle trails with small waterfalls and is famed for its production of ‘phuoc nam’ – Vietnamese fish sauce.

La Veranda opened in mid-2006 with only 43 rooms and a lovely white sand beach, lapped by the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Although less luxurious than some other Asian resorts, the simple yet elegant style of the rooms fits very well with the island’s overall atmosphere. The décor is colourful and reminiscent of colonial era architecture, with elegant fabrics and wooden floors. The private balconies which are attached to each room are a feature of the resort. They are deliberately evocative of colonial times where the residents of elegant mansions would spend time sitting and relaxing on their veranda, and it is from this inspiration that the resort takes its name.

La Veranda also offers a spa, swimming pool, dive and water sports centre and restaurant. There is also a Beach Grill and the resort can offer cooking classes twice a week.

PRICES Prices start from £26 per person per night in a Superior Oceanview room or £36 per person per night in Deluxe Villa, based on two people sharing, including breakfast. Fly via Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City or  Hanoi on the fabulous services of Cathay Pacific Airways.  Prices start from only £499 including taxes and fuel surcharges, but hurry, these fares have limited availability.