Long Beach Resort

Tucked away at the end of an unpaved road, the Long Beach Resort wows at first sight. A stunning traditional Vietnamese brick-and-wood gate opens onto a big stone driveway flanked on one side by a white four-story building partially hidden behind palm trees and tropical flowers, and a lush garden on the other. The lobby is housed in a gorgeous open pavilion with a temple-style roof made of wood, thatch, and terra-cotta tiles, and topped with curved eaves and a stone dragon. Thick wood pillars supporting soaring wooden ceilings, carved terra-cotta floors, and leaf-shaped ceiling fans combine with elegant wooden furniture with delicate carvings to create an elegant, luxurious space. The main pool deck is simple and a tad old, but offers direct access to the beach via a wooden bridge crossing over a long lotus pond. 

First opened in 2011, the property feels like two hotels in one, with two distinct sections separated by the lobby and the gardens. The Modern area, which was originally built in the 2000s but fully renovated in 2016, is contemporary in style, with plain furniture paired with earth tones throughout. This is where the restaurant, the spa, the gym, and the pool are, and most guests here are families and couples seeking something simple and functional with easy access to the hotel's main features. Set deeper in the gardens, the Ancient wing is charming, quiet, and elegant, with a gorgeous design resembling a traditional Vietnamese village. Its 72 rooms are housed in beautiful Hoi An-style homes with stone and wood facades set around lotus ponds crisscrossed by stone bridges. Rooms and suites in the Ancient section are a favorite among honeymooners and couples for their romantic feel and serene setting.

Most guests here are German or Australian travelers, including a surprising number of families, despite the lack of on-site kid-friendly amenities beyond a small wading pool. When we visited, most guests seemed to prefer the beach, but the atmosphere was quiet both there and around the pool. The Ancient Wing offers quite a unique experience, but those with a bigger budget may want to compare rates at the intimate Chen Sea Resort & Spa Phu Quoc, which has a number of gorgeous villas housed in original Hoi An buildings, a beautiful infinity pool, and excellent food. In the same price range as the Long Beach, the Sea Sense Resort has a longer, more intimate beach, but its remote location may not appeal to everyone. Travelers on a slightly tighter budget may want to consider the beachfront Famiana Resort & Spa, complete with two pools, a game room for children, and a spa.

The Long Beach Resort Phu Quoc has an unusual location almost at the end of a small, unpaved (and sometimes bumpy) path off the main road running along the island's western coast. Despite its somewhat secluded situation, the area is home to a number of casual, inexpensive cafes and popular beach bars. The city of Duong Dong, found about a five-minute drive away, offers a wider array of dining and drinking options, along with a variety of shops and travel agents. The town's popular night market -- selling everything from pearls to fresh sea food and souvenirs -- is about a 10-minute drive away. Stunning Sao Beach, known for its fine, white sand and its many cafes, can be reached in about 35 minutes by car. The airport is a 15-minute drive away. 

The hotel has a total of 119 spacious rooms, including 43 in the Modern section and 76 in the Ancient wing. All come equipped with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, mini-fridges (stocked on request for a fee), flat-screen TVs (a few rooms still have tube TVs), and safes, but decor style varies widely between sections. Modern Rooms are a tad generic and bland, with simple blond wood furniture, polished tiled floors, and an earth tone palette throughout. Wooden shutters and black-and-white photos of local scenes add charm, but these rooms are better suited for guests looking for a comfortable, clean, and functional room than for those seeking something with a focus on design. Bathrooms in Modern Rooms are spacious and contemporary, with dark gray tiles, big glass-enclosed walk-in showers, and rectangular sinks on stone counters with wooden shelves. 

Radically different from Modern Rooms, Ancient Rooms are unique and ornate. These units are all housed in beautiful traditional Hoi An homes clad in wood, with wooden ceilings, wood or terra-cotta floors, and large beds topped with crisp white duvets. Those used to soft beds may find the mattresses too firm, though. Natural woods with intricate carvings, small lamps with dim lights, and spacious furnished balconies with serene garden views make these rooms romantic, elegant, and charming. Aside from their unique style, Ancient Rooms also stand out for their gorgeous bathrooms, which have wooden soaking tubs and separate glass showers, wooden sinks, and antique-style taps.

The hotel offers two dining options: one by the pool and another one on the beach. Long Sen is the main restaurant, serving an excellent breakfast buffet with made-to-order eggs, pancakes, cheese, meats, Asian dishes, and lots of fresh fruits. The lunch and dinner menus include Vietnamese and international options, but some guests find food a little underwhelming for the price. Especially popular at sunset, the beach restaurant offers a selection of snacks and cocktails, as well as small bites for lunch and dinner. Room service is not available through the night. 

The pool is pleasant but a little simple, with an old-fashioned kidney shape, tiles of two shades of blue, and a small round pool for children. The elevated deck around it only has a handful of loungers, but it is a good spot for sunbathing or watching the sunset when all the beach chairs are taken (common in peak season). The spa is small but lovely, with tons of stone and wood accents, and beautiful Asian-inspired details such as wooden latticework and heavy doors with carvings. With just four machines and no air-conditioning, the tiny fitness center is only suitable for a quick workout early in the morning or before dinner. 

Although more popular with couples and families than with business travelers, the hotel offers a large ballroom for private events of up to 180 guests, complete with audiovisual equipment and catering services. Wi-Fi is available free throughout the property, but the signal is only strong in the Modern section and around the pool.