Salinda Resort Phu Quoc Island

In an area packed with hotels, the Salinda Resort stands out for its elegance, attention to detail, and gorgeous common spaces and rooms. Even before getting a taste of the Salinda’s high-end services (think: standard turndown daily, personalized check-in with cold towels and iced tea shots, and waiter service at the beach and around the pool), the hotel wows with impeccable interior design and beautiful lush grounds. Airy indoor spaces are decorated with a combination of chic beachy touches such as white furniture with colorful throw pillows, and stylish, elegant elements such as polished white floors, natural wood accents with graceful lines, and neutral tones. Outside, expansive grounds full of tropical flowers, plants, and trees lend the property a serene feel. An intimate garden with a wooden pavilion shaded by palms, cocoon-style seats around the pool, and a man-made stream flanked by manicured lawns offer plenty of possibilities for some serious R&R.

Although this focus on relaxation may be better suited for couples seeking a quiet getaway than for those traveling with children, the hotel also draws plenty of families, especially during the main vacation periods. From December to March, most guests here hail from Scandinavia, while Vietnamese guests prefer the monsoon season. During our visit we saw a good mix of couples and families, and the atmosphere was quiet and relaxing, with no music at the pool bar, and no activities around the pool or the beach.

The Salinda is one of the best luxury options in Phu Quoc, but those looking for a more intimate property may want to compare rates at the Chen Sea Villas, a top-notch property with 34 beautiful villas (some with their own private pool), a gorgeous infinity pool, and a charming spa. The lovely Cassia Cottage, complete with an outstanding restaurant, three small pools, and a lovely stretch of beach, is generally a little cheaper than the Salinda. For a luxe unplugged and eco-friendly vacation, the Mango Bay Resort is an excellent option, with stunning rustic-chic rooms housed in stand-alone cottages, three quiet beaches, and two bars with panoramic sunset views.

Like most hotels in the area, the Salinda Resort is located adjacent to an empty lot where a large hotel is currently being built, so noise may be an issue until 2018.

The Salinda has an ideal location between a lovely sandy beach and the main road that runs along the western coast of Phu Quoc. Although a little away from the main tourist area, a few restaurants, bars, and roadside shops can be found within easy walking distance. There are no sidewalks in the area, though, and taking a taxi may be safer for longer distances, especially because motorbikes tend to ride on the shoulder. Duong Dong, the island’s main city, is an easy 10-minute drive down the road. There, guests can find plenty of dining, drinking, and shopping options, and the night market -- selling everything from pearls to souvenirs to fresh seafood -- is worth a visit. Stunning Soa Beach is a 35-minute drive away. The airport is about 10 minutes from the hotel.

The hotel’s 121 rooms are spacious and light, with huge windows opening onto big furnished balconies or patios overlooking either the gardens or the sea. There are three different room decor styles at the Salinda, all tasteful and chic with elegant touches such as coconut inlays and natural stone accents, along with hardwood or polished white tile floors, and a soothing neutral palette. Most Deluxe Rooms (the standard category here) feature a smattering of vibrant fuchsia accents in throw pillows and bed runners, while other room types have a more classic style, with handsome hardwood floors, earth tones throughout, and streamlined dark wood furniture. 

Starting at 463 square feet, even the smallest rooms have enough space for at least a massive king-size bed, a lounge chair, and a long desk with a comfortable chair; suites and villas have spacious living areas, some with dining tables. All rooms are equipped with an array of upscale amenities ranging from large flat-screen TVs and fully stocked minibars to iPod docks, electric kettles, and beach bags. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel -- including the beach and the pool deck -- and free water, tea, and coffee are replenished daily free of charge. 

The bathrooms at Salinda are another of the hotel’s highlights. All but Deluxe Rooms have separate rain showers and deep soaking tubs, some placed by a window overlooking the bedroom. Oval or rectangular sinks rest on polished marble or wooden vanities, while several small lamps lend bathrooms an intimate feel while still providing enough light.

The Salinda offers an array of excellent dining options, including two restaurants, a beach and poolside snack bar, and a lobby lounge. A wonderful breakfast buffet with an outstanding selection of international and Vietnamese options is offered free at the main restaurant daily, and includes Champagne, fresh fruit juices, and made-to-order pancakes and eggs. The main restaurant also serves Vietnamese, Indian, and international cuisine for lunch and dinner in a stylish dining room with outdoor seating. Helmed by an Italian chef, Casa Italiana offers a delicious traditional Italian menu for dinner, including homemade pastas, pizzas, carpaccio, ossobuco, and fish. 

The pool and beachside snack bar offers and array of cocktails, fresh fruit juices, and small bites between meals; waiters come around with free non-alcoholic drinks and snacks several times per day. The striking lobby lounge features an excellent range of hot and cold drinks, as well as a few snacks. 

Surrounded by a large deck with dozens of loungers and umbrellas, the gorgeous infinity pool is a major highlight here. It features a cute kiddy section, a shaded whirlpool, and serene panoramic views of the beach. Perfectly rolled towels are placed on comfortable loungers, and each guest is provided with a purple flag that can be used to request drinks and food without having to leave the chair. Directly adjacent to the pool is the hotel’s lovely palm-fringed beach, complete with fine sand, calm waters (in the winter only), and three rows of loungers and umbrellas. Sea kayaks are available for a fee. 

Tucked away in a quiet spot overlooking a serene garden is the hotel’s beautiful spa, decorated in an elegant Asian-inspired style that combines dark natural wood and soft neutral tones throughout. The menu includes a wonderful array of signature treatments, including Thai massages, scrubs, wraps, as well as facials, mani-pedis, and other salon services. The fitness center is light and well-equipped, with a great range of cardio and strength-training machines along with yoga mats and free weights. Guests can also borrow bikes for the day; helmets of different sizes are also provided. 

Though the hotel has a romantic feel to it, families are welcome and catered to at Salinda, with not only a kiddy pool but also a cute kids’ club offering daily indoor activities such as arts and crafts, group games, and cartoons.