La Veranda

Rooms

Bedrooms are all very similar in style and décor; size and view are the factors at work in deciding categories. You get pretty tiled floors, pastel-coloured walls, freshly cut flowers, wooden beds with crisp linen, DVD players, ceiling fans and deluge showers, as well as robes and fetching bamboo flip flops. High-ceiling interiors are cooled by shuttered windows and air conditioning.

The Deluxe Garden rooms have a garden view, while the Premier rooms are larger and have either garden or sea views. These are furthest from the beach, a stone’s throw from reception, surrounded by palms and electric green grass. Those on the ground floor open onto terraces, those above have private balconies. A short stroll will sweep you past the pool and down to the beach.

Classic Villa Gardens are closer to the water. These are terrifically lovely (we had one and didn’t want to leave it); even though you have neighbours, the villas are staggered, so you don’t all line up in a row on your terraces! Big, airy, high-ceilinged rooms have French windows out onto the terraces, from where you can stroll through the gardens to the pool and sea. Colonial-style 4-poster beds are wrapped in mosquito nets. These rooms are bigger than the Deluxes and also have fancier bathrooms with a separate bath.

The La Veranda Ocean View Villas and Junior Suites are the largest rooms with rather big terraces, and are a mere 20-metre stroll from the beach; meaning on waking up you can easily throw yourself into its benign waters.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Coffee / tea making
• Complimentary bottled water
• Cots available
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

Wide verandas hug the main house, giving views of pool and sea. Smart wicker tables and chairs are scattered about, and there’s a bar on the ground floor that’s open to the breeze. Snacks can be brought to you here, but staff will happily deliver something to you on the beach or by the pool.

A big buffet breakfast is served in the first-floor dining room in the main house, with tables strung along the balcony so everyone gets the view. You get freshly sliced fruits, gallons of juice, fabulous pastries and croissants, French bread and brioche, even chocolate cakes. Eggs are cooked to order, and other hot food comes from the buffet, both Vietnamese and Western.

There are 2 options for lunch and dinner. If you’re feeling stuffed after that huge breakfast, try Le Jardin for simple and healthy food, much of it with an Asian twist. But be sure to visit Le Pepper Tree for a stunning backdrop. Meals here are a more formal affair: you’re not expected to dress for dinner, but most people do. Menus feature a range of cusines from the Pacific Rim and you can pick and mix. Try local mussels steamed in white wine, red snapper stuffed with red capsicum and ginger, then green tea and lemongrass parfait. Beach barbecues are held on Saturdays, and if you’re here for a special occasion, private dining can be arranged on your terrace or on the beach.

If you want to eat out, there are a number of restaurants along the beachfront serving traditional and international dishes - ask staff for recommendations. The resort runs the ultra cool Paradiso Beach Club at Bai Sao Beach, with a great Vietnamese restaurant and day-to-night buzz on one of Phu Quoc's most beautiful beaches (take the free shuttle from the resort, 30min drive).

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• A very pretty spa that offers a big range of treatments and massages
  
• Bikes, snorkelling equipment, kayaks and body-boards are available to borrow and/or hire
  
• A number of tours can be arranged, river kayaking, early-morning bird-watching, trips into the forest and up to waterfalls
  
• Take part in a Vietnamese cooking course and learn to cook your favourite authentic dishes
  
• Hire a motorbike and putter north on red dirt tracks
  
• Swim from deserted beaches, discover fishing villages, snorkel in clear water, and stop at local markets
  
• Tour the southern peninsular, and wash up at the smart white beaches of My Lan
  
• Diving off the An Thoi islands to the south is a big pull and easily arranged. You can take a PADI course here, too
  
• Take the shuttle to the resort's beach club on Bai Sao Beach, widely considered one of the most beautiful in Vietnam; think white sand, aquamarine sea, swaying palms and laidback vibes
  
• Visit the famous fish-sauce factory and see how it’s made. Phu Quoc fish sauce is Asia’s favourite, the Vietnamese equivalent of ketchup or HP sauce. You can visit the pepper gardens, too

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Cooking classes
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Scuba diving
• Scuba diving courses
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Swimming

Kids

Children are welcome at La Veranda, and the beach, pool and gardens are great to play in. Under 12 year olds stay for free in parents' bed OR pay reduced rates in an extra bed in their parents' room; 12+ year olds are charged as adults.

Family friendly accommodation:

All rooms can fit an extra bed and a baby cot, but the Classic Villa Garden is perhaps the best option as it has that extra bit of space, but doesn't lead directly to the ocean. Some of these rooms can also interconnect.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

La Veranda is situated on Phu Quoc island, which is 50km off the south coast of Vietnam. It's actually only 15km from coastal Cambodia and is the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand.

By Air:
Phu Quoc has direct weekly flights from UK with TUI, and daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City with various carriers.

From the Airport
The hotel offers complimentary transfers from the airport (5km / 15 mins).

By Boat:
Quite a few ferry companies operate hydrofoils between Rach Gia on the mainland and Duong Dong on Phu Quoc. The journey takes about 2.5 hours. The hotel (about 22km from the harbour) can arrange a harbour pick up for additional charge. See Rates for more details.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Vietnam and getting around