Mango Bay, on the mid-western coast of Phu Quoc, is only a short drive from the island’s main town, but it feels like it’s miles away. You arrive at a place that is half jungle forest, half Swiss Family Robinson, and wholly relaxed. Surrounded by nature in all its glory, it’s quite likely you’ll see a cow drift past your window and certain that a chorus of birdsong and cicadas will serenade part of your day.
Originally built as a private weekend retreat by 3 expats living in Ho Chi Minh, Mango Bay is now a hamlet of thatched huts spread across a wild garden that leads down a gentle slope to the sea. Its success lies in it complementing rather than competing with its surroundings, and in not trying too hard to ‘do the hotel thing’ - staff are friendly and informal. This is an ideal refuge from the energy of Ho Chi Minh, its simple charms and excellent rates attracting friends, families and couples alike. It's not for everyone as it’s long on nature and short on snazzy gizmos, but for us, this was its appeal.
Highs
- Standing in the open-air shower, looking at your own little patch of jungle - there’s a real sense that you’re living with nature
- Playing chess over cocktails, while watching the sun glide below the horizon (this is one of the only places in Vietnam where you can see the sun set, as it’s west facing)
- The sea is the ultimate temperature - you can while away hours just bobbing around in the shallows, or snorkelling and kayaking
- Phu Quoc has an extremely chilled beach vibe, which we found a welcome release after quite frenetic travelling on the mainland. The jungle-hut feel of Mango Bay magnifies this, and there's a wellness room for massages
- We really enjoyed the food - it’s Vietnamese, largely home-grown and absolutely delicious
Lows
- Limited mod-cons: no air-con, TVs, room service or swimming pool
- Though you’re in the jungle, your neighbours are right next to you. The Plantation Bungalows felt the most private and spaced out
- The extra beds are reputedly not very comfortable so groups may want to book more rooms instead
- Some won't like the fact that bugs can enter your room through the wall frieze, though the beds are netted
- 8 cots available
- High chair
- Stair gates for all stairs (if needed)
- Baby bedding
- Night light
Some equipment may need to be requested in advance
English speaking babysitters available on request
- Pizza and pasta on the menu
- Food is available all day
- Special mealtimes can be arranged on request
- Bottles can be warmed up
- Outdoor playground/play equipment
- Playroom with drawing table and games
- Games room
- Mini football
- Buckets and spades to borrow
- A butterfly garden
- Beach cricket kits
- Kayaks for hire
- Beach football and badminton
- Farm animals nearby
- Island Resort
- 45 rooms
- Restaurant and bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
Rooms
Mango Bay consists of rustic rooms and bungalows dotted around the flower-filled gardens and linked by a series of pathways - you might need the torch provided to find your way back after dark. Most rooms are a single-room thatched cottage, with a wooden decked balcony and loungers or sofas at the front, and a bathroom out back.
It’s fairly simple, but also tasteful, comfortable and extremely relaxing. You can see the sea from most bungalows, and all are a 2-minute stroll through the garden to the beach. We liked the little touches, too: Thermos flasks, which can be filled with tea or coffee at the restaurant (free of charge), and an icebox, which will be filled with ice and soft drinks/beers on request.
There's no air-con due to the owners’ eco-friendly concerns, but a clever low energy air cooling system is fitted around all the beds for a good night sleep. Not all rooms are air tight which allows for a cacophony of insect noise and the odd visit from an unexpected bug, but there are fans and sturdy mosquito nets. Bathrooms (shower only) are at the exterior of each bungalow and are half-open to the elements, which enhances the glorious living-with-nature feel.
Veranda Rooms are the cheapest; a little terrace of adjacent small twin/double rooms with a shared veranda out front. These are great if you're on a real budget, but there’s little privacy and a main pathway runs right past your front door.
Next up are the Rammed Earth Bungalows, which are naturally cool due to their eco-friendly construction. Some are detached but others are only semi-detached, which makes for quite an intimate set-up. The Fisherman Bungalows are great for families as they have a double and single bed. There's also a 2-bedroom Family Bungalow (double and twin) with space for a rollaway bed, too.
We'd recommend going for a Plantation Bungalow. They're a little more expensive, but well worth the upgrade to not feel on top of your neighbours. Divided into Sea View and Garden View, they feel spacious inside and can also fit a rollaway bed. The Bay View Villas, which we haven't seen yet, are also particularly roomy, as they're split over 2 levels.
Larger groups should try and bag Reef House, which has 2 double bedrooms (both with ensuite shower rooms), a large terrace with sofas and a hammock, and an open-plan living/dining space. Meals from the restaurant can be brought to you here - an added bonus. It's super popular, so book early if you want it; there's space for a rollaway bed, too.
Features include:
- Beach towels
- Cots available
- Fan
- Minibar
- Mosquito net
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- Torch
- WiFi
Eating
The On The Rocks restaurant is the heart of the hotel, and one of the best on Phu Quoc. It’s got a chilled, relaxed vibe and comfy sofas, so people tend to congregate here during the day and evening. They play music, which most people enjoy, but some may find it intrusive (a mix of jazz, Cuban and reggae).
The Vietnamese food is delicious; the chef cooks up a storm using Mango Bay’s home-grown vegetables and locally sourced meat and fish. This isn’t generic hotel food, it’s mouthwatering and authentic. The pork in clay pot and crab stir-fry were favourite meals of our trip. There’s a good choice of Western food, too, like pasta and pizza, which will keep kids happy. However, we'd give the puddings (except for the ice cream) a miss - they're not the best. Breakfast is simple but good - juice, coffee, bread, fruit. Eggs are available on request, and the omelettes are great.
There's also On The Sand which serves up a smaller selection of their most popular dishes a few steps from the beach - making it perfect for lazy lunches, plus amazing cocktails from barman Tin Tin.
Unless you're staying in Reef House there's no room service, but you can, if you order the day before and pay extra, get them to bring breakfast to your balcony if you prefer to start the day in solitude.
Features include:
- Bar
- Kids' meals
- Organic produce
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Laze on the beach and swim or snorkel in the lovely warm shallows. If you get restless, there are badminton and cricket kits and beach footballs to borrow for impromptu sport, or you can hire a kayak or paddleboard
- Lose a few hours/days in the Mango Bay Spa. Nestled amongst lush gardens and water features, you can enjoy beauty treatments and great massages
- Learn how to cook authentic Vietnamese food with Mango Bay's chef; great fun and you get to eat your 3-course meal at the end of it
- Visit the hotel's butterfly and rare orchid garden, and if you’re particularly enthusiastic about nature take a guided trek through the surrounding jungle. You’ll definitely see lots of birds, possibly a monkey or 2, and there’s a waterfall where you can sometimes swim
- If you're feeling adventurous, hire a moped (just watch out for lorries!) and drive down to the beautiful Sao Beach in the southeast: idyllic white sand and turquoise waters
- Or head to Long Beach and visit Pearl Gallery; a small shop selling locally cultivated pearl necklaces and earrings. Wall panels describe (in English) how the the pearls are obtained from oysters
- Hire a traditional fishing boat to pootle around the island
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Badminton
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Cooking classes
- Kayaking
- Plantlife / flora
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Well being
- Wildlife
- Yoga
Best Time to go
The nicest time to visit is from November to May, the hottest months being April and May with temperatures getting up to 35 degrees. The rainy season is at its worst from July to September, but it is not a total washout; it's a combo of wet and dry spells/days.
Our Top Tips
- If you're planning to stay more than a few days, it's definitely worth hiring a moped to explore alternative beaches and the lively night markets.
- The fan in your bedroom is inside the mosquito net facing down the bed. If you don’t want to sleep in a wind tunnel, move it so it blows widthways!
Location
Mango Bay 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:
The nearest international airport is in Ho Chi Minh City (aka Tan Son Nhat International Airport). From there its a quick 1 hour internal flight to Phu Quoc with multiple flights leaving throughout the day
From the Airport
The hotel can arrange transfers from the airport (10km).
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 can arrange a harbour pick-up.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Vietnam and getting around
Airports:
- Phu Quoc (Duong Dong) 10.0 km PQC
- Ho Chi Minh City 300.0 km SGN
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 1.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
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