Located on Phu Quoc Island off the South of Vietnam, La Veranda Resort is built in a style reminiscent of a French colonial mansion. It’s set in tropical gardens on a beautiful stretch of beach, with a large terrace, perfect for enjoying a drink as the sun sets.
There are 70 rooms, all with private balconies, and you can choose between a garden or sea view. All have bathrooms with twin washbasins, a separate bathtub and/or shower and there’s free Wi-Fi throughout. Add a DVD player, IPod docking station, satellite TV and coffee making facilities and you won’t get bored
There are two restaurants and a lounge bar. For that special romantic dinner, eat in the gastronomic Peppertree restaurant which has stunning views over the ocean. For something more casual, try La Jardin where you can get authentic Italian style pizzas, and simple, healthy hearty meals to suit all tastes. On Saturday nights there’s the weekly beach barbeque with freshly grilled seafood and meats and dancing on the sand. Other special events include a sampling of best of Vietnamese street food and wine tastings.
Le Spa is the perfect place to relax and revive your spirits, using organic, locally produced spa products. My massage was tough but one of the best I’ve ever had. On the beach there’s morning Taï Chi, Qi Qong and Yoga or you can enjoy a game of volleyball. What’s great at sunset is to take out a kayak and paddle round the bay.
Excursions include a drive through the north of the island and the primary rainforest of Phu Quoc’s national park. Or get up early and watch the fleet come into the
Port of Duong Dong with their catch and then see the fish traded in the market. Nuoc Mam (fish sauce) from here is famous throughout Vietnam, as is the pepper grown on farms throughout the island. Don’t miss the night food market in Duong Dong where the fish is laid out and you choose how you want it cooked.
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Rooms at the La Veranda start at £164 per night.
Vietnam Airlines offers the UK’s only nonstop flights to Vietnam, with daily Dreamliner services from Heathrow T4 to Hanoi or Saigon.
Experience Travel Group (0203 468 6268) can tailor-make 7 night holidays to Southern Vietnam from £2,101 per adult, including 2 nights at the Park Hyatt Saigon, 2 nights at the Victoria Can Tho, 3 nights at La Veranda, Phu Quoc, including daily breakfast, a Saigon city tour, private guides and transfers and return flights with Vietnam Airlines. Upgrade to Premium Economy from £728 per person.
