Regent Phu Quoc invites guests into a cocoon of calm, culture, and creativity all year round
Tucked away in a private enclave, deep within a lush compound of verdant landscapes and tranquil coastlines, Regent Phu Quoc is a sanctuary of serenity and sophistication. The resort offers a distinct sense of retreat: quiet, secluded, and self-contained. It’s no surprise, then, that one could spend days without ever feeling the need to leave the property—at least, that was what my four-day experience was like.
The journey to Phu Quoc has recently become more accessible, with direct flights from Singapore launched in December last year. And yet, despite this newfound connectivity, the island retains much of its untouched charm. With established infrastructure and wide, tree-lined roads cutting through the interior, the environment feels like a rare balance between modern convenience and natural beauty.
One of the defining features of a stay at Regent Phu Quoc is its sense of privacy. Each accommodation feels like its own cocoon, with elegant interiors, expansive layouts, and in many cases, private pools that overlook the sea or embrace the garden.
Options range from the sprawling seven- bedroom villa, ideal for multigenerational families, to the intimate Lagoon and Garden Pool suites. Whether it’s the beachfront luxury of the Beach Pool villas or the elevated views from the Sky Pool villas, each room category offers a different way to experience the island. My Sky Pool Villa comes with a private verandah and pool, where I spend hours dipping my feet in the cool water as I watch the horizon stretch endlessly into hues of blush and amber.
And it’s not just the space that sets the tone; it’s the people, too. One of the joys of staying at Regent Phu Quoc is the warm, effortless hospitality. It felt less like being waited on and like being welcomed home.
Dining is another highlight, particularly the omakase experience. Intimate and elegantly understated, Oku offers a refined journey through seasonal ingredients, masterfully prepared by the chef in a setting that feels more ceremonial than casual. Every bite is thoughtful and precise, each course unfolding like a story told in flavour.
Artful immersion
Yet, what distinguishes Regent Phu Quoc is its commitment to cultural dialogue through contemporary art. In celebration of its third anniversary, the resort is staging Pursuing Fantasia – Journey to The Enchanted Island, an exhibition that runs from April to September at the Regent Gallery. Curated by Khai Hori, co-founder of Art Basel and SEA Focus, the show reimagines Phu Quoc as a mythical island where memory, identity, and imagination converge.
Eight Vietnamese artists contributed to this multidimensional journey, with works ranging from kinetic installations to immersive soundscapes. Highlights include Tran Tuan’s dreamlike meditations on familial memory and Hà Ninh Pham’s speculative maps of imagined worlds. Together, they form a spiritual landscape, inviting guests to view Phu Quoc not just as a destination, but as a narrative shaped by heritage, migration, and myth.
It is rare for a resort to invest in contemporary art in such a committed way. And Regent Phu Quoc does so not for novelty, but for enrichment. Art here is not an accessory, but a medium for deeper connection to place, to people, and to thought.
For those who prefer a slower pace, there are plenty of ways to unwind. From May to October, Phu Quoc experiences higher rainfall but not reduced activity. A Rainy Season Activity Booklet offers guests curated in-suite experiences and activities, such as Vietnamese tea appreciation, scented pillow mist-making, and guided breathwork sessions, should the weather call for a day indoors. These touches further affirm the resort’s thoughtful approach to hospitality: it anticipates not just the needs of its guests, but also the mood.
There’s also a sense of whimsy threaded through the property, which is often revealed in unexpected places. One such delight is the network of koi ponds, which ripples through the pathways and gardens. According to staff, there are a total of over 10,000 koi fish residing in these ponds, a nod to the owner’s fondness for the species. Their gentle, graceful movement adds a meditative quality to morning strolls and evening wanders alike.
Regent Phu Quoc feels like a beautifully composed haven that brings together the elements of a meaningful getaway—privacy, design, gastronomy, and art—in a seamless, harmonious balance. In an age when travel often feels rushed or performative, this is a rare pocket of stillness that, once experienced, is difficult to forget.
