Regent Phu Quoc among best new resorts: SCMP

South China Morning Post has named Regent Resort on Phu Quoc island, southern Vietnam among the "best new resorts to see in 2022".

The resort, located on Bai Truong beach in Kien Giang province, next to a UNESCO-recognised world biosphere reserve, is set to open in the second quarter.

Around 15 minutes from Phu Quoc International Airport, the resort features 342 suites and villas, six restaurants and bars, swimming pools, and the first resort-owned catamaran in Phu Quoc.

"The resort will be the first of the Regent brand’s properties in Southeast Asia to open since IHG Hotels & Resorts, which operates InterContinental hotels, bought a majority stake in Regent. A Regent rebranding includes emphasis on design and curated experiences," SCMP wrote. "The Regent will, it is claimed, be the most luxurious resort on the island."

Other hotels and resorts in the SCMP list include Ritz-Carlton Reserve in China's Sichuan, The Homestead Resort in South Africa, Buahan in Indonesia, and Six Senses Crans-Montana in Switzerland.

Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island, has become well-known globally after the government allowed 30-day visa-free entry in 2014. The island received five million visitors in 2019, the pre-pandemic time, of these 541,600 were foreigners.

Previously, another article by Hong Kong-based daily SCMP, commented that Vietnam boasts a wealth of luxury offerings for travellers to indulge in, including Amanoi in the coastal province of Binh Thuan, an exclusive clifftop resort made up of private villas complete with personal chefs and butlers.

In 2020, the US’s Forbes wrote that Ba Na Hills in Da Nang, central Vietnam is a must see resort built for Instagram. Sun World’s Ba Na Hills is located nearly 1,500 meters above sea level and roughly half an hour west of Da Nang, a coastal city popular for its sandy beaches, French colonial history, and proximity to the ancient town of Hoi An - a UNESCO world heritage site.

Last year's annual Readers' Choice Awards, voted by readers of British magazine Condé Nast Traveler, named six representatives from Vietnam among the top 25 resorts in Asia.

The six include Six Senses Ninh Van Bay (Khanh Hoa province), Azerai Can Tho resort (Can Tho city), JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa (Phu Quoc island), InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort (Da Nang city), Topas Ecolodge resort (Sa Pa town), and The Anam resort (Nha Trang town).