Where is it?
On a quiet beach on the incredibly beautiful Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc, Fusion has one of the best locations. Whereas the southern end of Phu Quoc can get pretty busy, with plenty of resorts rubbing shoulders on the sand, Fusion’s only neighbors are a few low-key beach shacks. The long stretch of white sand beach is nearly always empty, populated more by palm trees than people, and the water is pancake flat, with barely even a ripple made by the odd passing fishing boat.
Style
To minimize its environmental and aesthetic impact on the beach, Fusion has been thoughtfully designed, with most of the one-story buildings set well back from the sand. Pathways run through the grounds linking the individual villas, the walls hidden behind thick grassy banks to give each one a feeling of seclusion and privacy. It also helps to blend the whole place into the landscape more than just plopping a great big multi-story tower on the beach, as has been done on other parts of the island. It’s low on any big statements design-wise, but the villas are not short on luxury – each comes with a private pool – and the less-is-more approach helps keep the zen factor high.
Facilities
The morning we were due to check in, a WhatsApp message from a strange number pinged my phone. It was our ‘Fusionista’, ‘ our concierge for our stay, who introduced himself. It was a great service and much easier to communicate via WhatsApp than visiting the concierge desk or calling – booking everything from dinner to spa appointments through him was a breeze.
The fact that the spa is the biggest building at Fusion tells you how central this is to the whole experience. Fusion offers an ‘all-inclusive’ spa program whereby guests are guaranteed two treatments a day, plus any more they wish if available. The huge spa complex has rooms running off from the main reception area in all directions. There is a gym and a medium-sized pool. Massages, body scrubs, and other treatments are available, and you’ll soon be wondering how you ever lived without two spa treatments a day.
Elsewhere, should you tire of your private pool, there’s a huge circular communal pool set just back from the beach, bikes and canoes for hire, a tennis court, and daily yoga classes.
Of the resort’s two restaurants, we think Pezcá has the edge regarding food and setting. It has great ocean views close to the beach; at sunset, it’s a prime spot to watch the sun go down over the water. The menu is all about seafood, something there’s plenty of in Phu Quoc and a good selection of local fish cooked whole at the barbecue. The Secret Garden has more of an international vibe in the evening but is also the setting for a predictably epic breakfast spread. Along with eggs, coffee, and fresh fruit, a Vietnamese section serves fresh seafood pancakes (Ban Xeo) and pho noodle soups.
Which room?
You can’t go wrong with every single villa having its private pool. You’ll pay a little more if you’re facing the ocean, but the only reason not to go with the cheapest villas will be if you need more bedrooms. The two- and three-bedroom hotel has up to six and nine guests, respectably. Some come with pools bigger than most in your average hotel. Across the board, the villas are luxurious, with loads of open space, sliding glass doors out to the gardens, big lounge areas, and an incredible wooden bathtub sunken into the floor. It’s a no-expense-spared kind of place.
The view, looking down the long curved stretch of white sand, is pretty spectacular – the hotel has even created a perfect little Instagram moment for guests by building a swing right on the beach looking out to sea.
Best for
Given the range of villa sizes, things to do, and incredible setting, Fusion Phu Quoc is a great all-rounder that should keep everyone happy. The only drawback for some might be that it’s a 20-minute drive to tow,n but for others, this distance from the crowds may be the best thing.
Details
One-bedroom villas with breakfast included a start at £250 a night.
Vung Bau Bay, Cua Can Village, Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province.
