Regent Phu Quoc

Vietnam's largest tourist development area stretches south of Phu Quoc airport along Long Beach. Some hotels are already there, others are just being built. The promised "untouched tropical landscape" sounds like irony. But as soon as I enter the Regent, I feel a sense of visual well-being. Purist, clean lines define the flair, floor-to-ceiling windows in the ten-metre-high lobby lounge connect to the palm trees and water basin outside. Beautiful flower arrangements and colorful cushions accentuate the shimmering black stone floors. Every corner exudes luxury - albeit in a more urban format. The park landscape, on the other hand, creates a paradise feeling. Between the ten-storey main building and the beach, there are six rows of villas with one or more bedrooms, including a King Sky Pool Villa, which has been placed on the roof like a loft. The 50-metre infinity sky-wing pool also creates a wow effect. Adults-only is the order of the day here.

But back to my suite: The living room doubles as a loggia, as the glass wall facing the sea can be opened halfway up. Many other thoughtful details are also remarkable. For example, the velvety slippers in men's and women's sizes, the Chinese bathrobes made of lined silk, the woven laundry baskets with leather handles or the retractable minibar in the wooden drawer. I am particularly pleased with the large range of Ronnefeldt teas.

The heart of the hotel, however, is the cuisine. The aroma from the glass bakery is tempting first thing in the morning. I stand for a long time in front of the incredible range of Western and Asian breakfast specialties and don't know where to start ... In the signature restaurant "Oku", a Japanese "Omakase Atelier" and a "Salon de Boeuf" meet. The "Rice Market" serves noodle and rice dishes prepared according to local recipes. For me, the Regent is currently the finest - and most delicious - address on Phu Quoc, although the surrounding area with building sites is not a feast for the eyes.