Bo Resort
Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
Simple, rustic cabins on the side of a wild hill with the Gulf of Thailand washing up on white sands below
It’s wild, it’s remote and its 4-kilometre sandy beach
curls north towards the fishing village of Cua Can. Bo Resort sits
at the end of a long bumpy track on a forested hill that rolls down
to the Gulf of Thailand. It's not overly manicured in the American
style – nature is still allowed to have its say here –
but owner Marie has managed to bring the loveliest garden to life
and now you find rich colours in abundance. Paths weave down to an
apron of lawn that ends at palm-fringed sands. There’s a
shaded restaurant/ bar down here, too; it acts as the social hub of
the place.
Twelve stilted bungalows are set among the banana trees.
They come in rustic cabin style, with bamboo balconies and cold
water only in slightly eccentric inside/outside ensuite shower
rooms. By day explore this untamed island of sandy beaches, tiny
fishing villages, forested mountains and coral islets. It’s
one of Vietnam’s best-kept secrets, but plans to rival Ko
Samui are afoot, so come before the developers do.
Reviewed by Tom Bell
Last updated
01 July 2010
Highs
- There’s no one here, it's seriously wild and you’re beyond the normal tourist agenda
- The north of the island is totally unspoilt and for the moment you get it to yourself - it's even free from hawkers
- The white-sand beach is cleaned daily and the sea is warm
- Regis and Marie are lovely; they also have the best contacts and can arrange all sorts of diversions if you get bored of sunbathing
- Fresh and fabulous food
Lows
- Bedrooms don't have windows or hot water; if you like your creature comforts, you won’t be happy here
- The bungalows are partially open to the elements so you may share with a lizard!
- You’re a long way up a dirt track and you’ll need transport to explore the island. You can hire staff motorbikes or pick one up in Duong Dong when you arrive
- Even with a motorbike you’re not going to want to be driving in the evenings, so your nightlife will largely be limited to the bar/restaurant at Bo Resort
