Oct 14, 2020
PHU QUOC, THE LARGEST ISLAND IN VIETNAM, glitters like a diamond against the turquoise backdrop of the sea. For years, as development skyrocketed on popular Thai islands like Koh Samui and Phuket, this jewel remained largely undisturbed by the outside world. Nowadays, the word is definitely out, yet Phu Quoc has retained its laid-back charm and startling natural splendor. One of the loveliest corners of the whole island is Khem Beach, named for the Vietnamese word for “cream” because of its picturesque cream-colored sands.
One of the splendid villas at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay.
On Khem Beach, travelers will discover the fabled Lamarck University, a 19th-century French haven of scholarship and learning. Richly decorated colonial architecture and an eccentrically curated collection of antiques adorn the premises. While the site initially appears to be historical in nature, it’s actually a modern-day creation conjured up in the mind of Bill Bensley, one of the most imaginative and sought-after designers of luxury resorts in the world. When Bensley designed the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, he envisioned an entire immersive world from a lost, gilded era for guests to explore.
Accommodations at the resort are far more opulent than your average student dorm room. Lamarck University was, after all, conceived of as a place for well-heeled luminaries of its day. To reflect that, the rooms, suites and villas are all suitably spacious and kitted out in the most sumptuous textiles and bespoke furnishings. Of particular note is the 90 sqm Turquoise Suite, which features dazzling views of the ocean from floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as a terrace perfect for watching the sunset.
The fantastical resort makes a memorable setting for weddings and other celebratory events—whether you are exchanging vows on idyllic Khem Beach or raising a glass under the twinkling stars at one of the hotel’s dazzling outdoor venues.
Pay for two nights and stay three with the Royal JW Experience deal.
