This charming family-owned resort showcases the best of Phu Quoc, from a top-notch Vietnamese restaurant using local pepper and fish sauce to the spellbinding sunset views. All this, combined with the island’s beautiful landscapes and culinary treasures, makes it difficult to leave.
Location
The hotel is located in Duong Dong, the main town on the island. It’s only five minutes from the airport, and the bustling development is evident even on your short car journey: you’ll pass through shanty coffee shacks and Communist posters, but both are dwarfed by the construction of mega resorts and apartment complexes.
It will take almost an hour to drive from the southernmost part of the island to the northern tip (a two to three-week trip is recommended if you really want to experience all it has to offer). Luckily, the hotel’s convenient location means that you’ll be able to hit most attractions easily: pepper farms, fish sauce factories, a night market and pearl farms are all just a few minutes’ drive away, while Ham Ninh fishing village and the cable car to Pineapple Island are both under half an hour by car. Phu Quoc National Park is a 50-minute car ride north.
Style and Character
Salinda is in the centre of a busy town, but the noise of its surroundings is drowned out by the canopy of more than 100 trees on the grounds and the calming sound of ocean waves. For a resort that’s not very big (there are 121 rooms), the diversity of greenery here is impressive: you’ll be greeted by golden trumpets, mango, passion fruit and banana trees, plus blooming flowers such as hibiscus, bougainvillea and frangipani.
Aline Ho, a French-Vietnamese designer, is behind the interiors and the pride in her heritage is felt everywhere. Unlike most cookie-cutter international resorts, you’re reminded of Vietnam’s cultural treasures: the pretty cluster of bright silk lanterns floating outside the main restaurant was commissioned in Hoi An; artworks seen on each floor are commissions from local artists; and the acacia wood used in the slatted roof structures is sourced from the island.
One major plus is the breathtaking view: the hotel is right on Long Beach, most popular for its silky sands and unbelievable sunsets.
Service and Facilities
Staff, the majority of them from Phu Quoc, are good-humoured and passionate when talking about the island; even offering their Whatsapp details should you need any special shopping requests fulfilled. A set of matcha, ginger, lemongrass and beetroot ice teas, plus a chilled towel, are swiftly brought over as soon as you arrive.
The infinity pool has a lovely ocean view, but loungers are often in high demand, you can walk right down to the hotel’s small, private stretch of Long Beach in a minute. There’s a spacious karaoke room, pool tables and a gallery space with Vietnamese art. Free bicycle rental, a gym and a library (with books left by previous guests) round out the offerings. Airport transfer is included in the rates.
Tours can be arranged and customised based on your personal interests: shopping at a pearl farm, picking up condiments at pepper farms and fish sauce factories, excursions to the local night market or Ham Ninh fishing village; or even a day trip to the popular Pineapple Island.
- Bar
- Beach
- Fitness centre
- Laundry
- Parking
- Pool
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Sauna
- Spa
- Steam room/hammam
- Wi-Fi
Spa
Treatments are mostly Thai-inspired and incorporate local elements such as Phu Quoc pearl powder; the pearl oil massage will leave your jet-lagged skin moisturised and supple. There’s a steam room and sauna. In the afternoons, the spa team offers a free sampling of neck and head massages by the pool.
Rooms
The accommodation is split between the Deluxe Collection rooms in the main building, and a range of suites and villas. Views differ between the sea, the courtyard garden or the hills. Even the Deluxe rooms, the entry-level category, offer immense space, with balconies and either king-sized or twin beds.
The décor is island-inspired and rustic, with dark wood furniture and airy drapes; one nice detail are the mosaic headboards, made from repurposed coconut shells and mother of pearl pieces from the island. The balconies have comfortable deck furniture that can seat two to three, and make a nice spot for sunset watching or enjoying your breakfast delivery al fresco. Do note that there are quite a few mosquitoes after 5pm, so make sure to close your balcony doors by nightfall.
All rooms, suites and villas come with tea- and coffee-making facilities (with very nice TWG teas), bathrobes, slippers, minibars, televisions and safes. Deluxe rooms have rain showers in their bathrooms, while suites and villas also come with tubs.
Food and Drink
For a mid-sized, family-owned resort, Salinda puts an impressive level of effort into its three restaurants, which serve Vietnamese, Indian and Italian food respectively. Each is helmed by a chef that is native to the country. Salinda Restaurant is undeniably the star of the show, with the Vietnamese Journey menu taking you on a culinary tour through the country. The platter of rolls presents the classic flavours of each region, from the light, Hanoi-inspired Pho noodle roll, to the fried, spicy royal rolls from central Vietnam, ending with Saigon rolls (with prawn, taro and fish sauce) that reflect the sweetness of southern cuisine.
This being an island, fresh seafood is something you ought to make room for: the seafood platter is a staggering spread of local clams, mussels, scallops, squid, tiger prawns and fish, crowned with a fried soft shell crab. Also worth trying is the clay pot fish stew, with caramelized cobia fish cooked in locally produced fish sauce (a famous export of the island). Look out for the appetiser crackers, made with smoky Phu Quoc pepper.
Il Niro serves high-end Italian fare with Vietnamese touches: local fish sauce is used to dress the pizzas, and the prawn and pepper in pasta dishes also come from the island. The panna cotta is topped with sim berry jam grown on the grounds.
Indian food at Pakka Restaurant is served thali style, where a variety of dishes are served in small bowls on a round metal platter, paired with rice and homemade breads. Its smokey tandoori starters and spicy curries are mostly inspired by Northern India, except for a Keralan pepper lamb.
The lively High Note Bar Lounge has performances by live bands (which are usually staff who work at the hotel during the day) and cocktails inspired by music genres. There’s also a large karaoke room on the premises; booking is required ahead of time. Cyan Pool Bar serves drinks and light bites, and is a great place to sip on a fresh young coconut after your swim.
The hotel’s Sparkling Breakfast, served at Salinda Restaurant, is a definite highlight, with unlimited fizz served to live piano music. The generous buffet includes pastries, pancakes, waffles and dim sum. Pay special attention to the daily special Vietnamese noodle soup; during my visit, I tried the chicken vermicelli and the pho (based on a family recipe of the owner’s) – both were a fantastic start to the day.
For any further information, kindly contact us at +84.936.600.886 or +84.946.762.224 for free guide.
