AN EXOTIC LUXURY RESORT WITH AN ACADEMIA THEME
AN EXOTIC LUXURY RESORT WITH AN ACADEMIA THEME
The majestic JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa isn’t just the first luxury accommodation on the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc; it also comes with the story of the transformation of a beautiful university in the 1880s that fell into disrepair. This unique design narrative, centred on the mythical Lamarck University inspired by French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, is just one of the beachside destination’s many sensational aspects.
Conceptualised and designed by famed architect Bill Bensley, known for his unconventional work in the luxury hospitality sector, the resort has a grand but modern feel. Classic-style details such as cornices, wainscot columns, four-poster beds and pedestal bathtubs complement rich, vibrant pops of colour for visually arresting interiors.
To complete the whimsical and personalised look, over 5,000 original antiques, furniture and curios – including teaching paraphernalia, carpentry tools, prints and sketches – sourced from across Europe by the design team, adorn the spaces.
Stay in one of the 244 suites, sea-front villas, or guestrooms with a bay view. To complement the emerald sea and lush greenery surrounds, their interiors have a palette of warm and fresh colours including reds, blues, greens and turquoise. Throughout the resort, wooden, stone and patterned tile flooring, as well as customised dark timber furniture with intricate details and sumptuous upholstery add to the colonial-luxe look.
Bill also oversaw the master planning of the sprawling resort, which is separated into zones. The accommodation wings are named after academic departments, and have specific colours and details, and the buildings reflect the traditional French colonial architectural style of the early 20th century.
Within the resort, stroll down the connecting street, Rue de Lamarck, which is lined with traditional shophouses and resembles the ancient streets of Hoi An.
Here, you’ll find artisanal boutiques, restaurants and the spa. Around the grounds, there are also many expected amenities, such as meeting rooms and banqueting facilities.
Making for a perfect getaway, the resort is located just a 15-minute drive away from Phu Quoc International Airport. That’s terrific news for diehard romantics, who enjoy revelling in Vietnam’s rich heritage and vibrant culture.
