IHG Hotels & Resorts is set to launch the first resort from its recently acquired luxury brand, Regent Hotels & Resorts, in South East Asia in Q1 2022.

Situated on a tropical island off Vietnam’s southwest coast, Regent Phu Quoc will feature 176 suites and 126 villas, set against the waterfront backdrop of Long Beach.

IHG announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Regent Hotels & Resorts back in March 2018. Since then, IHG relaunched the brand by evolving it to appeal to the modern luxury traveller.

The upcoming resort will be home to a wellness facility – named Spa at Regent Phu Quoc – offering a range of contemporary and traditional wellness treatments supplied by Biologique Recherche.

Guests will have access to personalised wellness itineraries guided by a resident holistic wellness coach as well as nail services at a Pedi:Mani:Cure salon, created by podiatrist Bastien Gonzalez.

Holistic wellness programmes will include vibrational therapy facilitated by Gharieni Group’s Welnamis System concept bed. Gharieni is also supplying its MLX Quartz treatment tables for Egyptian-inspired hot sand therapy experiences.

Fitness enthusiasts will also be catered to with a health club featuring a reset meditation studio, fitness centre and rooftop yoga pavilions to recharge and rejuvenate.

Regent Phu Quoc’s leisure offering will be rounded out with six curated dining venues.

Juan Losada, resort general manager, says: “With the opening of Regent Phu Quoc, a truly visionary resort has been conceived which marries the calming, the imaginative and the extravagant.

“We look forward to setting new luxury benchmarks through exceptional Vietnamese hospitality and guest experiences which feel simultaneously luxurious and effortless.”

Resort design and architecture

Blink Design Group is helming the design of Regent Phu Quoc accommodation and is drawing inspiration from the tropical island’s natural beauty.

Nearly half of Phu Quoc island is a National Park and the northern part is home to 314sq km of lush tropical forest that’s been declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The southern part of the island is popular for its pristine white sand beaches.

In order to showcase this unique setting, Blink is realising the villas with panoramic views of the ocean and sky from their private infinity pools.

The resort’s architecture is being conceived to echo the traditional Vietnamese design vernacular, with maximised access to the environment with floor-to-ceiling glass windows framing ocean views and interior design touches which hint at tropical surroundings.

The vision also incorporates traditional Vietnamese roofs, and a variation of the local traditional wooden truss structural system – known as the Bovi – has been developed into subtle patterns found on screens, carpets and accessories.

Another local style, called Gian Nha, comprising small courtyards within a traditional Vietnamese house, is the inspiration for the layouts in the villa designs.

The boundaries of indoor and outdoor areas blur through zoning across the resort as a homage to Gian Nha, providing privacy within a luxurious setting.