Review: JW Marriott Hotel Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa
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In the world of points and miles, there are hidden treasures, of which the JW Marriott Hotel Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa is one. Report of our 7 nights stay in this hotel in Vietnam.
Foreword: booking at the JW Marriott Hotel Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa
This hotel is classified as a category 5 hotel in the Marriott Bonvoy program.
This means it costs 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. As with all Marriott Bonvoy or SPG starpoints stays: 4 nights purchased = fifth night free.
A 5-night stay at this hotel costs only 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. This is simply incredible in itself compared to the public price.
Booking with a 7 night Marriott Bonvoy certificate at the JW Marriott Hotel Phu Quoc Emerald Bay
To book our stay, I used another method: a Marriott Bonvoy 7-night certificate, the rules of which I explain in this article.
I explained the why and how in this article. But to summarize:
- I converted 180,000 American Express Membership Rewards points to 90,000 Marriott Bonvoy starpoints
- Then I instantly converted those 90,000 starpoints into 270,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
- This allowed me to purchase a hotel + flight package consisting of 120,000 Aeroplan points and a certificate for 7 consecutive nights in a category 1 to 5 hotel
At the time, I even received an Aeroplan mileage conversion bonus on the purchase of this package – something that is no longer possible. So I didn’t get 120,000 Aeroplan points but 162,000 Aeroplan points!
Result By doing this process, rather than transferring American Express Membership Rewards points directly into Aeroplan points (which would have made me 180,000 Aeroplan points), I got the 7 nights at this 5-star hotel for only 18,000 American Express Membership Rewards points.
And I have to tell you that even if I hadn’t taken advantage of the conversion bonus, getting 7 nights at this hotel + 120,000 Aeroplan points in exchange for 180,000 American Express Membership Rewards points is a real bargain. Judge for yourself against the public price of 7 nights:
Earn Membership Rewards points, starpoints or Marriott Bonvoy points
6 cards earn American Express Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to Marriott Bonvoy points:
- American Express Platinum Card (offers additional Marriott Gold status)
- American Express Corporate Platinum Card (offers additional Marriott Gold status)
- The American Express® Gold Rewards Card
- The American Express Small Business Gold Rewards Card
- American Express Business EdgeMD Card
- American Express Cobalt™ Card
2 cards allow you to earn Marriott Bonvoy points:
Benefits of Marriott Bonvoy GOLD status
With the Marriott Bonvoy Gold status obtained with my American Express Platinum card, I had various benefits like:
- Free high speed WiFi
- Upgrade (from 1 room category)
- Cocktails on arrival
- Late departure / early arrival
- Free breakfasts every day for 2 people
- 15% discount on most hotel services
Arrival at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa
The JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa is located on the southern tip of Phu Quoc Island. It takes about 20-25 minutes to get there from the airport. It will cost you about 300 000 VND per cab (much more if you ask the hotel to pick you up).
Entrance to the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa
Impressive.
The entire site of the hotel was designed to resemble an early 20th century university: “Lamarck University”. And it must be said that the architect Bill Bensley has done it brilliantly!
The lobby at the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa
The lobby is simply beautiful. One of the most beautiful I have ever seen in a hotel. Originality: the number of bells to call the reception!
The reception… with Alexandra as guest star. She who adores globes, she was served:
For the registration process, you are invited to sit in this gigantic swing. Welcome cocktails will be served.
On the other side is a foosball table as well as areas to relax.
After check-in, you will be escorted to your room ….
… or you can walk through the many “outside” corridors, and discover the many frescoes reminding the time when the French were present on the island.
Activities of the week at JW Marriott Hotel Phu Quoc Emerald Bay
The JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa is a true resort, with activities for the students that are the guests! There is something for all ages and tastes. These can be free or paid.
Our room at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa
Several buildings make up this Resort & Spa. Each of them represents a Department of the University. We were located in the Department of Ornithology, building number 4, 4202. A beautiful room with a view of the beach.
A corridor leads to your room (at the back), the toilet (right door) and the bathroom (on the left). In the center is a beautiful wardrobe.
Our room had a king bed with a sofa.
Here is a picture of our second bedroom – my mother’s and our daughter’s – to get a better look at the sofa.
And a photo taken on the site of the hotel, during the day.
Nothing is missing from the usual accessories, arranged on this buffet:
The hotel has really thought of everything….
Appreciated at the head of the bed: the USB plugs on the wall.
Seeing on our reservations that we were traveling with children, the hotel concierge had written me shortly before our arrival to know the first names of the children. I later understood why:
Alexandra, quite happy with her welcome gift!
Also appreciated: the slippers placed at the foot of the bed for our late arrival.
The bathroom
The bathroom was quite impressive! With a rain shower… very very high (about 3.5 meters)!
The terrace
In front of your room, you have access to a large terrace with a couch and a ceiling fan, enough to relax during the day or evening while listening to the waves!
Outdoor spaces
Pools
4 pools are available throughout the complex. This is the main pool:
The pool in the shape of a shell
Another pool for adults
And finally, the children’s pool, located in the immediate vicinity of the children’s lounge (which can provide you with buoys, water games…)
Alexandra and Audrey enjoying the children’s pool:
The beach
The beach is one of the most beautiful of Phu Quoc Island.
Unfortunately, like many beaches in Vietnam, it is impacted by pollution. About 20 members of the hotel staff take turns 24 hours a day to clean the sand of litter, as you can see in this photo.
We do not recommend swimming in the sea. But you can enjoy the beach and the fine sand…
…with swimming pools just a few meters away.
The stadium
Are you a sportsman? That’s good news, a brand new track is available! Activities are also organized on this field (Yoga, Soccer…)
The beach restaurant
A “beach” restaurant was located at the foot of our room. This one was very nice, especially to have a drink at a reduced price between 3 – 5 pm.
The interior spaces
The bar
The bar, called the Chemistry Department, is a pleasant space both during the day and in the evening (with live music).
The sofas are very comfortable!
There are even some with swings in which we spent a majority of our 5 @7 (a cocktail bought, a cocktail offered…!).
Here is the Happy Hour menu:
The children’s lounge
Another nice surprise is the children’s lounge, open from 9am to 7pm. Children under the age of 4 must be supervised by a parent. After 4 years, you can leave them with the staff.
Alexandra had a great time there, and the staff was very helpful!
As for the adults, many activities were available throughout the week (painting workshop, pottery, magician…)
The gym
Sporty friends… top of the line facilities are present. Shame on me for only going twice in the week I spent there! But the 30 degrees outside, the beach and the pool were too tempting!
The games room
A pool table and a ping pong table are available. Fun to escape the heat!
The spa
We cannot comment on the Spa as we have not been there. The rates were rather prohibitive.
The main restaurant
The restaurant is located next to the main alley. There is also an adjoining terrace, which we enjoyed during our breakfasts.
Breakfast
Resort hotels do not typically offer breakfast to Marriott Bonvoy Gold members. This is not the case with the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa! One of the most beautiful buffets we had during our stay in Asia.
Many pictures for you in these slideshows:
The savory buffet
Asian and Western flavors. Eggs cooked in every way (my favorite: Benedictine style!), different sushi every day, as well as different types of meats!
The sweet buffet
Pancakes, French toast on demand. Different artisanal ice creams every day… as well as jams and fresh fruit juices. And delicious pastries! And of course: coconut!
After eating this type of meal… you can make it through the night with no problem! We still had a thought for those left in the cold!
A post shared by milesopedia (@milesopedia) on Jan. 14. 2018 at 6:24 PSTSaturday Night Dinner
On Saturday evening, a “Seafood and Champagne” evening is organized. Seafood lovers, this evening is for you.
If you don’t like it, there are plenty of choices (meats, pastas, Asian dishes), and what about the desserts! Enjoy the visual tasting in this slideshow!
Bottom Line
Certainly one of our best uses of Membership Rewards points and Marriott Bonvoy points for a hotel stay. The JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa is a little gem on Phu Quoc Island.
If you are visiting the area, allow at least 3 nights to stay there. The ideal, in my opinion, is 5 nights (to take advantage of the promotion 4 nights purchased with points = the fifth night offered). 7 nights may be a bit too much for some. For us, as a family with my mother, my wife and our two children, it was ideal to rest from the tumult of the Vietnamese metropolis.
And of course, go as a Marriott Gold member to get free breakfast (a savings of about $80-100 / day for a couple!).
Achieve Marriott Gold status with this card
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $799 |
Cards to earn and collect Marriott Bonvoy points
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 |
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $191.88 |
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150 |
Go further with Marriott Bonvoy
To maximize your stays and points earning, check our complete Marriott Bonvoy program guide and our best Marriott Bonvoy credit cards ranking. For personal use, see the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. For business expenses, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card earns points on every business purchase. And if a points purchase promotion is running, take advantage via our Marriott Bonvoy points purchase guide.
