Vietnam's InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach opens

Phu Quoc's resort boom continues, with the Intercontinental Phu Quoc Long Beach, a 459-room resort opening recently. The Vietnamese island just off the coast of Cambodia had been a place of pearl farms, a small local community and an off-the-beaten-track, beach-and-nature stop for backpackers. Then investors and some big hotel names realised its myriad attractions and in the past five years, the growth has been nothing short of extraordinary.

The Phu Quoc island group in the Gulf of Thailand comprises 28 mostly uninhabited islands and is home to more than 100 species of coral, 135 species of reef fish, dugongs, turtles and lots more. Sand is white and soft and the beaches are numerous. Phu Quoc is also the name of the largest island and it is here you find this, and other resorts. Listed by UNESCO as World Biosphere Reserve in 2006, the island of Phu Quoc is still more than 50 per cent national park. However, rampant land speculation, waste management quandaries and other ecological matters have become concerns.

That said, IHG, the InterContinental parent company has a strong ecological and cultural agenda and this, it's landmark 1000th Intercontinental has a standout luxury travel offering for families, with 115 of its rooms one- two- and three-bedroom suites with kitchens, plus luxurious villas, ideal for multi-generational travel. Resort Family Suite reservations get a private resort and room orientation on check in for the adults and a personal welcome by a Planet Trekkers Host for children under 12 (including a welcome pack).

Planet Trekkers is a 250-square-metre fully supervised and secure kids' club, featuring games and themed activities that introduce children to Vietnamese culture, dancing, acting, and crafting, such as conical hat and lotus lantern making for the daily sunset ritual. There's also water-based activities at the family pool, just one of four at the resort.

There's also a dedicated children's dining area among the property's six restaurants and bars (not to mention plentiful conference digs). But that also means, plenty of peace and quiet in other areas for adults and those travelling without a tribe.

An opening special gives a two-night stay for two with a $145 ($VN2,500,000) spa, bar and restaurant credit plus transfers and breakfast daily. From $315 ($VN5,400,000). See phuquoc.intercontinental.com