Phu Quoc Paradise Found: Blue Ocean Hotel's Unbelievable Luxury
My Phu Quoc Paradise Found: Blue Ocean Hotel Review - Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Luxury (Almost)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea – the iced tea, preferably, poolside at the Phu Quoc Paradise Found: Blue Ocean Hotel. Forget those sterile, cookie-cutter reviews. This is my honest, slightly-scattered, and totally opinionated take on a place that promises unparalleled luxury. And let me tell you, it mostly delivers. Mostly.
First Impressions…or, the Great Accessibility Adventure
Landing in Phu Quoc is a breeze. The airport transfer (thank you, sweet baby Jesus, for not having to haggle at the arrival gate!) was smooth, and the hotel lobby, bathed in that lovely tropical air, feels instantly calming. Now, I'm not personally using a wheelchair, but I'm always keeping an eye out for accessibility because, well, everyone deserves a good vacation, right? And here's where things get interesting.
Accessibility at the Blue Ocean is… good-ish. They say they have Facilities for disabled guests - I saw ramps, and the Elevator is definitely a win. I couldn't fully assess every inch of the common areas, but my gut says it's a solid B+. They definitely try. This is good thing, but you might want to call ahead and confirm specific requests, just to be sure.
The Room: My Personal Oasis (with a Few Minor Quirks)
Once in your room, you're instantly blown away. Seriously, the Blue Ocean really excels here. The Air conditioning is a godsend in the Phu Quoc humidity. Plus, the Air conditioning in public area is top notch..The Blackout curtains? Perfect for sleeping in… until… wait. is that the Alarm clock? Blast! It’s usually my nemesis, but hey, I had to use the Coffee/tea maker to wake up and appreciate my room.
The Wi-Fi [free] is actually free and STRONG. I always appreciate that cough (looking at you, other hotels!) The Internet access – wireless in my room and throughout the property was flawless. Plus, the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is a HUGE plus. The Internet access – LAN was good too. It’s a digital nomad’s dream! The Desk was perfect, The Laptop workspace? Check! Now, for the minor quirks: The Bathroom phone? Honestly, who uses that anymore? And the Scale? Seriously? Vacation is about NO SCALES. Throw it in the Closet. And the Mirror, well, I just don't like the way I look. (more on that later)
The Complimentary tea was a nice touch, but a little more variety wouldn't hurt. The Extra long bed and the Linens? Heavenly. The Bathroom phone? Old school. The Hair dryer? Actually decent. The Bathtub? A long soak after a day of exploring, absolutely blissful.
Oh, and a HUGE shoutout to the Daily housekeeping. They're efficient and friendly! The Room decorations were tastefully done, but honestly, I was too busy admiring the view to care. Thank goodness for the Window that opens! Fresh air is life! The Safety/security feature, Smoke detector and Smoke alarms are essential.
The Food: A Culinary Adventure (with a Few Hiccups)
Right, let's talk food. The Blue Ocean Hotel's dining options are vast. Asian breakfast? Check. Western breakfast? Check. Buffet in restaurant? Double check! Breakfast [buffet] was, well, a bit chaotic sometimes. The eggs were fine, the pastries were… there. But the fruit? Divine. The Coffee/tea in restaurant? Pretty good, but not quite "life-changing."
I had several meals at the restaurant, which offers both Asian cuisine in restaurant and Western cuisine in restaurant. The A la carte in restaurant menu is extensive, with some really interesting dishes. I tried everything I could! There's also a Snack bar, a Poolside bar, and Room service [24-hour] for when you're feeling lazy. The Bottle of water arrived promptly, and I was thankful for it. I indulged in the Desserts in restaurant, which were tempting but the Salad in restaurant were my true love.
The Happy hour at the bar was a definite highlight. Killer cocktails, beautiful views, and the perfect way to unwind. Also, shoutout to the Vegetarian restaurant options, because variety is the spice of life (and I like spice). The only downside? The service could be a bit… slow. But hey, you're on vacation, right? Relax!
The "Things to Do" and "Ways to Relax" Extravaganza
This is where the Blue Ocean truly shines. Prepare to be pampered. Like, seriously pampered.
- Swimming pool: Gorgeous, with that stunning view. Perfect for those Instagram shots.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yep, they have another pool.
- Spa: This is the real deal. I splurged on a Body scrub and a Massage. Worth. Every. Penny. The Spa/sauna experience was heavenly.
- Sauna, Steamroom: Check, check.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: I peeked, I sighed, then I went back to the pool. Good for you if you actually use it.
- Foot bath: Never underestimate the power of a good foot bath after a long day of exploring.
- Pool with view: The view is really superb.
- Body wrap: I didn’t try it, but I heard the stories!
Seriously, the ways to relax here are endless. Just… go. Find your zen. Forget your worries.
Cleanliness and Safety: Because, You Know, The World Is Out There
Okay, let's get serious for a moment. I'm always a little anxious about cleanliness, especially after the last few years. I'm happy to report that the Blue Ocean takes it seriously.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Visible everywhere.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Reassuring.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Nice if you're concerned about harsh chemicals.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good to see.
- Hand sanitizer: Available everywhere.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed to be!
- Essential condiments: I’m glad they provided those.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yes.
- Safe dining setup: Very reassuring.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Of course.
- First aid kit: Present and accounted for.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Thank goodness.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Difference
- Concierge: Super helpful.
- Cash withdrawal: Convenient.
- Currency exchange: Useful.
- Dry cleaning, Laundry service, Ironing service: Handy, especially if you plan to stay a while.
- Luggage storage: Always appreciated.
- Elevator: Great for lazy bones like myself.
- Family/child friendly, Kids facilities: I saw loads of families enjoying their time!
- Convenience store: Great if you need snacks, drinks, or, let's be honest, another pair of sunglasses you inevitably lost at the pool.
- Doorman, Front desk [24-hour]: Always welcoming.
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Seminars, Meetings: I didn’t use those, but they're there!
- Gift/souvenir shop: For those last-minute presents (or treats for yourself!).
- Babysitting service: For those traveling with children!
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Airport transfer: Perfect.
- Taxi service: Great option.
- Smoking area: Always a must.
- Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour]: Very safe.
- Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private]: Easy.
- Contactless check-in/out: Appreciated.
The Imperfections: Because Nothing Is Ever Perfect
Look, the Blue Ocean isn't flawless. The service, as mentioned, can be a bit inconsistent in the restaurant. Some of the decor might not fully match up with your personal style. And, occasionally, a construction noise will drift over from a nearby project. But none of these are deal-breakers. In the
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Tre Rose, Riccione's Hidden Gem
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because you're about to dive headfirst into my Phu Quoc Island adventure at the Blue Ocean Hotel. Forget your perfectly curated Instagram feeds; this is the raw, unfiltered, and probably slightly sunburned truth. Prepare for a bumpy ride.
The Phu Quoc Debacle: A Symphony of Sunburns and Sarcasm (Blue Ocean Hotel Edition)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Suitcase Rebellion (aka, That Damn Hotel Room)
Time: Whenever the hell the plane decided to land. Which, let's be honest, felt like midnight, even though it was probably afternoon.
Transportation: A sweaty, cramped flight from… well, let's just say it involved a layover that felt longer than the actual flight. Let's go with somewhere in Asia…
Destination: Blue Ocean Hotel. Sounds promising, right? Ocean! Blue! Visions of turquoise waves and cocktails…
The Experience:
- Okay, so first impression? The lobby was… nice. Sort of. A bit… beige. But the air conditioning was blasting, and after the airport chaos, I was grateful.
- Then came the room. My room. The one that promised an ocean view. Lies. All lies. It was more of an "ocean-adjacent" view, meaning you could squint and maybe see a sliver of blue if you stood on your tiptoes and leaned precariously out the window. Not that I'm bitter.
- Suitcase Rebellion: My suitcase, bless its weary soul, clearly hated the heat and the luggage handlers because it decided to stage a dramatic collapse in the middle of the room. Zippers exploded, clothes went everywhere. It looked like a fashion bomb had detonated. Honestly, it was a metaphor for my life at that moment.
- Emotional Rollercoaster: Initial relief at being somewhere… followed by a sigh of disappointment at the room… then a burst of manic laughter at the suitcase incident. Yup, that's me.
- Quirky Observation: The bathroom faucet was shaped like a seashell. A very ornate seashell. It felt… pretentious. Like the faucet was judging my questionable fashion choices.
- Dinner (because you gotta eat, right?): The hotel restaurant. Seafood. It was… fine. Edible. But honestly, after the travel day, I was more focused on devouring my plate of noodles than appreciating the delicate flavour of the snapper.
Minor Categories:
- Weather: Hot. Humid. My hair resembled a brillo pad.
- Food: Okay. Nothing to write home about (yet).
- Mood: Exhausted with a healthy dose of "am I going to regret this trip?"
Day 2: Beach Bliss… or Beach Bust? and the Cocktail Conundrum.
Time: Wake up time is a suggestion at this point, not a rule. 9am…ish?
Transportation: Walk. Beach is literally a stone's throw from the hotel.
Destination: Long Beach (because, duh).
The Experience:
- Alright, the beach. This is why we came, right? Picture perfect sand, turquoise water… and… a horde of sunbathers. It was like a sardine can with fewer sardines and more exposed skin.
- I wrestled a sun lounger. It was a battle. A silent, passive-aggressive battle involving towel placement and the subtle use of side-eye. Victory!
- Spent the next few hours achieving peak relaxation. Reading, listening to the waves, pretending I wasn't burning to a crisp.
- The Cocktail Conundrum: I ordered a mojito. Beautifully presented. Looked delicious. First sip… Ugh. Too minty. Like I was gargling with toothpaste. Second sip… still toothpaste-y. Decided to drown my sorrows in… water.
- Emotional Rollercoaster: Initial joy at the beach… quickly followed by mild disappointment at the crowd… then a brief moment of pure, blissful relaxation… and finally, simmering resentment towards the mint.
- Quirky Observation: The vendors on the beach were relentlessly persistent. "Massage? Sunglasses? Hat? You need it!" Ugh. I'm trying to relax!
- The Beach is… Okay: Sure, it was beautiful but the vendors and the crowd just made it a bit annoying.
Minor Categories:
- Weather: Still hot. Still humid. Sunscreen application is a full-time job.
- Food: Tried a beachside restaurant for lunch. Better than the hotel, but still nothing to write home about.
- Mood: Content… with a side of slight annoyance.
Day 3: The Night Market and the Unexpected Sensory Overload
Time: 6pm, maybe?
Transportation: A Grab (the local ride-hailing service).
Destination: Phu Quoc Night Market.
The Experience:
- The night market. Oh boy. Prepare for a sensory overload of epic proportions. Lights! Smells! Noise! Animals! It was a chaotic, vibrant, and slightly overwhelming experience.
- Tried street food. Everything. Grilled seafood, spring rolls, something that looked vaguely like a sausage. Some things were delicious. Some things… weren't. Let’s just say my stomach is currently on high alert.
- The Durian Incident: I bravely (or foolishly) decided to try durian. The infamous "king of fruits." The smell. Oh, the smell. It's like a gym sock got into a fight with a rotten onion. The taste? Imagine a creamy, pungent custard with a hint of… sewage. I took one bite. One. I couldn't. I just couldn't. I then spent the next hour trying to get rid of the lingering smell from my hands.
- Emotional Rollercoaster: Initial excitement at the market… followed by a wave of anxiety at the sheer volume of people… then pure, unadulterated glee at the delicious food… and finally, horror at the durian.
- Quirky Observation: The number of tourists taking selfies with their durian was astonishing. Are they… enjoying it? Or are they just doing it for the 'gram? The world may never know.
- Dinner: After the durian debacle, I needed something to cleanse my palate and my soul. Settled for some pho. Safe, reliable, and delicious.
Minor Categories:
- Weather: Still hot. But the night breeze was a welcome relief.
- Food: A culinary adventure, mostly successful. Except for the durian. NEVER AGAIN.
- Mood: Exhausted but happy. A tiny bit traumatized.
Day 4: Diving (attempted) and a Final Glimpse of the Real Phu Quoc
- Time: Too early, what the hell is the time anyway.
- Transportation: Boat.
- Destination: Somewhere off the coast for diving.
- The Experience:
- So diving. I booked a diving trip, thinking I could channel my inner Jacques Cousteau. Turns out, I'm more of a Jacques Crying.
- The boat ride was bumpy. The ocean looked angry. I got seasick. Spectacularly.
- The diving itself? Well, I got about five minutes underwater, before I panicked. The equipment felt heavy, my mask kept fogging up, I swallowed some sea water, and I basically just wanted to go back to the surface and breathe, god, breathe.
- Emotional Rollercoaster: Excitement and anxiety before the trip… followed by full-blown horror during the actual diving attempt… then relief, pure and simple, at getting back on the boat.
- Quirky Observation: The dive instructor seemed used to this. Probably handles panicking tourists all day.
- The Real Phu Quoc: After a quick recovery on the boat, and a whole lot of feeling sorry for myself, we stopped on a beautiful, deserted beach. The white sand, crystal clear water, and peace was truly breathtaking. For the first time on the trip, I really got Phu Quoc.
- Minor Categories:
- Weather: Sunny, despite my feelings, but a bit windy.
- Food: The boat offered a basic (but much needed) lunch.
- Mood: Disappointed at my diving failure but ultimately good.
Day 5: Departure and the "I'll Be Back… Maybe?" Farewell
- Time: Depressing o'clock. Too early.
- Transportation: The same cramped, sweaty flight I arrived on.
- Destination: Home. Thank God.
- The Experience:
- Packed up my suitcase, which, miraculously, seemed to have survived the trip mostly intact.
- Took one last look at my "ocean-adjacent" view. Still not impressed.
- Said goodbye to the Blue Ocean Hotel. No tears were shed
So, what *is* this whole "Thing" anyway? I'm kinda lost. Like, REALLY lost.
Okay, okay, breathe. I get it. The first time someone explained it to me, I swear my brain did a backflip. It's… well, think of it like this. Remember that awkward phase in middle school when everyone tried to define themselves? This "Thing" is kinda like that, but for… everything. It's a way of organizing information (blah blah blah, big fancy words). But honestly? I just think of it as a way to try and make sense of the chaos. Like, if I can get a handle on *this*, maybe I can finally fold a fitted sheet without wanting to scream. (Spoiler alert: still can’t.)
Is it hard to learn? Because I'm not gonna lie, my attention span is roughly the length of a gnat's giggle.
Hard? Nah, not exactly. Annoying? Potentially. Frustrating? Could be, depending on the day (and how much coffee you've had). It's like learning a new language - you start with the basics, stumble over the pronunciation, and eventually, you can (sort of) hold a conversation. There will be tears. Maybe a few muttered curses under your breath. Seriously, I remember staring at a screen, feeling like I'd just cracked the Da Vinci Code, only to realize I was totally off base. Ugh. But then you have those tiny victories. You understand *something*. And those victories? They're addictive.
Okay, I dipped my toe in the water and got overwhelmed. Where do I even *start*? Send help!
Oh, honey, welcome to the club. Trust me, We've all been in that dark, confusing place. The best advice I ever got was: start SMALL. Like, seriously small. Don’t try to boil the ocean, start with a puddle. Maybe something you are *actually* interested in. Like...pizza. Yes, pizza. Document different pizza places, favorite toppings, the perfect moment of cheesy deliciousness. Break it down. Start with a simple pizza place, then expand. Then you're already on your way to world domination!
What are some common mistakes people make? I'm preemptively trying to avoid the face-palm situation.
Oh, where do I begin? The biggest one? Trying to do *everything* at once. Overthinking it. Seriously, resist the urge to build the Taj Mahal on your first try. Also, not backing up your work. I learned this the HARD way. Hours. Gone. Poof. Like a magician’s bad trick. Ugh, the rage! Back it up, people! And finally, trying to be perfect. Newsflash: you won't be. Embrace the mess. It’s part of the fun, I swear. Or at least, that's what I tell myself while I’m wrestling with a particularly stubborn piece of code.
I tried it once, and I just... I got bored. Is this thing even worth the effort?
Bored? Listen, I get it. Sometimes it feels like staring into the abyss of… well, not nothing, but a whole lot of data. Whether it's worth the effort? That’s a question only YOU can answer. But think about it: imagine being able to *really* understand something. To make connections that you never saw before. To organize the chaos of your brain (or at least, try to!). Is that boring? Maybe not. It can be incredibly useful, or it could be a complete waste of time. It depends on what you want. Me? I'm still on the fence, but I'm too stubborn to quit.
What are the *actual* benefits? Like, what's the payoff here besides slightly less disarray?
Okay, so besides the vague promise of "slightly less disarray" (which, let's be honest, is a HUGE win in my book), there are some real perks. You learn to think critically. You develop a better understanding of how things connect. You stop being so easily fooled by the internet. (Which, in this day and age, is GOLD.) You can become better at a lot of creative jobs, if you're into that. And, if you’re really good? You could, theoretically, start your own digital empire. So, yeah, there are benefits. But the best benefit? Learning to keep trying, even when you feel like you’re drowning in jargon. Plus, you impress people at parties when you mention you're into "data organization." (Worth it, every time.)
Any tips for staying motivated? Because I'm easily distracted by shiny objects and… well, everything.
Oh, honey, you and me both. Shiny object syndrome? My middle name. Tip number one: FIND SOMETHING YOU ENJOY. Seriously, if you're forcing yourself to do something you hate? You'll burn out fast. Step two: Set realistic goals. Don’t try to conquer the world in a week. Start small, celebrate the wins. And most importantly, DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP. You're going to mess up. You're going to get frustrated. You're going to want to chuck your computer out the window. It's all part of the process. And finally? Reward yourself. Pizza is always a good choice. Or maybe a good cry. Whatever works.
Okay, I'm feeling slightly less terrified. What do you *personally* use it for? Give me the nitty-gritty.
Okay, prepare for a hot mess. I started with it for organizing my recipes. Sounds boring, right? Wrong. It's like, everything! I started with simple categories, then add ingredients (allergens!), then even a notes section for when I tried it and what I thought. Then it got crazy. I catalogued my books, movies, even my dreams (don’t ask). It became a way for me to keep track of the *insane* amount of information I am processing non-stop and that my brain just tosses into a black hole. The best part? Accidentally one day, while compiling my favorite recipes, I realized I had a whole library of recipes that were vegan and gluten free. I didn’t even realize it at the time but just made them. It was a total win-win. But really, I use it for pretty much everything now. I’m a total data hoarder. Don’t judge.
Wait, hold up. Recipes? So, like, I can use this for... ANYTHINGExplore Hotels
