Soho Inn Phu Quoc is a tiny ten-room guesthouse in Duong Dong, the main town on Phu Quoc island, on Tran Hung Dao Street. This is not a resort with palms on the shore but a city place to sleep, and it is most honest to say so: you pay for a spot near the market, cafés and the taxi rank, not for a sea view. But this format has its advantages. In the morning you can walk along streets selling fresh fish and fruit, by day take a taxi or motorbike to the beach, and in the evening walk back from the night market without thinking about a transfer. Among the unusual details, the data states that pets may stay free of charge, and the shared facilities include coworking, a shared kitchen and a garden. It suits travellers coming for a few nights between beach hotels who want to save on the simplest thing.

Duong Dong: the town life of Phu Quoc

Duong Dong is the only real town on Phu Quoc’s west coast: fishermen live here, sell fresh catch and keep the fish-sauce and pepper shops for which the island is known. The guesthouse is on Tran Hung Dao Street, not far from the main market and the night market, where in the evening stalls of seafood and souvenirs light up. It is about 9 km from Phu Quoc International Airport, a drive of around twenty minutes. If you arrive in the evening, a taxi to the guesthouse is inexpensive, and a pick-up can be arranged through reception.

  • Duong Dong night market — seafood, fruit, souvenirs and street food.
  • Duong Dong town centre — a market, cafés and fish-sauce shops.
  • Massage and spa salons — many small places in neighbouring blocks.
  • Beaches on the west of the island — people go swimming by taxi or motorbike.

Tip for travellers: The best time to visit Phu Quoc is the dry season, roughly November to April. In the rainy months some beach cafés close, but life in the town doesn’t stop. If you are travelling with a pet, warn the guesthouse in advance and check the conditions: the data states that staying with pets is allowed.

What the guesthouse has

The guesthouse is small, and its amenities are meant for the practical traveller. There is parking, currency exchange, left luggage, airport pick-up and drop-off, Wi-Fi in common areas, a restaurant, plus booking of taxis, excursions and tickets and car rental. There is a laundry and a shared kitchen where you can cook simple food or heat what you bought at the market. A concierge service and a safe at the front desk help if you need to find something out or leave valuables.

  • A shared kitchen and laundry
  • Coworking and left luggage
  • Parking, currency exchange, car rental
  • Booking of taxis, excursions and tickets
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off

Staying with pets

Pets are accepted here with no charge for the stay. It is a rare detail for the island, and if you travel with a dog or cat it may be decisive. It is better to check the conditions for animals when booking.

Who it suits

The guesthouse is good for a budget trip, for a stop of one or two nights before a flight and for those who want to live in town rather than at a resort. For a holiday on the shore with sunbeds by the water choose a beach hotel.

Rooms

The hotel offers the following room categories:

  • Standard Queen Room — 20 m², 1 queen bed, view: garden view, courtyard view. In the room: tv closed captions, hair conditioner, shower cap, desk, balcony, private bathroom, shower.
  • Standard Triple Room — 25 m², 1 queen bed and 1 single bed, view: garden view, courtyard view. In the room: tv closed captions, hair conditioner, shower cap, desk, balcony, private bathroom, shower.

Dinner at the night market and coffee in the morning

The guesthouse has a restaurant and lobby bar, and on the shared kitchen you can cook something of your own. But the main pleasure of Duong Dong is the night market: you choose fish and prawns at the stall and ask for them to be grilled. Ask the price before ordering and use the menu list at the counter: prices are often not shown next to the displays.

In the morning it is worth going to one of the cafés nearby: in Vietnam coffee is drunk strong, with condensed milk, and for breakfast people take pho noodles or a baguette with egg. The market is interesting in the morning too: in the first half of the day you see what the town lives by.

Pros and cons of the guesthouse

What the hotel is valued for

  • A location near the night market and the town’s cafés — no need to travel for dinner.
  • You can stay with pets with no charge for the stay.
  • A shared kitchen and laundry help on a long trip.
  • Airport pick-up, currency exchange and car rental are gathered in one place.
  • A small format: just ten rooms, so the staff have time for everyone.

What to know in advance

  • There is no sea within walking distance; you have to travel to the beach.
  • It is one star, so don’t expect resort service.
  • The centre of Duong Dong is noisy: motorbikes, the market and evening life can be heard.
  • Data on in-room amenities is sparse, so it is better to check important details before arrival.

What guests usually write

Guests most often note the good location and clean rooms. They also mention friendly staff. The dissatisfied mention noise and the simple surroundings.

How to book Soho Inn Phu Quoc

Since there are few rooms, it is better to book in advance, especially in the winter season. Choose dates in the “Where to book” block and complete the booking; you will see the payment method at the last step.