Ken C

Curious if anyone has stayed with their kids at this resort, is there is any kids club/activities? We will likely be squeezing in the trip during summer break so I would anticipate some weather during wet season. Anything indoors to keep kids happy?

80proofGalleyCart

PointSavers Redemptions at 36k/night widely available from now until 31 August.

margarita girl

I don’t have kids but have noticed a kids’ club with very low ceilings, presumably to make the kids feel bigger.

Note: there is an email address in the wiki if you want to ask the hotel for more details.

ankomonkey

There was a kids club when we stayed about 4 years ago. There was an indoor room where kids could colour in pictures, look at books and I think it had a TV. There were also some paid activities - my kids did t-shirt making and lantern making.

pleikupho

I'm planning to spend 4 nights at the Regent PQ and 5 nights at the JW Marriott PQ. Which resort would you stay first? Will be traveling with 2 young children.

mediaspork

I am in a similar situation with 2 young kids for a trip in December. Did you end up staying at both? Which did you prefer?

THECLIPPERS

Following with a 2 and 4 year old.

brokenwindow

Curious what recent experiences here look like?

puzo15

I am also debating which one to choose. If someone has stayed in both, could you please provide some feedback.Thanks!

margarita girl

I�ve been to both. The JW is really a fun property. I thoroughly enjoyed discovering all the quirky features that Bill Bensley put in (like the dog-themed bathroom). The breakfasts were wonderful. I�ve been there twice, first time for 7 nights (using the now obsolete 7 night travel package) and 2nd time for 5 nights (5th night free on points).

The Regent is abject luxury. I don�t think I�ve ever stayed in such a beautiful hotel. Plus if you have lounge access as one of your choice benefits, be prepared for free flowing Heidsieck champagne all day long. The lounge has very high end food choices. This hotel is an incredible value on points if you get the 4th night free with the Chase IHG card. It works out to about $200/night. I�ve only been there once (about a month ago) for 4 nights and can�t wait to go back. But I love going to hotels with nice lounges.

puzo15

Thank you for the reply! This makes me feel better about staying at the Regent as I have already booked it for 4 nights on points. To be honest, I really wanted to stay at JW as I love Bill Bensley architecture style but sadly, I don't have any Marriott points left and was debating if it's worth paying cash for JW Marriott and canceling my Regent booking. Unfortunately, I won't have access to the Regent lounge as I am only Platinum.

Is the beach at JW Marriott really much better than at Regent? I wonder if perhaps I could just buy a day pass or have lunch at JW Marriott, so that I can spend some time at the property and look around.

margarita girl

I don�t think the properties are that close. Plus it would take more than a few hours to really appreciate Bill�s work.

I�m trying to remember the beach at the JW, and I think it was swimmable. The Regent beach is way too shallow. I think the water only went up to my knees in the large area that was roped off.

The Regent on points is a steal if you ask me and may not last. So just as well that you�re going there.

hoboeater

As a gold member I got upgraded one of the rooms with direct beach access, which is seriously amazing. Literally your bedroom is 5 steps away from the beach.
Free breakfast isn't worth it in my opinion. A lot of variety but its all pretty mediocre. Better to walk 5 minutes outside the resort and get a banh mi and smoothie for $1.
I remember reports of the beach being dirty or pools not maintained. When I was there a few weeks ago the beach and pool were pristine. The whole place was unfortunately very desserted. From 9AM to 11AM I think I only saw about 3 guests.
Spa and restaurants on the resort are very overpriced in my opinion. Again you can walk 10-20 minutes outside the resort and find food that is 1/5 the price and much better. I did a 2 hour spa package (over $200) and it was definitely a luxury experience but I've had better massages in small towns for $10 for 2 hours..
All in all its an amazing place to stay. At 40,000 points this place is an absolute steal.

80proofGalleyCart

I'll take the most mediocre local hotel breakfast spread -- let alone JWM Phu Quoc's -- over a one dollar banh mi any day of the week, but different courses for different horses.

ftrichard

I do think this requires further explanation. A free breakfast isn't worth it? There's no logic to that sentence. Putting that on one side, we do need to know how you feel the breakfast buffet at the JW is inferior to a USD1 banh mi and smoothie down the road. Many on here like the JW and its breakfast. If you'd been paying USD30 for the JW breakfast then I'd understand there's a possible argument vs something down the road costing USD1... but a free extensive international hotel breakfast buffet vs a chewy bread roll filled with meat of unknown origin and some blended fruit costing USD1 more? Challenging to see. Please explain.

I will always seek out local laundries to wash my, let's call them, items when I'm away no matter what the resort but when it comes to breakfast, if you're a USD1 banh mi kind of person then why are you in an international 5* hotel like the JW anyway?