Daniel Muhor A Slower Rhythm by Bai Dais Sunset

Daniel Muhor: A Slower Rhythm by Bai Dai’s Sunset

On the quieter northeast coast of Phu Quoc, where Bai Dai Beach turns golden every evening, Sheraton Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort is building its identity around a different kind of luxury: time. General Manager Daniel Muhor, who brings more than two decades of international hospitality experience across Thailand, China, India, Bangladesh, and Australia, sits down with Wanderlust Tips to unpack what slow travel really means at scale, from multigenerational family experiences and villa-exclusive rituals to sustainability woven quietly into everyday moments, and why this quieter summer season might be the resort’s best-kept secret.

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Daniel Muhor A Slower Rhythm by Bai Dais Sunset

Slow Travel is increasingly discussed among resorts, but often stays at the level of a marketing slogan. At Sheraton Phu Quoc, could you share specific experiences designed for multigenerational families, from grandparents to young children, that let everyone participate together at an unhurried pace?

At Sheraton Phu Quoc, slow travel is very much about creating opportunities for families to reconnect and for guests to engage with one another. That’s why we’ve designed both our accommodations and experiences around a family and community-centric approach.

Beyond offering a range of rooms and villas suitable for different family sizes, we provide activities that guests of all ages can enjoy together at their own pace. From cooking classes and gardening activities to movie nights and our Kids Club, families can choose how they spend their day without feeling tied to a schedule.

Community is also an important part of the Sheraton experience. Through our daily activities and gathering spaces, guests have opportunities to connect not only with their loved ones but also with fellow travelers.

In many cultures, dining is also another way people get together. With that in mind, we offer a variety of cuisines including Vietnamese, Italian, Korean, and Indian. Families with different tastes can comfortably gather around the same table. Ultimately, our goal is to create an environment where guests can slow down, reconnect, and enjoy meaningful moments together.

Daniel Muhor A Slower Rhythm by Bai Dais Sunset

How is sustainability woven into these family experiences? Could you give a concrete example that lets guests feel sustainability as more than just a communications message?

Sustainability and slow travel go hand in hand because both encourage a more thoughtful way of experiencing a destination.

At Sheraton Phu Quoc, we try to incorporate sustainability into experiences that guests are already enjoying. For example, our gardening activities allow families to learn about the plants, herbs, and produce grown around the resort, while our culinary team incorporates these homegrown ingredients into many of our dishes.

These experiences help guests develop a closer connection with the destination and a better understanding of where their food comes from. Rather than presenting sustainability as a separate initiative, we are proud to make it a natural part of the guest journey. When guests leave with a greater appreciation for the local environment and community, I think that’s when sustainability becomes truly meaningful.

Over your 25 year career, you’ve held leadership roles across markets including Thailand (Khao Lak), China, India, Bangladesh, and Australia. How has this diverse experience shaped your approach to Slow Travel in Phu Quoc, particularly compared to other beach resort properties you’ve led?

Working across different countries has shown me that while travelers come from different cultures and backgrounds, they’re increasingly looking for the same thing: quality time and meaningful experiences.

What I’ve learned is that slow travel isn’t about doing less, it’s about enjoying experiences more intentionally. At Sheraton Phu Quoc, we focus on creating an environment where guests don’t feel rushed. They can spend the morning on the beach, join a family activity, enjoy our diverse cuisine offerings, or simply relax by the pool without feeling the need to follow a packed itinerary. Our role is not to fill every hour of a guest’s day, but to create opportunities for genuine connection with family, local culture, and the island itself at the comfort of their own accommodation.

Phu Quoc has a natural rhythm that supports this mindset, and we’re fortunate to have the setting and the team to help guests embrace it.

Daniel Muhor A Slower Rhythm by Bai Dais Sunset

The resort offers two accommodation types, building rooms and villas. From a Slow Travel perspective, how do the experiences differ between the two, and which guest profile would you recommend for each?

The hotel rooms are ideal for couples, solo travelers, and smaller families who enjoy being close to the heart of the resort. Guests can easily participate in our daily activities, from fitness sessions and cooking classes to cultivated community gatherings, which reflect Sheraton’s focus on connection and bringing people together.

Our villas offer a different experience, one that is particularly well suited for families and multigenerational groups. With spacious layouts, private pools, and dedicated living areas, they create an environment where families can spend quality time together at their own pace. We have also introduced villa-exclusive experiences such as Villa BBQs, fresh produce offerings, and private cooking classes, allowing guests to enjoy the comfort and privacy of their villa while still benefiting from our resort services. It combines the warmth and familiarity of home with the luxury and convenience of a resort, creating a truly elevated home-away-from-home experience.

Bai Dai Beach is known for its private sunset views. What role does this setting play in shaping the “slow down” atmosphere for guests, compared to livelier areas of Phu Quoc?

Bai Dai’s direct sunset views naturally encourage guests to slow down. Every evening, people take time away from whatever they’re doing to head to the beach and enjoy the sunset. What I find interesting is that you won’t find people rushing away from this scenery. Guests tend to stay a little longer, relax, and really embrace the moment. I’ve been here for more than three years myself and have never found it any less impressive. Compared to the livelier areas of Phu Quoc, our beach offers a more peaceful environment where guests can disconnect and really take in the moment.

Daniel Muhor A Slower Rhythm by Bai Dais Sunset

This summer, Phu Quoc feels quieter than the year-end peak season. Are you using this period to roll out anything special for the slow travel experience?

While summer is generally a quieter period than the year-end peak season, it can be a wonderful time for our guests who prefer a more relaxed travel experience.

We are using this period to enhance several aspects of the resort, including refreshed dining experiences, expanded menu offerings, new family-friendly programming, and preparation for our most anticipated NYE celebration. These initiatives are designed to encourage guests to stay longer and explore at their own pace.

At the same time, we’re investing in our associates and preparing for the busy season ahead. Great hospitality starts with great people, so this is also an important opportunity for our team to recharge and continue developing their skills. The goal is always to deliver an even better experience for our guests.

If you had to choose one moment during the day at the resort that best captures the spirit of Slow Travel, what would it be?

I would say the early morning hours. Phu Quoc is well known for its beautiful sunsets, but there’s something equally special about the start of the day. Before the island fully wakes up, the resort is calm, the beach is peaceful, and guests can simply enjoy the changing color of the sky without distractions. Whether it’s a morning walk, a hearty breakfast at Daily Social, or just taking in the fresh air, it’s a moment that encourages people to slow down and be present. To me, that’s what slow travel is all about.

Wanderlust Tips would like to thank Mr. Daniel Muhor for his time and for sharing such thoughtful insights into the art of slow travel at Sheraton Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort.

Daniel Muhor A Slower Rhythm by Bai Dais Sunset

About Sheraton Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort

Nestled along a pristine stretch of beachfront on the northeast coast of Phu Quoc, Sheraton Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort offers a tranquil island escape with 381 ocean- and garden-view rooms and suites, alongside 78 spacious luxury villas with private pools. With diverse dining venues, guests can enjoy a culinary journey spanning authentic Asian flavors to refined Western classics. The resort also offers versatile event spaces for intimate gatherings and celebrations of up to 1,600 guests, with a dedicated Convention Centre just minutes away for larger events of up to 3,000 participants.

General Manager Daniel Muhor Profile

Daniel Muhor, General Manager of Sheraton Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort, is an Australian hospitality professional with over 25 years of international experience across Australia, Thailand, China, India, and Bangladesh. A graduate of Victoria University, Melbourne, Daniel has held senior leadership and pre-opening roles with leading hospitality brands including Le Méridien, Westin, and Marriott. Throughout his career, he has successfully led large-scale resorts and hotel complexes, building high-performing teams and driving operational excellence. His leadership has been recognized with multiple industry achievements, including General Manager of the Year and Leadership Excellence awards at the 2020 Marriott International APEC General Manager & Hotel Awards.

Remco Christiaan Vaastra & Story of Creating a Four-Season Wonder by the Beach

Remco Christiaan Vaastra and the Story of Creating a Four-Season Wonder by the Beach at Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection

Remco Christiaan Vaastra & Story of Creating a Four-Season Wonder by the Beach

There is a beach in Vietnam where French scholars once said the water itself could heal. For decades, Sam Son belonged almost entirely to the Vietnamese, a place of summer memories, of bamboo rafts returning at dawn, of salt air and simple joy. Then came Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection, and a quiet conversation about what this coastline could become began. Wanderlust Tips sat down with Cluster General Manager Remco Christiaan Vaastra to find out.

Remco Christiaan Vaastra and the Story of Creating a Four-Season Wonder by the Beach at Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection

Sam Son has long been a beloved summer escape for Vietnamese families, but for many international travelers, it remains largely undiscovered. What moved you when you first arrived here, and what did you see in Sam Son that others might not yet have noticed?

When I first arrived in Sam Son, I was instantly captivated by its raw, unpolished energy. Beyond its reputation as a bustling summer escape, I saw a profound, quiet beauty in the everyday life of the local fishermen and their humble bamboo rafts returning at dawn, heavily laden with the ocean’s bounty. Furthermore, I was deeply inspired by the historical recognition of this land. The French scholar Le Breton once noted that Sam Son’s waters possess the ideal salinity and temperature, making it “the best beach for health recovery.” I saw an extraordinary opportunity to awaken this forgotten healing legacy and present it to both domestic and international travelers through a refined, luxurious lens.

Remco Christiaan Vaastra and the Story of Creating a Four-Season Wonder by the Beach at Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection

Slow travel is the art of truly inhabiting a place rather than simply passing through it. How has Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection been shaped, in its spaces and its rhythm, to invite that kind of unhurried, deeply felt stay?

Slow travel is about intention and finding a true sanctuary to escape the noise and relentless pace of city life. At Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection, nestled in the pristine and untouched environment of South Sam Son, we designed the spaces to naturally guide guests into a slower rhythm. From the fluid transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces to the gentle integration of natural light and sea breezes, every corner encourages you to pause, breathe the fresh air, and reconnect with yourself. The rhythm here is dictated not by tight itineraries, but by the healing ebb and flow of the ocean.

Remco Christiaan Vaastra and the Story of Creating a Four-Season Wonder by the Beach at Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection

The Korean Jjimjilbang feels like a wonderfully unexpected discovery at a Vietnamese coastal resort. What is the story behind that choice, and what does it reveal about the kind of wellness journey you hope each guest carries home from Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection?

Globally, wellness tourism is experiencing an exponential rise as people increasingly seek journeys of holistic restoration. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness tourism market is projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2027, while the broader wellness economy is forecast to hit nearly $10 trillion by 2029. This proves that travelers are prioritizing their well-being more than ever. Yet, despite its historical reputation for healing waters, Sam Son has lacked a true four-season wellness destination. We wanted to pioneer an international-standard wellness ecosystem to fill this void. The authentic Korean Jjimjilbang is a bold choice that breaks all weather barriers, allowing for deep detoxification year-round. This is complemented by our four-season pool for uninterrupted swimming, a modern gym breathing in pristine air, and a spa that marries traditional massage therapies with pure, local vegan products from Cocoon. It defines a journey where guests are profoundly restored from the inside out.

Remco Christiaan Vaastra and the Story of Creating a Four-Season Wonder by the Beach at Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection

A guest arriving in the brightness of summer and one drawn here in the quieter winter months will each find a different Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection waiting for them. What does this place feel like beyond the beach season?

While summer here is undeniably vibrant, illuminated by energetic youth music nights that draw large crowds and powerfully connect people through the shared rhythm of music, a destination that only thrives in summer is simply not enough. In the quieter months, Sam Son possesses a moody, cinematic elegance, and our pioneering wellness ecosystem truly shines. A guest arriving in winter will find a cozy, intimate sanctuary where the crisp air outside beautifully contrasts with the warmth inside. It becomes the ideal season to find comfort in our Jjimjilbang, swim in the heated four-season pool, and indulge in restorative spa treatments without the distraction of summer crowds. It is Sam Son at its most poetic and healing.

If I could shrink Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection into a single breath, I would choose the moment of dawn. It is a moment of absolute peace and true healing, where time seems to stand completely still

– Remco Christiaan Vaastra, Cluster General Manager – 

The architecture, the restaurant, the atmosphere at Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection all breathe the soul of Sam Son’s fishing village, unpretentious yet deeply layered. For you personally, which moment or corner of the property feels most alive with that local spirit?

The architecture naturally breathes the unpretentious soul of Sam Son’s fishing village. For me, the local spirit feels most alive when I see how the humble imagery of the bamboo rafts and rustic woven materials are seamlessly integrated into our luxurious design. Sitting in our dining spaces, tasting the daily catch prepared with refined international techniques, you feel the honest, hardworking spirit of the local fishermen elevated into a sophisticated, layered luxury experience.

Remco Christiaan Vaastra and the Story of Creating a Four-Season Wonder by the Beach at Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection

If you could capture Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection in a single moment, a scene, a feeling, a breath of this place, where would you take us?

If I could distill Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection into a single breath, it would be the early dawn. Picture standing on your balcony in the crisp, pristine air of South Sam Son. The sea is a soft silver-blue, and the only sound is the rhythmic crashing of the waves and the faint silhouette of local bamboo rafts returning to shore. It is a moment of profound peace and true healing, where time stands completely still.

Sincere thanks to Mr. Remco Christiaan Vaastra for his fascinating and inspiring sharing about Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection. We wish him continued good health and even greater success in his career. May Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection continue to reach new heights, become an iconic destination, and – together with its dedicated team – create countless beautiful and unforgettable memories for every guest staying here.

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