IHG Debuts First Hotel in Vietnam
MARCH 4, 2008. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts officially opened the doors of its first Vietnam property this month - the InterContinental Hanoi Westlake - meeting travelers' growing demands for luxury hotel accommodations in the area. Built entirely over the serene waters of Hanoi's historic West Lake, the new hotel features 359 guest rooms and suites showcasing contemporary Vietnam design at its best.
Located just 10 minutes from the heart of Hanoi, the waterfront hotel evokes a resort-like ambiance with its torch-lit Venetian promenades and hard-to-find airiness in Vietnam's bustling capital. Balconies extend from each of the hotel's 340 rooms and 19 suites, all with extraordinary views of the 1,235-acre lake, the cityscape, or the property's tropical gardens.
"In many ways, Hanoi is one of the liveliest cities in Asia - for business and leisure travelers alike. As a hotel, we must respect the unique dynamics of this city and its demand for the authentic and the progressive," said Jon Nielsen, general manager. "The Hanoi Westlake breaks the mold of what travelers expect from a big-city hotel."
The Hanoi Westlake is anchored by a 161-room main tower that functions as its own island and is complemented by three pavilions, each with 66 rooms and suites. The hotel's guest rooms rank as the most spacious in the city at a 463 square-feet minimum. All guest rooms provide the latest in modern technological amenities, with LCD televisions and high-speed Internet access. Each bathroom offers double-basin vanities and both a deep-soaking bathtub and separate walk-in rain shower.
The suites offer an array of amenities and services, from Bose entertainment systems and complimentary Club Lounge access to around-the-clock butler service. In both suites and rooms, the contemporary d'ecor reinterprets familiar Vietnamese designs, from sitting room chairs that echo Nguyen Dynasty aesthetics to reading lamp shades styled like West Lake fishing traps.
For a more indulgent stay, guests can reserve the exclusive InterContinental Hanoi Westlake Presidential Suite, a 3,300 square-foot space with seven private balconies, two bedrooms, two full bathrooms and a butler's pantry with private service entrance.
"Historically, West Lake, or Tay Ho as it's known locally, was the preserve of Vietnam's Ly and Tran royalty, as well as the country's mandarins, who built summer homes on these shores," said Nielsen. "We are compelled to uphold that heritage with a hotel that caters to the highest expectations."
Tourism expectations are soaring all over Vietnam, as the country's GDP increases at a nine percent growth rate, reputed to be among the fastest, if not the fastest, in the world. InterContinental has positioned itself as a service provider in this economy with a ballroom that can accommodate 400 guests and meeting rooms equipped with technical support that includes Internet access, video conferencing and projection capabilities.
Beyond accommodation and conference facilities, the hotel whets the palate with a wide variety of dining and lounge options. Its signature restaurant, Milan-Saigon, sprawls across the entire mezzanine level of the main building as a stylish fusion of contemporary European and rustic Asian aesthetics. Its glass-encased show kitchens satisfy a desire for transparency and action, while offering both Italian and pan-Asian cuisine. For a respite, guests can dine in the elegant private dining rooms. The bar and lounge lure pre- and post-dinner patrons with a hip setting and a lengthy wine list.
The dining options shift gears at Caf'e du Lac, a classic brasserie that fronts the expansive lake waters. Referencing the great caf'es of Paris, the chic dining venue blends wood, stone and light colors, inspiring a relaxed atmosphere for informal dining. An icon in the making, the outdoor Sunset Bar occupies its own island in a lake that ranks as one of Hanoi's great attractions.
Currently under construction, an eight-mile footpath will circumnavigate the West Lake, taking in the storied pagodas of Tran Quoc and Kim Lien, as well as the flower villages of Tay Ho and Nghi Tam. With facilities like these, the Hanoi Westlake combines the best of both worlds: proximity to the cultural heart of Vietnam and a sanctuary on the edge of a spectacular lake.
In addition to the InterContinental Hanoi Westlake property, IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) will cultivate Vietnam's luxury hotel market with the debut of the 200-room InterContinental Danang Resort in mid-2009, the first international luxury beachfront resort in the area, situated on the Son Tra Peninsula. Also in 2009, IHG will manage its first InterContinental branded property in Ho Chi Minh City. The InterContinental Asiana Saigon will be well-positioned to make a landmark contribution to the city's rapid growth as a tourism hub.
For more information or to make a reservation, call (+84) 4-270-8888 or visit www.intercontinental.com/hanoi.
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