InterContinental Hotels & Resorts officially opened the
doors of its first Vietnam property this month the InterContinental
Hanoi Westlake in response to 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.
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 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. All guest rooms provide the latest
in modern technological amenities, including 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 decor 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 9 percent growth rate, reputed to be
among the fastest in the world. InterContinental has developed 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 wets
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, 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 its trendy
setting and a extensive wine list.
The dining options shift gears at Cafe du Lac, a classic
brasserie that fronts the expansive lake waters. Referencing the
great cafes of Paris, the venue blends wood, stone and light
colors, creating 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.
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, situated on the Son Tra Peninsula. Also in
2009, IHG will manage its first InterContinental branded property
in Ho Chi Minh City.
www.intercontinental.com/hanoi
