February 3, 2018
Hotel Feature: Sofitel Legend Metropole, Vietnam
By Annie Chambers
Located in the heart of Hanoi (the Old Quarter), the Sofitel Legend Metrople has seen its share of dignitaries, celebrities and historic events since opening in 1901. Upon entrance to the hotel, an opulent life-sized chandelier and friendly front desk staff welcomes you to the historic Metropole.
The hotel is split into new and historic wings. Depending on your preference, be sure to request a side. The historic wing is spectacular with a grand staircase and the suites named after ambassadors and foreign dignitaries who lived in them during the war. Many rooms have old artifacts and pieces of furniture that add to the character.
If you’re a history buff, be sure to take the free guided tour through the bunker under the hotel (offered daily at 5 and 6 p.m.). During the Vietnam War this bunker protected guests like Jane Fonda and Joan Baez. After the war it was closed and sealed until a chance discovery by the engineering department in 2011 while building the bamboo bar. This is where Joan Baez wrote her famous Vietnam War song album “Where Are You Now, My Son?” featuring sounds from Hanoi and noises from the bunker. Almost every president and diplomat from the U.S. has visited this prominent hotel.
Accommodations
All rooms and suites in both wings are equipped with LCD tvs, Sofitel’s MyBed, broadband internet, and luxury bathroom amenities.
Speciality Suites (in the Historic Metropole Wing)
*All come with original wood flooring and Hermes toiletries*
Graham Greene Suite – fusion of Colonial French style with Indonesian flare.
Charlie Chaplin Suite – very romantic, ideal for couples.
Somerset Maugham -conveniently located on the first floor overlooking the garden.
Guest rooms (in the Historic Metropole Wing)
Guestrooms (in the contemporary Opera wing)
I stayed in this room category and found it to be quite spacious, but the shower/tub combo a bit hard to get into and not large. I also enjoyed the simple decor with floral wallpaper, high ceilings and understated Vietnamese elements. My french windows opened out to a view of the pool and other side of the hotel. I found these rooms to be much brighter than those in the historic wing.
All rooms and suites below have access to Club Metropole. Club benefits include breakfast, wifi in-room and throughout the public areas, evening cocktails, meeting space, local calls, tea and coffee.
These rooms occupy the club levels of the hotel.Large bathrooms and gorgeous French style soak tubs.
We saw the Club area and it was quite nice and not that much of a price difference. The rooms offer much more space and the bathrooms are almost double in size. You can also fit a rollaway in here. Plus, that big bathroom comes with Hermes bathroom amenities.
Suites (in the contemporary Opera wing)
A comfortable detached bedroom with a small living room. The neo-classical style didn’t personally suit my tastes in the two contemporary suites, but that’s personal.
This is an ideal suite for a large group, or entertaining. Complete with Bose surround sound, a separate dining area / spa room for 8 people, and a comfy lounge, library, office area. To accommodate more guests, you can connect this suite to the Grand Premium Room.
Dining
The dining options range from gourmet french cuisine at Le Beaulieu, Vietnamese specialities at Spices Garden and nouveau Italian at Angelina restaurant and lounge.
Spices Garden
The breakfast buffet at Spices Garden offers an interesting mix of Vietnamese and European options. I still dream about the pastries. They were better than some I’ve had in France.
I hit my first food coma of Vietnam inside the Metropole Hotel and surprisingly, it wasn’t a noodle-induced. The five-course tasting menu here is a must for a special occasion, or a Tuesday. Every bite of food was surprising and elegant. The wine was perfectly paired and the bread from the pastry chef was unreal. The service as top-notch and the ambiance was refined, but relaxed. Truly a food experience!
Angelina There’s a DJ every Monday to Saturday starting at 9 p.m. and a wine cellar with rare vintages. Our group sipped on craft cocktails and some small bites to kick off an evening in Hanoi.
Shopping
La Boutique: I LOVED this little store on property. Great spot for those who love fine traditional linen, silk or stoneware.
L’Epicerie: Gourmet chocolates and pastries imported from Paris.
Arcade: Selection of high-end luxury designer boutiques. Hermes selected the Metropole for the launch of its first shop in Vietnam.
Amenities/Extras
SoFit Gym I hit the gym one day. It’s cosy and very clean. The luxury fitness center was recently revamped with all new machines (each equipped with TVs). Personal trainers and free weights are also available.
Le Spa: An interesting blend of ancient holistic rituals from the east blend with western practices. Here’s the menu of spa services.
Meetings/Events: There are five distinct meeting and event space on property to host guests in Hanoi.
Luxury Limo Service: BMW 7 series fleet at the ready for guests.
Virtuoso Amenities
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability (no upgrades to Grand Premium or Suites)
- Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests
- $75 USD equivalent Food and Beverage credit per room per hotel stay (provided once only during the first stay if a second stay takes place within 7 days. Not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full. Excludes the mini bar.)
- Afternoon tea with chocolate buffet OR a glass of champagne in Bamboo bar or Le Club bar per person for maximum of 2 people and on the first stay only (except the 2nd stay is after 7 days from the check-out date of the 1st stay)
- Early check-in (10am)/late check-out (2pm), subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
