About Hotel Majestic Saigon

About 100 years ago, Mr. Hui Bon Hoa, the richest Chinese businessman initiated the start of Hotel Majestic. Uncle Hoa picked the location very wisely, right at the Saigon River. Mr. Hoa was in charge of Majestic Hotel Saigon only for 23 years. After that, the Hotel Majestic Saigon fell into French hands and stayed under their management for over 45 years. The hotel changed hands in its long history only a few times and closed its doors merely for renovations in august of 1994.

Handover

 Once the Vietnam war finished in 1973, the hotel was handed from the French to Saigon Authority. Soon after the transition the new name Hoan-My or “Perfection” came to life and with it a new purpose – the hotel became a government guest house. A few decades later the Hotel Majestic Saigon is the first 5-star hotel in Saigon managed by state-owned Saigon Tourist.

Big Restoration

In 1994 it was time for the long-awaited improvements and restorations that cost approximately 5.5 million USD. Part of the efforts was to keep the French Colonial and classical French Riviera styles. Once the hotel reopened a year later it got a brand new swimming pool, gym, sauna, and business center. The next big extension happened in 2003 with the 8-story Saigon Wing adding a SPA venue, restaurant, and bar, plus adding 54 guestrooms to the total of 175 rooms.

Ambiance

Majestic Saigon surely has its colonial charm but there are some failures. Some ornaments don’t truly fit into the scene and from time to time the design is sloppy. For instance, there is a hallway with blue lights and I am not convinced it is proper for a historical hotel like Majestic. The exterior is in need of some repairs and messy corners should be tidied. Notably, there are also huge billboards on one side of the hotel, which can’t be expressed as 5-stars property.

Check-In

One would expect impeccable check-in from a hotel with that long tradition, but that wasn’t the case. To be honest, this is the first 5-star hotel where no one helped us with our luggage. We did check in at the counter and continued to our room on our own. However, once we entered our Hotel Majestic Saigon hotel room, we were happy to see a plate of fresh tropical fruit as a welcome gift.

Our Room

We stayed in the Colonial Suite which impressed us with its space and adequate layout. Classical Colonial French style makes this spaciousness warm and beguiling. A dark shiny wooden floor is a must in a setting like this, and the extra bonus is its herringbone formation. This kind of flooring makes spaces bigger which might add to this spaciousness feel. However, the furnishing is nice and only the downvote might go for the bathroom. Somehow the design doesn’t work luxurious and even a huge bath can’t save it.

Facilities and Amenities

If you follow the “work hard play hard” rules, you’ll find some privacy and secretarial services in the Business Center, located in the Lobby Hall. Later you can go up to the first floor of the Hotel Majestic Saigon to the courtyard swimming pool with Merry Pool Bar in its proximity. Not far from it are the Spa and well-equipped Fitness. Our least favorite part of the Hotel Majestic Saigon is the casino, M Club. However, if you feel golden, try your luck, why not.

When it comes to amenities, I haven’t missed anything. They can provide you with all you need. There are even organized tours for the adventurous ones.

Food and Beverage

Dining a breakfast at the Breeze Sky Bar exceeded our high expectations. Admittingly, we love al fresco dining, especially when the day presents a sunny breeze and lovely views. There is a special feeling when you are enjoying your first meal and the city is already crazy. And believe me, Saigon gets crazy! With everything spot on, we expected nothing less from the food and indeed it was very delicious and versatile.

The breakfast option is vast. One can enjoy from all the classics to Pho Ga aka chicken soup. Usually, hotels can go wrong with legendary meals like Pho, but this one was quite good. The fruit selection can be complimented as well. Especially when the fruit is in a season like it was when we visited Saigon.

Besides breakfast, one can enjoy all-day alfresco dining at the Breeze Sky Bar, or you can have some western inspired food at the Serenade restaurant. However, the menu didn’t convince us and luckily Saigon got us covered.

For those looking for a peaceful tea time with a book, we recommend the Catinat Lounge. It is easy to find, as it is part of the lobby. This location makes it perfect for a get together from early morning to late evening. If you are after a more lively experience, we encourage you to head up to the passable rooftop M.Bar. Besides evening drinks and music, one can enjoy the sunset at the edge of a large terrace. Don’t expect artisanal cocktails but the vibe is there.

Final Thought

Majestic Saigon Hotel Review is like a Deja Vu from Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel. A great location, amazing background, lovely historical buildings, tradition, and a lack of sophistication. A 5-star hotel shouldn’t have shortcomings as we found. Back in the early days when the hotel was born, I bet there were better hospitality practices than there are today. However, this is nothing that it couldn’t be restored. Vietnam will learn about high-end tourism and hotels like this will hopefully flourish again.

The room is nice though, and you will be a part of history just by staying there. If you add quite a low room price to that, you get a decent stay. I hope one day this hotel will be on the level of Majestic Kuala Lumpur and leave memorable impressions.

Majestic Saigon Hotel Review Card

• 7/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 7/10
• 9.3/10
  CLEANLINESS – 9.3/10
• 8.2/10
  ROOM – 8.2/10
• 7/10
  FACILITIES AND AMENITIES – 7/10
• 8.3/10
  FOOD AND BEVERAGE – 8.3/10
• 7.5/10
  SERVICE – 7.5/10
• 8.3/10
  VALUE – 8.3/10

Price and Location

Colonial Suite like the one we stayed in will cost you about 150 USD with the breakfast which isn’t a lot for a 5-star hotel. Here is a link to the location for all who would like to stay there.

The post Majestic Saigon Hotel Review appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

Ambiance

Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel is situated near Xuan Huong Lake and it starts with the amazing park. To be honest, we are always looking for some green areas in luxury hotels. Honestly, this park is astonishing and we can call the whole property future-proof. Greenery, trees, flowers, and wildlife. Birds here around didn’t let us use a drone, and we felt blessed with so much diverse life around us. Just like at Metropole Hanoi Hotel Review, an old classic car is at the entrance point. Then there is this beautiful Edwardian and Art Deco-styled hotel with neat lines. Once the perfect first impression settled in we couldn’t wait to see the inside.

Check-In

The check-in at Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel is quick, pleasant, and warm. The bellboy was nice and the concierge gave us a lot of information about the place and what to see around Da Lat. Truly the grand heritage feeling from the outside continues to be present everywhere.

Our Room

Dalat Palace has 43 rooms in elegant colonial style, and each offers quite a view, no matter whether is the Xuan Huong lake or Dalat Cathedral. We stayed in the luxury exclusive room which has 44 square meters filled with authentic colonial charm. Dark wooden floors, fireplace, wonderful ornaments, art pieces, vintage metal fan, and even a clawfoot bathtub.

There is nothing more we could wish for and the ambiance of the room is superb. Especially, when you open a window and hear all those birds chirping in the park. Just like many heritage hotels, the Dalat palace rooms need some smaller fixes. But it is important to make them right so this heritage feel is still present.

Cleanliness

The hotel itself is clean and we didn’t find any bigger messy indicators. The bigger problem is when it comes to furniture preservation. A lot of work is needed to fix everything. However, all the kudos goes to gardeners as well. To maintain a park of this size is no joke at all.

Facilities

Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel has everything and more. We are just wondering if we ever came across so many facilities. With that being said we must express the rule of thumb “less is more”. Sadly, most of these facilities are screaming for renovation and repurposing. We must mention the library, which is a great common space and many 5-star hotels lack a place like this. Then there is Le Rabelais Restaurant, a magnificent place where breakfast and high tea are also served. Dedicated rooms for smaller groups, terrace to enjoy the view, Cigar Lounge, and Dalat Palace Club. 

All the places are great except, the club. This thing simply doesn’t belong here. The ambiance is a fail, and we haven’t seen much activity there during our stay. Frankly, it is quite sad, especially when you know this was a wine cellar back in the days. 

However, in this underground area, there are other failed facilities, like karaoke rooms. We know we are in Asia and karaoke is a huge thing here, but what in the world. Another failed facility is the children’s room, but it can be transformed with some minor corrections.

Nevertheless, there is a spa that looked small and the offer wasn’t really convincing, which is a shame. A place like Da Lat could be more about spa and wellbeing. There is also a small functional gym. We were only missing a bench, so the weights would make sense. 

Dalat Palace has also a convention room and other smaller meeting rooms in the new building. This “new wing” is designed great and it gets along with the main building.

Amenities

We had everything and more. There is this great TV box with many movies, shows, and music. Minibar was stacked and the tea and coffee were offered in the room as well. Turndown service left us a note with a joke and a weather report for the next day. However, we missed additional water by the bed, but we got a laugh from the joke.

Food at Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel

Jesus Christ, this was the worst food we have ever had in a 5-star hotel. Food goes the same as the Dalat Palace High Tea Review. Didn’t look so good and tasted even worse. When you see a menu with photos you know this is gonna be a bad ride. 

Breakfast

How about breakfast? Most of the savory food was tasty, especially those from the live stations. We got some decent Pho and sauteed vegetables. Regardless, there were some sweets from the high tea for which we already knew they are bad. Luckily, there were preprepared croissants and freshly made waffles with condiments. Ou, we shouldn’t forget the fresh fruits and juices as well, which were delicious.

When it comes to the service there is a problem. No one accompanied us to the table or serve us coffee or tea. The staff was too loose, talking loud and eating on the site. There is almost no bigger flaw than seeing a waiter or chef eating on his duty. Table clothes weren’t aligned and much more.

Bad service surprised me, especially when we got to know some students from College Tourism Dalat. People from all over the country are here in training to be the highest level of hospitality workers. And when we asked students what is their dream work, almost everyone told us about their dream of working at Dalat Palace. So this is the cherry-pick? Big Hotel chains know how to deal with this problem. Training is held in the hotels under the control of senior staff, coming from all over the world.

Conclusion

Exceptional heritage place with a lot of untapped potentials. As we always say, it is not just about location, heritage, and design. People are making hospitality, and Dalat Palace Hotel clearly lacks some good management. Running a hotel is a huge deal and you need a lot of good human resources. With a good management team, a place like Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel would easily be one of the best hotels in South East Asia. Start with the website, offer and find your red line. Guests will come to enjoy a unique experience that should be kept in lasting memory. 

Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel Review Card

• 9.7/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.7/10
• 9.3/10
  CLEANLINESS – 9.3/10
• 9.1/10
  ROOM – 9.1/10
• 7/10
  FACILITIES AND AMENITIES – 7/10
• 5/10
  FOOD AND BEVERAGE – 5/10
• 8/10
  SERVICE – 8/10
• 7/10
  VALUE – 7/10

Price and Location

A room like ours will cost you about 200 USD per day, and we think this is not a good deal for a quality like here. We truly hope there will be some improvements and they will use the potential. Here is the link to the location for easier navigation.

The post Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel Review: Da Lats Finnest? appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

About Hotel Kendov Dvorec

Kendov Dvorec dates back to 1377 when the first landowners managed a homestead above the Idrijca river valley. It is part of a small town, Spodnja Idrija, which is even older by a couple of hundred years. Some documents of its existence date back to 1156 and mention the Virgin Mary’s church.

You’ll see the expanded pilgrimage site from the Kendov Dvorec. Like the church, Kendov Dvorec went through an extension in which it became a boutique heritage hotel. Today, it has 11 rooms, a fairytale garden with an old apple tree in the center, topped with a magnificent restaurant.

Ambiance

A small town caught between hills, overlooking the river, is the perfect spot for a 5* hotel. Owners of the Hotel Kendov Dvorec know how essential nature is when it comes to hospitality, so they don’t act against it, but rather with it.

All that is apparent even before you reach the reception desk as the greenery surrounds the hotel. From the outside, the old building radiates the medieval charm and quietly promises a journey through time.

Hardwood and terracotta flooring with additions of Persian rugs, antique furniture, and iconic Idria lace on every step will easily delight you. On top of that, every guest gets a tour around the hotel, which ends with a delicious mocktail.

Our Room

We stayed at the master suite, which comes with an outstanding and unique feature – 120 square meters of terrace. The terrace is partly in the shade of a nearby tree and makes a perfect spot for leisure. Birds chirping might be the only “intruder” in your zen moment, although in our case, the weather was the real spoiler.

Regardless of the weather, indoors is very cozy with antique furniture crowned with handmade Idria lace. An item of admiration is also the mesmerizing crystal chandelier.

Just looking around the room and enjoying the views is an unforgettable experience. Only the bathroom has room for design improvement, but nothing disturbing as it has all the necessities you will need during your stay.

The Terrace

We all know how awesome it is when your hotel room has an attached balcony where you can get some fresh air. Usually, there are small but functional balconies, but here… Master suite has attached 120 square!!! meters of lovely terrace.

Here you can read a book under the giant tree or have your favorite tea in a colorful teacup. It’s kinda sad that Slovenia doesn’t have afternoon teas. Here it would make all the senses.

Amenities

In the bathroom, you’ll find Organic Aloe Vera toiletries by Relais & Châteaux spa line. We didn’t miss anything during our stay. They even have a sanitizer in every room. And not only that, you will get some home-made cookies when checking-in and chocolate truffles at turndown service – love it.

Facilities

Hotel Kendov Dvorec gives a chance to the exciting surroundings, so it is modest when it comes to facilities. Nevertheless, you won’t miss a gym after a day-long hike. On the other hand, you might be hungry, and we advise you to make a reservation for a locally inspired menu at the house restaurant.

Breakfast at Hotel Kendov Dvorec

In the morning, we were kindly greeted by caring staff and by the smell of freshly baked bread and croissants. The perfect match with the local goodies (two cheese varieties, prosciutto, salami) and fresh fruit.

Luckily we came in time for some incredible fresh figs and apples from the garden. Equally irresistible was the honey collection of chestnut, acacia, floral, forest samples. Besides that, we found a western “must-haves” and egg menu.

In-house Apple Tree

In the middle of the park garden, you will notice an old but firm apple tree. I bet whoever planted this apple tree, did not imagine that this apple tree would give apples for the needs of the hotel. You heard right! At Kendov Dvorec, they use these apples for their juice and some desserts.

Kendov Dvorec Restaurant

The lunch and dinner menu at the Kendov Dvorec restaurant is a regional gourmet experience made with local ingredients. Slovenia offers an incredibly rich culinary map for its size, and this old town has some delicacies.

To find out more about this delicious experience, check our Kendov Dvorec Restaurant Review.

Service

Service at Hotel Kendov Dvorec is just like it should be in every boutique hotel – warm, homely and friendly. The team is small and you will get along with everyone, probably even with the knight.

Conclusion

Hotel Kendov Dvorec represents everything that Relais & Châteaux is standing for. A unique experience is granted as soon as you will enter their portal. Affectionate service, cozy rooms and greenery on every step.

Slovenia is a green country for sure, so why not celebrate this and incorporate it in the hotel itself. The terrace of the Master Suite is a true relief, especially if you are coming from a busy city like us.

Any downsides for our Hotel Kendov Dvorec review? Well, if you are a hardcore gym freak, you might miss a proper gym. However, there are many activities around, so you can exhaust your body in different ways.

Our lux eye found some design failures, which would make this hotel even more fantastic. Another downvote is in lack of a super comfy bed, although you are searching for a pristine experience, aren’t you? But hey, these are small fails. Regardless of all, so far this is our favorite hotel in Slovenia!

Hotel Kendov Dvorec Review Card

• 9.5/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.5/10
• 9.5/10
  CLEANLINESS – 9.5/10
• 9.3/10
  ROOM – 9.3/10
• 8/10
  FACILITIES AND AMENITIES – 8/10
• 9.5/10
  FOOD AND BEVERAGE – 9.5/10
• 9.7/10
  SERVICE – 9.7/10
• 9.1/10
  VALUE – 9.1/10

Price and Location

Hotel Kendov Dvorec is located in Spodnja Idrija, which is a bit remote from bigger cities. However, this might be only a plus. The roads are likable and Slovenia is small. You can easily explore it from here. For easier navigation, here is a link to the location. However, rooms start at 170 USD. Master Suite like ours is about 300 USD, including breakfast and an unforgettable terrace.

The post Hotel Kendov Dvorec Review: Boutique Heritage Hotel appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

Cameron Highlands Resort Background

Cameron Highlands was established as a hill station, attracting British colonials and expatriates, who escaped the searing tropical heat. Delightful spring-like climate and fertile grounds quickly made this area trendy, and it became known as a ‘little piece of England in Asia.’

For this reason, the hotel rooms were very much needed. Therefore in the 1930s, they extended the existing cottage and made this place perfect for guests. Nevertheless, the main architecture on today’s resort dates from the 1970s.

Sadly, the location of the Cameron Highlands Resort isn’t the dreamy one as it was back in time. The view over the golf course will be interrupted by the main road, which can get very busy. Locals are desperate, especially on jammed weekends, when local tourists are all over the Cameron Highlands. Because of that, expect your commute six times longer than usual and stay calm. Despite all, once you get to the resort, your nerves will undoubtedly relax.

Ambiance

The exterior of Cameron Highlands Resort is reminiscent of old colonial times. Black and white facades with French doors, sporting fanlights, plantation-style shutters, and ironwork balconies give pristine colonial feelings. The view is facing the 18-hole golf course in front and forest at the back.

After all, the interior is the one that matters the most, and it will amaze you. Colonial-era design on every step makes this hotel remarkable. Public rooms are furnished with cane loungers and comfy sofas beneath lazy circling fans.

Plenty of warm wood and wall decor will soothe your visit. Overall, the atmosphere can be described as tranquil and hearty. After all, isn’t that the main goal for every heritage hotel on the globe?

Our Room

Each of the 56 well-appointed rooms perfectly captures the colonial feel. Polished timber floors, beamed ceilings, and plantation shutters. What can be more colonial than that? On top of that, bespoke furniture merges perfectly with Jim Thompson’s finest teak and silk. The last time we had his silk at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, and it was great to feel it again.

The main color scheme is cream, chocolate brown with hints of copper. The room is spacious with a good layout and, most important – it has a balcony, from where you can enjoy the sounds of the birds and sip your favorite tea.

The bathroom is decorated in dark marble, floor tiled in the black and white pattern, and offering both – spacious shower and bath. It is quite similar to those in the Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur. After all, these two hotels have the same owner – YTL Hotels.

Amenities and Facilities

When it comes to the amenities, it has everything that you can expect from the 5-star heritage hotel. It is great to see that they are offering BOH tea, which is essential in the Cameron Highlands. Not only that, we even got local strawberries with chocolate. Yum.

Regarding Facilities, there is a dining room, bar, tea room, and even a steamboat restaurant. Somehow, we don’t find it fit for this hotel, but we suppose it can be a nice way to warm up in the evening. Still, we prefer to get comfortable with the fireplace in the downstairs library.

Anyway, for all who would like to warm more active, there is a small but very functional gym. Sadly, you won’t find any swimming pool. On the other hand, the air in Cameron Highlands is quite crisp, so we bet you won’t miss the swimming pool after all.

Nonetheless, there is a pleasant in-house spa with many treatments that perfectly fit in this tranquil environment. Here you can read our Cameron Highlands Spa Review article for more juicy details.

Dining at Cameron Highlands Resort

At Cameron Highlands Resort, they serve English plates and Malaysian classics. There is a self-serve breakfast with live station, lunch and afternoon tea at Jim Thompson Tea Room, a la cart dinner in the dining room, and hot pots at Gonbei Restaurant. We have tried out almost all the options, except the hot pot.

Breakfast

Buffet style breakfast at the Dining Room includes the classic Malaysian breakfast dishes and Western favorites, plus fresh fruit, pastries, and cold cuts. Here, we must admit that we’d rather see the processed cheese slices and pale ham sausage gone.

On the other hand, a la carte breakfast menu stretches morning offers. Really, don’t miss on the eggs benedict with free-range eggs. We also recommend the buttermilk pancakes with delicious house-made apple compote.

Lunch at Jim Thompson Tea Room

During our stay at the Cameron Highlands Resort, we loved the choices between the creative and healthy appetizers and fulfilling mains. We loved the succulent prawns with sweet melon and crunchy lettuce in a Marie Rose sauce for our appetizer at Jim Thompson Tea Room.

Our favorite main dish has to be the pan-roasted lamb with slow-roasted garlic butter potato beside a reduction of mustard and balsamic. Toothsome sticky toffee pudding satisfied our sweet tooth with moist cake and warm buttery sauce, not to mention the delightful scoop of banana ice cream on top.

Dinner at the Dining Room

Let us shortly share the favorites of our romantic candlelight dinner with you. Both appetizers, the dancing prawns, and the Mossy Forest salad were fresh and luscious, with only a minor drawback. The caramelized walnuts were unnecessary and overly sweetened the dish, in our opinion.

However, we did enjoy them on their own. Chef kept a healthy touch throughout the main dishes. Both were light on the carbs and heavy on the proteins, with modest seasonings that connected the fish and vegetables.

Since we kept our dinner light, we had to have a dessert; cheesecake with strawberry sauce and ice cream, and chrysanthemum infused creme brulee. Both were exquisite and ticked all the boxes. 

Afternoon Tea at Jim Thompson Tea Room

The classic afternoon tea set consisted of the traditional bites that were freshly prepared and tasty. Both plain and raisin scones were light and didn’t overly crumble. Every piece of dessert and each sandwich was different, so we ended up sharing everything. After all, the afternoon tea is meant as a light refreshment before dinner. If you would like to know more, don’t miss our Cameron Highlands Resort High Tea Review.

Conclusion

There is no doubt, Cameron Highlands Resort is the best hotel in Cameron Highlands! Charmy colonial look, perfect service, lovely room, amazing spa, and decent food are just a few things that can only confirm my bold statement. The most remarkable is the service itself. To point out, the staff is super nice and always ready to chat with you. For this reason, staying there will give you that homely feeling instantly.

However, even though the hotel is top, there is always room for improvement. I think there should be some maintenance to be done and redesign as well. Some sections look dull and not so luxury, if I may. In a word, with some creativity and a small investment, it could be easily improved. And remember old is gold! We need to take care of our heritage.

Cameron Highlands Resort Review Card

• 9.3/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.3/10
• 9.2/10
  CLEANLINESS – 9.2/10
• 9.2/10
  ROOM – 9.2/10
• 9/10
  FACILITIES AND AMENITIES – 9/10
• 8.9/10
  FOOD AND BEVERAGE – 8.9/10
• 9.9/10
  SERVICE – 9.9/10
• 9.0/10
  VALUE – 9.0/10

Price and Location

A night at Cameron Highlands Resort will cost you about 200 USD. Here is a link to the location for easier navigation.

The post Cameron Highlands Resort Review appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

Metropole Hotel Hanoi Has it’s Own Bomb Shelter

Surprised? We didn’t know that before our Metropole Hotel Hanoi Heritage Walk, which is now a part of a daily tour at this gorgeous hotel. Metropole Hotel Hanoi’s bomb shelter was accidentally discovered in 2011, by the hotel engineering department during the renovation of the Bamboo Bar. It was used during the American War (1964 – 1973) and lately sealed. This bomb shelter was not only for guests but also for employees.

You might ask, who in the world was staying there between the war? Journalists, negotiators, activists and most famous American singers. What? Yes, Joan Baez was in that bomb shelter, just in the middle of a great air raid. Another famous person hiding there was Jane Fonda.

Joan Baez

American folk singer and antiwar activist was in this bomb shelter during the December bomb raid in 1972. She was even singing and playing on her guitar to calm everyone and cover the horrible sounds of the bombing and sirens. She did also some recording of sounds during the raid. Those sounds she used later in her famous “Where Are You Now, My Son” song. This song refers to the cries of a woman Baez saw one morning searching for her son lost from the night’s raids.

Bombing of Hanoi

Hanoi was bombed together with Haiphong city for 12 days. In the 12 days between December 18th and December 30th, the North Vietnamese News Agency estimates, some 100,000 tons of bombs were dropped. That makes one of the biggest air raids in history. Just to imagine – that’s more than the total tonnage dropped on England during the six years of World War II.

I can’t even imagine how crazy that must be, but a lot of people still remember. Our tour guide cried at the end of this Metropole Hotel Hanoi Heritage Walk. That memory probably will never disappear and our duty is to remember it and make sure something like this won’t happen again.

You Might Also Like

Metropole Hanoi Hotel Review

Metropole Hanoi Buffet Review

Metropole Hanoi Afternoon Tea Review

Metropole Hotel Hanoi Heritage Walk As a Must

If you are in Hanoi, make sure to stay at the Metropole Hanoi Hotel and be a part of history. I warmly recommend joining Metropole Hotel Hanoi Heritage Walk to get more at this already unforgettable stay.

The post Metropole Hotel Hanoi Heritage Walk – Bomb Shelter appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

Fresh Wind: 1893 – 1919

In 1893, Siam was a buffer state among two strong enemy countries – British Burma and French Indochina. Siam was surprisingly strong enough to maintain ‘independence’. Even Siam’s first railway was opened without any help from France or Britain. In the same year difficulties between France and Siam reached their climax. It started with the ‘Paknam Incident’.

Three French ships were fired by Siamese and as a result, France blockaded Bangkok. French warships anchored directly in front of the French Embassy and the Oriental Hotel. The King of Siam diplomatically solved this situation, but the price was high. There was a huge payment and the cession of a certain territory. Three years later after the Anglo-French Declaration of London was signed, King Chulalongkorn did a European diplomatic tour. His nine-month tour was successful and Siam was well accepted among leading countries of that time.  

Collapse and Women Empower

For quite some time the hotel was working fine and it was known as a high social hub. However, in 1899, Hurst decided to sell his interests in the Oriental Hotel to a syndicate of a Mr. W Downie. During the following three years the Oriental underwent further expansions and improvements. These times were also very turbulent for the hotel.

In 1903, the hotel was taken over by F S Robertson, but not for long. Just a few months later he had to leave town in a hurry, due to his debts. The hotel was closed down temporarily for two years when it was established back by Mr. Carl G Edwards, an American. Management was proposed to Mme M O Bujault. She engaged Viennese orchestra, revived the tradition of musical dinners, and employed a new French chef – Monsieur Brier. From this time on the cuisine in Oriental Hotel was at exquisite level.

Maria Marie

Successful years of Madame M O Bujault lasted only till 1910. She was the first women manager of The Oriental, but certainly not last. Her successor was Maria Marie, who became a legend in her own right. The hotel was in its ‘golden era’, with its patron – Peter Carl Fabergé. He is a well-known jeweler known for the precious Fabergé egg. At Oriental Hotel he did a few successful exhibitions where he caught the eye of the new King Vajiravudh – Rama VI, who became his valued customer.

The Oriental Hotel became a famous center not only for travelers but also for diplomats and businessmen. It even became the seat of a diplomatic mission. In 1913, the Imperial & Royal Austro-Hungarian Legation in the Kingdom of Siam established a chancery at the hotel. Good relationships lasted only one year. World War I started and even here far away from action one could still feel it. Naturally, the effects weren’t so disastrous but the egos of Austrian diplomats were hurt when they weren’t invited to a French garden party. Nevertheless, The Great War left a huge crisis all over the world. Luxury travels were out of business and a hotel like The Oriental was affected. 

You Might Also Like

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok Review

E&O Hotel History

Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur History

Majestic Melaka Hotel History

1920 – 1940

The hotel was badly affected by the global economic crisis. In 1920, M Henri Cucherousset, correspondent of the Hanoi journal L ‘Evil Economique de l’Indochie came to Bangkok. He did an article about the Oriental Hotel, which wasn’t in its best form. He deplored its lack of ‘a drawing-room for ladies’ and a ‘proper bathing accommodations’. Worst of all he critiqued its generally rundown appearance. Henri Cucherousset had dared to attack a national institution. The response of the public can be described as frantic. The answer to this was a new firm raised capital of 60,000 Baht. The idea was Maria Marie’s, who became one of the shareholders and was appointed a managing director.

Renovations went amazingly well, and the Oriental Hotel was once again admired and praised. In the city, new hotels opened and started to compete with the Oriental Hotel. Even so, guests mostly stayed in the Oriental Hotel, they recognized it as much more than only luxury accommodation. After all, this was the oldest hotel in Bangkok with a rich historical background and Royal appearance. After the renovation, Daniel C Sweeney, a seasoned illustrator, arrived. He drew posters for leading Asian hotels. Among them are also the Grand Hotel Metropole in Hanoi and the Continental Palace in Saigon. His work for the Oriental Hotel is considered one of his finest pieces of art.

The Connections

Siam offered four aerodromes, in 1924. However, plains in that time were rare and mostly used by the military. Later in the 1930s, it was more common to travel by plane. At that time the travel from London to Bangkok lasted nine days and it wasn’t considered as safe travel. After all, first air hostesses were trained nurses. The first group of aerial travelers landed at Don Muang airport in 1931. Among them were also Oriental’s first air-borne guests.

The train connections became much more expanded as well. You could easily visit most of the Siam’s parts. Wealthy citizens of Bangkok traveled to Huan Hin, where it was the legendary Railway Hotel and only 5 minutes away, the brand new Royal Golf Club. This Club is the first golf course of international standards in Siam. It had been completed in 1924 and carved on over 240 acres of natural terrain. The course was designed by Arthur O Robins, who was a Scottish railroad engineer.

A keen golfer at that time was also Oriental’s manager Maria Marie. She was the Siamese woman champion for a few years in a row. In 1928 she got divorced and married Arthur O Robins in London in 1932. After 22 years of managing the hotel, Maria decided to retire. Her son was planned as her predecessor, but after his wife’s death, the plans changed. After her son couldn’t take over, so she put a couple, Lt Col and Mrs. Sylow, in charge.

Political Instability

On 24 June 1932, occurred the most important political change of that period. The country’s educated ruling class, calling themselves as the People’s Party, staged a bloodless coup which finally brought to an end Siam’s days as an absolute monarchy. King Prajadhipok signed the nation’s first constitution in December that same year. Nationalism in the Kingdom was growing, the same as a friendship with Japan. In 1939, Siam’s name was officially changed to Thailand.

At the beginning of World War 2, the Marie-Robins’ family received news that the manager of the Oriental Hotel had been killed in a car accident. Maria and Arthur went to Bangkok and were lucky to be able to formally transfer the hotel’s lease and sell all equipment and stocks. As British subjects, after the Thai declaration of war against Britain, they were taken to a camp in the Jungle. Later they managed to escape that camp and return to Britain.

After WW2

The second Great War was at the doors. Japanese troops began to blockade French Indochina. Thailand signed a treaty of friendship with the Empire of the Rising Sun and officially joined the axis side. Japanese armed forces requisitioned the Oriental Hotel. The average occupancy was 25 guests per night. In February 1942, the Japanese International Tourism Bureau requested that the Imperial, the most prestigious hotel in Tokyo, take over the management at Oriental Hotel. American forces regained their power in the Pacific and it became clear that American forces were heading for Okinawa and eventually for the Japanese mainland. On 14 December 1944, American aircraft bombed Rama VI Bridge across the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. After the war, the hotel was requisitioned by the American armed forces. Unsurprisingly the interior was already in a bad shape at that time.

Correspondents and journalists used to sit on the terrace, sipping cold drinks and swapping the stories. Among them was also famous Colonel Jim Thompson.

Jim Thompson and Oriental Hotel

Jim Thompson was a close friend of Germaine Krull, a famous photographer. She reported the return of King Ananda Mahidol from his studies in Switzerland, took portraits of Jean Cocteau, Andre Malraux, and Einstein, she took photographs of de Gaulle and Churchill during the liberation of Paris. Jim one day proposed to Germaine a partnership and idea of taking over the Oriental Hotel.

Krull decided to team up with the Thompson for the sake of the hotel’s revival. Their partners were General Chai Prateepasen, HRH Prince Bhanu, Mr. Pote Sarasin, and Mr. John Wester. On 9 May 1947, the Bangkok newspaper Liberty reported about Madam Germaine Krull as a manager of the Oriental Hotel. Madam Krull was busy restoring life to this remarkable institution. There was a lot of work needed to revive this “Old Lady”. Just a few weeks after she had taken over, Madam Krull opened a Bamboo Bar. Bamboo Bar became Bangkok’s most fashionable hangout. The menu in the Bamboo Bar was quite simple, but for that time very “advanced”. American sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, and fried chickens were filling the guests, while live music established a nice atmosphere.

Thai Silk

Krull and Thompson didn’t agree over various things, one of them was architectural change and the reconstruction of a new wing. Thompson bailed out and sold his shares. Later he established his own silk company, which made Thai silk famous and brought him fame and wealth. To be honest, the Tower wing (the new wing, today is known as a Garden wing) is designed well. As we know Jim Thompson had a great taste for design and décor!

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed our Oriental Bangkok History part 2 article. As you can see today Mandarin Oriental Bangkok Hotel is full of heritage. After all, it is one of the oldest hotels in the world. And not only that, one of the best as well. Next time we will check the modern history of this heritage hotel.

Main Source for Oriental Bangkok History is Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental

[1] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 35.

[2] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 77.

[3] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 57.

[4] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 78.

[5] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 58.

[6] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 67.

[7] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 64.

[8] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 78.

[9] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 78.

[10] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 100.

[11] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 78.

[12] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 78.

[13] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 88.

The post Mandarin Oriental Bangkok History Part 2 appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

Early Days: 1862-1893

The land where this hotel stands used to be royal land and the royal family has an important role in this hotel. Where is now lobby stands it used to be a royal palace of Rama III, Prince Rajasihavikrom in 1850. Next to this palace, in 1860, Captain James White opened a boarding house. It stood on the grounds of today’s East Asiatic Company (Oriental’s neighbor to the South). Captain died in 1863 and his boarding house was taken over by two Americans – Atkins Dyer and William West. They turned it into the first hotel in Bangkok – Oriental Hotel. A year later, the hotel’s partnership was changed to Atkins Dyer and Barnes, another American. Sadly on 11 July 1865, Oriental Hotel burned down together with 69 nearby buildings.

German and Then Danish Ownership

A German, C. Falck took over the remainings of this unlucky hotel and restored it for new guests. Flack’s Hotel was opened in 1866 and had a novelty – a bowling alley. At the same time, gas street lighting was installed in Bangkok, which was a great deal for that era. In the 1870s German ownership ended, and his successor C Salje, a Danish seaman did some great improvements. He moved this former guesthouse one step higher, closer to what may be considered a western hotel. He offered family accommodations, bathrooms, billiards room, and American Bar. 

Salje and his fellow Dane, H Jarck owned not only a hotel but also mineral water filling station. In 1881 they retired and sold their business to another Dane, Hans Niels Anderson. Andersen and his partners, P Andersen and F Kinch established Messrs Andersen & Co. They became owners of the Oriental Hotel, the Oriental store and ship chandlery, the Oriental factory, the Oriental bakery, the aerated water filling station, and the Koh-Si-Chang Hotel & Store.

Here Comes the Fame

It didn’t take long for the Oriental Hotel to be in the news. On the west, it was advertised as the only place in Bangkok where one could go. The hotel was known as luxury accommodation and their business reached beyond the hotel’s walls. At some point when the French ambassador stayed next door, they used catering service for their receptions prepared in Oriental Hotel. When business took off the Prince Rajasihavikrom’s successor, Prince Prisdang suggested building a new Oriental Hotel on his father’s land.

That was an important addition to a new hotel on New Road, called Bangkok Hotel. This Hotel was offering all amenities, from ‘First Class Family Residence’ to ‘Ladies Drawing Room’ and ‘Dining Room’. Andersen commissioned a team of local Italian architects, S Cardu & Rosi, to design a completely new building. The Italian architects created an astonishing structure, which still stands at the heart of the hotel and is now known as the Authors’ Wing. That is how the hotel became a shiny star in Indochina.

HIH Crown Prince Nicholas of Russia as a Guest

Oriental Hotel became the venue to hold important parties. In fact, there was almost no bigger banquet, where Oriental Hotel wouldn’t be present. In December 1890, His Majesty King Chulalongkorn paid a private visit to The Oriental. The King was so impressed that he decided to accommodate in Oriental a Crown Prince Nicholas of Russia, who became Tsar in 1894. Crown Prince Nicholas was at The Oriental in April 1891 and this was the beginning of a long-lasting relationship between Oriental Hotel and the Royal family.

Novelties

Every drop of liquor was consumed during the Russian delegation’s stay. That was a clear sign of well-being in that hotel. At the same time, the hotel got a new modern electric light, which was a great improvement for that time. Important to realize, there were only two more places with electric lights; Siam Electric Light Co’s works and the Royal Palace.

You Might Also Like

Famous Author’s Lounge Afternoon Tea

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok Hotel Review

Le Normandie Review

In 1893 H N Andersen sold the hotel business to Franklin Bill Hurst for $22,000. Andersen was still the owner of the neighboring Oriental Store, which continued to supply the hotel with different imports. Those goods were the most expensive wines in the world, like Château Mouton and Château Lafite Rothschild. Andersen returned to Denmark and founded the East Asiatic Company, along with the first director of the Landmans-Banken. Nowadays, it is the largest company in Denmark with worldwide branches.

It is not clear why the hotel was sold, but it is possible that there was a problem with the ‘chit method’ payment. A credit form, that was often never paid. The same ‘problem’ was in the Eastern&Oriental with Sarkies. However Hurst hired American W.J. Palmer to manage the property, and he abrogated that paying system.

Paknam Incident

England and France were in their “Colonization Race” and pressures from French authorities were high. The climax was reached in 1893 in the so-called ‘Paknam Incident’. While sailing off Paknam through Siam’s Chao Phraya River to Bangkok, three French ships were fired on by the Siamese. As a result, Franch blockaded Bangkok and fired guns on the Royal Palace. French warships anchored directly in front of the French Embassy and the Oriental Hotel. The King of Siam avoided bloodshed but the price was high. It was included payment of a war indemnity of three million French francs and the cession of a certain territory, including a portion of the State of Luang Prabang, to France.

Writers Dwelling

Joseph Conrad

Oriental Hotel was hosting many famous people, and surprisingly a lot of well-known writers. Imagine this Chao Phraya River bank in the shine of the full moon and small orchestra playing tender tones at the back… What better brain stimulation can you ask for? Yeah, yeah that small amounts of opium from China… Anyway, in 1888, the hotel was hosting the not yet famous Joseph Conrad. At that time he was a new captain of the ship Otago, where he got a lot of experience and material for his writing. One of the well-known works is also ‘Lord Jim’. As a matter of fact, that name we can find in today’s hotel seafood restaurant.

Maxwell Sommerville

He was a guest in this legendary hotel in 1897. At that time he was the first and only Professor of Glyptology, the study of engraved gems and collecting artifacts of Buddhist worships. Maxwell was an inspired travel writer, travel blogger of that era ;). He arrived at Oriental Hotel with his wife and they were simply astonished by this place and left a rich writing history about the hotel at that time. Oriental Hotel was described as one of the noblest here on the East. For example, they were surprised by two sheets on the bed; that was a luxury they were often denied in India and Burma. He described also a fruit selection in this hotel. At dinner, they were serving mangosteens, bread-fruit, oranges, custard-apples, papaya, pineapples, mangoes, bananas, and even durian despite its intense odor.

William Somerset Maugham

With 850 million books sold, he became the most read author of the 20^th century. In ‘The Gentleman in the Parlour’ he described also his first visit to Oriental Bangkok. ‘The hotel faced the river. My room was dark, one of a long line, with a verandah on each side of it, the breeze blew through, but it was stifling. The dining room was large and dim, and for coolness’ sake, the windows were shuttered. One was waited on by silent Chinese boys. I did not know why the insipid Eastern food sickened me. The wats oppress me by their garish magnificence, making my headache. I took my temperature. I was startled topo see that it was a hundred and five. I could not believe it, so I took it again; it was still a hundred and five’.

Malaria

Maugham had contracted malaria while traveling. It was a bad attack. One morning he overheard a conversation between the hotel manager, Maria Marie, and the doctor. ‘I can’t have him die here, you know. You must take him to the hospital.’ The doctor decided to wait a day or two. Luckily Maugham recovered a few days later. Because he had nothing to do except look at the river and enjoy the weakness left by disease, he invented a fairy story. He was in the Oriental Hotel two times more. Once in 1925, when he stayed there for two weeks and the second time in 1960 to celebrate his 85^th birthday. This time he dined with legendary Jim Thompson. He reminisced: ‘I was almost evicted from the Oriental Hotel because the manager did not want me to ruin her business by dying in one of her rooms.’

Collapse and Women Empower

The hotel was working fine and it was known as a high social hub. However, in 1899, Hurst decided to sell his interests in the Oriental Hotel to a syndicate of a Mr. W Downie. During the following three years the Oriental underwent further expansions and improvements. These times were very turbulent for the hotel.

In 1903, the hotel was taken over by F S Robertson, but not for long. A few months later he had to leave town in a hurry, due to his debts. The hotel was closed down temporarily till 1905 and was established back by Mr. Carl G Edwards, an American. Management was proposed to Mme M O Bujault. She engaged Viennese orchestra, revived the tradition of musical dinners, and employed a new French chef – Monsieur Brier. From this time on the cuisine in Oriental Hotel was at an exquisite level.

Maria Marie

Anyway successful years of Madame M O Bujault lasted only till 1910. She was the first women manager of The Oriental, but certainly not last. Her successor was Maria Marie. She became a legend in her own right. The hotel was in its ‘golden era’, with its patron – Peter Carl Fabergé. He is a well-known jeweler known by the famed Fabergé egg. At Oriental Hotel he did a few successful exhibitions. In addition to that the new King Vajiravudh – Rama VI became his valued customer.

The Oriental Hotel became a famous center not only for travelers but also for diplomats and businessmen. It even became the seat of a diplomatic mission. In 1913, the Imperial & Royal Austro-Hungarian Legation in the Kingdom of Siam established a chancery at the hotel. Good relationships lasted only one year. World War I started and even here, far away from violent events one could still feel it. For example, Austrian diplomats weren’t invited to a French garden party. However, The Great War left a huge crisis all over the world. Luxury travels were out of business and a hotel like The Oriental was affected as well. 

You Might Also Like

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok Review

E&O Hotel History

Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur History

Majestic Melaka Hotel History

1920 – 1940

The hotel was badly affected by the global economic crisis. In 1920, M Henri Cucherousset, correspondent of the Hanoi journal L ‘Evil Economique de l’Indochie came to Bangkok. He did an article about the Oriental Hotel, which wasn’t in its best form. He deplored its lack of ‘a drawing-room for ladies’ and a ‘proper bathing accommodations’. Worst of all he critiqued its generally rundown appearance. Henri Cucherousset had dared to attack a national institution. The response of the public can be described as frantic. The answer to this was raised capital of 60,000 Baht. The idea was Maria Marie’s, who became one of the shareholders and was appointed a managing director.

Renovations went amazingly well, and the Oriental Hotel was back in good shape. In the city, new hotels opened their doors and started to compete with the Oriental Hotel. Guests mostly stayed in the Oriental Hotel, simply because they recognized it as much more than just luxury accommodation. After all, this was the oldest hotel in Bangkok with a rich historical background and Royal connections. After the renovation, Daniel C Sweeney, a seasoned illustrator, arrived. He drew posters for leading Asian hotels. Among them are also the Grand Hotel Metropole in Hanoi and the Continental Palace in Saigon. His work for the Oriental Hotel is considered one of his finest pieces of art.

The Connections

Siam offered four aerodromes, in 1924. However, plains in that time were rare and mostly used by the military. Later in the 1930s, it was more common to travel by plane. At that time the travel from London to Bangkok lasted nine days and it wasn’t considered as safe travel. It is worth mentioning that the first air hostesses were trained nurses. The first group of aerial travelers landed at Don Muang airport in 1931. Among them were also Oriental’s first air-borne guests.

The train connections became much more expanded as well. You could easily visit most of Siam’s parts. Wealthy citizens of Bangkok traveled to Huan Hin, where it was the legendary Railway Hotel and only 5 minutes away, the brand new Royal Golf Club. This Club is the first golf course of international standards in Siam. It had been completed in 1924 and carved on over 240 acres of natural terrain. The course was designed by Arthur O Robins, who was a Scottish railroad engineer.

Maria Marie Retirement

A keen golfer at that time was also Oriental’s manager Maria Marie. She was the Siamese woman champion for a few years in a row. It looks like she wasn’t there only for golf. In 1928 she got divorced and married Arthur O Robins in London in 1932. Then after 22 years of managing the hotel, Maria decided to retire. Her son was planned as her predecessor, but after the death of his wife plans changed. After her son couldn’t take over, she put a couple, Lt Col and Mrs. Sylow, in charge.

Political Instability

On 24 June 1932, occurred the most important political change of that period. The country’s educated ruling class, calling themselves the People’s Party, staged a bloodless coup which finally brought to an end Siam’s days as an absolute monarchy. King Prajadhipok signed the nation’s first constitution in December that same year. Nationalism in the Kingdom was growing, the same as a friendship with Japan. In 1939, Siam’s name was officially changed to Thailand.

At the beginning of World War 2, the Marie-Robins’ family received news that the manager of the Oriental Hotel had been killed in a car accident. Maria and Arthur went to Bangkok and were lucky to be able to formally transfer the hotel’s lease and sell all equipment and stocks. As British subjects, and after the Thai declaration of war against Britain, they were taken to a camp in the Jungle. Later they managed to escape that place and return to Britain.

After WW2

The second Great War was at the doors. Japanese troops began to blockade French Indochina. Thailand signed a treaty of friendship with the Empire of the Rising Sun and officially joined the axis side. Japanese armed forces requisitioned the Oriental Hotel. The average occupancy was 25 guests per night. In February 1942, the Japanese International Tourism Bureau requested that Imperial, the most prestigious hotel in Tokyo, take over the management at Oriental Hotel. American forces regained their power in the Pacific and it became clear that American forces were heading for Okinawa and eventually for the Japanese mainland. On 14 December 1944, American aircraft bombed Rama VI Bridge across the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. After the war, the hotel was requisitioned by the American armed forces. Interior was already in a bad shape at that time.

Correspondents and journalists used to sit on the terrace, drinking cold drinks and swapping the stories. Among them was also famous Colonel Jim Thompson.

Jim Thompson and Oriental Hotel

Jim Thompson was a close friend of Germaine Krull, a famous photographer. She reported the return of King Ananda Mahidol from his studies in Switzerland, took portraits of Jean Cocteau, Andre Malraux, and Einstein, she took photographs of de Gaulle and Churchill during the liberation of Paris. Jim one day proposed to Germaine a partnership and idea of taking over the Oriental Hotel.

Krull decided to team up with the Thompson to revive the hotel. Their partners were General Chai Prateepasen, HRH Prince Bhanu, Mr. Pote Sarasin, and Mr. John Wester. On 9 May 1947, the Bangkok newspaper Liberty reported about Madam Germaine Krull as a manager of the Oriental Hotel. Madam Krull was busy restoring life to this remarkable institution. There was a lot of work needed to revive this “Old Lady”. Just a few weeks after she had taken over, she opened a Bamboo Bar. Bamboo Bar became Bangkok’s most fashionable hangout. The menu in the Bamboo Bar was quite simple, but for that time very “advanced”. American sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, and fried chickens were filling the guests, while live music established a nice atmosphere.

Thai Silk

Krull and Thompson didn’t agree over various things, one of them was architectural change and the reconstruction of a new wing. Because of that Thompson bailed out and sold his shares. Later he established his own silk company, which made Thai silk famous and brought him fame and wealth. To be honest, the Tower wing (the new wing, today is known as a Garden wing) is designed well. As we know Jim Thompson had a great taste for design and décor!

PART 2

I hope you enjoyed our article about Mandarin Oriental Bangkok History. Here is a link to Mandarin Oriental Bangkok Hotel History Part 2, where we checked about modern times.

Main Source is Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental

[1] Placide de Sainte-Helene: Engraved by Claude Roussel, Published by Mille. Du Val, niesse de’l auteur 1686, Paris. In the Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 12.

[2] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 22.

[3] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 25.

[4] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 33.

[5] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 35.

[6] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 45.

[7] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 38.

[8] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 49.

[9] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 49.

[10]Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 43.

[11] https://archive.org/stream/appletonsmagazin04newy#page/58/mode/2up

[12] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 43.

[13] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 49.

[14] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 78.

[15] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 58.

[16] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 67.

[17] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 64.

[18] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 78.

[19] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 78.

[20] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 100.

[21] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 78.

[22] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 78.

[23] Andreas Augustin – The Most Famous Hotels in The World – The Oriental, page 88.

The post Mandarin Oriental Bangkok History appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

Ambiance

We already stayed at the sister hotel, the Majestic Kuala Lumpur and here we expected nothing less and nothing more. Our arrival can be described as majestic, especially when you see this beautiful historic mansion with a compatible modern extension at the back. So far, we have seen many extensions that disfigured the charming original building.

Here, the design is just as it should be; it doesn’t stand out too much and yet is luxurious. Most of the facilities are located in this heritage mansion from the 1920s. When you step inside, you immediately notice Euro-Asian influences. We fell in love with the original Victorian style ceramic tiles, which add to the Peranakan luxury a sense of nostalgia.

Check-In

Check-in is fast and efficient, with a personal touch when it comes to the suggestions on what to see. Their hospitality can be seen from the very first minute when the receptionist will show you around the hotel on the way to your room. In his hands, you will notice a mystery basket that happens to be a welcoming drink meant to be enjoyed in the room.

It is their signature lychee infused black tea. We liked the freedom that comes with the in-room welcoming drink. Not only that, we got the tea in the Peranakan set that compliments the room beautifully. Simply delicious and thoughtful!

Our Room

This hotel is relatively small, with “only” 54 rooms and clever design. All rooms are facing the Malacca River and Melaka city, which means a nice view and plenty of natural light. The room style gives you a powerful colonial feel, but you will never miss a modern comfort.

Warm timber floors are nice in a combination with silk, creamy walls and teak furniture. Screen doors are hiding a beautiful colonial style bathroom with black and white floor tiles and a clawfoot bathtub. If you desire a quick shower, there is a spacious rain shower present as well. In a way, it reminded us of that one from Majestic Kuala Lumpur.

The wooden sliding doors can split the open one-space concept with a swing. If you are shy, you can close them, and you’ll have all the privacy you need. If not, leaving them open can end with a sunset view straight from the bath.

As a result of the open-plan, the spacious feel is present at all times. In fact, the room has everything you need – writing table, coffee table, mini bar, comfortable sofa and of course the bed. A very comfortable bed to be exact.

Service

The staff is kind and helpful. For smaller hotels like Majestic Hotel Melaka it is crucial that the service is pleasant and more personal. At this point, we want to thank all personnel there for this unforgettable Melaka retreat.

Facilities and Amenities

In the original mansion of the Majestic Melaka Hotel, you will find a small reception desk on one side and a colonial bar on the other side. The open hallway is also used as a waiting area or as a lounge for the Majestic Hotel Melaka afternoon tea time. For more privacy is there the library with two tables, where your high tea time can be even more special. On the upper floor is a casual dining restaurant – The Mansion, where they serve breakfast and Kristang delicacies.

To reach the rooms in the new wing, you need to leave the mansion and pass by a smaller but functional swimming pool and a well-equipped gym. Last but not least, the spa is on the first floor of the new wing. We warmly recommend a visit to this sophisticated spa especially to enjoy the world’s one and only Peranakan spa therapies. We will post a dedicated article about this amazing experience.

Toiletries

Whenever we see a hotel’s efforts to eliminate the single-use plastic, we are happy. At the Majestic Melaka, this attempt involved the toiletries which are ready to use in the pump bottles. The Malaysian brand presented for the conditioning shampoo and body wash is the Mangosteen. Outside the shower, are still the usual items for personal hygiene and body lotion by Aromatherapy Associates, scented with lavender and ylang ylang.

When it comes to amenities, we haven’t missed any. The only downside is the TV schema. If you like to watch TV in hotel rooms, you might miss some channels. However, we haven’t miss the TV because we were too busy with activities in this hotel, the ones you can’t do at home.

Activities

Majestic Melaka is excellent when it comes to activities. We joined their heritage tour, where we got to know Melaka from a different angle. As you know we were in Malacca before and we somehow didn’t like this UNESCO town too much. Anyway, this time we got more information about its history and culture and now it is our second favorite Malaysian city. The first one is still Georgetown, though.

Heritage Walk

This is a pleasant activity that will change your view of the Melaka, it sure did ours. Not only we saw the streets we otherwise wouldn’t but it’s about the whole experience. Everything started in front of the hotel where we got to know each other and the building itself. Already at the beginning, we traveled back in time just by following the melodic voice of our guide.

The way she spoke was to paint a picture in front of our eyes while the streets added the reality of change to our understanding. This two-hour walk is complimentary to all the guests of the Majestic Malacca and it’s a perception changer!

Kristang Cooking Class

The last time we were in Malaysia we came across the Peranakan cuisine, which absolutely amazed us. This time, we found out there is another cuisine, that has some characteristics from Nyonya food, but it is quite different. We are talking about Kristang cuisine, which is a fusion of the Malacca-Portuguese kitchen.

If we would like to write down influence on this type of cuisine we should name Indian, Malay, Chinese, Dutch, English and Portuguese influence. You can only imagine the richness of this cultural blend and the importance of its existence. Majestic Melaka Hotel is one of the last places where they serve original Kristang recipes, and if you are a foodie like us, then you should join their cooking class.

There, you won’t only learn more about this cuisine and prepare a few dishes on your own, but also enjoy them at the end of the cooking class. That’s the type of education I like! Here you can read all about Kristang cuisine.

Spa

It is difficult to capture the essence of the Spa Village Malacca in a few words. Especially because it is the world’s only spa that based the therapies on the healing culture of the Peranakan people. The customs are also extended to the local ingredients such as local coconut sugar known as the Gula Melaka.

When Vivi found out about the body scrub with honey and Gula Melaka she went all-in with bird’s nest facial as well. The whole treatment involved the Peranakan customs about which you’ll be able to find out more in the Spa review.

Food and Beverage

Majestic Hotel Melaka review can’t miss food. The food at the Majestic Hotel Melaka is delicious and comforting. As we said before, Kristang cuisine is definitely worth trying at The Mansion Restaurant. We suggest it to be an early dinner, and yes, try not to miss the locally inspired afternoon tea.

As afternoon tea lovers we have also tried their version of afternoon tea, and the title ‘The best afternoon tea in Melaka’ is more than suitable for it. Pleasant savories with delicious sweet bites that are inspired by Melakan cultural mix and accompanied with BOH fine teas. An extended article about this colonial afternoon tea is also coming soon.

At the Mansion Bar, they have their Gin O’clock, where you can try out some fantastic cocktails or Malacca Gin, which was made only for this hotel. Here you can read more about this great experience and see what is so special about this limited Tranquay Gin.

Breakfast

The Mansion is a cozy dining room with a self-service breakfast and the extensive a la carte menu set on the dining table. A humble self-service table holds the basics such as the cereals, homemade yogurt, cold cuts, cheese, pastry, fresh fruit, salads and more. For warm dishes, we turned to the breakfast menu waiting for us on the table, which offers dishes that will surely please fussy eaters.

In case you want to have a taste of Kristang breakfast, the omelet with fermented krill is the perfect call. As the specials of the day, there are also a few Malaysian and Western classics.

Conclusion

Majestic Malacca Hotel might be the best hotel in Melaka and there is no coincidence about this. Homely feeling with impeccable service and delicious food justifies this title. If you add a unique spa offer and great activities for more heritage engagement you have an unforgettable trip to this heritage town. The Majestic Hotel Malacca is the place that works hand in hand with the 600-year-old heritage town and will surely make your holidays. In case you are a true heritage hotel lover, here is a link to our Majestic Hotel Malacca History article.

Majestic Hotel Melaka Review Card

• 9.2/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.2/10
• 9.1/10
  CLEANLINESS – 9.1/10
• 9/10
  ROOM – 9/10
• 8.8/10
  FACILITIES AND AMENITIES – 8.8/10
• 9/10
  FOOD AND BEVERAGE – 9/10
• 9.8/10
  SERVICE – 9.8/10
• 9.4/10
  VALUE – 9.4/10

Price, Location and Reservation

A night here at Majestic Malacca Hotel with breakfast for two persons starts at about 120 USD. Here is a link to the location for easy navigation. In case you would like to make a reservation, we will be grateful if you make it through our referral link. However, it won’t cost you anything only we will receive a small commission. Thank you.

Disclaimer: Majestic Hotel Melaka Review is written on our experience in the Majestic Hotel Melaka and it wasn’t sponsored or paid in any way.

The post Majestic Hotel Melaka Review – Heritage 100% appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

The Ambiance of the Le Club

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel is a truly majestic colonial French legacy. You can quickly understand why is this one of the best hotels in the world. Their famous Metropole Hanoi afternoon tea is served in the lounge with a French name – Le Club. Le Club is a pleasant colonial-style lounge, mostly designed as a glasshouse. Indeed, it felt great to quieten down in a peaceful semi-glasshouse with nurtured greenery. Hotel’s green garden was such a welcoming sight that we asked for the table right next to the window. Absolutely no street sounds came into the open space design of the Le Club, with »our« part safely snuggled away.

When I say »our« I mean the few separate tables with open pathways on each side. Not being on the open and jet a part of a bigger picture was perfect for our afternoon tea time. Given that this is one of the most popular afternoon teas in Hanoi, let us not forget that it is also a beloved place for lunch gatherings and evening catch-ups. At night the glamourous speakeasy of the 1920’s style is the most noticeable, especially with live jazz tunes. In a word, this place is perfect for this classy Metropole Hanoi afternoon tea.

The Tea Selection

I love it when the tea menu gets exchanged for the actual tea samples. This way I can’t misinterpret the tea name and end up second guessing my final choice. It is exciting for me when I can see and smell the tea before deciding which one I want.  Luckily, here at Metropole Hanoi afternoon tea, you can check all teas before you decide. Of course, I’m always tempted to smell all samples and then make a narrower selection. But I know that by doing so I would leave everyone around me anxious. To avoid rolling eyes, I quickly scanned the content of 21 teas stored in small glass bottles. At that time Ian already announced his choice, the no. 10, Melange Oriental. Naturally, I returned to the first bottle that attracted me with white jasmine flowers and added: “No. 5, the Jasmin Chung Hao for me please “.

Another reason why I quickly put my hand on Jasmin tea is for the Vietnamese custom of serving a glass of tea next to the Vietnamese coffee. Actually, a few times we got quite a decent jasmine tea and this time I wanted it to be the main star. This delicate green tea is infused with Jasmine blossoms essence, which gives it the signature taste. Of course, there is palatable green tea, but the Chung Hao variety is lighter.

You Can Buy the Tea Leaves

Ian’s green tea, the Melange oriental turned out to be a thirst quenching one. To prevent it from becoming too strong, he embraced the idea of the additional hot water. It never gets old watching him to drain the loose tea, and this one had an eye-catching addition of multicolored cornflowers and pleasant taste. By the way, for the Metropole Hanoi afternoon tea occasion, they serve the L’Epicerie du Metropole tea selection, which is also on sale at the Sofitel Legend Metropole L’Epicerie boutique. If you are fond of their tea, you can easily buy and take it home.

Sandwiches @ Metropole Hanoi Afternoon Tea

At the bottom of the three-layer sandwich stand each got three different tea sandwiches. I especially liked the creamy avocado sandwich, with a fresh cherry tomato slice on top. Avocado cream makes this sandwich smooth as butter, with acidity coming from the juicy tomato. On the other hand, Ian’s favorite was the tuna sandwich, seasoned with caramelized onion. The last one was a classic salami and cheese sandwich with fresh zucchini for texture and salt reduction. It is garnished with the black olive on top for some contrast to the soft white bread. Hence all the finger sandwiches were freshly prepared and tasty we were eager to try some scones.

Scones

Skipping the middle plate full of seasonal fruit I reached for the scones on top of the three-level pastry stand. At first, I thought that among the sweets were two financiers, but as it turned out I was only half right. The bigger ones were the raisin scones with a sugar glaze. Ok, there was some “scones” resemblance but not really a scones category. Despite that cream and jam fit it well at every bite.

Next to them, we got to enjoy two different house jams: the raspberry and mango jam. Both of them are great, but the real star is the luscious cream – fairly fatty with vanilla.  Alert for all scones lovers! Metropole Hanoi afternoon tea doesn’t have the proper ones. Shocking, right? 🙂

You Might Also Like

Metropole Hanoi Buffet Review

Metropole Hanoi Hotel Review

Hotel Opera High Tea Review

Metropole Hanoi Afternoon Tea Sweets

To my delight, the sweets plate was the biggest with all 8 pieces coming in doubles. Besides the two fruity cakes, there were also chocolate treats that made the option of chocolate buffet incredibly tempting. Oh, it melted too quickly despite the crisp pieces of hazelnuts inside the filling. Even so, I managed to keep a dignified face and loved the second praline – white chocolate with pistachio. Fortunately, there were more chocolate delicacies on the plate, so I nearly forgot about the temptation in the next room.

Delicious

For example, the flawless profiterole with a generous amount of chocolate ganache was to die for. A few French classics were also utterly delicious. The Madeline – small almond cake, had the white chocolate coating on one side to complemented the buttery and moist pastry. Another classic was the impeccable Madeleine with a touch of chocolate. So was the delicate macaron with white chocolate filling. Macarons are perfect A, with nice crunchy outside layer melting away and not sticky core. However, when I got to the creamy coconut mousse cake, I had no remorse left. Indeed I was happy to finish the afternoon tea sweets with strawberry and chocolate cube. Both were incredibly luscious with the fine pastry layer for the base and the rest comprising just the flavourful cream.

Fruit Plate

Honestly, this part of Sofitel Metropole Hanoi afternoon tea is disappointing. I didn’t visit one of the best afternoon teas in Hanoi to enjoy the fruit. When I am in Asia every morning starts with a market visit, where I pick my fresh fruit. Here at the 5-star hotel, I prefer artisan cakes, French pastries, chocolate treats and a real scones. Reasonably, all the fruit pieces were of high quality, which lead to succulent mango, crunchy watermelon, and sweet pineapple. My favorite bit was the dragon fruit which had a small addition in the form of a citrusy coating.

Conclusion

A far cry away from the Vietnamese capital and still part of the story is the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel. There was a number of firsts for this place including the showing of the first movie in Indo-China. By now the name and the setting changed, but the Le Club bar still supplies a great deal of glamour to the Hanoi. A touch of 20’s charm was also on our marble table in the shape of the silver sandwich stand with a beautiful arch on top. Part of it was classic afternoon tea treats which definitely apply to be one of the best afternoon tea in Hanoi.

Critique

The only downside of Sofitel Metropole Hanoi afternoon tea are scones and a fruit plate. Surely it is nice to see some new variations of scones, but there should always be one plain classic scone aside. After all, you never know, maybe Queen Elizabeth II herself will enter that doors to indulge her afternoon tea. The other minus is a fruit plater of course. Like I said before, the fruit doesn’t have a place at high tea, period. Ok, there is another flaw. A guy who served us didn’t explain anything about Metropole Hanoi afternoon tea. If we would know about the chocolate library, we would order different.

Even though I was fully satisfied and fed, I still felt the sizzling temptation of the chocolate library in the next room. Lord knows that next time when we will be in Hanoi chocolate heaven will be demolished. There is no turning back now that I’ve tried their house-made chocolate goodies. Thank goodness time let me go to the house boutique L’Epicerie du Metropole for some takeaway.

Our Tip

If you are a high tea lover, then you should check Metropole Hanoi Hotel’s sister, Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi. They serve amazing Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi afternoon tea. The ambiance there is outstanding, as well. If you are more a modern style lover and you like to dring your cup of tea above the skies, than Landmark72 afternoon tea is the one for you.  You are welcome!

Metropole Hanoi Afternoon Tea Review Card

• 9.5/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.5/10
• 9/10
  SERVICE – 9.0/10
• 9.2/10
  TEA SELECTION – 9.2/10
• 8.9/10
  PRESENTATION – 8.9/10
• 9/10
  BITES – 9/10
• 8.4/10
  VALUE – 8.4/10

Price and Location

Metropole Hanoi afternoon tea set for two persons will empty your bank account for about 25 USD. In a case, you don’t know where Metropole Hanoi Hotel is, here is a link to a location for easier navigation. Enjoy!

The post Metropole Hanoi Afternoon Tea – Simply Delicious appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

Actually, the full name of this pearl is Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel. The Legend is a collection of stately heritage hotels and palaces found in iconic cities around the world. My and Vivi’s dream is to visit all! As a matter of fact, we started in Hanoi and we couldn’t wish for a better start. Read our detailed Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel Review and you’ll see why it was a perfect first.

Atmosphere

In the heart of the French Quarter proudly stands the  Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel. Note that this quarter is different than the rest of the Hanoi and that is why you should explore it a little. This area has always been lavish and it’s a good match for the five stars Metropole Hotel. Even so, it is hard to miss this famous building with the best part hidden inside.

There are two main entrances and two lobbies, which are entirely different. The one in the new wing is bright with white marble, while the one in the original building is moodier, full of warm wooden ornaments. French colonial feeling is instant, but there are Vietnamese finishes present as well.

A Lot of Greenery

Our favorite part of the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel is the inner courtyard. For that, we have a few reasons, with green surface and privacy the highest-ranking ones. Although, important to us is also the iconic stairways – charming and perfect for photos. Vivi was admiring it for the whole duration of our delightful Metropole Hanoi afternoon tea inside the glasshouse.

Feeling through the whole hotel is welcoming and warm. Everything is in the place, decorated with style. I think they have achieved the most desirable goal for historic hotels. Here at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel, you will never forget that you are in the heritage hotel, but also you will never miss a modern touch.

We Stayed in the Historical Metropole Wing

Well, we are fond of heritage hotels, so of course, we stayed in the historical Metropole Wing. This wing is the personalization of colonial times. Vintage lamps are illuminating moody corridors in creamy colors and ornamented with dark wood. The centerpiece is a classic imperial stairway with a chandelier in the middle. Part of this wing is also the legendary La Terrasse du Metropole Hanoi with le Beaulieu restaurant and Le Club Bar along with a picture-perfect greenhouse.

Our Room

Our room at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel was Grand Luxury Room. Like the whole hotel also our room reflects the Indochina colonial style mixed with French sophistication. Otherwise, the Grand Luxury Room is spacious, bright and decorated with good taste. It includes both ceramic and rice paper lighting to shine brightly to the massive mahogany furnishings. Floors are made of hardwood in dark color which is complementary with golden details, like curtains and metal ornaments.

The bathroom is spacious with separated big bathtub and shower, the Villeroy & Boch ceramics, washbasin, and toilet. Vivi loves the toilet accessories here at in Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel. They have ceramic cups, containers, coasters and even bin is part of the same set. All have an elegant green pattern that matches  Hermès toiletries which are part of Eau d’orange verte collection.

Cleanliness

The room and common areas were generally clean. There were only a few spots in a decorative wall with wooden ornaments and glass. I understand these corners are hard to clean, but anyway… Well, we used this flaw and took a few “boudoir photos,” where blurred glass worked like a charm.

Facilities

When it comes to facilities and amenities, the Metropole Hanoi Hotel is not short of anything. It has everything that 5 stars luxury hotels should have. Not only that every space here is decorated with taste and it never loses the Indochina felling. Metropole Hanoi Hotel has two restaurants and four bars. Sadly, there was a significant renovation in progress, when we were staying there. Luckily, we got a taste of one of the best brunches in Hanoi in their famous French restaurant – Le Beaulieu.

Le Beaulieu

Le Beaulieu is multiple times rewarded French restaurant with famous Sunday brunches. Really,  Le Beaulieu restaurant is a gem with a long history. This is the first French restaurant in Hanoi, opened the same year as hotel – 1901. The ambiance in contemporary French design with a blend of Indochinese touches. The marble floor and pillars give you a welcoming, sophisticated feeling of the classic Parisian restaurant. When you are in Hanoi, buffet Metropole Hanoi is something you should try out.

Spices Garden

Spices Garden is another restaurant here in Metropole Hanoi Hotel. It is mostly known for traditional Vietnamese culinary, refined with a French touch. We didn’t try any of their dishes. I guess the streets of Hanoi offer too many delicious authentic dishes.

Bars for Every Taste

Under the roof of the Metropole Hanoi Hotel are four bars, so that everyone can find their favorite. Unfortunately, Angelina and La Terrasse were closed when we were there. Renovations in progress, which means only one thing – we must come back to Hanoi! I’m dying to see the fresh look of Angelina, which is a Cocktail bar. Besides the looks, I also reckon that a few changes in the menu appeared as well.

Le Club Bar

Metropole Hanoi Hotel is hiding another pearl, this is its Le Club Bar, where you can enjoy famous afternoon tea or iconic Sofitel Metropole Hanoi chocolate buffet. The ambiance here at Le Club Bar is French colonial with a hint of Victorian touch. Glass greenhouse overlooking the hotel garden courtyard is a great place to indulge your afternoon tea. If you stay at Metropole Hanoi Hotel, Le Club Bar might be your favorite evening venue as well. Every day except on Mondays you can enjoy live Jazz performance, as we did. The review is coming soon.

Above Le Club Bar is famous for the rooftop garden balcony ‘Le Balcon’, which forms a green oasis. The only way to get up there is via white iron stairs, which are perfect for an Instagram photo session.

You Might Also Like

Metropole Hanoi Buffet Review

Metropole Hanoi Afternoon Tea Review

Metropole Hanoi Heritage Walk

Courtyard

As I have mentioned before this is our favorite part of the Metropole Hanoi Hotel. It is not only pleasant, but it also serves as a connection between the old Heritage wing and the new Opera wing. On the one side, there are two shopping arcades with luxury retails. While opposite of it is the heated swimming pool with the Bamboo bar and well equipped SoFIT gym.

Even though the name Bamboo bar is the same as in exceptional jazz bar – The Bamboo Bar Bangkok, it is more like a pool bar. The ambiance is chilled with beautiful ceiling fans. Here you can enjoy light snacks and refreshing cocktails while enjoying swimming pool activities.

SoFIT Gym and Le Spa du Metropole

The first thing to mention is the gym’s modern equipment full of typical gym machines, step machines, elliptical bikes, and free weights. Everything you need for a perfect workout, with snacks and drinks to keep you going. Usually, it’s only fruit and water in the luxury hotel gyms, but here at Metropole Hanoi Hotel, they offer also homemade energy bars and juices for a quick energy boost.

We haven’t visited the spa here at the Metropole Hanoi Hotel, but I can only imagine how great it must be.

Inside the historical Metropole Wing, you will find more shops, with the designer collections such as Bottega Veneta, Hublot, S&S Knightsbridge, Chopard, Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, Hermes, Hanoia, Breguet & Blancpain, La Boutique du Metropole. What impressed me the most about the shops is that they are not in the center of happenings, but still easily accessible and beautifully decorated.

Our favorite shop here at Metropole Hanoi Hotel is Sofitel’s “L’Epicerie du Metropole”. Offer here is full of fine French imported treats and freshly baked pastries as well. We simply love it!

Amenities

In the room, we got a collection of special Vietnamese teas, like green tea from the ancient tree tea for example. This was for us the first time to try the ancient tree tea. It is a special tea, for which some scientists estimate can have trees about 3000 years old. Taste is very close to a cup of fine raw Pu’er tea with a sweet aftertaste and vegetal, earthy flavor.

The best thing is that it can be infused a few times with steeping time extended each time. Also from the north of Vietnam is their Ha Giang black tea. Hanoi’s legend has an exclusive tea offer under the name Sofitel Legend Depuis 1901.

In the bathroom is all one needs including sewing kit and necessary hygiene tools. Hermès toiletries of the Eau d’orange verte collection are another legendary additions. Eau d’orange verte formula reaches all the way to the  Hermès roots. It was the first cologne of the Hermès company and still reflects their vision of the so-called art of living. Lack of media hub on TV was partly replaced by the wide range of programs and up to date international news in the Business center.

Activities

In activities offer, Metropole Hanoi Hotel is not exactly like Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, but they have something exceptional – a heritage walk. As a matter of fact, Metropole Hanoi Hotel has its very own house historian who is having daily tours. We found out some interesting facts about the hotel and entered the Metropole Hanoi Hotel bomb shelter as well.

In a word, this bomb shelter was rediscovered by the hotel engineering department during the renovation of the Bamboo Bar in 2011. Our diary about this Path of History is coming soon.

Yoga and Tai Chi

At the rooftop garden balcony ‘Le Balcon,’ guests can join complimentary Yoga (Mondays and Wednesdays) and Tai Chi (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Classes are offered here from 7 to 8 am and are the perfect way to start our day. You know, to prepare your body for a delicious breakfast.

Food at Metropole Hanoi Hotel

Breakfast

Hm, where to start, it’s so much to say. At first, we stopped at the well being corner and had a cup of chia seed pudding with coconut milk and juice. It was a great start, especially with utterly delicious mixed juice all freshly made. Regarding the fresh juice selection, it was literally legendary. Best of all was the chefs’ combinations of different fruit, but there were also classics. Just a few steps away was a mango corner with a few dishes all made of soft Cat Chu Mango. The fruity start is a good way to enter the buffet breakfast, especially with so many twists.

Salmon corner is also a special one, with the Scandinavian salmon as a star. Before the fish gets served the chef cures it for a day. After that chef cleans the salmon and for the final step the salmon gets some cold smoking with applewood chips for two hours. The outcome is delicious as one expects. We loved it. What can I say, breakfast buffet at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel is the reason to wake up before the alarm clock.

Pho Not so Good

The only dish that we didn’t enjoy as much as we usually do, was the Pho. We are a kinda expert of this delicious Vietnamese vermicelli soup. Anyway street vendors, who have only Pho on the menu, are serving much better soups. Maybe should Metropole Hanoi Hotel management find one antie on the street and give her a job 😉

Metropole Hanoi Hotel Buffet at Le Beaulieu

Sunday brunch at Le Beaulieu restaurant earned the reputation as one of the best brunches in Hanoi. Obviously, the main attraction is the food, fresh, tasty, high-quality food. The perfect partner in crime, champagne or wine is also available for this joyful occasion. For the duration of Sunday brunch, everything runs smoothly at Le Beaulieu restaurant. The place was organized and tables clean all the time. Even the lady who was opening the oysters on the spot kept up with the high demand. Not an easy job! Read our review of this exclusive Metropole Buffet.

Afternoon Tea at Le Club Bar

To provide a detailed review, we also indulged into the afternoon tea at Le Club bar. Tea for afternoon tea is in house brand, the L’Epicerie du Metropole tea selection and includes 21 types. In contrast, the tea sandwiches came in 3 varieties, all fresh and flavorful. Scones were kind of a puzzle to us, but still enjoyable with house jams and cream. To my delight, the sweets plate was the biggest with eight pieces of sweets all delicious. The detailed afternoon tea review is here, so please be our guest and check it.

Service at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel

5-stars hotels have the best service possible in the hospitality business. However, there are some differences and we are trying to notice them. Here at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel, the service is impeccable. Evening turndown is just like we love it: water on the nightstand, curtains set, bed ready and even a poem with chocolate.

No matter where we were at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, employees were always friendly and helpful. Communication was never a problem, and you could get your peace when you want it. Yes, that’s right, in some hotels the employees can pay “too much attention.”

Gift for Accor Hotels Golden Status Guests

Some hotel chains have loyalty programs for their members. After obtaining statutes, you get some benefits. However, I will write about the Accor Hotels loyalty program another time. This time I will only describe how you are treated here at Metropole Hanoi Hotel as a gold member.

As an illustration, Metropole Hanoi values golden members with special care. At our arrival, we got a delicious welcome drink and a “classic rescue,” cold towels. Our room got an upgrade and early check-in as well. In the room, we got a small gift consisting of dragon fruit, delicious cake and luscious pralines. Above all that, we also got a vintage postcard with a dedication. Nice gesture, must say.

Conclusion

I must admit after staying at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel we developed a soft spot for hotel brand Sofitel. For this reason, you will read more reviews of this hotel chain. Indeed, Metropole Hanoi Hotel is something special and if you have a chance to stay there, do not hesitate. Service, food, room, facilities, and amenities… Everything is outstanding here. Heritage hotel like Metropole Hanoi deserves a hotel managing like this.

This building is not only a hotel but rather a historical place, where you will be a witness of noble history. There is no doubt, the Metropole Hanoi Hotel is one of the best hotels in Hanoi, or rather “the best hotel in Hanoi.” Might as well be another landmark in Hanoi and here in Hanoi is also a sister of Metropole Hanoi. It is called Sofitel Hotel de ’lOpera Hanoi and we did our review of de l’Opera Hanoi afternoon tea.

For all heritage hotel lovers, I will write a Metropole Hanoi history, so you will get to know more about this outstanding luxury hotel.

Metropole Hanoi Hotel Review Card

• 9.3/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.3/10
• 9.3/10
  CLEANLINESS – 9.3/10
• 9.2/10
  ROOM – 9.2/10
• 9/10
  FACILITIES AND AMENITIES – 9/10
• 9.5/10
  FOOD AND BEVERAGE – 9.5/10
• 9.6/10
  SERVICE – 9.6/10
• 8.6/10
  VALUE – 8.6/10

Price, Location and Reservation

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi address is 15 Phố Ngô Quyền, Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 010000, Vietnam and here is a link to the location for easy navigation. Price of the room the same as ours with breakfast for two is about 550 USD per night. If you decide to stay here, please use my referral link. It won’t cost you anything, only we will earn a small commission if you decide to book a hotel through it. Thank you

Disclaimer: Metropole Hanoi Hotel Review is written on our experience in the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel and it wasn’t sponsored or paid in any way.

The post Metropole Hanoi Hotel Review: Green Heritage Hotel appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.