Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel
There's no other hotel I'd rather stay at than the Metropole, an illustrious hotel that's the very epitome of luxury.
Built by the French when it first colonized Indochina, it has welcomed luminaries spanning the theatrical world, political arena and royalty. Notable guests include Charlie Chaplin, Jane Birkin (of the Birkin bag namesake), Stephen Hawking, Fidel Castro, Prince Andrew, and Bill Clinton. So, if the Metropole is good enough for them all, it surely is good enough for me!
The Metropole's intimate personalised service is second to none, and colour me impressed because the staff greeted us by name in the short 3 days we were there.
Room
We stayed in the Grand Premium Club Metropole Room in the newer Opera Wing; all executive club rooms are perched on the topmost 7th floor, affording you the best views of French Quarter. If you intend to stay-in the room, take the Prestige Suite with Club Metropole benefits instead. We were hardly in the room, which didn't justify the suite reservation.
The king bed with chaise lounger.
The bed faces the bathroom with a romantic claw footed tub and complimentary bath salts and bubbles,. While there aren't any doors separating the bedroom and bath, there's an organza curtain that affords minimal privacy.
The worktable and refreshment area with a nespresso machine.
The bathroom runs the length of the suite, with double sinks, a spacious rain shower and fluffy terry cloth bathrobes. The loo is at the end, shaded by a swing door. Note that there aren't any locks on the loo door.
Hermes toiletries, 'nuff said!
The Metropole is renowned for their high tea, so it was no surprise that the complimentary macarons served during the turn-down service were absolutely fantastic.
Room Service
We ordered from the Room Service once (I know, I know, it's very unusual for us to be so disciplined in our room service orders, but we were already eating 5 squares a day along the streets of Hanoi!), a bowl of chicken noodle soup, Pho Ga (300,000VND/S$19). It was decent, comforting especially in the dead of night, but unmemorably pedestrian.
Facilities
The Club Metropole Lounge, with its plush booth seats, quickly became a favourite spot of ours while hanging out for tea.
The Library was well stocked with travel, design, classics and contemporary fiction. Too bad half of them were in French, and the other half in Vietnamese.
The Business Center, which we didn't use because we had free wifi and brought our laptops.
The Gym and Spa in the glasshouse-like structure at the far end of the Opera Wing, where we had the most blissed-out experience ever. I loved that they use Clarins products.
French windows in the neoclassical beaux-arts design. It's like you're in Europe!
A winding staircase leading to the open-air balcony that hosts picturesque private events.
Antique telephones that actually work.
A pinterest-worthy element.
Restaurants
Le Beaulieu, which serves haute French cuisine.
The breezy pool bar, which comes alive at night, is great for cocktails and cigars.The entrance to the wartime shelter is right in front of it.
The outdoor terrace of the Spices Garden, which serves all day buffets.It's great for people watching while having breakfast and coffee.
Our very own Chua En Lai made the list of the Who's Who of Metropole Hotel starring guests.
LKY and GCT also making the cut amongst the honor roll of political head honchos.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel
Website
Built by the French when it first colonized Indochina, it has welcomed luminaries spanning the theatrical world, political arena and royalty. Notable guests include Charlie Chaplin, Jane Birkin (of the Birkin bag namesake), Stephen Hawking, Fidel Castro, Prince Andrew, and Bill Clinton. So, if the Metropole is good enough for them all, it surely is good enough for me!
The Metropole's intimate personalised service is second to none, and colour me impressed because the staff greeted us by name in the short 3 days we were there.
Room
We stayed in the Grand Premium Club Metropole Room in the newer Opera Wing; all executive club rooms are perched on the topmost 7th floor, affording you the best views of French Quarter. If you intend to stay-in the room, take the Prestige Suite with Club Metropole benefits instead. We were hardly in the room, which didn't justify the suite reservation.
The king bed with chaise lounger.
The bed faces the bathroom with a romantic claw footed tub and complimentary bath salts and bubbles,. While there aren't any doors separating the bedroom and bath, there's an organza curtain that affords minimal privacy.
The worktable and refreshment area with a nespresso machine.
The bathroom runs the length of the suite, with double sinks, a spacious rain shower and fluffy terry cloth bathrobes. The loo is at the end, shaded by a swing door. Note that there aren't any locks on the loo door.
Hermes toiletries, 'nuff said!
The Metropole is renowned for their high tea, so it was no surprise that the complimentary macarons served during the turn-down service were absolutely fantastic.
Room Service
We ordered from the Room Service once (I know, I know, it's very unusual for us to be so disciplined in our room service orders, but we were already eating 5 squares a day along the streets of Hanoi!), a bowl of chicken noodle soup, Pho Ga (300,000VND/S$19). It was decent, comforting especially in the dead of night, but unmemorably pedestrian.
Facilities
The Club Metropole Lounge, with its plush booth seats, quickly became a favourite spot of ours while hanging out for tea.
The Library was well stocked with travel, design, classics and contemporary fiction. Too bad half of them were in French, and the other half in Vietnamese.
The Business Center, which we didn't use because we had free wifi and brought our laptops.
The Gym and Spa in the glasshouse-like structure at the far end of the Opera Wing, where we had the most blissed-out experience ever. I loved that they use Clarins products.
French windows in the neoclassical beaux-arts design. It's like you're in Europe!
A winding staircase leading to the open-air balcony that hosts picturesque private events.
Antique telephones that actually work.
A pinterest-worthy element.
Restaurants
Le Beaulieu, which serves haute French cuisine.
The breezy pool bar, which comes alive at night, is great for cocktails and cigars.The entrance to the wartime shelter is right in front of it.
The outdoor terrace of the Spices Garden, which serves all day buffets.It's great for people watching while having breakfast and coffee.
Our very own Chua En Lai made the list of the Who's Who of Metropole Hotel starring guests.
LKY and GCT also making the cut amongst the honor roll of political head honchos.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel
Website
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