TRIED & TESTED HOTEL So tel Legend Metropole Hanoi

BACKGROUND The Metropole opened in 1901, although it has changed names for substantial periods since then and has been completely rebuilt, albeit in the style of the original hotel, and subsequently expanded. As an example, the 135-room Opera Wing and an o ice tower were completed in 1996, with the o ice block converted into guestrooms in 2008, bringing the total to 364 rooms and suites. At present, however, the heritage Metropole Wing is closed until at least 2024 for renovations, and so the room inventory is currently 255. The ‘Legend’ part of the hotel’s title indicates it has an illustrious history, which it certainly does, complete with a bunker under the hotel dating back to the Vietnam War. A free 30-minute hotel history tour is conducted every afternoon at 5pm. It’s worth noting there are a lot of stairs in this hotel, and getting from one part of the hotel to another can be cumbersome.

ROOMS I was in a Premium room in the Opera Wing (32 sqm). The rooms need refurbishing, unfortunately. There are no USB charging ports and a power point on only one side of the bed. There was also no co ee machine, just sachets of Nescafe and teabags. On the plus side, the light switches were simple to operate with easily controllable master switches. There was also a sizeable desk for working, a walk-in wardrobe, and the windows could be opened (after deactivating the child lock). The rooms have air conditioning, but it was very slow to chill the room. The small bathroom had a shower accessed by stepping into the bath, but there were full-size Balmain toiletries on the wall. Executive rooms get access to the executive lounge also on the seventh floor, but compared to most executive lounges it is very nineties in both design and o ering, though I liked the atmosphere created by the pianist in the evening.

A bunker under the hotel dates back to the Vietnam War

WHERE IS IT? In Hanoi’s French Quarter and in the heart of the commercial and business district. Noi Bai International airport is a 45-minute drive away.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? Very traditional. Dark wood floors, rotating ceiling fans, liveried sta and lots of prints displaying fascinating stories from the past and famous former guests. There are two lobbies, though the Opera Wing lobby is the one (mainly) being used while renovations are ongoing. There are two banks of lifts either side of a stairway, though as one of these is for sta , you can sometimes wait quite a while. There are seven floors in the Opera Wing, with the Executive Floor at the top.

FOOD AND DRINK The hotel has an outstanding arsenal of restaurants and bars, and ironically, the refurbishment of these venues showcases what the hotel could be if it was thoroughly updated. Le Beaulieu o ers French gastronomy in a gorgeous room, while adjoining it is the Parisian-style pavement bistro La Terrasse for streetside snacks and refreshments. Breakfast in Spices Garden was sub-standard for a hotel of this tier. Angelina, formerly an Italian restaurant, now serves Australian and US food and has an impressive double-height bar. The Bamboo Bar by the pool is quiet, relaxing and feels like you could be at a resort instead of in the middle of the city.

MEETINGS There is a conference and business centre on the upper ground floor of the Opera Wing, with three boardrooms and secretarial services. The hotel also has larger event spaces, including Thang Long Hall (catering to 120), L’Orangerie and the 100 sqm garden Le Balcon.

LEISURE The Le Spa du Metropole has eight rooms decorated in “Indochine” style (treatments start from around US$95 for one hour). The SoFit gym is open 7am-11pm but to get there you have to take a lift down to the lobby, walk past the restaurants and meeting facilities, back outside and then finally enter the spa – not easy in slippers and a robe. The outdoor pool is an idyllic setting.

VERDICT This hotel has an enviable history, but new renovations would be welcome. Until then there is the nostalgia and excellent service, as well as Le Beaulieu restaurant.

Tom Otley

BEST FOR

A meal at the refurbished Le Beaulieu restaurant

DON’T MISS

The complimentary tour of the hotel’s bomb shelter

PRICE

Internet rates for a Premium room with breakfast in February start from US$375 including tax and surcharges

Radisson Beach Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

BACKGROUND It’s Radisson’s first beach resort in Dubai and was one of the brand’s biggest openings in the UAE last year.

WHERE IS IT? On Palm West Beach, the entire neighbourhood has an eclectic buzz to it with several beach clubs, fivestar properties and restaurants lining the promenade. The hotel’s location at the entrance to the Palm means it’s a quick and (mostly) tra ic-free access or exit if you’re heading towards the mainland.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? The four-star property keeps it low-key and informal, though classy. To one end of the modestlysized lobby whose floor is fitted with homely Terrazzo tiles are the reception desks and to the other are co-working communal spots. In between are hanging wicker pod chairs, a sofa-seating area and a grab-and-go café if you want a quick co ee or doughnut on your way in or out.

ROOMS The 14-floor property has 389 rooms that range from Superior rooms that fit two comfortably right up to a One Bedroom suite that can accommodate an entire family. There are also connecting room options if you are coming in larger groups. We stayed in the Premium room with sea views. We had brilliant views of the skyline of Dubai Media City, Dubai Marina as well as Ain Dubai. The room had a sofa bed as well as a writing desk with a round mirror above it. The wardrobes have limited space, but su ice if you’re checking in for the weekend. The bathrooms are fitted with refillable shampoo and body wash

Best For

Views from the hotel’s higher floors which look out towards the city’s skyline and the sea

DON’T MISS

The bu et breakfast has great options of Arabic and Mediterranean o erings

Price

Internet rates in February start from Dhs930 for a Premium sea view room

Contact

Palm Jumeirah, West Beach, Dubai; +971 4 217 5555; radissonhotels.com

There are brilliant views of the skyline of Dubai Media City as well as Ain Dubai dispensers, thankfully doing away with the tiny plastic bottles. There is the fact that the beach clubs nearby turn up the volume at night and even though our balcony door was shut, we could still hear the bass from David Guetta creeping into the room.

FOOD AND DRINK There are a handful of quirky dining establishments within this property. They include the colourful and flamboyant Black Flamingo bar and restaurant in the lobby and the more muted Latin-inspired Esco-bar too. The rooftop has the Tonino Lamborghini Mare Nostrum al fresco restaurant which pays homage to the Italian carmaker. The property also has an all-day dining restaurant, Palm Lounge, where bu et breakfasts are served.

MEETINGS On the same level as the Palm Lounge, are three meeting rooms. Two of these can be combined to accommodate up to 24 people. Wireless charging stations on the table, TV projection capabilities and full conferencing facilities are available in the meeting rooms.

LEISURE You could head to the hotel’s private stretch of beach just outside the hotel or the pool which is on the terrace outside the Palm Lounge. But the property’s highlight is its skypool with breathtaking views of the sea and which is an extension of the rooftop Tonino Lamborghini Mare Nostrum restaurant. Entry to it is chargeable for external as well as hotel guests. On the floor below is the gym which is open 24 hours a day as well as the spa which has six treatment rooms including a Moroccan bath.

VERDICT This is a functional hotel and one which is a great value proposition. Staying here, you get the feeling that this hotel feels very comfortable in its own skin and isn’t attempting to be anything but itself. It’s muted, classy and relaxed.

Varun Godinho