I have been in the hospitality industry for quite some time and I have seen and been to many many hotels. I used to like new hotels however since I am now staying as a guest instead of just an industry colleague my views have changed tremendously.
So I am now starting to write about my stays in these different hotels that I have stayed in so that you might find it useful.
Hanoi - Sofitel Legend Metropole 2013
Hanoi has always been a beautiful city and to me its a great place to start for first timers to Vietnam.
I decided to stay at the Sofitel Legend Metropole because it was in the centre of the city had easy walking access to the main tourist spots
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| The first Sofitel Legend Metropole website I was directed to |
Firstly I researched the hotel from their website. Their website was honestly disappointing. I was directed to Corporate Sofitel's main page with Sofitel Legend Metropole web page in it. The first impression was "woah.. too much words! Clutter!" ( daze look) about the destination under title "Presentation".
The side of the webpage which had important information such as rooms and facilities of the hotel were in this really light colour font and small font size which one could easily miss! I entered into the room tab and was confused as to which room picture is which? They didnt even label each room picture they had. Honestly for such a gorgeous hotel, this webpage has failed them. I was then told that this is not the hotel's main webpage and was told to go to another one. That main webpage was much better - http://www.sofitel-legend.com/hanoi/en/, however again if you go to each room category, the pictures are small and the bigger ones do not even reflect the room category you want! Another thing I always like in a hotel website for the rooms is a floor plan. It is really useful to see the layout of the room as sometimes if I bring my son along I would like to see where i can place his extra bed especially in a suite. Ok I can go on and on on this website issues but let's get on to the hotel experience.
I booked my room directly with the reservations staff via email. It was fast and easy. I choose the So Suite experience because the package was great! It includes breakfast for 2 pax, a free foot massage for 2 pax per stay, a limousine transfer to and from airport, free wi fi and club lounge services! Oh and a bottle of wine! Excellent deal!
I first received an email from the hotel welcoming me to their hotel and asking me if i had any special requests and my arrival times. I then replied with my flight details. Then shortly after, I received an email from the spa asking me to book the timing of the foot massage. I then replied with my preferred timing. Afterwhich, the spa replied saying that my check in time is in conflict with the timing I gave the spa. Now, this is starting to annoy me as I already informed her colleague of my flight details and the spa time was definitely not in conflict. So i had to send the spa another email cc the reservations and coincerge my flight itinerary again. I cannot understand why there cant be just one butler or staff handling my entire booking? It is just so much simpler and miscommunication can then be avoided.
So that put me off abit.
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| Arranged in the car |
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| The Drink List |
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| We choose orange juice to take it easy for the night! |
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| The driver was very well dressed, love the hat! |
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| The living area |
I booked the hotel room in the new wing but it still had that old charm as the room floors were wooden and the room was very tastefully decorated.
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| This suite had no twin bed but we requested for it and voila! Thanks to the great housekeeping team! |
I found it quite wierd that such a beautiful marble bathroom had a plasticky anti slip floor cut out in their shower cubicle. I know its a safety feature but it just does no justice to their bathrooms.
Also lacking is a few touristy Hanoi magazines so we can browse through whilst planning our itinerary.
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| How big and tall is that tree?? How did they get the lights up there?? |
The hotel's Xmas lighting decor in its gardens was simply amazing!! I loved it! I felt like i was in winter wonderland. So much work and effort went into it!!
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| So cute the raindeers |
The coincerge team was also very good. I asked the coincerge to help me with the tickets for the Water Puppet and it was done in an instant! And they got me the best seats in the house! Front Row! Wow!
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| Water puppet show |
 The ladies and gentlemen singing next to the stage | |
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| Tea time at the hotel's lounge! |
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| Nice selection of tea |
Full Selection of tea time delights!
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| Scones my favourite! |
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| Another one of my favourites Crepes Suzette!!! YUMMY! |
Savoury items
