We’ve just landed in Hanoi, Vietnam. On this trip, we’re stepping out of our comfort zone to take a peek at how the other half lives. The limo ride from the airport to the hotel was our first taste. Next stop: Hanoi’s Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel.
Our pre-river-cruise package includes a stay at this rather posh hotel. As we would soon find out, it’s really something.
It Takes Some Getting Used To
When our driver pulled into the hotel, a small army of attentive young fellows ensured that our every need was taken care of instantly. I had forgotten what service can be like in asian countries. For a regular guy like me, it can take some getting used to.
The hotel lobby is the epitome of elegance. Dark woods. White walls. Dark carpets. Classic French architecture and decor with an Asian touch. I should have felt out of place in such a posh environment, but I didn’t. It was all good.
Two or three bellmen escorted us to Reception. Luggage? Don’t worry about it. Everything would be taken care of. The receptionist informed us that we had been upgraded – we’d be staying where Charlie Chaplin stayed when he visited Hanoi in the 1930’s. What?!
We found our room, opened the door, and went inside. Whoa. So this is how the other half lived. And lives. We’d never stayed in a room like this. It was beautiful. The hotel is beautiful. Life is beautiful! OK. I’m officially used to it. Pamper away! It only took ten minutes!
Parlez-Vous Français?
Much of the signage inside the hotel is in french. My email correspondence with the hotel had been in both french and english. I would have thought that after being occupied by the French and fighting a long, difficult war to get them out, the French language would have lost its, shall we say, cachet.
Not here. The Metropole’s French roots go deep. Two frenchmen started the hotel in 1901. They’ve hosted many a famous guest and international dignitary over the years. They still do.
In 2011, while doing some renovations, workmen discovered a bomb shelter underneath the hotel. It has since been restored. Hotel guests can sign up to take a guided tour.
Let’s Meet in the Bar?
We’d planned to meet friends here after arriving and checking in. Our traveling buddies – good friends with whom we’ve travelled before – arrived yesterday. We agreed to meet them in a bar at the hotel. But which bar? This hotel has five bars!
Would we meet at the Spice Garden bar? That sounds like a nice option. Or maybe the Angelina cocktail and whiskey bar – a wee bit of Scottish charm, but in Hanoi. The Bamboo Bar sounds enticing. Le Club bar overlooks the hotel’s courtyard garden. Our final option was to meet outside at La Terrace du Metropole.
We opted for a wee bit of Scottish charm in the Angelina bar. We showed up, and sure enough, our friends were there waiting for us. Bonjour! Xin chao! Hola amigos!
It’s fun to meet up with friends in far away places, especially when you don’t see them often. There’s something special about meeting in a foreign land half-way around the world.
We booked a foodie tour in Hanoi’s Old Quarter for tonight, but for now, we had time to relax, unwind, and catch up.
To be continued…
