Hanoi’s grandest and most storied accommodations get an extra luxe refresh
A short stroll from the Hanoi Opera House, the 364-room Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is one of Indochina’s enduring luxury stays – with Cambodia’s Raffles Hotel Le Royal being another – that has witnessed and shaped its country’s history. Its illustrious guest list includes former world leaders such as Bill Clinton, Fidel Castro and Ho Chi Minh, as well as Hollywood legends like Robert De Niro and Catherine Deneuve.
Like a mirror reflecting Vietnam’s turbulent 20th century, the hotel has witnessed historic transformations over the decades. It has changed its name four times, served as a motion picture venue – the first in the region – and sheltered embassies and UN agencies during the Vietnam War. An air-raid shelter, built in 1964, was only rediscovered in 2011 beneath the Bamboo Bar – one of the hotel’s six restaurants and bars that are epicurean destinations in their own right.
Even grand icons require refurbishment as time takes its toll, and as the Metropole marks its 124th year, it has undergone a meticulous restoration and renovation, courtesy of Singapore-based David Grace Designs International.
The most notable changes are in the Heritage Wing’s lobby and 103 guestrooms and suites – three of which are named after past guests: The Quiet American author Graham Greene, William Somerset Maugham and Charlie Chaplin.
While the Franco-Vietnamese aesthetic remains, the refreshed interiors introduce modern comfort, advanced technology and vibrant colours. Sixty per cent of the guestrooms’ wooden floors have been renewed or replaced. The rooms now feature new beds, colourful curtains, desks, side tables and sofas, while Italian marble surfaces and flooring grace the bathrooms. Luxurious carpets add warmth to rooms and corridors.
The layout remains largely untouched, but six pairs of connecting rooms have been converted into spacious suites. Modern enhancements include sound bars, mood lighting and dedicated Wi-Fi routers for seamless connectivity.
The Heritage Wing lobby now boasts an artisanal antique mirrored ceiling, while silver-leaf-gilded, hand-painted artworks adorn the elevator car. Contemporary reception desks and furnishings subtly modernise the space without compromising its nostalgic charm.
“Our aim was to transcend mere design and create a timeless sanctuary of luxury and understated elegance,” says Grace Soh, managing director of David Grace Designs International. ”We aspired to craft an environment that appeals to the senses and leaves an indelible mark, capturing the essence of refined living and evoking days gone by.”
