HERITAGE REIMAGINED

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi reopens its historic heritage wing.

No talk of iconic hotels in Southeast Asia is complete without mentioning Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Steeped in 123-year history, and resplendent in luxury, this stalwart property in northern Vietnam is a throwback to rich tradition and a bygone era of sophistication.

But even the most legendary of landmarks need a makeover now and then. After 21 months of careful restoration and renovation, the Metropole Heritage Wing opens with 103 guest rooms and suites. The new interiors maintain their traditional aesthetic and feel, and incorporate select original fixtures, while also introducing a considerable measure of bespoke comfort, advanced technology and vibrant color.

SLEEP

The centrepiece of the reconstruction centred on the original wing, established in 1901. Decades of visits by numerous heads of state, royalty, celebrities, writers and musicians, among others, have graced these hallways and rooms. In the guest rooms, 60 per cent of the wooden floors have been refurbished or replaced. Bathrooms are now enhanced with all-new Italian marble surfaces and floors, new bath and shower fixtures. New upholstery and curtains, along with contemporary artwork, provide colorful accents to the bright and airy rooms. New beds, furniture and floor coverings adorn both rooms and corridors, providing a rejuvenated sense of being.