44 Edition 2020

44th | Vol 29 | 2020 | www.hotelier-indonesia.com 59
HANOI (Feb.2020) — Sofitel
Legend Metropole Hanoi has been
awarded a Five-Star rating—the
top level of recognition—from
Forbes Travel Guide in the
independent ratings agency’s
assessment of luxury hotels,
restaurants and spas in Vietnam.
“Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
is a supremely beautiful hotel,
inside and out. Every corner is a
compelling photo opportunity,
especially in the gleaming
historic wing and all-white inner
courtyard,” the Forbes Travel
Guide noted in its inspector’s
highlights.
Forbes Travel Guide, established
in 1958 (then called “Mobil Travel
Guide”), is the oldest travel guide
in the United States, and is the
creator of the original Five-Star
rating system for hotels. The
guide’s ratings are among the
most highly respected in the
hotel industry.
While the Metropole’s luxurious
accommodation and historic
facilities earned substantial praise
in the guide, the ratings place an
even greater emphasis on service,
meaning that the Metropole
distinguished itself primarily
through its warm, personalised
and attentive service both in the
hotel and in its award-winning
restaurants and spa.
“All of us here at the Metropole
understand that we’re the
caretakers of an incredible
historical hotel, and that the
service we provide must not only
be commensurate with the legacy
of this Grand Dame but must in
many ways exceed expectations,”
said General Manager William
Haandrikman. “This Five-Star
rating from Forbes affirms that
our team here is doing exactly
that.”
The Metropole Hanoi’s rich
history, including its Path of
History (and wartime bunker)
tour, also came in for praise
from Forbes Travel Guide, while
afternoon tea at Le Club Bar,
coffee at La Terrasse and cocktails
at Bamboo Bar were described as
experiences that have evolved
into “must-do Hanoi traditions.”
Moreover, Le Spa du Metropole
“is a sublime urban retreat…
ensconced in what feels more
like an elegant residence than a
wellness center,” the inspector’s
review added.
Forbes Travel Guide’s Five-Star
rating is meant to designate
“outstanding, often iconic
properties with virtually flawless
service and amazing facilities.”
In Vietnam, two hotels have
achieved Five-Star ratings and
three have earned Four-Star
ratings.
In order to complete their
evaluations, inspectors pay their
own way and stay anonymously
as typical guests for at least two
nights. Forbes Travel Guide bills
itself as the only independent,
global rating agency for luxury
hospitality, and says that only 20
percent of all hotels it rates earn
a Five-Star rating.