Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 - (Page 41)

Atelier Room at the InterContinental Hanoi Westlake presenting tourism products. The InterContinental Hanoi Westlake (www.ihg.com) has been open less than a year and is already earning accolades. The hotel achieves a resort-like ambiance due to its location on 1,235-acre West Lake. The Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake has 340 rooms and 19 suites looking out on the lake, the city or the property’s tropical gardens. Deluxe Rooms have a balcony that offers fine lake views. The rooms have wooden floors, high-speed Internet, 32-inch LCD TV and a deep-soaking bathtub with separate walk-in rain shower. The Westlake Suites include two private balconies overlooking the lake. When your clients book a Westlake Suite they’ll have complimentary access to the lake-view Club Intercontinental, where they’ll get such perks as breakfast, butler service, free Internet, complimentary pressing of up to three suits and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi Internet access. Some of the Westlake Suites and Deluxe Rooms are situated in three unique Island Pavilions set right above the water. The Presidential Suite is the most expensive accommodation at the resort, while the hotel’s Deluxe Hanoi View Rooms offer the best value. The hotel has 29 connecting rooms, which are suitable for large families. The InterContinental Hanoi Westlake recently launched a complimentary shuttle service for its guests. The new service routes passengers from the hotel to the historic Hanoi Opera House, Vincom Tower, Pacific Place, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and several other stops in a circuit of the city that takes just over an hour. The hotel’s first Mercedes Sprinter shuttle leaves the hotel at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 5 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Hotel guests can pick up the shuttle at any of the stops along the route. Each restaurant at the hotel has a signature dish: ossobucco at the Italian restaurant, Milan; coq au vin at the Café du Lac; and pho bo (beef noodle) at the Saigon. Café du Lac offers diners views of the lake. If your clients are looking for an intimate dining experience, suggest they book a table at the wine cellar or private rooms at the Milan and Saigon. The hotel’s general manager is Christian Pirodon. Agents can feel free to contact him at 011-84-4-270-8888, ext. 7002, christian_ pirodon@interconti.com. The travel agent liaison is Nguyen Thanh Nhan, sales executive (011-84-4-270-8888, ext. 7019, nhan_nguyen@interconti.com). When Hanoi comes up in conversation, the colonial-style Sofitel Metropole Hanoi (www. sofitel.com) is usually remarked upon as being one of Hanoi’s most beloved hotels. Guests can absorb a little of this heritage for themselves by booking one of three historic suites named after former occupants— Somerset Maugham, Charlie Chaplin and Graham Greene. Of these three, the Graham Greene Suite is the one people angle for, since it is renowned for the number of presidents who have stayed there. In fact, the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi has hosted many major players, from former presidents such as George Bush and Bill Clinton, to power couples like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt and political icons such as Fidel Castro. The hotel is situated in the heart of the capital and is surrounded by leafy boulevards and lakeside pagodas. The Sofitel Metropole Hanoi is within walking distance of the Hanoi Opera House, Hoan Kiem Lake and a selection of galleries, restaurants and shops. The hotel has two wings, the Metropole Wing (the oldest part of the building) and the Opera Wing (the newer wing). The 363-room hotel has 184 connecting rooms and both wings have connecting rooms. Guests can choose between eight room categories: Classic Room, Classic Deluxe, Classic Suite, Opera Room, Opera Suite, Club Room, Club Suite and Imperial Suite. When it comes to choosing which rooms have the best views, it really comes down to preference, because the hotel has rooms with both garden and city vistas. For the ultimate in accommodations, choose room #643, the Imperial Suite. The hotel is planning on opening a spa in 2009. For now, guests will have to content themselves with one of the hotel’s four dedicated massage rooms on the fourth floor. Agents can reach out to Tran Dai Trieu, the hotel’s spa & fitness center manager, at 011-84-4-8266919, ext. 8703 or fc@sofitelhanoi.vnn.vn. CONTINUED ON PAGE 42 November 10, 2008 TravelAgent | 41 http://www.ihg.com http://www.sofitel.com http://www.sofitel.com

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Travel Agent - November 10, 2008 Reality Check Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor Special Supplemement: Business & First Class Travel Specialist 2.0 Hawaii: Art Lovers will Appreciate the Islands’ Offerings Europe: Barcelona is Blooming with Terrific Hotels Pacific/Asia: French Colonial and Asian Styles Blend in Hanoi Alaska: Adventure Abounds In and Around Juneau Canada: Edmonton is Canada’s “Festival City” Las Vegas: Where to Find Inner Peace in Sin City Central & South America: Buenos Aires Brings European Flavor to Argentina Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: Romance and History Meet in St. Kitts The Slot Spot River Cruises: European Itineraries Offer Convenience and Value Cover Story: Selling Mexico Car Rentals: Tapping an Underappreciated Revenue Source Consortia Profile: Ensemble Travel Group Launches New Initiatives and Tools Luxury Travel Expo WESTA Offers Growth Opportunities for Agents Hawaii Gets New Inter-Island Service Caribbean, Mexico Ramp Up Resort Plans Classified Marketplace In the Spotlight Agent Access Editorial Index Advertising Index

Travel Agent - November 10, 2008

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