PUBLISHED September 3rd, 2019 05:00 am | UPDATED March 26th, 2020 03:45 pm
Sitting on the cusp of gentrification, Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi is a unique cross between bustling city streets and quiet village towns. It’s home to some of the greatest craftsmen in the country, and is arguably the best place to get your pho (beef noodle soup) fix. One of the youngest members in the portfolio of Wyndham hotels, Wyndham Garden Hanoi hedges on the edge of Hanoi’s ancestral outposts and city living, leaving guests with the best of both worlds, and lots of things to do.
Location
The Wyndham might be 10 kilometres from the city centre, but its true appeal lies in its proximity to a deluge of cultural centres. The Hanoi Museum, Temple of Literature, and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum lie close by, and the traditional Vạn Phúc Silk Village sits less than a kilometre away. There aren’t many public transport options to get around, though, except for a few local bus services, so do ensure that you have a reliable form of transport to get around, or sign up for the various cultural experiences the hotel has to offer. Oh, and save for rush hour traffic, a quick jaunt to Old Quarter for dinner and a few beers is easy.
Accommodation Types
The hotel’s 112 rooms range from their Deluxe rooms (28 sqm) at about 1,350,000 VND (US$60) a night, to their most luxurious offering, the Presidential Suite (450 sqm). All rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows for plenty of natural sunlight, flat screen satellite televisions, and good WiFi, and those facing the city street have an added balcony. Our Deluxe King Suite (72 sqm) was spacious, with a massive bathroom, plush king-sized bed and a separate living area.
There’s also a basic kitchenette area, stocked with local coffee and teas, and no shortage of power outlets so it’s easy to stay connected, if you want to. We were exceptionally impressed by the pristine en-suite bathrooms – they come fitted with Hans Grohe rainshowers (and bathtubs in the suites) as well as Elle Voyage amenities.
Amenities
The sweltering heat can be reason enough to call for a day-in, even for seasoned townies like us. Luckily, Wyndham’s not short on facilities to fill your schedule.
Hungry? Silk Garden is an all-day dining concept that serves the daily breakfast buffet and themed buffet dinners. Because they cater to a large community of vacationers from Korea, there’s even a spread of different kimchi types for guests to peruse.
For cocktails, visit the Twilight Bar for the perfect nightcap after dinner. Soak in panoramic views of the city skyline and watch amazing sunsets from their roof terrace, or head in to their chic indoor space for a beer. For those looking to host, the bar space is available for private rental, and there’s also a medium-sized ballroom with a capacity of 200, and three smaller meeting rooms.
Well equipped with strength and cardio machines, free weights and exercise balls, and even an assault bike – gym rats would approve of their massive fitness centre. If pumping iron isn’t for you, then take a dip in the ethereal indoor heated pool next door, or head down to the spa to roll out some knots with their signature Dreams Body Treatment (899,000 VND for 75 minutes).
Experiences
To get the most out of your stay, sign up for one of the hotel’s many tour experiences. The Chef Cooking Class and Demonstration (600,000 VND per guest) brings guests to the local wet market at daybreak to shop for supplies for a night of guided cooking lessons at the scenic Twilight Bar. Wear something comfortable and approach with an open mind, especially if you aren’t used to seeing live animals. Guests also have the option to suggest what meals they’d like to prepare.
Delve into the ancient art of silk weaving in Silk Village Through The Ages (200,000 VND per guest). It’s locally guided walking tour of Vạn Phúc village, known for it’s textile trade, and visit the homes of expert weavers, and a stop at worship sites of the pioneer of silk-weaving, A La Thi Nuong.
Wyndham Garden Hanoi is located at HH01 To Huu Street, Van Phuc Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam 100000, p. +84 24 3633 3355, e. reservations@wyndhamgardenhanoi.com.