A Culinary Adventure through Vietnam and Thailand

Overview

Just moments from the Opera House in the French Quarter of Hanoi, Hotel Metropole Hanoi boasts the most prestigious address in the city and ideally located for visitors to explore the charming architecture and bustling streets.

The hotel has 364 rooms and 22 suites and offers the finest heritage accommodation with all the contemporary comforts and impeccable service expected in a hotel of this stature. The bars and restaurants, especially Le Beaulieu, within the hotel are celebrated with Hanoi and guests have a choice of French, Vietnamese or International cuisine. After a busy day exploring Hanoi, the tranquil pool and Le Spa du Metropole are very welcoming.

Overview

Nestled on a peaceful boulevard along Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Capella Hanoi is an ode to the opera artists, designers and composers. Uncover unexpected moments of delightful retrospection in this palace of artistry highlighted by resplendent suites, enthralling dining experiences and the award-winning Auriga Spa.

This ultra-luxury masterpiece is designed by celebrated architect Bill Bensley, with hopes to revive the spirit of the Roaring Twenties in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Under Bill Bensley’s meticulous eye, the property was infused with early 20th-century details, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the spirit of the decade as part of a transformative travel experience.

As for the hotel itself, it houses 47 rooms and suites, each of which are individually styled with operatic memorabilia that pay tribute to Opera’s legendary artists, composers, designers and performances.

Discover a symphony of flavours at their dining venues – inspired by quintessential Northern Vietnamese dishes, Backstage elevates the region’s authentic flavours to new heights with modern touches, with lavish Hanoi luxury dining settings offering you the perfect restaurant near Hoan Kiem to wine and dine in. While at the heart of the hotel is their Diva’s Lounge, serving bohemian cocktails and ambrosial sweets in celebration of famous female artists who dared revolutionise their craft.

After a hard day’s exploring, sign yourself up at Auriga Spa – this wellness destination adopts a unique philosophy that taps on the celestial rhythms of the moon and fuses it with ancient Vietnamese traditions and nature’s finest ingredients. In the surroundings, guests can find a plethora of eclectic restaurants, bars, shops and markets.

Overview

Nestled on the Cồn Ba Xã Islet in Hoi An, Namia River Retreat is thoughtfully crafted with private pool villas, locally inspired dining experiences and stunning pools with Thu Bon River views. Stay in one of the Nipa villas with its Nipa palm views and sunken bath tub, or perhaps the honeymoon villa and its private spa and sauna is what calls to you. A warm and elegant, natural colour palette creates welcoming spaces designed for relaxation and rejuvenation, with plenty of natural lights and beautiful decor touches.

For dining, enjoy Vietnamese and international cuisine at the Mia Merchant restaurant or indulge in seafood dishes at the Nam Eatery. The chef’s teams offer a combination of traditional food and fragrant spices from the merchants of East and West, using carefully-sourced local ingredients.

Rejuvenate yourself during your stay with a visit to the Lumina spa, which features eight herbal steam rooms and two traditional apothecaries.

Overview

Tranquil and classic French colonial style enfolds you at the Anantara for an intimate stay. Scenically positioned on the banks of the Thu Bon River and right in the heart of the city of Hoi An, you are ideally situated to explore the treasures of this charming region.

93 rooms and suites are housed in a two- and three-story white pillared building and come with river or garden views. Rooms are comfortable and gracefully furnished with a host of modern comforts and feature spacious balconies. The airy terrace of the Riverside Café is a great spot for a light lunch as you gaze out across the river, while the Heritage Bar in the courtyard is the place to grab a pre-dinner cocktail. For something really special, take advantage of their ‘dining by design’ service where you can dine al fresco with your own private chef.

Pretty gardens and an outdoor pool are perfect for when you want to simply relax and unwind and there is a spa where you can create a ‘spa journey’ and indulge in a series of tailored treatments. For those who want to get out and explore, you are just a short stroll from the centre of this historic port town.

Overview

Within 35 hectares of tropical gardens set on the pristine shoreline of Ha My beach, sixty one-bedroom villas and forty pool villas make up this exclusive and palatial hotel.

While away your days here next to one of three expansive infinity pools or take a dip in the tranquil Gulf of Tonkin. Then, rejuvenate with an Oriental ritual therapy treatment before dining at one of the three varied and excellent restaurants. The Beach restaurant is particularly recommended in the evening to sample the day’s freshest catch.

If you are after something extra special, the pool villas come with their own private butler. From romantic candle-lit dinners on the beach, to Hoi An’s finest tailors custom fitting your formal attire, to private Vietnamese cooking classes, your butler will ensure you experience every touch of sophisticated decadence during your stay.

Hoi An and its UNESCO World Heritage Site old town are minutes away and a delight to explore the pretty streets steeped in history and culture. Those in search of gifts and souvenirs can shop quality silk, jade, pearls and quality linen from the riverside stores.

Overview

A private enclave surrounded by high granite walls with direct beach access and daily complimentary spa treatments, TIA Wellness Resort is a sophisticated, spoiling and tranquil haven 20km outside Hoi An.

The focus here is on allowing guests to completely switch off, offering a discreet but impeccable service. Its pool, spa and beach villas are minimal and modern in design and feature outdoor courtyards and private plunge pools. Pool villas are perfect for couples or friends while the two-bedroom spa villas and three-bedroom beach villas are ideal for families or groups of friends.

One of the real highlights of TIA Wellness Resort is the spa, set within the lush, tropical gardens. A range of treatments are available, totally tailored to suit you, and there is an outdoor pool for relaxing in before or after.

When it comes to dining, it is all about fresh, vibrant food made with the highest quality ingredients. Enjoy the fusion menu at the Fiving Dining Room as well as grilled seafood and salads at the aptly named ‘Fresh’ poolside restaurant. There is also the option to experience destination dining and enjoy a delicious meal in a special and unique location.

Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most enchanting towns and there is a shuttle bus to take you back and forth for when you want to explore. When you want to simply relax and unwind, indulge in a spa treatment or sit back with a bucket of popcorn and enjoy a film in the hotel’s very own HD cinema.

Overview

Enjoy your stay at this boutique retreat which reflects the essence of Hoi An ancient town’s characteristic style. Set amid green rice fields and winding village lanes, near the Thu Bon River and a short walk from Hoi An old town, Las Siesta boasts colourful tropical gardens and handcrafted dark teak furniture.

Accommodation options include a wide selection of guestrooms, suites and duplexes housed across a classic hotel-style building and two townhouse villas with verandas, terraces, and balconies. There are four pools across the property: one for children, a freshwater pool, a saltwater one and an infinity pool ‘merging’ with the rice fields. Wander the garden paths and discover the charming ‘La Spa’ villas, which is La Siesta’s award-winning spa. Here you can discover a wide menu from Himalayan salt stones to four-hands massage.

For dining, head to the Asian-influenced ‘Red Bean’ restaurant, where you can savour traditional Vietnamese fare, or indulge on classic European and international dishes at The Temple Restaurant & Lounge.

Overview

With its French, colonial style and wonderful location overlooking the Saigon Opera House, the Park Hyatt is one of the city’s most iconic and elegant hotels.

Its 245 rooms and suites are sophisticated in design with plenty of handcrafted details such as custom designed rugs, fine linens and huge windows with white wooden shutters that fill the space with natural light. Many rooms come with private terraces that look out over the lush gardens and outdoor pool and they all feature mini iPads and Nespresso coffee machines for added comfort.

Square One offers authentic Vietnamese cuisine which you can see being cooking in the integrated show kitchens. On balmy evenings, guests can
choose to dine on the terrace surrounded by twinkling lights. Opera is a more casual trattoria-style restaurant serving a range of mouthwatering pasta dishes and pizza fresh from the wood-fired oven. There is a also a pastry boutique offering delicious home-made delicacies and a bar and lounge serving some of the best cocktails in Ho Chi Minh.

With some of the city’s landmark sights such as the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica and the Reunification Palace just a short stroll away, you’re ideally situated to explore this buzzing capital. Alternatively, relaxing and unwinding has never been easier with a fantastic pool and tranquil spa offering treatments inspired by the herbs, grains and fruits of the Mekong Delta.

Overview

A stylish new addition to Ho Chi Minh’s luxury hotel scene, the Hotel Des Arts Saigon is well located a little outside District 1 and within walking distance of the city’s best attractions and buzzing nightlife.

Hotel Des Arts is as much an art museum as it is a top-end boutique hotel and guests can peruse the owner’s personal collection of paintings and antiques that adorn the walls and hallways.

168 rooms and suites all feature chic details, crisp white linen, elegant bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows and spectacular city views, but the real gem is the Social Club up on the roof – a buzzy bar and trendy restaurant by the city’s highest infinity pool – exclusive to hotel guests.

Sit back and relax at the sophisticated Cafe des Beaux Arts which evokes plenty of old-world charm and enjoy afternoon tea and cocktails, pluck a book from the shelves, or simply enjoy the live music as the resident pianist tickles the ivories. Vietnamese and Western dishes are prepared in the open kitchen at the Saigon Kitchen Restaurant, where one wall is covered in French Provencal tiles and the others in works of art that represent the harmonious blend of cultures in Vietnam.

There is also a modern gym and sumptuous spa with hammam, Jacuzzi and a solarium for some relaxation after a day exploring the city.

Overview

Located just a 25-minute boat ride from the busy centre of Ho Chi Minh City, An Lam Retreats Saigon River is a luxury resort tucked beneath a serene tropical canopy. The resort features 35 spacious villas and suites, all designed with a modern touch that reflects the essence of local heritage, spread throughout lush gardens. You can enjoy an exclusive Western and Vietnamese restaurant, a Jungle Spa, and a relaxing outdoor swimming pool, offering an ideal escape from the city’s hectic pace.

The Riverfront Pool Villa, with its private pool, is perfect for couples seeking a retreat by the Saigon River, while the top-floor River View Signature Suite offers sweeping views of the river. For families, the Garden Two-Bedroom Pool Villa provides ample space, complete with its own private pool. To elevate your overall experience, An Lam Retreats offers a personalised butler service to cater to your every need.

An Lam Retreats Saigon River offers you a rare hideaway experience, with lush gardens, fragrant flowers and a tranquil river setting.

Overview

Elegant and meticulously designed, the Sukhothai reflects traditional Thai architecture for a truly luxurious hotel experience.

The hotel takes great pride in its excellent service and seeks to go as far as possible to reflect the legendary Thai hospitality in all areas of its business. Each comfortable guest room faces an inner courtyard area, adorned with lily ponds, and is furnished in teak wood and Thai silk. Your room will feature an oversized bathtub and king-size bed. If you’re looking for a palatial amount of space then book into one of the many suites, with open-plan layouts and a host of special facilities such as terraces, gardens and glass-walled bathrooms.

Located in Sathorn, the Sukhothai is a short distance from some of Bangkok’s greatest tourist attractions and close to a series of lively bars and top restaurants.

Overview

Providing extraordinary service and overlooking the Chao Phraya river, the Mandarin Oriental is undeniably one of the city’s premier hotels. If you’re interested in history, a stay here is a must: it’s the longest established hotel in Thailand and became one of the Mandarin Oriental group’s flagship properties due to its distinguished history.

Walk into the hotel’s magnificent lobby, and you’ll be greeted by a spectacular flower display, for which the hotel is famous throughout Bangkok. Choose between a variety of rooms from entry-level luxury in the Superior Rooms to the considerably more spacious State Rooms and Authors’ Suites. Each room is designed in a colonial style with white slatted doors, dark wooden features and light pastel shades. You’ll benefit from a butler assigned to your room during your stay.

The hotel also has eight restaurants; take your pick between traditional Thai, seafood, fine French cuisine and many more options. Drink tea in the opulent Authors’ Lounge or enjoy some jazz and cocktails in the Bamboo Bar if you’re looking to unwind after a long flight.

In a prime location overlooking the Chao Phraya river, the Mandarin Oriental is close to some of Bangkok’s most popular attractions. Cruise along the ‘Venice of the East’ and take a long boat out onto the city canals, threading your way towards some of the city’s cultural highlights, including the Grand Palace, various temples and the famous Floating Market.

Overview

Championing bold contemporary design with Thai, Colonial, Jazz Age and Art Deco accents, the Siam hotel may only have 39 suites but provides some of the most spacious and fashionable accommodation in all Bangkok.

It also sports three restaurants, where you can enjoy excellent Thai cuisine in Chon Thai Restaurant (which also hosts a cookery school), an international menu in the stylish art deco-themed Deco Bar & Bistro and indulgent private dinners at the Chef’s Table. The Bather’s Bar next to the hotel’s infinity pool is the place for light snacks and refreshing cocktails after a dip in the waters and to watch life on the river pass by. You can even enjoy a more secluded dining experience out on the hotel pier for a private bespoke meal.

Commanding a prime location overlooking the Chao Phraya River close to the Krung Thon Bridge, all suites feature king-size beds, opulent Chinese antiquity, terraces, complimentary Wi-Fi and butler service. The Pool Villas are a perfect choice for those desiring that extra touch of privacy.

Overview

The vast W-shaped tower of The Peninsula Bangkok offers everything you would expect from a world-class hotel; exceptional hospitality, a great location and a huge range of facilities to keep you amused.

The hotel’s unique shape ensures magnificent views across the river and cityscape from every room. Some of the largest in Bangkok, these are appointed in a traditional aesthetic – dark wood panelling, fine fabrics feature throughout and large, marble bathrooms – but contain all the vital amenities for the modern traveller. The premier suites include opulent details such as open-air terraces and outdoor Jacuzzis.

During your stay, you’ll enjoy relaxing by the pool area, serviced by its own bar and dining at the numerous, fine in-house restaurants that serve a range of Cantonese, Thai and international cuisine.

Overview

This hotel is one smooth operator. Combining sophisticated design, top-class service and the one of the best restaurants in the world, the Metropolitan is a truly indulgent choice for your stay in Bangkok.

The 171 rooms at the Metropolitan Bangkok are refined yet simple. Expect clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic, with white walls, dark Makha wood and thoughtful details such as window seat daybeds. The more prestigious suites also feature a personalised butler service, and the Executive and Penthouse suites are perfect for families.

Nahm (noted in San Pellegrino’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants and Asia’s Top 50 Restaurants 2013) serves some of the best authentic Thai cuisine in Sathorn under Executive Chef David Thompson. The hotel’s second restaurant Glow is the perfect alternative if you’re in the mood for lighter, healthier options.

Overview

The product of an innovative collaboration between an award-winning architect and five of Thailand’s leading designers, the Sofitel So Bangkok is a hotel that embodies the epitome of design and modern luxury.

238 rooms and suites come in a variety of sizes and four unique room design themes; Water, Earth, Wood and Metal. Each theme features a different lay-out and decor, styled by world renowned fashion designer Monsieur Christian Lacroix. Depending upon their location within the hotel, rooms offer views of Bangkok city, Chao Praya River or Lumpini Park and come equipped with the latest technology – think electronic curtains and Apple Mac Mini multimedia entertainment.

When it’s time to dine, you’ll be spoilt for choice with three restaurants, a rooftop restaurant and bar, a lounge and a ‘Chocolab’ dedicated to tailor-made confectionary, while the 32-meter infinity pool on the 10th floor will give you the impression of swimming in mid-air, high above the bustling city streets.

Step outside the comfort of this luxury hotel, and you’ll find yourself brilliantly placed to discover all of Bangkok’s main attractions such as temples, shopping malls, museums, parks, restaurants and street food.

Overview

Indulgence and modern luxury are at the core of this intimate hotel with its 30 opulent suites which hark back to the Old World of the Orient. The charming guestrooms all come with the lavish features, garden views, contemporary interiors, walk-in closet, Victorian bathtub and open-air shower.

Besides beautifully adorned suites, this boutique property also boasts five dining locations. You can feast on both Thai and international cuisine at the stylish Dining Room and enjoy refined high tea at The Parlor Lounge. Breakfast is a personal affair with the option of enjoying it in bed or on your own private veranda.

Outside, lush grounds surround the accommodation with an infinity pool sitting by the ‘living garden’ wall. Relaxation and wellness is extended to the gymnasium and spa with its many soothing therapies and treatments.

Overview

Sitting by the Mae Ping River is the Anantara Chiang Mai Resort & Spa. A peaceful and serene oasis in which to shelter from the busy streets outside, the Anantara Chiang Mai Resort & Spa is Chiang Mai’s only five-star riverside hotel,

Its modern design creates a stylish flair, while all guestrooms have sleek interiors and spacious balconies. With 52 Deluxe Rooms and 32 Club Suites, you have a large choice of accommodation to suit your needs.

As well as waterside balconies, the Anantara Chiang Mai also provides a riverside pool which is surrounded by sun loungers arranged under stylish umbrellas. From the pool and gardens you’ll have a riverside view of the Chiang Mai locals fishing and playing. And adding to the already substantial tranquillity of hotel’s location, its spa can take you to new heights of pampering and relaxation. For more active pursuits, the Health Club has a modern fitness centre with everything from yoga to weights, while the attentive staff are more than happy to organise any local excursions (of which you have many to choose from).

Moreover, the restaurant, originally a British consulate building, serves up a dazzling range of cuisine from Indian to Western, to Thai and Korean.

Overview

Experience the life of Thai royalty with a stay at the magnificent Dhara Dhevi. Overlooking picturesque paddy fields, luxurious yet traditionally designed suites, villas and residences are strewn throughout sixty acres of flawlessly manicured tropical gardens.

Each style of accommodation echoes the days of the historic Lanna Kingdom with its lavish colonial fashion. Unique villas blend the architecture of authentic Northern Thai rice houses with modern-day luxuries of whirlpools and private outdoor decks.

This miniature Thai kingdom is also home to a fantastic spa. Modelled on Mandalay Palace, treatment rooms feature ornate sculptures of sacred animals and Buddhist motifs, while the numerous dining options serve dishes from all over the globe – including fine French cuisine, Dim Sum and a Sunday jazz brunch. You can expect top-notch culinary standards here which you can learn from at the hotel’s very own cooking academy.

Overview

Just thirty minutes outside of Chiang Mai, the celebrated service and comfort of the Four Seasons invites an exquisitely elegant stay in the Thailand’s rich and modest northern countryside.

Ninety eight expansive pavilions and villas make up the flawless accommodation, all designed to complement the scenery and culture that surrounds them, with impressive interiors and traditional Thai architecture harmonising with your mountain and garden views. Besides a number of pools and a state-of-the-art health club, the Four Seasons also boasts a shopping village with five stores, an organic spa and four different dining spots which cook up an international range of cuisine.

The Concierge can organise and assist guests with a variety of leisure and sporting activities. Choose from balloon rides, Thai kickboxing, rice planting and garden tours.