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Hanoi - From Indochine to Indochic

Since one year the Metropole Hanoi is a "Legend" - Sofitel's first of a series of legendary hotels around the globe. With the support of famoushotels.org one part of the legend was established: its history.


Dear Friend of The Most Famous Hotels in the World;

Let me take you to Hanoi. While VietinBank Tower, a 68-story project designed by British firm Foster + Partners in Hanoi is growing, the city is still described as Asia’s most Asian city by Frommer’s guides. Hanoi has developed its own "chic". Over the past 15 Years I have seen its most famous hotel Metropole growing from "being restored" into a very special luxury hotel, full of vibrant life, the social hub of the modern, young capital of Vietnam.
Today we present the latest edition of the book Hotel Metropole, Hanoi. I had breakfast with Kai Speth, a German/American who takes this former French colonial hotel to new heights.
In the book you also find the story of "The Vietnamese at the Ritz", a politically important anecdote from Ho Chi Minhs life in Paris. And meet Dan Sweeny, an American in Asia: one of the first great hotel poster illustrators.
To get a good first impression of the book itself, you can also visit the book's flipping pages preview.
We do ship the book in time for Christmas, let me personally autograph it for you and your beloved ones. Here's the bookshop.

Best wishes - as always.
Yours sincerely
Andreas Augustin

P.S.: the list of new Select Member Hotels has been received from the jury and will be published in due course. divider

famoushotlels general manager kai speth

The First Legend

Since one year the Metropole Hanoi is a "Legend" - Sofitel's first attempt to establish a series of legendary hotels around the globe. With the support of famoushotels.org one part of the legend was established: its history.
This time Metropole Hanoi General Manager Kai Speth answers questions at breakfast time.
By Andreas Augustin

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ho chi minh

1919: Ho Chi Minh in Paris: the Vietnamese at the Ritz

In 1919, Ho Chi Minh, who was then living in Paris and working as a kitchen assistant at the Ritz, sent in a petition asking America for help. America’s President Wilson didn't care to respond. The story »

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Dan Sweeney poster Metropole Hanoi

An American in Asia

During the 1920s an American was the first to introduce the art of "hotel posters" to the leading hotels of Asia. Read more

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