Trump-Kim summit: Inside the Meliá Hanoi hotel, where Kim Jong-un is staying
The Meliá Hanoi hotel is where North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong-un is staying for his second summit with US President Donald Trump in the Vietnamese capital this week.
If you’re in the historic city, chances are you are likely to venture into or past half a dozen monuments, museums and cultural landmarks on an average walk around the city centre. As you work you way into the central business district, you will pass the mid-century Vietnam Military History Museum, which details the history of the first and second Indochina wars; the freshwater Hoan Kiem Lake; the Thang Long Ca Tru Theatre, with regular performances of the ancient, female-led chamber music; and Ly Thai To Park, across from Hoan Kiem and a memorial to the first Ly dynasty king.
Coming closer, you’ll pass Ba Dinh Square, where Ho Chi Minh read the country’s declaration of independence in 1945, then the 19th century neo-Gothic St Joseph’s Cathedral built by the French, and finally the remains of Hoa Lo Prison, once referred to as the Hanoi Hilton. Senator John McCain, who died last August aged 81, was imprisoned there for more than five years from late 1967 after his A-4 Skyhawk was shot down.
By the time you get back to Ly Thuong Kiet Street and the Meliá Hanoi hotel you are probably ready for a reprieve, and the Meliá is the perfect place for it. On stepping into the lobby, guests are greeted with bright murals that reflects Vietnam’s rich heritage and modernity. Delicate art deco touches and classical grand hotel design brush up against each other, welcoming visitors with a strong sense of place while remaining cosmopolitan.
With 306 contemporary rooms and suites, the Spain-based Meliá is ideally located for pleasure as well as business. Surrounded by government offices, multinational businesses and embassies, the hotel offers the perfect balance. Following a comprehensive renovation in 2010, the Meliá’s rooms are outfitted with state-of-the-art technology, and executive suites at The Level provide professional services and an exclusive Level lounge for quiet meetings, executive breakfasts and afternoon cocktails.
Leisure guests can take advantage of Meliá’s wellness offerings to rejuvenate after a day of sightseeing, or unwind with a refreshment. The elegant Oasis spa is open for soothing treatments for anyone with a mind for pampering, unless a dip in the heated outdoor swimming pool or a workout in the gym is preferred. Failing that, a cool drink on the outdoor terrace overlooking the Red River, the city’s central roundabout and the hustle and bustle below beckons.
At the end of the day, all guests can settle down for drinks within the continental elegance of the Cava Lounge and enjoy an aperitif before heading to either of the two dining outlets. El Patio’s casual, Mediterranean market vibe is ideal for relaxing, convivial buffet dinners from around the world, while El Oriental serves up Vietnamese and Thai favourites in a more formal setting. To wrap up the day, guests can try their luck at the casino or dance the night away at the nightclub.
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Delicate art deco touches and classical grand hotel design welcome visitors with a strong sense of place while remaining cosmopolitan