While Hanoi boasts many hotels within the Old Quarter, and indeed even around West Lake, there are also numerous hotels around West Hanoi’s business district. In fact, one can see many Korean expatriates around this area, with Korean eateries and Lotte supermarkets surrounding the district. More often than not, these are luxury hotels targeted at business travellers.
With quite a few hotels in the vicinity, I settled on the InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72. It was relatively newly built and opened only in 2017. The hotel seems to have a theme of being very spacious. From the lobby to the restaurants, from the Club InterContinental Lounge to the rooms, and from the swimming pool to the gym, everywhere appears spacious. There is just no perception of tight spaces at all. As you will find out in this review below, such spaciousness was greatly appreciated. The rooms are extremely spacious, and with the Junior Suite having a size of a whopping 92 square metres, it was more than sufficient for me to book a stay.
TL:DR
Staying in Vietnam’s second-tallest building
Great views of the city
Fantastic service
Far away from Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Check out our Facebook page here for more pictures of this hotel review!
Service:
The service at this hotel was fantastic. When I first arrived at the ground floor, a hotel attendant came up to me to take my luggage. He then escorted me to the elevators, which I then took to bring me to the hotel lobby, located on the 62nd floor.
The hotel staff at the reception was also extremely friendly and ensured that I understood my benefits as an IHG member. Even though I was only a Club Member, which is the most basic level, she took the time to explain the different benefits and what I can expect as a Club Member. She then went through the different dining options available at the hotel. After the check-in process was completed, she then walked me to the elevator, which I then took to arrive at my suite.
During my time at the Club InterContinental Lounge, the staff were very polite, making sure that I had sufficient food and checking if I required any food and beverage top-ups when I finished the delicious afternoon tea.
Check-out was also a breeze, and everything was done smoothly. By the time I reached the ground floor, the hotel attendant got ready for a taxi for me to head to the airport. It is quite clear that InterContinental Hanoi Landmark 72 is experienced in handling business travellers and appears to be well-equipped to handle the various demands a business traveller might expect.
The service provided by this hotel is simply top-notch.
Hotel Facilities:
The hotel has a 24-hour gym located on the 71st floor. Situated on the same floor as the Club InterContinental Lounge, the gym can be a good place to burn off some calories before or after you have a great meal at the lounge. One benefit of having the gym located so high up is of course the views of the city you get. While I was there, I managed to catch a glimpse of the gym. As there was someone working out at that time, I did not manage to take a picture of it. Suffice it to say, it can be considered a state-of-the-art gym that is both spacious and contains all the necessary equipment one needs to get a full-body workout.
For those who have a fear of heights, you can also make your way down to the gym on the 7th floor. The reason why the hotel has a second gym is that the complex Landmark72 is located in shares facilities with 2 other towers. Hence, the 7th-floor gym is really a shared gym with non-hotel guests. Having said that, the 71st-floor gym is more than sufficient to cater to your fitness needs, where you will also get a fantastic view of the city.
The hotel’s swimming pool is located on the 7th floor as well, and this is also shared with the other 2 towers. This means that from time to time, you will see elderly Korean ladies heading for a nice swim in the morning. That was what happened when I was there for a swim in the morning. The swimming pool is really large, however, and seems to be able to handle a large number of people. In fact, by the time I was heading into the pool, I was the only one there. That was also how I managed to snap multiple pictures of the area.
One unique amenity the complex offers is an indoor-running track on the 7th floor. Located along the corridors, you can technically go for a jog in circles if you do not fancy one on the treadmill. This can be quite useful. Hanoi’s roads are not the easiest to manoeuvre around and they can get quite polluted as well. Some people may not like jogging on a treadmill as well since it can get boring after a while. The next best thing is hence an indoor running track. The only disadvantage is that it may get a little stuffy if you run continuously for a period of time. What most would do, I gathered, is use it as a walking track, which was exactly what I saw happen with a couple of elderly Korean ladies.
Other amenities located on the 7th floor include table tennis, a tennis court, gym classes, a sauna, and a spa. Perhaps it is the design of the tower, but you do get the vibes of being in an apartment complex’s fitness centre rather than in a five-star hotel’s fitness club. You can see the difference in the design and aesthetics when you are on the 7th floor, compared to the 71st floor. Do note that while these amenities on the 7th floor are available to guests of InterContinental Landmark72, the hotel also highlights to guests that these facilities are run independently and are not affiliated with them. Hence, the spa is also technically not the hotel spa, even though it is part of the amenities available to hotel guests. I do find it a little strange that InterContinental chose not to have its own in-house spa. There is certainly sufficient space within the hotel grounds to have a dedicated spa and it would be more aligned and consistent with the hotel’s brand name and renowned five-star service.
Breakfast:
Breakfast is a luxurious affair at InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72. Probably due to the many Korean travellers that make this hotel their home away from home, there are a few dishes that are prepared especially for them. There is Korean seaweed and brisket beef soup and seafood doenjang jjigae, both of which seem popular with Koreans. There are also made-to-order instant noodles, and this is something that I do not often see at hotels. There are even different choices of instant noodles for you to choose from, so Koreans will not need to feel too homesick while being away from home.
Of course, other international travellers need not worry. The typical English breakfast is available, and I went ahead and got myself some sunny side-ups, sausages, bacon, and baked beans. Add a cup of Americano and I was good to go, for my first course. I also decided to try some of their pastries and they were decent. I had a chocolate croissant, a pancake, and french toast.
Besides what I enjoyed, there were many other choices. Besides cereal, there were quite a few types of pastries on offer. Cinnamon buns, strawberry jam danishes, and muffins were all available, while others could enjoy fresh fruit and fruit juices. There were pho and egg live stations, with at least 7 options for cold cuts. I enjoyed their smoked salmon thoroughly. Sushi, once again something I do not see often, was available. Although the choices were a little limited, it was more than enough for the many hotel guests.
As I was only there for one night, I could not really enjoy all the different types of food available. I can only eat so much for breakfast and it was unfortunate I did not manage to try the more unique food options. For those who are intending to stay at InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72, you should definitely try some of their Korean specialities. Even though I did not manage to do it, I recommend having Korean instant noodles for breakfast!
Room:
My 92-square-metre Junior Suite was located at the end of the corridor and is a corner suite. I liked this as it usually means that it is quite quiet, with noise or sounds of doors slamming kept to a minimum. Of course, staying in a suite that has a separate bedroom helps as such sounds will most likely not travel all the way to the bedroom. That it is such a large suite helps matters too.
One of the first things you will notice is how spacious the entire suite looks. At 92 square metres, it is quite unbelievable that InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72 only considers this to be a Junior Suite. The floor-to-ceiling windows make the suite look even more spacious and bright, and this is something I appreciate and like a lot.
The living room is huge, consisting of a full-size sofa, coffee table, dining table, and a separate washroom. The television is a smart tv, which means you can watch YouTube if you find yourself too tired to head out. I did just that when I first checked in. The living room’s television also comes with a BOSE sound system so you can enjoy a Hollywood film in a proper manner.
Coffee comes in both an illy coffee machine and the traditional freeze-dried Nescafe powder. Guests who prefer tea can enjoy local brand Epicurean Sao teabags. As a Junior Suite guest, I was given fresh fruits, which came in a beautiful wooden basket. I assumed the basket is not meant for me to keep, although it looked really beautiful. Apples, grapes, bananas, and what I assume is a cam sành. If my assumption is correct, cam sành is a local fruit also known as terracotta orange. It is similar to a tangerine. Being there alone, I could not finish all the fruits. I dutifully packed the remaining fruits home to enjoy.
For those who enjoy snacking in the comfort of their suite, there are chocolates, nuts, soft drinks, and an assortment of alcohol available. I was satisfied with the room service and did not take any of the chargeable snacks.
The bedroom, I found out, was equally spacious. Even though the room is fitted with a King-sized bed, there is so much room to walk around. You will not find yourself hitting your toes against the bed frame. In fact, I thought the bedroom was a little too spacious, such is the vast distance between the bed and the wall-mounted television. Anyhow, I am not complaining about the generous amount of space granted for a Junior Suite. The built-in wardrobe is yet another space that will surely fit all the clothes you require for your trip. Floor-to-ceiling wardrobes are located by the side of the bedroom and it contains enough space to fit your luggage and business suits. Slippers are available while bathrobes are hung, ready for your trips to the 7th-floor swimming pool.
In front of the bed, by the windows, is a daybed. It is good for lounging when you are waiting for your partner to dress up before heading out. Alternatively, it is also good for a nap. Just in front of the daybed beside the wall-mounted television is a workstation. There are a few pointers to take note of. Firstly, it provides great natural sunlight while you are working. Simply push aside the curtains and you will be able to catch a great view of Hanoi below you. With the huge amount of sunlight, you will be able to see all your work clearly. I personally enjoy a bright workstation and this set-up actually suits me. For those who prefer a cosier area with warm lighting, this place is also good. Cover up the windows with the curtains and your bedroom will look and feel cosy. One concern I have is the location of the workstation. Located beside the television, this means that I am unable to watch the all-important television shows while working. However, this also means that I will be able to finish my work faster without any distractions. All in all, a win-win situation!
The main bathroom, yet another spacious area, consists of a separate standing shower and bathtub. It is definitely large enough to have couples enjoying the shower together. However, one thing I noticed was how slippery the floor can get. The tiles are not rough so they will not prevent slipping. Hence, do be careful when you shower or decide to watch the city go by from the bathroom. The toiletries are from Byredo, a Swedish luxury brand that focuses on fragrances and leather goods. You will be taken care of using these Byredo-branded toiletries.
One key benefit of staying at InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72 is its location and height. I believe the hotel goes to great lengths to highlight this feature. Even from the bathroom, the floor-to-ceiling windows allow you to wonder at the city. Come sunset, the city lights up and the view becomes even more beautiful. If you have finished viewing the sights around Hanoi, you might want to consider staying in this hotel. Have your meals at any of the hotel’s many restaurants or order some room service. The view is definitely one to behold.
Club Metropole Lounge:
Located on the 71st floor, the Club InterContinental Lounge is on the highest floor of the hotel. Taking up a significant floor area on the 71st floor, guests are able to enjoy a breathtaking view of the city surrounding the hotel. As it is incredibly large and spacious, it is unlikely you will find the lounge a little too crowded or even find yourself stranded without a seat.
As you enter the Club InterContinental Lounge, you are first greeted by the Club Representatives. You then make your way through the huge lounge, which quite frankly, gave me the impression of being at an airline’s airport lounge. For some reason, as I am writing this article, I thought of the Singapore Airlines Krisflyer Lounge located at Changi Airport Terminal 3. Perhaps it is because the food options are all located on the left side, and also because there is a beautiful view of the exterior at the end of the lounge, I feel that both lounges are somehow similar. While the Singapore Airlines Krisflyer Lounge has amazing views of the taxiways and aeroplanes, the Club InterContinental Lounge has equally fantastic views of Hanoi city, all the way up from 71 storeys above.
During my stay there, I only managed to enjoy the afternoon tea service. This was because I was too tired from the hotel-hopping during the trip and involuntarily took an evening nap. Nevertheless, based on the one meal service I had, it was good. There were the usual deep-fried pastries and snacks that one usually sees. There were also steamed barbecued pork buns which I thoroughly enjoyed. Sweet treats tasted fine and were pretty standard. What stood out was probably the afternoon tea-style service offered by the lounge. A proper afternoon tea stand with additional plates of food was served after you informed the staff of your drink selection. Consisting of scones and an assortment of other savoury items, you have more sweet treats on the stand. While it looked relatively simple, the service was what stood out for me. The staff also took the time to explain what each pastry was. Being in Vietnam, I had to order Vietnamese coffee as well. It was good.
More than just offering food, a club lounge is also useful to do some work and have work discussions. That is where InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72’s Club InterContinental Lounge really shines. Large areas that contain only a few tables and sitting areas are located on one side of the lounge. This is so that business travellers are able to discuss work in peace. Those more focused on the food offerings will find that the other much larger section of the lounge has a lot more tables and sitting space.
As part of the Club InterContinental benefits at InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72, Club guests get to enjoy a guaranteed 4 pm late checkout. I cannot emphasise how great this benefit is, especially for tourists. As I was flying only the next night, I was able to take advantage of this benefit without any need to contact the concierge the following day to check if there is any availability. When the next day arrived, I simply took my time and visited the city’s sights before heading back to the hotel for an afternoon shower and checking out.
For sure, I highly recommend booking at least a Club room if you wish to stay at this lovely hotel. With its spacious rooms and suites, a Club lounge with a breathtaking view of the city, multiple facilities, and a guaranteed 4 pm late checkout, there is very little not to like about this InterContinental’s newest hotel in Hanoi.
Views:
One key benefit of staying at InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72 must be the fact that you can see all of Hanoi's beauty from the comfort of your room. Located between the 61st and 71st floors of the tower, every guest would be granted amazing views of the city. Depending on where your room is situated, you may see the beautiful My Dinh National Stadium, JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi, and all the way to Hanoi's famed Old Quarter.
Even if your room does not provide the view that you fancy, you will have other opportunities to see the other parts of Hanoi. Breakfast at 3 Spoons Restaurant offers guests a great view of Hanoi city and beyond, while the Club InterContinental Lounge has fantastic views of My Dinh National Stadium.
No matter where your room is located, you will be guaranteed awesome views of the city. If you are someone who enjoys skyscrapers and loves seeing the city from high above, make sure you book a stay at this amazing InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72.
Overall, I enjoyed my stay at the InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72. The Junior Suite was spacious and roomy, with service standards provided by the staff members a delight!
Click here to find out more about InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72 and book a stay today!
Cost of Junior Suite: VND 4,835,350.00 (approximately S$288) a night - stayed over a weekend in May 2022
Please note that this article may contain links to websites, where any subsequent purchases made may provide straitstravellers with a referral commission. This in turn helps support the running of this website. We appreciate your support thus far. Thank you!
Comments