Four Vietnamese hotels have won coveted spots in this year’s Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, with the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi and Park Hyatt Saigon placing in the top three on the list of the “Top Hotels in Southern Asia”.

La Residence Hue Hotel & Spa - MGallery by Sofitel placed 15th on the list in its third appearance, while Villa Song Saigon made its first appearance on the list, placed seventh.

The Condé Nast Traveler’s 29th annual compendium came together after a dramatic restructuring of the voting process, announced in New York on October 18. Though still reader-driven, Condé Nast took charge of its own survey this year after outsourcing the tabulation to an independent research firm in years past.

Between April 1 and July 1, more than 300,000 readers voted in this year’s competition, up from 128,000 last year. Another significant change is with the voting demographic. Last year the median age of the Readers’ Choice Awards voter was late 60s. This year it is late 40s.

The structural changes were especially heartening for the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, which was the only hotel to place among the top three hotels last year and this year.

“That kind of durability, no matter who is voting, tells me that the hotel enjoys universal appeal among people in their 40s, 50s and 60s,” said Mr. Franck Lafourcade, General Manager of the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. “Likewise, our standing among travelers is solid, whether we’re sampling the opinions of 128,000 or 300,000.”

Though La Residence won thirteenth spot last year, the hotel was not competing against hotels from Singapore and Bangkok on last year’s list, while this year it was.

“That readers who’ve experienced some of Bangkok and Singapore’s finest hotels hold us in as high or higher esteem is a thrilling development,” said Mr. Phan Trong Minh, General Manager of La Residence.

While maintaining the signature French-colonial feel of one of the best hotels in Ho Chi Minh City, Park Hyatt Saigon has brightened the public areas and elegant Park Lounge, emphasizing the feel of a sophisticated sanctuary. 

Numerous crystal chandeliers have been added, reflecting the sunlight that streams in through the ceiling-high windows. The 245 completely renovated hotel rooms and suites have been refreshed with lighter tones, handcrafted furniture, Vietnamese textiles, and local artwork. 

Technological upgrades, including in-room iPads, Nespresso machines, and a sensor lighting system, are now part of the luxurious amenities.

Villa Song Saigon is a lovely boutique hotel with 23 unique, luxuriously-appointed rooms and suites. located in District 2 along the banks of the Saigon River. The hotel is suitable for not only romantic getaways but also corporate board meetings.

VN Economic Times