The Nam Hai’s Blaise Claude Montandon on Travel in Post-COVID Vietnam
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Sapa is a verdant, mountainous town located in northern Vietnam known for its rich ecological and cultural diversity stemming from its proximity to the Chinese border. With picturesque rice terraces and forested hills surrounding the town — and the Fansipan, the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia, located nearby — a stay in Sapa will leave visitors feeling like they’ve escaped to an old-world settlement that dates back to the colonial era of French Indochina. The Hotel de la Coupole Sapa, a luxury hotel that fuses design elements of elegant French colonial style with the colorful touches of native hill tribes, stands as the only five-star international hotel in Sapa. The Hotel de la Coupole features 249 accommodations, an on-site shopping mall, and a selection of bars and restaurants. Other amenities include air conditioning and heating (more sought-after than one might think in a mountain climate famed for occasional “four-season days”), numerous meeting and banquet rooms, and a Spa and Fitness Center complete with a sauna and massage parlor. And for those wishing to venture out and explore the surrounding mountains, waterways, and lush slopes, local guides are easily hired, and transportation is conveniently arranged either through the hotel or by local means.
Aesthetics: The vibrant array of haute design elements will stun guests of the Hotel de la Coupole, where marble floors, elegant crown moldings, ornate light fixtures, and plush furnishings are aesthetic touches that come mandatory.
Variety: Whether in reference to the many room types or the numerous dining options and amenities, the Hotel de la Coupole brings no shortage of options to the table for guests to choose from.
Services: The Hotel de la Coupole is truly a five-star establishment in every sense — especially when it comes to service, which is extensive and thorough.
Room options at the Hotel de la Coupole in Sapa range from a classic room with a single king-size bed to a Presidential Suite. This means there is a lodging type for guests seeking all manner of different experiences, from the pair of romantic honeymooners to the family group gathering for a long-overdue reunion. All room types include base-level amenities, such as free Internet, an LCD TV, a mini bar, a rain shower, and more. All rooms also have balconies overlooking either the town of Sapa or the inner hotel garden, and all are furnished and styled with the hotel’s signature combination of hill tribe- and French couture-inspired design touches.
Classic rooms come with two single-size beds. All classic rooms measure 29 square meters, are fitted with all base-level amenities, and have a balcony overlooking either the town or the hotel garden.
These rooms come with one king-size bed (one extra bed can be provided upon request in all Classic and Superior room types), unless an available version with two single-size beds is requested. They are otherwise the same as Classic Rooms, although the view overlooks either the town or out toward the surrounding mountains and valleys as opposed to the inner garden.
Like the Superior Room type, these rooms may be booked with either one king-size or two single-size beds. Deluxe Rooms also measure 29 square meters and feature all base amenities, but they also include such additional amenities as a bathtub, unique decoration features, and fine linens.
These accommodations come with one king-size bed, but they are also more spacious at 58 square meters and come with higher-end amenities, such as a larger 55” LED TV, a better view from the eighth and ninth floors, and chic design elements.
The Executive Suite comes with one king-size bed and tallies an even more spacious 66 square meters. Its spacious living area features an oversized balcony, high ceilings, and top-end amenities with a bird’s eye view to boot.
The top offering at the Hotel de la Coupole, the Presidential Suite is a 168-square-meter accommodation featuring an exceptionally spacious living area and gorgeous interior design. Situated on the highest floor, it boasts panoramic views of Hoang Lien Son Mountain and Sapa and is fitted with practically every luxury amenity imaginable.
Whatever expectations guests may have had before visiting Sapa, the facilities and services provided by the Hotel de la Coupole are certain not to disappoint to meet them. Where health and wellness is concerned, a visit to the spa or gym is a perfect way to unwind and relax after a long day of travel or an epic guided trip to the Vietnamese landscape surrounding Sapa. Families with children will feel equally at ease with childcare services available, such as Children’s Clubs tailored to different age groups and babysitters upon request. Private indoor and outdoor parking is even handled by the hotel, making a stay in Sapa as easy and worry-free as possible.
The fitness center is a full gym with the latest in exercise and bodybuilding equipment, from machines to free-weights.
Childcare services for families include babysitting and Children’s Clubs. The clubs are divided into age groups including 0 to 3 years, 3 to 6 years, 4 to 6 years, 6 to 12 years, and 12 and up and are customized to meet the needs and interests of these children.
The hotel spa is well outfitted with a bath, sauna, and massage parlor where expert therapists await to readjust and hit the reset button on bodily aches and pains. There is also a swimming pool and an indoor heated pool.
No matter if guests are seeking a chic, white-tablecloth dining experience, a quick French-style breakfast of a pastry and coffee, or a rooftop cocktail and tapas, they are certain to find what they seek in the Hotel de la Coupole’s dining options. The fine dining option of the bunch, Chic is an international eatery with a focus on serving refined French cuisine. In keeping with the French culinary theme, Bistro is a classic French-style bakery. And finally, for those in the mood for lighter fare, Absinthe is the hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge with an external fireplace and occasional live music entertainment.
The hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge, Absinthe is the go-to for cocktails and light meals, and it also provides the hotel’s room service dining. As mentioned previously, there is an outdoor fireplace, and live music acts occasionally are featured to give guests another source of entertainment beyond the idyllic natural surroundings.
This bakery and bistro is ready to sate guests’ hunger and taste for elegant French baking and cooking at any hour of the day. Standard bakery offerings include master-crafted Marou chocolates, fresh pastries, and macaroons.
Chef Shaik Basha — also the mastermind behind Cacao, the hotel’s bistro and bakery — has the perfect testing ground for his international-style culinary explorations in Chic. This is truly a French restaurant inspired by French haute couture, yet guests will be delighted to find infusions of local Vietnamese ingredients and an expertly curated wine list consisting of specially procured French wines.
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