The story appears on

Page A8-9

March 25, 2018

GET this page in PDF

Free for subscribers

View shopping cart

Related News

Home » Sunday » Home and Design

Live ‘a night at the opera’ in the middle of historic Hanoi

HANOI is hallmarked by perpetual change. In the city’s downtown, Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi, MGallery by Sofitel continues to confirm its role as a five-star boutique hotel encapsulating the best of Hanoi with iconic French colonial architecture and an operatic interior.

The wave of change in the city has brought a flood of tourists to experience the city’s charm and to MGallery, inviting guests to immerse themselves in tales of adventure, romance, history and more.

The hotel is in the heart of the city, a stone’s throw from the Hanoi Opera House and within walking distance of several attractions such as Hoan Kiem Lake and the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.

The MGallery standard is to create a unique five-star boutique hotel with a strong local story that guests can discover.

“It was a challenge to work with an existing concrete shell that was designed originally as a four-star local brand,” said designer James Campbell, from Design Worldwide Partnership.

“DWP’s first task was to re-master plan the whole building from back of house to front of house with close consultation with the AccorHotels Group.

“The vision of constructing a central boutique hotel in Hanoi was clear — to combine a reference to colonial French architecture on the outside and provide a sleek, contemporary experience on the inside.”

As the hotel’s name suggests, the inspiration came from nearby opera house. The theme “a night at the opera” provides a concept that links the whole hotel under a single visual thread.

“The interior design is a contemporary twist on traditional colonial French style, incorporating rich theatrical elements with a modern interpretation,” Campbell said. “The theme of the hotel emulates an enchanting night out at the opera.”

Even though the hotel building doesn’t have much of a history and as such, it reflects the history of its neighborhood. Trang Tien Street is well-known for its book stores, art galleries and landmarks such as the opera house and the history museum.

The galleries in the area are a source of historical infusion for the MGallery, as they encapsulate Vietnam’s diversity and tumultuous past in the colorful language of local artists.

Gold highlights with a strong contrasting color palate offers abundant drama and DWP uses elegant floral infusions throughout key vantage points. Applied as delightful decoration with a sense of mystery, these beautiful prints enrich the tapestry and experiences.

The final theme of Vietnamese art inspires its supple silks, lacquers, bold woodcuts and bright splashes of color, which add lively accents to the hotel.

The hotel boasts 107 guest rooms, featuring an ambience which blends a touch of French decor with the luscious operatic settings and the plush comfort of a sumptuous hotel of the 21st century.

A touch of historical and contemporary theater and arts culture is incorporated into the design, with artistic, eclectic and theatrical motifs, such as the Ballerina dress artwork hung over the bed and the damask printed bed rug in the shape of a bear skin.

The lobby, lobby lounge and all day dining restaurant are all located around a central outdoor atrium space linking the three public areas. Each area has its own ambience but are all linked by the common theme of “a night at the opera,” from the reception area with its dramatic hanging curtain rope chandelier and stage lighting used for floor lamps, to classic red velvet chez lounges. The theme continues through to the all day dining restaurant where the central buffet area is partially concealed by a 4-meter-high glass screen adding a sense of expectation and drama.

Striking colors, reflections and lush fabrics adorn the pubic spaces and accommodation rooms that isolate guests from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi.




 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend