Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Hilton’s iconic luxury hotel brand, announced its entry into Vietnam with the signing of Waldorf Astoria Hanoi. The hotel, owned by BRG Group and managed by Hilton, continues the brand’s entry into the world’s most sought-after destinations. Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts operates six hotels in China, Thailand and the Maldives, and will more than double its presence in Asia Pacific over the next five years.
Nestled in the city’s beautiful and historic city centre, the upcoming Waldorf Astoria Hanoi is a conversion of the current Hilton Hanoi Opera and will feature fully reimagined accommodations across each of its 187 rooms and suites, after extensive renovations are complete.
Honouring the brand’s commitment to culinary excellence and innovation, the luxury hotel will also feature four world-class dining concepts including the brand’s world-famous lounge and bar, Peacock Alley, a rooftop lounge and two other distinctive restaurants. Guests can also look forward to beautiful event spaces totaling over 1,000 square metres and lavish, holistic therapies at the award-winning Waldorf Astoria spa.
“We are thrilled to debut our premier Waldorf Astoria brand in Vietnam with our longstanding partner BRG Group. This signing marks a significant milestone in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and tourism destinations. Situated in the heart of Hanoi next to the iconic Hanoi Opera House, Waldorf Astoria Hanoi will enhance the country’s luxury travel offerings to capture a rapidly growing segment of discerning travellers,” commented Guy Phillips, senior vice president, Development, Asia and Australasia, Hilton.
Fusion’s luxury hotels and resorts across Vietnam and Thailand have rolled out exclusive new packages designed especially for couples, as the wellness-inspired brand seeks to create memorable new romantic getaways.
From private oceanfront dining by candlelight to relaxing couple’s bath rituals and spa treatments, the new packages and add-on experiences have been thoughtfully curated with romance in mind amidst some of Southeast Asia’s most remarkable tropical settings.
Fusion Hotel Group
Meanwhile, Fusion’s new customer loyalty program, Fusionlife, helps travelers find the best available rates and other exclusive benefits at fusionhotelgroup.com/fusionlife. The fast-growing brand currently includes 23 properties, with five more resorts under development.
Maia Quy Nhon
The resort in the coastal province of Quy Nhon has introduced Maiamour, a specially curated package and private dining experience at their oceanfront ad hoc restaurant. Exclusive couples’ activities include a wellness journey, a romantic bath ritual and bespoke turndown service, along with pre-dinner sunset cocktails, afternoon high tea for two and customized in-villa floral decor. For more visit https://quynhon.maiaresorts.com/save/maiamour/.
Fusion Hotel Group
Fusion Resort Cam Ranh
Couples can enjoy memorable and romantic surprises including a spectacular dinner with 200 candles on the beach, followed by a Fusion Bath Bliss experience complete with 100 roses, candles, honeyed milk, chocolate and herbs. The resort’s special new romance package starts from $1,200 per couple. Fusion Resort Cam Ranh is perched atop a 28-meter-high sand dune overlooking Cam Ranh Bay. https://camranh.fusionresorts.com.
Fusion Suites Vung Tau
The hotel in southern Vietnam features an infinity rooftop pool and new honeymoon packages that include a two-day, one-night stay, a spa treatment for two and a romantic candlelit dinner specially curated by the hotels’ chefs, starting from $280. https://vungtau.fusion-suites.com.
Fusion Suites Phuket Patong
Situated high on a lush tropical hillside overlooking the sparkling Andaman Sea and Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand, Fusion Suites Phuket Patong has introduced a new package exclusively designed for couples. The Grand Deluxe Jacuzzi - Spa Retreat includes a couples’ massage and daily breakfast for two, with prices starting from 4,200 baht ($123) per room per night. fusion-suites.com/phuketpatong.
GLOW Ao Nang Krabi
The resort in southern Thailand has a well-deserved reputation for beach lovers and recently unveiled a new package for couples with a special rate (starting from 1,500 baht per night) for couples staying in a Superior Room, with breakfast. https://aonang.glowhotels.com.
Meliá Chiang Mai has joined forces with three universities to educate and train upcoming generations of hospitality professionals about sustainable farming, culinary and waste management practices.
Culinary students from Suan Dusit University in Lampang, Chiang Mai University and Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna Tak study, and experience in action, Meliá Chiang Mai’s ‘360º Cuisine’ concept as part of ongoing partnerships between the hotel and the universities.
Meliá Chiang Mai’s ‘360º Cuisine’ concept
Under its ‘360º Cuisine’ program, the hotel works closely with local farmers to help improve sustainability and encourage ethical production to make the overall food system more resilient. The hotel sources vegetables, fruit, herbs, cage-free eggs, sterilised fresh milk, artisanal cheese, honey and more from a network of nearby ethical and chemical-free suppliers such as gourmet organic farms Seed and Rong Khum, as well as Jartisann’s Original Thai Cheese and Supha Bee Farm.
Designed to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint and promote healthy eating, the ‘360° Cuisine’ program is spearheaded by Meliá Chiang Mai’s executive chef Suksant (Billy) Chutinthratip. Chef Billy and his team harvest as many ‘farm to plate’ ingredients as possible – roots, leaves, stems, stalks and more – in a ‘thoughtful cooking process’ before food waste returns to the farms as fertilizer.
Since the 360° Cuisine program’s inception in 2022 until July this year, the hotel has processed more than 5590kg of leftover food as compost and fertilizer and more than 1820 kg of cooking oil as a biodiesel fuel.
“Witnessing the younger generation engage with our concept is incredibly rewarding; the students appreciate the hard work behind our sustainability efforts, and the universities value real-world learning experiences,” Chef Billy said. “The students hold the key to long-term changes benefitting the health of our guests, community and environment.”
Meliá Chiang Mai’s ‘360º Cuisine’ conceptMeliá Chiang Mai’s ‘360º Cuisine’ concept
As part of their studies, students visit Seed and Rong Khum to learn about sustainable agriculture, and spend time at the hotel’s kitchens to see the 360° Cuisine program in action and cook the concept’s dishes. Chef Billy provides case studies for students as part of their culinary art curriculum, and participates in guest speaker sessions.
Meliá Chiang Mai has hired some of the students upon graduation who, according to Chef Billy, “share our passion for sustainability”.
"I had the invaluable opportunity to serve as a kitchen trainee at Meliá Chiang Mai, where I learned numerous sustainability practices, including managing kitchen waste through a 360-degree approach, directing it to an organic farm for composting,” said Chiang Mai University graduate Thodsapol Chaimongkol. “My university instructor and Chef Billy supported me in an experimental project that explored the use of locally grown kale in pizza dough. This experience enriched my culinary skills and paved the way for me to be selected as a permanent staff member upon graduation, marking a major milestone in my career."
"After completing my internship program with Meliá Chiang Mai, I am so proud to be a member of the culinary team,” said Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna Tak graduate Chanika Thongtecha. “I had the opportunity to learn extensively during my time here and, with the support of Chef Billy and the team, I implemented a project using surplus tomatoes from local farms to create jelly for our buffet sections and coffee breaks. This experience has been rewarding and educational, and I’m excited to continue contributing to the team."
To contact Meliá Chiang Mai or to make a booking, email reservation.chiangmai@melia.com, call +66 52 090 699 or visit https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/thailand/chiang-mai/melia-chiang-mai/index.htm