The new five-star Apricot Hotel, a 123-room property adorned with Vietnamese artworks and offering panoramic views of Hanoi’s iconic Hoan Kiem Lake, will celebrate its grand opening December 14 in time for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
A rooftop terrace bar overlooking the lake and Hanoi’s skyline, a multi-level basement theatre featuring a stage that hovers between two floors and a fine dining restaurant are among new venues the luxurious hotel will unveil as part of its official unveiling.
To mark the occasion, works by some of the nation’s most renowned artists will line the hotel’s lobby and corridors leading to the lavish “Avanti” theatre and ballroom.
“We’re a place to stay, but we’re an incredible journey a well — through the history of Vietnamese art and culture,” said the hotel’s representative Phuong Nam Nguyen. “Our guests are bound to leave the city with a deeper appreciation of the Vietnamese art scene, from the country’s master painters to contemporary phenomenons.”
Beyond the Genesis exhibition and the hotel’s permanent collection of valuable paintings, sculptures, watercolours and sketches, guests — including ambassadors, artists and local and international media — will take in a gala dinner and spectacular stage show at Avanti.
With a pneumatic stage that moves between floors, a floating DJ station and movable LED background wall, Avanti hosts weddings, live performance and private parties for as many as 300 guests.
Apricot has also applied the finishing touches to its signature restaurant, Palette, serving Southeast Asian fare.
With its white French colonial facade and neo-classical interior, Apricot Hotel also boasts a heated rooftop pool, “L’Artiste” restaurant with an open-style kitchen, “A’Telier” lobby lounge and a ninth-floor “Library” lounge with artworks and a curated collection of books.
Guests can squeeze in a workout at the hotel’s fitness centre with floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping views of the lake and its legendary Turtle Tower, or turn to the spa for facials and such wellness packages at “Spa L’Art”.
The hotel’s five categories of rooms and suites are aptly named “Sketch”, “Canvas”, “Studio”, “Gallery” and “Masterpiece”, tracing the evolution of a prized artwork from inception to reception.
“There’s no better place to indulge the luxurious and culturally enriching than at Apricot Hotel, especially during the festive season,” said Nguyen.
Apricot Hotel’s site is steeped in history stretching back 1,000 years. It was part of a hamlet that dates to the Ly Dynasty (1009-1225) as an ancient painting village. Nam Huong Temple originally stood on the land where Apricot stands today, and was succeeded by both the French Chamber of Commerce and the Phu Gia Hotel.
