BEST FOR…INCENTIVES
Sofitel Legend Metropole is the brand’s flagship property in Asia. It recently completed an extensive renovation programme with a new business centre, butler team for Club rooms and suites, and a two-storey spa in mid-2009. Also part of the renovation programme was an extension to its Vietnamese restaurant, Spices Garden, which is located beside the ballroom and opens onto a large ground-level terrace.

The original wing is French colonial in style (109 rooms) while the new wing has a neoclassical feel (255). Moet Hennessy holds an annual event here and the hotel will soon host a 300-person direct sales incentive group from Japan.

BEST FOR…MULTIPURPOSE EVENTS
Hilton Hanoi Opera offers 269 guestrooms and suites, 67 with twin beds. Its ballroom seats 300 for banquets or 500 theatre style. The five meeting rooms above seat from 40 to 90 people.

Hilton’s restaurant floor includes Chez Manon, which serves international cuisine and opens onto a terrace overlooking the Opera House. Its Vietnamese restaurant Ba Mien offers a glass-enclosed atrium with sky views. Time Asia (Hong Kong) held a meeting and awards night here for 100 guests in January.


BEST FOR…BIG FUNCTIONS
The 306-room Melia Hanoi is located in the centre of town and has a ballroom with a seven-metre high ceiling that can seat 1,300 delegates theatre style. Access is also available for cars and large exhibition equipment.

There are eight breakout rooms across the same level and the one above, which hold between 20 and 140 people. On the seventh level is a second ballroom seating 550 theatre style that opens onto a terrace with views over central Hanoi.

Melia recently hosted the third Asia Pacific Military Symposium and a round table for The Economist. Residential meeting packages are US$152 per person, which includes overnight accommodation and breakfast. Groups of 30 or more receive a welcome cocktail reception.

BEST FOR…LAKESIDE APPEAL
The highlight of InterContinental Hanoi Westlake is Sunset Bar, a circular venue sitting over the lake for 80 people. The sides can be opened for buffet-style cocktail parties in a semi-undercover setting. Mercedes-Benz held a product launch here in September for 250 people. Its conference centre sits separately from the main building and holds a grand ballroom and four additional function rooms.

Later this year the group will also open a Crowne Plaza as part of a new mixed-use development beside the National Stadium and near the National Convention Center.

BEST FOR…TRADITIONAL MEETINGS
Sheraton (299 rooms) has a ground-level ballroom with seven-metre ceilings that seats 550 in theatre style, or can be divided into three for smaller events. Three connected function rooms are located opposite that each seat 40 people.

Full-day meeting packages are US$46 per person for a minimum of 20 people. This includes buffet lunch, audiovisual equipment, reception table, signage and flowers.

Its presidential suite is often used for VIP pre-dinner cocktails. Larger groups can gather for receptions on Nutz terrace or in its garden, which also has several spots suitable for group photos.

The hotel can also cater events at nearby Quang Ba Temple. The historic venue can host 160 people for banquets and 250 for receptions.