Imagine investing over $200 million to build a new luxury hotel. Imagine making sure that it stands out from the pack.
Imagine defying the odds after 11 years of construction and opening during a global pandemic.
And then imagine your new project being named the worst luxury hotel opening in the world for 2020.
That was the fate of the Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake, today named worst new hotel of the year by LTI – Luxury Travel Intelligence, a global, members-only organisation, providing digital reporting for affluent travellers.
The Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake, billed as the most "golden" hotel in the world, copped a major serve from LTI.
"Even pre-pandemic, this 'all gold' hotel (with their gold crust topped hamburgers) would have been considered too ostentatious and out of touch with the needs of today’s luxury traveller," it reported.
"This is an embarrassment for the luxury hotel sector – as it struggles with the biggest global challenge it has ever faced."
The Dolce aimed high. "As the very first Dolce hotel in Asia, we aim to transform every moment with our guests into extraordinary opportunity to inspire them," it says on its website.
But its excesses proved hard to take.
For a start, the hotel building exterior is fully 24-karat gold-plated. Inside, the gold plating continues across lobbies, an infinity pool and rooms with even cutlery, cups, shower heads and toilet seats receiving the golden treatment.
Worse, dishes from hamburgers to lamb come covered by a gold-coloured substance.
A theme too far, perhaps. Gilty as charged.
On a more positive note, Capella Bangkok was named Best New Luxury Hotel for 2020.
"Capella really is one to watch," LTI reported."We have been following the team with great interest for several years, as they have crafted six very special luxury hotels throughout the world. With Capella Bangkok, they have created another exceptional property. A blueprint for what a luxury hotel now needs to be – personal, memorable, authentic and inspiring."
To access LTI go to www.lti-members.com/
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