For guests at the “Dolce Hanoi Golden Lake” coffee comes in a gold cup and bath time is gilded.
The world’s first self-proclaimed gold-plated hotel is open for business, and Vietnamese owners insist they have the Midas touch despite the cramps of world travel during the coronavirus pandemic.
Construction of the hotel cost $ 200 million with a 24-carat lining in the foyers, an infinity pool, and rooms with even silverware, mugs, showers, and toilet seats that receive the gold treatment.
While it’s expensive for Vietnam, at $ 250 a night it’s not prohibitive for wealthy locals who yearn to spend a few nights living like Donald Trump, the president of the US known for his love of all things that shine.
The hotel wants “people common to the super wealthy … to register” both physically and on social media, said Nguyen Huu Duong, president of the Hoa Binh group that owns the hotel.
A gold-plated infinity pool dominates the city, while meals at the 25-story hotel in downtown Hanoi can be mixed with a mysterious “golden substance,” according to the owners.
So far, the number of customers seems to be delighted with Hanoi’s most striking new excavations.
“When I got here … I felt like a king, you know, Pharaoh … the king of Egypt,” joked Phillip Park, a guest from South Korea.
“I really enjoyed the luxurious atmosphere,” added Vietnamese guest Luong Van Thuan, saying he felt his status had been “elevated” automatically.
The relatively modest construction price was achieved by obtaining the gold plating locally, significantly reducing costs.
“Our group has a factory that can make gold-plated things, so the cost of our equipment and furniture here is quite cheap,” said Duong.
And the pandemic that has stifled world tourism has not postponed it to opening, with Vietnam gaining praise for its rapid blockade that has contained the spread of the coronavirus.
“Sure next year, we will make money,” he added.
burs-apj // rma
