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When will the hotel open?
We are scheduled to open the in
the third quarter of 2013. I’m very ex-
cited to be working for the InterConti-
nental Hanoi Landmark 72 – one of our
most unique properties in the region.
I would look at this as an opportu-
nity as all members of our pre-opening
team in liaison with our owners, Keang-
namVina, will be working towards the
same goal of successfully opening and
establishing this hotel both in the local
as well as international markets.
The InterContinental brand is very
well recognised, not only in the local
market but all over world. Our hotels
have been strongly performing in Viet-
nam with consistent, robust occupancy.
We will no doubt be able to leverage
IHG’s global network and scale to de-
liver revenue.
What are the biggest challenges you
have faced in the opening process
and how have you managed to over-
come them?
Opening a new InterContinental
hotel is always challenging, there is
so much work to be done and never
enough time. Usually when a new five
star hotel opens in a city, other five
star properties will step up their service
standards as well, it’s healthy competi-
tion and it’s generally a good thing for
the guests. Moreover, it’s also a step
toward putting Vietnam on the map of
hot destinations in Asia. With interna-
tional brand competitors opening right
next door, we will have to deliver our
services perfectly to stay ahead.
Another challenge is how to in-
corporate local culture into the hotel.
It is one of the first priorities to con-
sider when planning to open a new
property. This is what defines a hotel,
what makes it unique instead of just
another international branded chain
hotel. Actually one of the hallmarks of
the InterContinental brand is called ‘In
The Know.’ This is our commitment to
deliver an authentic local experience to
our hotel guests, in this case, the Hanoi
culture. It’s not just the tours recom-
mended by the concierge, but it is many
things from the décor and the artwork
to the food and the music. These fac-
tors give guests insights into Hanoi’s
rich history and culture.
One of the most important fac-
tors for me as a traveller which would
make me return or recommend a hotel
to others would be the quality of ser-
vice and hospitality I receive. Often it’s
not only about the bed and pillows or
other physical components of a hotel,
it’s more about the tangible feelings
and emotions which make a destination
special.
One of our key focus areas will be
ensuring that our hotel associates feel
engaged, are knowledgeable, receptive
and friendly towards our guests. These
basic elements go a long way to leav-
ing a lasting impression and ensuring
travellers will keep on returning and
recommending a particular destination.
What do you feel is the most distinc-
tive feature of your hotel?
I feel fortunate to be working at a
very special property as I believe it is
one of the most unique hotels in the
region.
InterContinental Hanoi Landmark
72 is located in the new business dis-
trict of West Hanoi, conveniently locat-
ed near the National Convention Centre
and the National Stadium.
Set over the 61st to 71st floors
of the tallest building in Vietnam at
346 meters high, the InterContinental
Landmark 72 is also the tallest hotel
in Southeast Asia. All of our 359 guest
rooms are 300 meters above ground
level ensuring panoramic views of Ha-
noi city.
We feature one of the largest pillar-
less ballrooms in Hanoi at 1,050 sqm,
together with a large size ballroom foy-
er area of 1,020 sqm. With the ballroom
and all meeting rooms located on the
same floor in liaison with a seamless
service delivery, we will set the Inter-
Continental Landmark 72 as the venue
of choice for MICE in Hanoi.
Last but not least, the Landmark 72
complex offers living, working, shop-
ping, entertainment and culture all un-
der one roof which will give absolute
convenience to all of our guests.
Located in a new urban area, who
will be the target customers of the
hotel?
With the Vietnamese government
focusing on developing the West Hanoi
area, we believe this is the perfect time
to open an InterContinental hotel.
Our hotel is located in the cen-
tre of the new West Hanoi Central
Business District, in close proximity to
major international corporate offices
as well as key government ministries.
Naturally, corporate clients and MICE
government business will be a major
focus for us.
I feel that the InterContinental Ha-
noi Landmark 72 in the West Hanoi
area will set a benchmark for a globally
branded, yet personalised, professional
guest service to which all our competi-
tors will aspire.
In addition to the hotel's new loca-
tion, do you expect a difficult year
ahead for you and the hotel because
Vietnam's and the world's economic
slowdown still prevails?
I would say this is a very exciting
time to be in Vietnam, more investors
in international chains hotels will at-
tract more leisure and business visitors
as well as generate more jobs for the
local community
George Koumendakos
, general manager of InterContinental Landmark 72
Hotel, talks to Timeout about the opening of the tallest hotel in Southeast Asia
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