The scene is set; it’s a warm, exotic summer’s evening in Vietnam, the sun begins to set over the bustling and intriguing city of Hanoi, excited participants gather at the event of the year, the event that will later that night honour them as the crème da la crème of the luxury wellness and fine dining industries. Champagne flows, canapés travel on beautifully decorated trays to guests, and the air of anticipation grows. Proudly hosted by the spectacular JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi, who with a red carpet welcome invite over 180 guests from more than 50 countries to a dazzling evening of luxury, glamour, and style.
“Over 100,000 votes brought our winners here tonight; 100,000 times the public voiced their opinion on who of the 1,000 entrants are deserving of these accolades. Tonight we honour the staff of these fine establishments, who through their immeasurable service delivery have brought success to the proud brands of which they are a part.” says Marna Lourens, Executive Manager for the World Luxury Spa Awards.
Setting the basis for service industry standards around the globe, the World Luxury Spa Awards and World Luxury Restaurant Awards pride themselves on providing true recognition to luxury spas and restaurants in their relevant categories during its annual voting phase. Votes are garnered through various marketing channels from guests, showcasing yet again the true value of service excellence.
“The most coveted award of the evening is our Global Spa and Global Restaurant of the Year awards. Each year the task to determine these top establishments begins after voting has closed and we announce to our winners if they have been successful. We are six senior managers who take weeks to decide, as voting is not the only criteria we look at to bestow this prestigious award. A multitude of factors come in to play; brand, location, overall guest satisfaction from online reviews, services and facilities, design, and even menu offerings whether spa or restaurant. It is important to look at each establishment as an individual as well, some are on an island, some are in cities or in a desert, it is not always possible to compare apples with apples when defining luxury. This year the focus was on unique design with a touch of classy elegance, and we were as such proud to award Global Spa of the Year to Harnn Heritage Spa at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, and Global Restaurant of the Year to Ithaa Undersea Restaurant at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. Both of whom encompass the ethos of luxury and supreme service.” says Joanna Evans, Marketing Communications Manager for the World Luxury Awards.
The evening was as glamorous as one would expect from a JW Marriott brand hotel; a delectable 6-course fine dining menu adorned each table throughout the night and was paired with fine wines and champagne from Moët et Chandon. Entertainment fitting of the destination included a Dragon Dance, a Vietnamese based string quartet performance by Độc Cầm – Toxic Quartet, and a local Ao Dai Dance, all of which added to the evening’s Asian flair.
“The food tonight was exceptionally impressive, and has been during our entire stay at the hotel. Executive Chef Brendon Partridge and his team receive full honours from the World Luxury Awards and all our guests for the tireless effort of crafting these delicious plates of exquisite foods we received this evening.” says Linda Cooper, Executive Manager for the World Luxury Restaurant Awards. “I am proud to know that the awards they themselves received tonight are so well deserved.”
After all awards were received and each representative had an opportunity for exclusive photos and interviews on the red carpet, guests were welcomed to the chic and ultra-stylish Cool Cats Jazz Club, a name so apt for the warm red glow it provides, while live musicians entertained crowds late into the night with some fabulous classic jazz music.
Luxury establishments from around the globe are welcomed to participate in these exciting awards, to proudly show the world what they have to offer in terms of luxury and excellence.
A once-in-a-lifetime memory I will take away from our stay there, was our privately guided horse ride through the deep forest on the estate. How surreal it was to experience life from this viewpoint, and it connected us with nature in such a beautiful way. Food for the soul! 
Ideally located, we took a short stroll and explored the sights, smells, and sounds of bustling Long Street. We loved the energy of Long Streets diverse cultures and endless pubs, clubs, divine eateries and boutique shopping spots that line the pavements.
Wellness is a priority at the Pepperclub, where we found the stunning Cayenne Spa which is incredibly serene and ultimately relaxing. We noticed some guests having a leisurely workout in their Fitness Centre which is fully furnished with the latest cardio and strength training equipment – all the while gazing over the pristine Table Mountain.
