InterContinental Hanoi Westlake

Looking for a Hanoi luxury hotel that manages to perfectly create a resort style feel whilst still being close to the city? Look no further than InterContinental Hanoi Westlake, situated in the West Lake area of the city, just a short cab ride from the bustling city centre and Hanoi Old Quarter.

Guests can choose from a selection of 293 guests rooms and suites, each with a private balcony and many boasting picturesque lake views.  There are even rooms located on two unique Island Pavilions where you are surrounded by water. There really is something for everyone.

The Vegan Food

As you would imagine from the name, Cafe du Lac offers diners views over West Lake from this contemporary restaurant designed in a classic French style, it’s open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner and provides à la carte as well as buffet options.
Our breakfast started with freshly brewed coffee and juice from the juice bar including an interesting selection of ‘Breakfast Healthy Juices’, our favourite was the kiwi, cucumber and pomegranate juice but we tried them all!

There was an excellent fruit buffet with a whole array of fresh tropical fruits. The cereal station (soya milk available) also contained pumpkin and sunflower seeds, dried figs, raisins and apricots, some of which we added to a fresh salad made from the salad bar, alongside olives, walnuts and flaked almonds.

There were a selection of breads and more traditional western options such as baked beans, grilled tomatoes and sautéed oyster mushrooms (the hash browns were cooked with butter so not suitable).
Chef made vegetable tofu fried rice for us, packed full of diced vegetables and fried tofu puffs that were perfectly crisp on the outside and soft and creamy inside, he also prepared a fried noodle dish full of Bok choy, noodles and slices of fried tofu.

For a lighter option there was miso soup and a plain rice congee with a variety of vegan friendly condiments (including fried Chinese donut pieces for an indulgent treat!)

For dinner, vegans can head to ‘Milan’ restaurant where a menu of Italian food is easily veganised. The menu included classics like minestrone, bruschetta, various pasta dishes and pizzas; red and white checked tablecloths complete the traditional Italian trattoria feel.

At ‘Saigon’ restaurant, vegans will find Vietnamese choices like avocado and herbs fresh spring rolls and fried spring rolls filled with mushrooms, bean sprouts and veg, a choice of green mango, banana blossom or pomelo salads offer another chance to try Vietnamese classics (do check for fish sauce to be on the safe side).

The Vegan Essentials

There was a whole pillow menu including many vegan options for those of us that don’t want animal by products in our bedding.

InterContinental always offer Agraria Lemon Verbena guest amenities which are 100% vegan, free from all animal based ingredients and of course not tested on animals. This gets a huge ‘thumbs up’ from us, as all too often we stay at a luxury hotel and are unable to use the amenities on offer. It’s is one of the reasons we often choose to stay at InterContinental Hotels and Resorts.

The Vegan Food Quest Verdict

Choose InterContinental Hanoi Westlake for a luxury hotel that is close enough to Hanoi Old Quarter yet set over West Lake which offers a relaxed and enjoyable escape from the museums and other tourist attractions that you will perhaps spend all day exploring.

Enjoy the picturesque lake views, the attentive Vietnamese hospitality, a tasty vegan breakfast at Cafe du Lac and don’t forget to make the most of the Agraria Lemon Verbena guest amenities.

*Extra special thanks to the team members who located one of our MacBook chargers which we left in the room and arranged for it to be couriered to us in Cambodia, thank you SO much!

We were guests of InterContinental Hanoi Westlake but please rest assured that their generosity in hosting us didn’t influence our views

InterContinental Hanoi Westlake
5 Tu Hoa Street
Tay Ho District
Hanoi

Telephone: +84-24-6270 8888
Email: res.hanoi@ihg.com
Cost From: From £100 / $135 per night (Sept 2017)