SF Spa, Hanoi – A Haven of Peace and Tranquillity

Hanoi . 2013 . Aug 12

The edited version of this post first appeared as a featured Spa article in the Oct 2013 Issue of Asean Tripper Magazine. Based in Bangkok, Thailand, AseanTripper combines news, opinions, fictions, documentaries about newly discovered and lesser-known travel destinations, travel related activities, and cultural movements in the 10 South East Asia countries. 

This post is part of our Hanoi 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

Located in the heart of the Old Quarter in Hanoi City, SF Spa reveals a more relaxing side of Vietnam, away from the chaos and noise of the never-ending traffic in the streets of Hanoi.

Serving its customers as a professional spa in Hanoi for the past decade, SF Spa has a wide range of massages and spa body treatments to cater to the different needs of its clients. You could choose to indulge in a relaxing aromatherapy massage, a soothing foot massage or more extensive spa packages and treatments by its highly trained Vietnamese therapists.

After days of intense sight-seeing in the summer month of Hanoi, we decided to pamper ourselves with an exclusive spa treatment package at SF Spa.  This took place on the very last day of our vacation, for what better way to recharge ourselves than to indulge in a relaxing spa treatment before heading back to work in hectic Singapore!  An impromptu call to the spa was all it took, and before long, we had a reservation on our hands and a taxi on its way to pick us up at our hotel.  To add to the experience, SF Spa will pick up the tab for the taxi ride from any hotels in the Old Quarters to the spa.

Warm Welcome to SF Spa

Step into a world of peace and tranquillity at SF Spa.  In stark contrast to the maddening noises of traffic and human activities on the streets outside, SF Spa offers a much welcomed refuge of calmness and serenity, created by soft lightings and modern furnishings.  We indulged in a complimentary hot beverage of our choice as we took our time to browse through the extensive spa menu presented to us.

SF Spa Signature Package

SF Spa offers a wide range of services, including aromatherapy, various types of massages, manicures and facial treatments.  To enjoy a comprehensive range of services, we picked the SF Spa Signature package, priced at 1,020,000 VND (48 USD) each for a 120 minutes session.  The package included the following treatments:

• Steam Bath of Sauna or Jacuzzi
• Facial Clean and Breathing with Aromatherapy
• Anti-tiring Eye Massage, Facial Acupressure
• Stretching Massage
• Indian Head and Shoulder Massage

The spa offers customers the flexibility of replacing any of its items in the package with an equivalent, or in the case of price disparity, an option to top up the difference in price.   After some considerations, we replaced the stretching massage with 60 minutes of SF Aromatherapy at an additional cost of 100,000 VND per person.

Delightfully Refreshing

Be prepared to be immersed in a sensory journey of aromatherapy oils while picking out your choice of aromatherapy oil.  There were six options to choose from, depending on the mood you wish to create – ‘Dedicate’; ‘Indulge’; ‘Naturally Fresh’; ‘Forest Fragrance’ and ‘Energy and Exotic’.  We opted for what we felt was the mildest option of ‘Naturally Fresh’, which is perfect for a first-timer to aromatherapy.   

A Private Sanctuary for Couples

And thus our spa treatment journey began!  A private treatment room at the second level awaits us.  Our massage therapists were already in attendance and handed us clean bathrobes to change into.   For security reasons, our valuables were placed in a metal box and locked with a key that was handed to us, with the metal box always kept within our sight every step of the process.

Indulge in a Soothing Jacuzzi

The highlight of the spa extravaganza was, of course, the private Jacuzzi steam bath.   A truly romantic and unforgettable experience, the Jacuzzi room is housed in a higher floor, and with its luxurious and exclusive setting, perfect for some private couple time.

To maintain our privacy, a bell was provided for us to sound, if we needed any attention from the staff. Otherwise, we were largely left undisturbed. With restorative acupressure water jets coupled with hot steaming water, our senses were uplifted and tense muscles loosened, as an ideal prelude to the body treatments that follows.

Aromatherapy Treatment and Massage

The half hour of relaxing Jacuzzi steam bath soon led to the aromatherapy treatment and massage back at our private treatment room. Our body and soul were reawakened in a realm of serenity and bliss, as the skilful therapists worked their magic on those tight muscles and joints so reminiscent of city dwellers.   Just like any other skilled massage therapists, their touch and pressure were adjusted based on individual preferences.  The massages, infused with aromatherapy oils, relaxed our tired bodies, improved circulation and assisted in detoxification.  Most note-worthy was the anti-tiring eye massage and facial acupressure, both of which relieves tension built up in the eye area. 

It was pure bliss as we were pampered and indulged by pure, natural ingredients used. If there was a heaven on earth, then this must be it!  Overwhelmed by a feeling of well-being and lulled by the calming atmosphere and relaxing background music, we soon fell asleep as the highly trained and professional massage therapists continued working rigorously on relaxing us.

A Sense of Well-Being

SF Spa certainly knows how to pamper their customers.  Their luxurious and elegant premises are a good respite from the daily grind of our lives, offering a private sanctuary away from a stressful lifestyle.   Strategically located in the heart of Old Quarters, SF Spa is a perfect destination for a quick escapade.  Our 120 minutes of therapy infused us with energy, rejuvenated our body and minds and uplifted our spirits.  The next time you are in Hanoi, do remember to drop by SF Spa for a luxurious and blissful experience.

Contact Details

SF Spa
30 Cua Dong Str
Hoan Kiem District
Hanoi, Vietnam.
Tel: (+84-4) 3926 2032 - 3747 5301
Fax: (+84-4) 3747 6108
Office: (+84-4) 3747 5637
Email: sfintercare@gmail.com

 

The edited version of this post first appeared as a featured Spa article in the Oct 2013 Issue of Asean Tripper Magazine. 


Based in Bangkok, Thailand, AseanTripper combines news, opinions, fictions, documentaries about newly discovered and lesser-known travel destinations, travel related activities, and cultural movements in the 10 South East Asia countries. 

This post is part of our Hanoi 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

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Like us on Facebook @ Discover. Book . Travel and follow us on Twitter @Discoverbooktra!

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Restaurant Review: Menya Noodle Bar, Sydney Chinatown

Sydney . 2013 . May 22

This post is part of our Sydney 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

Located right next to its equally popular neighbour, the Chinese Noodle Restaurant, Menya Noodle Bar presents a much more pleasant dining environment and service and has a following of its own.

Menya Noodle Bar has such an extensive menu, we hardly knew where to start from.

Chicken Katsu Ramen (AUD$11.90).  Menya Noodle Bar has great pride in their soup base for their Ramen, serving the full range of Japanese soup base – Shoyu (soy sauce), Miso, Shio (seafood and chicken), and Tonkotsu (pork bones).     We love the wriggly quality of the noodles and the tasty soup.

Set meal of Menya Ramen in Shoyu, main dish of Chilli Beef Don, and complementary Gyoza for a very hungry couple (around AUD $15).  This set is actually large enough to feed two persons.  We love the Chilli Beef Don.  Must-try.

 
Menya Noodle Bar is so popular that we see many customers buying take-away as well.

Verdict:  Offers very good value at a reasonable price.  The Menya Noodle Bar is a must-go if you are craving for Japanese food in Sydney. 

Menya Noodle Bar has a large range of noodles, donburi and side dishes to choose from.  For their latest menu and pricing, log on to http://menya.com.au/ .

Menya Noodle Bar
Shop TG8,
8 Quay Street,
Haymarket

If you are not staying near Chinatown area, you might be pleased to know that they do have another outlet in the CBD area.

Menya Noodle Bar City (CBD)
Shop 2, 1 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000
TEL 02 9267 4649 | FAX 02 9267 4649
Opening hour: Mon-Sat Lunch: 12:00pm - 3:00pm | Dinner: 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Regular Holiday: Sunday and Public holiday

This post is part of our Sydney 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

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Restaurant Review: Chinese Noodle Restaurant, Sydney Chinatown

Sydney . 2013 . May 23

This post is part of our Sydney 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

If you are looking for ambience and a place to chill out and relax, the Chinese Noodle Restaurant (北方拉面馆) is hardly the place for it.

The Chinese Noodle Restaurant may call themselves a restaurant, but is in fact more like a shabby and grubby eating establishment tucked in a corner of the Prince Centre building in the Sydney Chinatown area.  This restaurant stands out from the rest of the competition with the throngs of customers hovering near its entrance, waiting for a seat.  Perhaps due to its good reviews online and by word of mouth among the locals (many claiming this to be the real deal), the Chinese Noodle Restaurant has a good mix of tourists, immigrant Asians and locals, all clamouring for a taste of Chinese food at its legendary affordable pricing.

Do not expect any form of service – in fact, service was so poor, we cringe to think about it.  In essence, the service staffs were mostly rude and eager to pack you like a can of sardines so that they can sit more customers, or turn you out quickly for new customers to come in.
 
Just like any other Chinese restaurants, the Chinese noodle bar has a good variety of dishes in their menu, ranging from noodles, stir-fried vegetables, seafood, tofu, soups , fried or boiled dumplings.  Prices ranged from AUD$14-16 for a typical Chinese stir-fry, AUD$8-10 for Chinese noodles, and AUD$9 for steamed/fried dumplings.  Given the restaurant’s setting and service level, prices are a little steep.

We picked a winner.  Priced at AUD$15.80, the Salt and Pepper Crispy Pork Fillet can hardly be classified as affordable.  Nevertheless, its serving size is large, and the salt and pepper condiment that comes with the dish makes it clearly the star of the lot.  This dish is a must-try!  If pork is not to your liking, there are other variants such as the Salt and Pepper Calamari and Salt and Pepper Prawns which are equally popular.

Soupy Pork Dumplings (Xiao Long Bau) – 5 for AUD $4.50.  Not exactly the best Xiao Long Bau we would say, and that is not because we come from an Asian country where standards of Chinese food are generally higher.  Compared to the dim sum we had in Penang, Vancouver and Seattle, this one pales very much in comparison.  We would just rate this as an average, although its hot steamy contents do provide some comfort from the biting cold of Sydney’s winter.

Verdict:  If you must have Chinese food, then the Chinese Noodle Restaurant would be a decent choice.  Otherwise, Menya Noodle Bar is just next door and they are actually a much better option in terms of quality, pricing, service and ambience. 

Chinese Noodle Restaurant
Shop 7, Prince Centre Building
8 Quay St
Haymarket 2000
Telephone 02 9281 9051
 
This post is part of our Sydney 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

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Hotel Review: Mercure Sydney

Sydney . 2013 . May 21

This post is part of our Sydney 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

Mercure Sydney is located in the heart of Sydney CBD with several public transport options conveniently located at its doorstep.  These include train services (Central Station), public buses (Railway Square), Monorail, light rail and shuttle bues to/from the airport.

Recently refurbished, the four-star Mercure Sydney caters to both business and leisure travellers.  Due to its affordable pricing, excellent location and close proximity to several key attraction, it is also our undisputed hotel of choice for our free and easy trip to Sydney, Australia.

The Location

Mercure Sydney occupies a most strategic location near to the Central Station.   The underground tunnel leading to Sydney Central Station is just at its doorstep.  As the hotel themselves put it, they are ‘close to everything’ – absolutely true given that the Central Station is the key interchange point for buses, coaches and trams and with these facilities in place, we were able to travel anywhere within Sydney (and even beyond) to places like the Sydney Fish Market, Sydney Harbour and the Blue Mountains.
 

In the immediate vicinity of the Mercure Sydney are eateries, restaurants and convenience stores which open till late.  Within a 5-10 minutes walking distance are Chinatown (where there are more dining options available) and Paddy’s Market.

The Lobby

Bright and cheery with a modern design, the lobby speaks of a cheerful disposition.  True to its pledge to provide quality service to every guest on a personal level, the concierge service and front desk was friendly and efficient through our many encounters with them.

The front entrance of the Mercure Sydney where the tour pick-up point is. Note that this entrance is further away from Central Station. You should use the back entrance if you want to get to Central Station.  There is also a souvenir store for a last minute buy.

The front desk and rear entrance of the Mercure Sydney.

The Privilege Room

Our original reservation was for a Standard Room, but as we checked in late in the evening after our trip to the Scenic World in Blue Mountains, there were no City View rooms available for us and so we were given a complimentary upgrade to a Privilege Room, located on the 13th floor of the hotel. 

We absolutely love the Privilege Room!  Modern and stylish with the use of Mercure’s signature bold colours, the room exudes a class of its own.   Its modern contemporary design and spaciousness ensures that our stay at the Mercure Sydney was constantly comfortable and pleasing.  The design was similar to our stay in Mercure Bangkok Siam during our recent Bangkok trip.

Stepping into the comfort of the Privilege Room.

The absolute comfort of the Privilege Room.

Thoughtful gesture from the hotel to provide magazines to help you plan your stay in Sydney.

Some of the perks of enjoying the Privilege Room include complimentary bathrobes, pralines and slippers on arrival.  There’s also a complimentary bottle of Evian water on arrival, in-room wi-fi connection, an espresso machine (with complimentary capsules) and a good selection of tea.  There’s even a pillow menu for guests!

The View

To top it all off, we get to enjoy free city views from the comfort of our room.

Stunning night views of Sydney City.

Day view of Sydney City.  One of the most important privileges of staying at Mercure Sydney was its close proximity to the Central Station.  The bus stops and underground tunnel leading to Central Station are just right outside its doorstep.

The superior Balcony Rooms are located on the same floor as the Privilege Rooms, and as it so happens, we occupied a Privilege Room right next to the Balcony ones.   For the sake of privacy, we had to remember to keep our curtains drawn at all times because anyone on the balcony can easily look into our room. 

The Bathroom

Consistent with the décor of the room, the bathroom is modern, spacious and clean.  We absolutely loved its clean lines and minimalist look.

We get a full set of toiletries replenished everyday too.

The Surroundings

The private lounge area at the 13th Storey (where the Privilege Rooms and Balcony Rooms are) offers us an exclusive reprieve from the buzz and activities of the ground level.

The 12m long indoor rooftop swimming pool overlooks the Sydney city skyline and opens till midnight.   It is supposedly heated during the colder seasons for the convenience of guests.  Located on Level 15, there’s also a sauna and gym facilities to enhance your stay.

Verdict:

We had a most enjoyable and wonderful stay at the Mercure Sydney.  Mercure Sydney’s wonderful facilities topped with immaculate service leaves a lasting impression.  We will definitely stay here again when we are back in Sydney.

Mercure Sydney
818-820 George St  Haymarket
NSW 2000, Australia
+61 2 9217 6666

This post is part of our Sydney 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

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MDo check out our Flickr photos & Youtube videos too!