Velvet on the Lake

is the brainchild of a friend of mine, Margaret, myself and a couple of glasses of wine.

We thought it would be nice for people friends, and collegues, and why not other people to have a small conveniently located appartment in central hanoi to stay in whilst visiting hanoi for work or pleasure.

When a gorgeous high ceilinged, wooden floor boarded, french colonial apartment came up for lease right around the corner from Bobby Chinns restaurant (www.bobbychinn.com )on Hoan Kiem Lake we decided that this dream just had to become a reality.

Months of negotiations, some doubts, and many metres of velvet later the apartment is finally ready. It includes a lovely large bedroom plus a very large sitting room upstairs and a small fully equipped kitchen downstairs.

The special rate for friends of Velvet Underground until end 2008 is $110 per night including tax and including breakfast that guests prepare themselves. Tea ,coffee, cereal, instant noodles, juice and bread will be available in the apartment. All linen and towels are provided and Mrs Thuy, the manager and service provider will service the apartment daily, or every other day as desired.

There is internet in the apartment including WIFI. There is a local phone line.
There is also a guest directory that has been developed to help orient people during their stay with ideas of where to eat, shop, order take away and get transport. Mrs Thuy will normally meet people at the apartment to give them keys and explain about all necessary workings of the apartment. She can arrange for a car to collect people and take them to the apartment if necessary for a fee of $35.

Please note the apartment is in a residential area and therefore it does not operate like a hotel with reception all day and night so it is important to know when guests will arrive and leave. Generally Check in time is 2pm and check out time 12 noon but Thuy will try to be flexible depending on bookings.

The apartment offers a fantastic position, very comfortable setting, great views of the lake and facilitates self catering. The space is well big enough to hold small meetings or have a small dinner (if you need to cook in Hanoi). It is best suited for people who enjoy a little independence and do not require 24 hour service. While Mrs Thuy our friendly house keeper will aim to please, people may chose to be fully self sufficient. The cost is the same for serviced or self service.

For more pictures, see the album here :

http://picasaweb.google.com/velvetunderground5/ApartmentVelvetOnTheLake#

For bookings or further enquiries please contact us at Velvetonthelake@gmail.com