Victoria charms Asia with boutique offerings

With the rise of the Indochina region as the hottest destination for leisure travellers, it’s little wonder that Victoria Hotels & Resorts saw the potential to develop 10 years ago.



The hospitality company now has six luxury boutique retreats in off-the-beaten and beach spa resorts in Vietnam and Cambodia.



Said Eric Simard, managing director, Victoria Hotels & Resorts, “Asia is ready for the product, now its time to promote Victoria to Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Indonesia later as charming hotels in charming destinations.”

Many factors have contributed to Victoria’s decision to take on the Asian market, the major one being the Victoria charms Asia with boutique offerings improvement to infrastructure from roads to the outlying countryside and new airport terminals. Asia currently ranks fifth for Victoria’s business and Simard is looking to increase this sector by 30 percent. Victoria has traditionally seen a stronger European guest segment.



The company has embarked on expanding its branding and distribution through its new website (www.victoriahotels-asia.com) launched in October.



Other than detailed information on its properties and travel guides on Vietnam and Cambodia, the website also enables online booking and reservations for its private Victoria Express Train from Hanoi to Victoria Sapa Resort, and Victoria Speedboats linking the Victoria Chau Doc Hotel in the Mekong Delta and Phnom Penh.



Simard said that these “extra services” makes Victoria stand out from other hotels as it offers guests a real experience of Indochina. The website launch coincides with a US$3.5 million upgrade to its two beach spa resorts, Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa and Victoria Phan Thiet Beach Resort & Spa.



Victoria now has a new resort project underway in Hue in Central Vietnam and is looking for an opportunity in Luang Prabang, Phu Quic Island, off the Mekong Delta and Ho Chih Minh City.



Victoria is also banking on its idyllic retreat locations to drive occupancies for travellers who want to get away. For example, Victoria Sapa Resort is located in the northwest highlands of Vietnam, 1,650 metres above sea-level in the Hoang Lien Mountains close to the Chinese border. Victoria Angkor Resosrt & Spa is as its name suggests 10 minutes from the World Heritage Angkor Wat Temple.



The architecture of Victoroa’s properties reflect the colonial style with low-rise French architecture. Its properties are continually refurbished, with Victoria Thiet Beach Resort & Spa expanding its 60 colonial style bungalows and restyled, spacious bathrooms and rainwater showers and hammocks.