World’s ‘first' gold-plated hotel opens in Vietnam (photos)

The world's first self-proclaimed gold-plated hotel is now open for business in Vietnam.

The hotel which has 24-carat plating across lobbies, an infinity pool, and rooms with even cutlery, cups, showerheads, and toilet seats receiving the golden treatment, took about $200m and 11 years to build. Coffee is served in a gold cup and bath time is taken in gilded splendor.

“Dolce Hanoi Golden Lake hotel" which sits by Giang Vo Lake in the center of the Vietnamese capital, has 400 rooms and will operate under the American Wyndham Hotels brand. Prices start at $250 a night for rooms, and there are also apartments for rent.

Phillip Park, a South Korean guest said;

“When I arrived here... I felt like a king, you know, the Pharaoh... the king of Egypt."

The relatively modest construction price tag was achieved by sourcing the gold plating locally — significantly reducing costs.

Nguyen Huu Duong, chairman of Hoa Binh group that owns the hotel said;

"We want the ordinary people to the super-rich... to check-in. Our group has a factory that can do gold-plated stuff, so the cost of our equipment and furniture here is quite cheap."

On Coronavirus cramping global travel and tourism, Duong expressed hope of making back the money used in constructing the hotel in 2021.

Here are more photos and a video of the hotel below;