HA NOI, Viet Nam (20 Feb. 2008) — As the Press Club enters its second decade, renewal, regeneration and resurgence are in evidence upstairs and downstairs at the vaunted Hanoi establishment.

With Regus firmly entrenched as the Club’s principal tenant, and Escada putting some panache into commercial operations on the ground floor, the Press Club has turned its attention to the Library and Ballroom as the first moves in a building-wide refurbishment.

First, the library: Note the freshened wall fabrics, the stylish curtains, the classic, new light fixtures, and the furnishings reupholstered in leather. The colors are different, warmer, more inviting.

That’s good news for the likes of the president of the World Bank and the CEO of Morgan Stanley, who frequently turn to the Library’s confines for private events.

“By definition, clubs provide retreat space where small groups can gather to sort through the issues at hand,” said Kurt Walter, general manager of the Press Club. “The Library has become something of a nexus in Hanoi. Our job is to keep it as comfortable as possible.”

Groups turn to the Library for everything from seminars and round-table discussions to private dinners, wine-tastings and cocktail parties.

“There’s usually something going on in the Library everyday,” said Walter.

At the end of February, the next phase of regeneration got underway in the Ballroom, one of Hanoi’s preferred venues for meetings and conferences. As with the Library, the changes in the Ballroom will be subtle but exhaustive. The carpet will be replaced; there’ll be new paint on the walls; and a new beige, brown color scheme throughout.

“As a backdrop for weddings, for corporate and diplomatic functions, and other exhibitions, we’ve got an extra-special responsibility to ensure that the Ballroom is as spiffed up as possible,” said Walter. “By the time spring starts blossoming in Hanoi, the same will be true of the Ballroom.”

Beyond the Ballroom and Library, look for enhancements at the Restaurant and on the Terrace, and an update on happenings there in the next issue.

ABOUT THE PRESS CLUB

One of Vietnam’s top tables since its 1997 debut, the Press Club underwent an extensive refurbishment in 2008 and emerged with a fresh new face and a complementary steakhouse menu.  Its open Terrace ranks as one of Hanoi’s chicest night-spots, with an ongoing series of special event celebrations and ‘Friday Nights on the Terrace,’ a staple outing for the city’s expatriate community. Its library and ballroom are mainstays on Hanoi’s events meetings and conferences calendar.

For more information on The Hanoi Press Club, visit www.hanoi-pressclub.com or phone 04.934.0888.

Address:  59A Ly Thai To Street in Hanoi.  Telephone: (84-4) 934-0888. Web site: www.hanoi-pressclub.com