Hanoi Hotel Accommodation

[Sundance2020]

The top Deluxe, Boutique and Design Hotels in Hanoi



Silk Path Boutique Hotel ****

This wallet-friendly boutique hotel in Hanoi’s atmospheric Old Quarter offers stylish rooms and a five-star service. It comes with an unbeatable location opposite the serene Hoan Kiem Lake and some of the best views in the city from its rooftop bar. It’s a 40-minute drive from the airport and a 10-minute walk to the Old Quarter’s shops, restaurants and sights. Its hard-to-beat location on the lake’s edge means there’s no traffic – or the incessant honk of scooter horns – at weekends.

The tall, skinny building used to be an apartment block and is typical of Old Quarter architecture, where space is at a premium. Not to be confused with its larger sibling the Silk Path Hotel, this intimate boutique channels French colonial style: gently whirring ceiling fans, gleaming marble, Tiffany-esque stained glass and public spaces filled with vases of fresh, fragrant flowers. At weekends, join the locals power-walking and jogging around the lake, or just sit on a bench and people-watch. The warm and friendly staff offers a personal service, going out of their way to help with any questions about the city or onward travel. The concierge is on hand to book tours and restaurants, and the reception staff will store any excess luggage while you travel. The ninth-floor roof terrace has been turned into a bar with sweeping views over the city.

The 33 spacious rooms and suites come with lake or city views and are tastefully decked out in neutral tones, with polished wooden floors, bright white walls and dark-wood furniture. Beds are clad in soft white linens and there’s a choice of foam and feather pillows. There are tea and coffee making facilities and a good choice of English-speaking television channels, including Netflix for subscribers. And – healthier than the usual pillow chocolate – you get a piece of fruit at turn-down. The marble bathrooms are compact but spotlessly clean; suites come with a bath, the rest have a powerful, walk-in shower. Access for guests with disabilities: There’s a lift but no specially adapted rooms. Cots are free of charge, and up to two extra beds are available at a charge of $25 for six-year-olds and up. Babysitters can be booked through reception.

The hotel’s small Restaurant La Cour offers all-day dining. The expansive breakfast menu means you can go local with steamed rice rolls or pho bo (beef noodle soup) or opt for pastries or eggs-to-order. At dinner, you can go for traditional Vietnamese, pan-Asian or international fare, such as pizzas. Leave room for a sinfully delicious dessert of deep-fried spring rolls, filled with chocolate and dusted with cinnamon The rooftop bar has plenty of lounging space; try the cocktail of the month – perhaps a mango or pineapple daiquiri.

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La Siesta Hotel ****

Situated in the energetic Old Quarter, Hanoi La Siesta is housed in an eight-story white building, with a touch of colonial detailing. It's a distinctive property, made all the more so by the number of features that they've managed to pack in. The hotel is also a perennial upscale favorite among Old Quarter visitors. Despite its setting, the property maintains a peaceful, mostly quiet atmosphere, and guests are greeted with a fruity welcome drink, cool towels, and a free tourist map. The lobby has a contemporary Vietnamese look, with lattice screens, inlaid walls and ceilings, and plush gray seating with shimmery gold throw pillows. Intricately patterned tile floors extend from the lobby into the restaurant, where guests gather for the free breakfast buffet and good Vietnamese cuisine for lunch and dinner. A glossy mosaic-tile bar sits in the middle of the warmly lit dining space, the only true gathering place on the property. The hotel typically attracts traveling couples who like the Old Quarter setting, intimate size, and consistently excellent service. A smaller number of families and business travelers also stay at the hotel.

Hanoi La Siesta is in the Old Quarter, the historic section of Hanoi with French colonial architecture and preserved shop houses. The area is filled with restaurants and bars, bakeries and cafes, art galleries, and numerous stalls selling handicrafts, silks, and herbs. It's an atmospheric, bustling, sometimes chaotic part of town -- but so is most of Hanoi. Several bus stops are a short walk from the hotel, and the Long Bien Railway Station is about a seven-minute drive or 10-minute walk. There are plenty of tourist sights within walking distance or a short drive away. It's five minutes on foot from Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre at the north end of Hoan Kiem Lake (Turtle Lake), and Ngoc Son Temple -- on an island in the lake -- is just a few minutes farther. Bach Ma Temple is also a five-minute walk, while the Dong Xuan Market selling fashion and souvenirs is 10 minutes away on foot. Farther afield, the area with the Hanoi Opera House and National Museum of Vietnamese History is a 10-minute drive or 15- to 20-minute walk. The 11th-century Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a 10-minute drive or 25-minute walk from the hotel. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is 10 to 15 minutes away by car, or 40 minutes by bus. Expect a 45-minute drive to Noi Bai International Airport.

The Superior and Deluxe Rooms, variety of Suites, and split-level Duplexes at Hanoi La Siesta have a bright, contemporary look that makes them an excellent pick, especially among the frequently stark rooms available elsewhere in the Old Quarter. Wood floors, dark-wood furnishings, trendy hanging lamps, colorful accents, and Vietnamese artwork give rooms a cheerful feel. The palette is bright white and brown, with pops of purple, slate-blue, or burnt orange. The 32-inch flat-screen TVs are wall-mounted and each room has a work desk, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Electric kettles and minibars come standard, and there are free welcome fruit platters on arrival, as well as bottled water. Other comforting touches include bathrobes, twice-daily housekeeping, and evening turndown service -- the plush beds feature thick mattresses dressed in cotton linens. Safes are in all rooms. The stylish bathrooms have modern beige tile and pretty white porcelain basins. Scales, make-up mirrors, and the hotel's own line of bath products are provided. Some bathrooms have only showers with rainfall showerheads, and others have separate walk-in rainfall showers and deep soaking tubs. Rooms range from 248 to 753 square feet in size (23 to 70 square meters), so none are excessively small. It's worth noting that some rooms don't have any windows, and despite the Old Quarter location rooms are typically quiet. Some have balconies overlooking the streets below or perks like laptops, DVD players, and free minibar items. Rooms are all non-smoking, but the hotel allows smoking on its sun deck. Butler service is available on request.

Hanoi La Siesta features a full-service spa with a small wood sauna and a wide variety of treatments, including Swedish and Himalayan salt stone massages, wraps, and dragon fruit body scrubs. The spa is well-liked by past clients, and treatments all come at a fee. Given its Old Quarter location, it's not a surprise that there isn't a pool here, but it does have a good fitness center with two treadmills, a stair-stepper, recumbent bike, weight machines, free weights, and a flat-screen TV. One of the most unexpected features of the hotel is its 20-seat cinema with over 300 classic and modern films. It's available for guest viewing and for screenings at small private events. The Hanoi La Siesta serves an ample free breakfast buffet featuring eggs, sausages, French toast, pho, cereal, pastries, fruit, coffee, and juice. For lunch and dinner, Red Bean Restaurant is quite good, and draws locals and tourists who aren't hotel guests as well as those staying here. The menu specializes in classic Vietnamese cuisine like pho, roasted duck with orange glaze, and green mango salad with seafood. Western dishes are also on the menu and room service is available. It has a full bar as well. The Hanoi La Siesta also has a meeting room, public computer, free daily French and English newspapers, 24-hour concierge service, airport transfer (for a fee), and guided tours (for a fee). There is no on-site parking, but nearby public parking is available for a fee.

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Hilton Hanoi Opera ****

One of Hanoi's most famous hotels, Hilton Hanoi Opera is situated next to the Hanoi Opera House, in the city's charming French Quarter. Designed to complement the stately opera house, the towering property has a pale yellow neo-Baroque facade that makes an imperial impression. However, despite a high ceiling, lots of marble, tall pillars, and a glimmering chandelier it all feels a bit vast and unintentionally retro. Of course, the towering space has its charms, and manages to impress plenty of guests -- after all, it's massive and feels grand -- though it falls far short of the hotel's luxury claims on closer inspection. Some areas, such as the lobby lounge with bright orange furniture, could use a refresh, while rooms are filled with clashing colors and patterns. Other gathering places have a bit of old-school charm, particularly the Vietnamese restaurant with an atrium section and open-air bar, and the vibe throughout the hotel is bustling, but not busy, given its perennial popularity. Given its brand name and high profile, the hotel draws a mix of leisure travelers and business guests.

Hilton Hanoi Opera is in the French Quarter, a district established in the late 19th century during the French occupation of Vietnam. The area isn't as packed and noisy as the Old Quarter, and instead features wide-tree lined streets plus plenty of shops, hotels, restaurants, and French colonial architecture. The hotel sits next to the Hanoi Opera House, a 1911 neoclassical building modeled after the Opera Garnier in Paris. Just three minutes away on foot is the National Museum of Vietnamese History. It's about a five- to 10-minute stroll to the southern end of Hoan Kiem Lake (Turtle Lake). An island in the lake features Ngoc Son Temple, which will take 15 minutes to reach on foot. Just north and west of the lake is the vibrant Old Quarter, which is packed with shops, galleries, cafes, and restaurants -- it's an atmospheric, hectic part of town that's great for strolling and people watching. The Vietnam War-era Hoa Lo Prison (dubbed the "Hanoi Hilton" by American military prisoners) is a five-minute drive from the hotel or 15-minute walk. A bit farther out are the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Imperial Citadel of Thang Long -- these will take over 10 minutes to reach by car or 35 minutes by bus from the hotel. Noi Bai International Airport is a 45-minute drive from the hotel. Several bus stops are a short walk from the hotel, and the Hanoi Railway Station is a 10-minute drive or 30-minute bus ride away.

Rooms, Executive Rooms, and Suites at the Hilton are decorated in traditional Vietnamese style that won't please everyone's eye. The look is a dated take on traditional, and there are plenty of clashing colors and patterns all around. All rooms have wood furnishings with classically Asian silhouettes, and most have light green carpet, red upholstered chairs and bedskirts, and floral-print Vietnamese-style wallpaper. Striped curtains further complicate the scene. Beds are comfortable, with padded headboards, thick mattresses, and white sheets. Dated torch lamps don't do much to upgrade the look, and it's worth noting that stains, peeling paint, and thin and faded carpet may all be issues. Rooms range from 387 to 807 square feet (36 to 75 square meters) in size, so all are spacious. All rooms come with nice perks like free daily newspapers and large flat-screen TVs with a good range of English and premium channels. Closets have slatted-wood doors and hold well-stocked minibars, kettles for coffee and tea, and safes. Each room has a work desk, but Wi-Fi comes with a fee in rooms except for Hilton HHonors Gold and Diamond members. The well-lit, but outdated, bathrooms are clad in light brown granite and tile, and all have separate tubs and showers. Makeup mirrors, robes and slippers, and toiletries are provided. Suites and Executive Rooms also come with an additional host of in-hotel features detailed below. Non-smoking rooms are available.

Unlike many central Hanoi hotels, the Hilton has a swimming pool. It's a good place to cool off from the intense Vietnam heat, and at about 50 feet (or 15 meters), it's long enough for a decent swim. A hot tub is indoors next to the fitness center, which offers several modern treadmills, a stair-stepper, recumbent bikes, free weights, weight machines, and a flat-screen TV. The breakfast buffet features a cooked-to-order egg station, Vietnamese items like pho, as well as cereal, breads, pastries, fruit, coffee, and juice -- it's not included with most room rates, though it does get good marks from previous guests. The main restaurant has an open-air bar and serves Vietnamese cuisine, with dishes like beef baked in bamboo and stir-fried ostrich tenderloin with black pepper sauce. Room service is available. The second restaurant offers Opera House views and serves a la carte international cuisine, specializing in Mediterranean fare, seasonal dishes, and salads. The sports bar has several big flat-screen TVs and serves a wide range of beers, local cocktails, and snacks. The lobby lounge pours signature cocktails and has candlelight and live piano music in the evenings. The bakery has a terrace and sells breads, cakes, and pastries, as well as newspapers, magazines, and postcards. The hotel also has meeting rooms with space for up to 500 guests, and a business center. Other services include a concierge and uniformed bell staff. The hotel can arrange for guided tours and airport transfers (both for a fee). Parking is available for a fee. Those in Suites and Executive Rooms have access to the Executive Lounge with perks like a staffed business center, free continental breakfast, and evening happy hour with free alcohol and food, like poached snapper and grilled duck breast. Wi-Fi is free in public areas for all guests, but is only free for select HHonors guests elsewhere. All manner of services are on offer, including babysitting and laundry.

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[Sundance2020]

InterContinental Hanoi Westlake *****

This luxe urban resort is uniquely set on the edge of Hanoi’s largest lake. It is still within easy reach of key sights but its over-the-water pavilions make for a tranquil escape from the Old Quarter’s hustle and bustle. This sprawling property overlooks the serene waters of Ho Tay, or West Lake, and Vietnam’s oldest pagoda, the sixth-century Tran Quoc. The district is a mix of residential and business, with plenty of upscale boutiques and stylish restaurants. And it’s just a 10-minute drive from the Old Quarter and a 40-minute drive from the international airport.

The hotel was designed to resemble an open lotus flower. The main building boasts a striking, sky-high atrium, where the focal point is an enormous crystal chandelier. Walkways – there are buggies available if you don’t want to walk – lead out to a small island that’s home to the circular Sunset Bar (the clue’s in the name) and beyond that, three two-storey pavilions with rooms built over the water. The look is contemporary but with a sense of place in colours, textures and materials, and references to Vietnamese culture, such as the decorative mini cyclos [three-wheel bicycle taxis] in the rooms.

Service is friendly and efficient. The concierge is a wealth of information on what to do and where to eat and shop, not only in the Old City but also around the neighbourhood. In summer, the large al fresco jade-green swimming pool is perfect for cooling off in. There’s also a 24-hour gym, with steam and sauna, yoga and Zumba classes, as well as an in-room massage service. Guests booking a Club Room or Suite have access to the Club Lounge with complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails and canapés.

The generously sized rooms all have private balconies, with sweeping views over the lake or the Hanoi skyline. They’re contemporary, with cream walls, dark-wood furniture and rich fabrics in warm tones, but also take their cue from traditional Vietnamese design, with wooden window shutters and bamboo lampshades. The king-sized beds have padded leather headboards and the marble bathrooms come with twin sinks, a large bathtub and a separate walk-in rain shower. There are lifts and two fully adapted rooms for guests with disabilities. Interconnecting rooms are available at all levels, and cots and beds for under-12s are free of charge. An extra bed costs $52 otherwise, including breakfast. Babysitting is available on request, and there is a children’s room-service menu.

There’s are six dining options, including the all-day Café du Lac, that channels contemporary French-brasserie style, with wide-ranging breakfast buffet stations offering everything from Asian noodles to French pastries and eggs made to order. At Milan there’s pizza straight from the wood-fired oven, freshly prepared pasta dishes and daily specials such as seafood gratin; and afternoon tea in the Diplomat Lounge. Evening-only Saigon serves classic Vietnamese with a gourmet touch, including wok-fried dishes. The indoor-outdoor Sunset Bar, reached via a torch-lit bridge, has a beautiful lakeside setting and a menu of burgers, sandwiches and barbecued meat, along with canopied day beds, perfect for sipping on a signature cocktail such as the Hanoi Breeze, with rum, lemongrass and fresh mint.

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Sofitel Legend Metropole *****

With swirling rattan ceiling fans, whispered 'bonjours' from uniformed staff and crème caramel-coloured marbles throughout, this stately Belle Epoque former railway hotel – in Hanoi’s French quarter – offers romanticised French Indochina with modern amenities. It’s a celebrity favourite. The Sofitel Legend Metropole is a short distance from the Opera House in the 19th-century French centre. It’s five minutes’ walk from Hoan Kiem Lake and 10 minutes from the bars, restaurants and bustle of old, Vietnamese Hanoi.

Romantic French Indochina meets modern Asia: business men sipping coffee en plein aire under Parisian wrought iron and glass awnings; wafting ceiling fans in a bar with a wall of back-illuminated whiskies and spirits; demure staff are in elegant traditional white silk ao dai (the traditional Vietnamese tunic garment). This is a hotel fit for presidents and film stars. Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard spent their honeymoon here. Mitterand, Chirac and Catherine Deneuve are former guests.

Staff exude Jeeves-like efficiency – food arrives in your room in a whisk, turn-down service is almost invisible, and concierge is able to attend to even the most arcane requests. The staff will serve signature cocktails next to the sapphire-blue swimming pool to 'madame' or 'monsieur'. The tours are myriad (from cookery classes to photo walks of the old quarter), and there are even special ergonomic pillows for when you want to read or watch the telly in bed.

The Metropole has two wings - the original early 20th-century building and a modern annexe added almost a century later, which complements seamlessly. Rooms overlooking the pool in the modern building are better-appointed and quieter. Décor throughout is French Indochine: polished hardwood floors offset by cream walls and splashes of rich, primary colour from Vietnamese silk cushions, tailored carpets and oil paintings of Hanoi and scenes of northern Vietnam. Plenty of light streams through the tall windows and from the numerous spotlights, table and wall lamps. Bathrooms in honey-coloured marble have large Lozenge mirrors, free-standing tubs and powerful multi-head showers. Access for guests with disabilities: Lifts to all rooms and ramps throughout. Children are welcome, though there is nothing specifically tailored to families.

Of the various restaurants, which include a Vietnamese and an Italian, the best is Le Beaulieu – a brasserie with a mix of French and Indochinese dishes run by Olivier Genique formerly of the Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower. Noel Coward is said to have enjoyed th coq au vin here. Skip the meat (it disappoints if you’re used to Europe) and opt for the Indian Ocean seafood – wrigglingly-fresh oysters, black tropical cod fish, grilled lobster. The hotel serves an extensive buffet breakfast in the main lounge, with tropical fruits and French pastries (including some of the best croissants in Vietnam). It can be very busy between 7.30am and 8.30am. Le Club is serene at any hour and offers an à la carte menu, with waiter service which includes a full cooked breakfast alongside baskets of pastries and plates of fruit.

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[Sundance2020]

Essence Palace ****

Formerly the Dayton Hotel, the Essence Palace opened in 2014 as a boutique property. Located in the vibrant Old Quarter, the eight-story white building has colorful lanterns and a skylight at the entrance. There's a lot more style here than at many of the more dated mid-range hotels in this part of town, helping to make this a solid value for travelers. Guests are welcomed with a free fruit smoothie, cold towel, and a tourist map. Vietnamese arts and crafts, a mirrored ceiling, marble floors, and lime-green sofas give the the lobby a stylish feel. The restaurant has a low-lit, intimate atmosphere, with dark woods and red tablecloths. Given its Old Quarter location near cafes, shopping, and sights, the hotel draws mainly tourists, especially couples.

Essence Palace Hotel is in the vibrant Old Quarter, the historic section of Hanoi that's packed with French colonial architecture and preserved shop houses. Bustling with activity, the area has a surplus of restaurants, bakeries, cafes, bars, art galleries, and shopping stalls selling handicrafts, silks, and herbs. Several bus stops are a short walk from the hotel, and the Long Bien Railway Station is a five-minute drive or 12-minute walk. It's a three-minute stroll to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater and northern end of Hoan Kiem Lake (Turtle Lake). Ngoc Son Temple, which sits on an island in the lake, is also a five-minute walk from the hotel, and it will take 10 minutes to reach the the Dong Xuan fashion and souvenir market on foot. The area including the Hanoi Opera House and National Museum of Vietnamese History is a 15-minute walk. The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is a 10-minute drive or 25 minutes away by bus. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a 15-minute drive or a 30-minute bus ride. Expect a 45 minute drive to Noi Bai International Airport.

The 25 rooms at the Essence Palace Hotel include stylish Single and Superior Singles and Doubles, Family Connecting Rooms for up to four people, and a range of Suites with wood floors, dark-wood furnishings, and a mix of Vietnamese and French-inspired decor. Colors range from chocolate brown and white walls to white bedding with green-gray-and blue decorative throws. Rooms range from 172 square feet to more than 517 square feet (16 to 48 square meters), so some are a bit small. Despite its location in the bustling Old Quarter, rooms are quiet, though some lack windows. The 25 air-conditioned rooms all come with slippers, two free daily bottles of water, welcome fruit baskets or daily fruit platters, desks, electronic safes, coffee/tea makers, and minibars (free items replenished daily in suites). The amenities package also includes in-room laptops, free Wi-Fi, and 32-inch flat-screen TVs with a wide range of satellite and English channels including CNN, BBC, HBO, Disney, and Discovery. Turn-down service is offered. Some rooms have balconies with street views, and some suites have living rooms with sofa beds. Bathrooms are clean and well lighted, but can be small. Not all bathrooms have bathtubs, and some have Japanese heated toilets. Rooms are all nonsmoking.

As a small 25-room hotel, the Essence Palace lacks a pool, sauna, steam room, and fitness center, but the Essence Palace's nearby (a three-minute walk) sister hotel Essence d'Orient Hotel & Spa has a full-service spa with a wide array of Vietnamese and international-style massages, scrubs, wraps, and facials. On-site, the hotel serves a breakfast buffet (for a fee unless room booked directly with the hotel) with cooked-to-order eggs, French toast, and pancakes, plus Vietnamese fare like pho and a continental spread of cereal, breads, pastries, and fruit. The restaurant serves authentic Vietnamese and Western fare for lunch and dinner. Menu items include Pork Ribs with Lemongrass and Curry Chicken in Baby Coconut. The restaurant also serves fresh fruit smoothies, coffees, and wine. The Essence has 24-hour room service and a bar with happy hour. A boutique shop sells clothing including silks, souvenirs, and handicrafts. The hotel also has tailoring service, a business center, concierge service, baggage assistance, a 24-hour front desk, airport and train station transfers (for a fee), guided tours (for a fee), and limited parking (for a fee). Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.

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Tirant Hotel ****

The elegant Hanoi Tirant Hotel is one of the tallest buildings in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, and the imposing soft-yellow building greets guests with a large lobby. There are actually two parts to the lobby, as the hotel gets large groups who are accommodated in a separate room during check-in. Both areas are spacious, with large hanging chandeliers, black upholstered armchairs, and classic white and black flooring. One mirrored wall panel is painted with colorful fish, creating a faux aquarium effect, and there are artsy traditional masks throughout the space. Oversized pots of leafy green plants and colorful flowers sit on the floor and atop ornate, gold lacquered tables. While most hotels in this part of town feel much more like guesthouses, the Tirant feels like a proper upmarket hotel. Beyond the couples, families, and groups who stay here, the hotel also attracts those looking for the hotel's rooftop restaurant/bar, one of the most stylish in the area. It has rattan sofas and plush armchairs, and is a magnet for those who want to enjoy the outstanding views of Hoan Kiem Lake over a romantic dinner or drinks.

The Hanoi Tirant is located right in the middle of Hanoi's bustling and tourist-popular Old Quarter. The hotel is convenient for all tourist sights, just a five-minute walk to Hoan Kiem Lake and the water puppet theater. There are hundreds of restaurants, bars, and shops all around the hotel, and it is as centrally located as one can be. The views from the rooftop at the Tirant are the best in the whole Old Quarter as it is among the area's tallest buildings. The only drawback to this spot is that the traffic, chaos, and noise is non-stop throughout the day, and this continues in the evening when nearby Walking Street's bars and pubs gets going. From the Tirant to the international airport, it takes about 40 minutest to an hour by car, depending on traffic.

The Hanoi Tirant is one of the more elegant hotels in the neighborhood, and all rooms have shiny wood floors and fine wooden desks and cabinets. Beds come with gold-accented bedspreads and pillows, and even the small Classic Rooms each have a couple of plush chairs for seating. White walls have a few token pieces of art, but higher level bookings have ornate carved screens and even more attractive design elements. Additionally, all rooms come with computers, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, electric kettles, alarm clocks, and central air-conditioning. Some Classic Rooms don't have windows, or only have tiny bedside windows, and the Deluxe Rooms don't have views, but the Premium Deluxe, Executive, and Suite rooms all have views, while Tirant Suites have large balconies. Bathrooms have decorative glass walls with gold touches, and offer ample space. The Classic and Deluxe Rooms have sliding glass-door shower units with gold-tiled walls and rainfall showerheads, and the other room categories have shower/tub combos. Though the area is noisy, rooms do stay quiet.

Most hotels in the Old Quarter are small and have no facilities other than breakfast-only restaurants, so the Hanoi Tirant is a stand-out, and has some of the neighborhood's best features. The pool here is one of the few available in the old town; situated on the roof, it's lovely for a dip and sunbathing, though only has space and loungers for about 10 guests. There is also a minuscule fitness center with just three machines, but it's better than most local options. There are two restaurants in the hotel, including the Tirant Restaurant, which is downstairs and serves the hotel's excellent free breakfast buffets. The Skyline Rooftop Restaurant & Bar is the highlight of the hotel, with indoor and outdoor dining and drinking areas set on and below the roof, with the swimming pool right in between. As this is among the Old Quarter's highest buildings, there are fantastic views over Hoan Kiem Lake and of all of the old town, and one can even see the Long Bien Bridge and Red River from here. It's a truly outstanding spot, and is certainly the best place to get above it all in old Hanoi. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and the front desk can arrange everything from child care to airport transfers and car services.

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[Sundance2020]

The Ann Hanoi ****

The Ann Honoi Hotel occupies a sophisticated cream-colored high-rise that reflects the look of its refined and stylish interiors. Still fresh off a 2015 opening, the lobby is clean and sleek with marbled floors and elevator bays, big floor-to-ceiling windows, and a tiered chandelier that hangs from the above mezzanine level. Modern, gray upholstered seating give guests a chance to relax on arrival or departure, but the real hangout area is the bar’s lounge at the mezzanine level, where U-shaped chairs are gathered around coffee tables near a small but nicely stocked bar. With big rooms, business amenities, and a quiet location that’s still convenient to the city center, the Ann Hanoi attracts a range of travelers, from business guests to tourists, including families and couples.

The Ann Hanoi is situated in a largely residential area, though plenty of eateries are in walking distance and many popular attractions are an easy jaunt. Guests alternatively enjoy and bemoan that the hotel is a bit far from the vibrant but hectic Old Quarter -- the walk is about 25 minutes, and many guests prefer to take a taxi. The area around Ann Hanoi is decidedly calmer, and just a 10-minute walk from the French Quarter, an area known for its wide, tree-lined streets, shops, hotels, restaurants, and French colonial architecture. Nearby sights include the beautiful Hanoi Opera House (a 12-minute walk), the National Museum of Vietnamese History (a 15-minute walk), and Haoan Kiem Lake (an 18-minute walk to the southern tip). It’s about a 25-minute walk to historic Ngoc Son Temple and the Water Puppet Theater, situated on the other side of the lake. Noi Bai International Airport is about a 45-minute drive. Limited free parking is available, but guests should consider reserving spaces in advance. Guests can borrow bikes from the hotel.

Guest rooms are spacious, sophisticated, and contemporary -- if a touch generic. Decor is neutral but stylish with beige wall-to-wall carpeting and drapes, cream-colored walls, and wood-paneled accent walls that match furnishings. Swoop armchairs and ottomans offer lounge space, while upholstered chairs with oval backs give desks a refined look. Glass-walled bathrooms are a romantic touch, though there are blinds for privacy. Bathrooms are centered around soaking tubs topped with rainfall showerheads. Rooms are well-equipped across the board with air-conditioning, mini-fridges stocked with soft drinks and free bottled mineral water, electric kettles for coffee and tea, reading lamps, safes, and 42-inch LED TVs. They also have robes, slippers, irons and ironing boards, and free individual toiletries. At 322 square feet, even entry-level Deluxe Rooms feel like an upgrade, though Premium Rooms add a little more space and larger sitting areas. The hotel also offers apartments, including a suite and a one- or two-bedroom apartment. These may feature separate living areas, separate showers and tubs, kitchenettes, washing machines, and/or dining tables with Eames-style chairs.

A nice set of extra features at The Ann Hanoi are a strong draw, reflecting the property’s four-pearl status. The hotel’s contemporary restaurant, bar, and lounge, The Onyx House, is well-liked among guests for its Vietnamese dishes. There’s a daily breakfast buffet -- guests can select a rate with breakfast included, otherwise they can join the buffet for an extra fee or order from the a la carte menu. Guests tend to enjoy the mix of local and international dishes, with everything from omelets to pho on offer. Once a week, the bar area features live piano music. Room service is offered 24 hours. Wellness facilities include an outdoor rooftop pool (it’s not huge or luxurious, but it’s nice, with great Hanoi views), a sauna, a whirlpool, and a spacious gym. The gym gets lots of natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows and features cardio machines with individual screens, weight-lifting machines, and a full rack of free weights. Business features are decent too, including a small business center with two computers and a printer for guest use. There are also three meeting and event rooms; two can be combined to create the Ann Ballroom, which can host up to 120 guests. Wi-Fi throughout is free. For guests traveling with children, the hotel offers beds, high chairs, and kids’ menus. Concierge service, like assistance with tickets or reservations, is also on hand, and the front desk is open 24 hours.

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Serene Boutique Hotel ***

The Hanoi Serene lives up to its name when one opens the door. While the atmosphere outside of the hotel is crazy and chaotic, the small lobby is a cool breath of fresh air, with well-soundproofed windows eliminating much of the noise from outside, plus strong air-conditioning and fans keeping things cool. The clean, white walls are decorated with a couple of citrus-hued paintings, and shelves lined with artistic sculptures sit behind the dark-wood reception desk. There are just a few brown floral-cushioned chairs and a tables, plus a small newspaper and book rack, along with the travel desk in the lobby. The real scene lies outside, and photographers and those here to experience atmospheric Vietnamese market life will love the bustling passageway just out front. With its sharp, modern rooms, the hotel draws flashpackers, couples, and families looking for a convenient Old Quarter stay.

The Hanoi Serene Hotel is located in a narrow alleyway in the heart of the Old Quarter of Hanoi, a neighborhood extremely popular with tourists. By day, the tight passageway is jammed with vendors, motorcycles, and passersby, but it is dead quiet at night. It's very atmospheric and great for photography enthusiasts, although the chaos and noise may be a bit much for some during the day. The hotel is near countless numbers of restaurants, bars, and shops, all within walking distance, and the famed Hoan Kiem Lake and water puppet theater are less than a 10-minute walk away. The international airport is about 40 minutes to one hour by car from the hotel depending on traffic. One downside of the location is that automobiles cannot enter the alleyway, so one needs to walk the 100 yards or so to get out to the main road.

All rooms here are modern and well-maintained. Shiny warm wood floors look elegant next to white walls and the brown accent wall done up with wavy stripes. A few floral-patterned chairs sit near white-linened beds decorated with flower petals and brown silk bed runners, and there is a decent amount of closet space. The rooms here are a bit more spacious than neighboring hotels, and all come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with cable, electric hot water kettles for making free tea and instant coffee, small safes, minibars with beer and soft drinks, and bathrobes and hairdryers. Additionally, all rooms get a free computer for guests to use, plus there is free Wi-Fi. All rooms excepting Superior bookings come with a free bottle of wine. While room categories are differentiated by size, the bathrooms are all the same, and each has a shower/tub combo with a small rainfall showerhead, brown and tan walls, and granite counters -- they aren't quite as nice as the guest rooms themselves. There really aren't any views from guest rooms, just rooftops and narrow glimpses of the city, but there are double-glazed windows, which eliminates noise from the chaotic market below, although the rooms on the second floor don't seem to benefit from this feature and can be noisy.

Like most hotels in the Old Quarter, the Hanoi Serene doesn't really have extra facilities. There is one small restaurant downstairs, which is used only to serve the free breakfast (a nice mix of Vietnamese and Western choices). There is a small sitting area in the lobby, which also holds a tour desk where the staff can arrange trips to Halong Bay, Sapa, or other tourist destinations, plus assist with booking tickets and onward transportation. Airport pickups can also be arranged. The building has an elevator and Wi-Fi is free throughout.

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