Hotel in Hanoi
#2
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Do you mean Hanoi, as in the title or HCMC as in your post?
Anyway, For high end and historic in SaigonI would go for the Rex, as central as it gets or The Majestic still central but overlooking the river. After a few dats with our friends at Ms Yangs Homestay e e are staying at the Sofitel, also very central and very nice. A nice 5* and v. Stylish place is Hotel des Arts Mc Gallery collection. We stayed at there place in Bangkok and loved it,
In Hanoi, a great 5* right on the lake is The Apricot. Hanoi Opera also look good but in Hanoi there are huge numbers of very good mid range places to choose from. A bewildering choice!
Anyway, For high end and historic in SaigonI would go for the Rex, as central as it gets or The Majestic still central but overlooking the river. After a few dats with our friends at Ms Yangs Homestay e e are staying at the Sofitel, also very central and very nice. A nice 5* and v. Stylish place is Hotel des Arts Mc Gallery collection. We stayed at there place in Bangkok and loved it,
In Hanoi, a great 5* right on the lake is The Apricot. Hanoi Opera also look good but in Hanoi there are huge numbers of very good mid range places to choose from. A bewildering choice!
#4
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crellston- We keep seeing Mrs Yangs Homestay pop up. We had thought a homestay somewhere might be fun to get to know the people. Cost is not an issue with staying at high end hotel but we are thinking this might be really fun. What do you think? We were worried about the possibility of bedbugs in homestays but see noone mentioning that here.
Thanks for your continued advice
Thanks for your continued advice
#5
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For Hanoi, if you want high-end AND historic, imho go for the Metropole Sofitel. (I stayed in the "Opera" wing.) The hotel and the surrounding French Quarter area were lovely. My travel agent booked a great room at the Metropole for $125 (early October) including a choice of two fantastic breakfast buffets--French or Vietnamese style.
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Loved the Park Hyatt Saigon. Great location, beautiful and comfortable rooms and a to die for breakfast. We are still talking about the breakfast! Plus the service was extraordinary. Will definitely stay there again if and when I make it back to HCMC.
We stayed at the Metropole Sofitel in Hanoi and I felt differently than some who love it like CaliNurse. I actually did not love it. We had a combo of rooms and suites and they were configured strangely. And my pet peeve of not enough plugs or plugs in places that make sense was an issue. Service was either great or non-existent depending on the person -- very inconsistent. But worst of all -- IMO it was the worst breakfast on the entire trip. As we all know Asia is known for their amazing breakfast offerings that are usually inclusive in the rate so this was a letdown. I did enjoy the location. But I left feeling it was past its prime and living on its old reputation.
But there are so many great choices. Good luck!
We stayed at the Metropole Sofitel in Hanoi and I felt differently than some who love it like CaliNurse. I actually did not love it. We had a combo of rooms and suites and they were configured strangely. And my pet peeve of not enough plugs or plugs in places that make sense was an issue. Service was either great or non-existent depending on the person -- very inconsistent. But worst of all -- IMO it was the worst breakfast on the entire trip. As we all know Asia is known for their amazing breakfast offerings that are usually inclusive in the rate so this was a letdown. I did enjoy the location. But I left feeling it was past its prime and living on its old reputation.
But there are so many great choices. Good luck!
#7
We stayed at the Elegance Diamond and liked it alot. Very reasonable and very nice smallish hotel with fabulous staff. The Elegance is a local chain with several hotels in Hanoi. It's very "unchain like."
#8
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Right, I now recall you didn't like the Metropole in Hanoi, Lolazahra. It was the reason I didn't book there for the beginning of my time in Hanoi (stayed in Old Qtr instead at first). What year were you there? Perhaps a couple years improved it--I stayed in early October 2016. Still, it's like the eternal discussion about Ha Long Bay--to be or not to be. I (and i think you) recommend it.
The other point in Metropole's favor, if the OP is interested in historical hotels, is its fantastic bunker tour. Depending on how much VN (and American) history interest, this could be a factor in favor of a stay.
(I totally "get" the plug thing, especially when needing to charge electrical devices. Wasn't an issue fortunately in my room at Sofitel Metropole --(maybe varies by room, or wing?) but interestingly, another Sofitel hotel, at London Heathrow, drove me nuts for the same reason: insufficient number, and inconvenient locations, of wall outlets.
Hurrygirl, you could research the area you want to stay in:the Old Quarter, or the French Quarter. The good thing is, weather permitting, they are in easy walking distance of each other.
The other point in Metropole's favor, if the OP is interested in historical hotels, is its fantastic bunker tour. Depending on how much VN (and American) history interest, this could be a factor in favor of a stay.
(I totally "get" the plug thing, especially when needing to charge electrical devices. Wasn't an issue fortunately in my room at Sofitel Metropole --(maybe varies by room, or wing?) but interestingly, another Sofitel hotel, at London Heathrow, drove me nuts for the same reason: insufficient number, and inconvenient locations, of wall outlets.
Hurrygirl, you could research the area you want to stay in:the Old Quarter, or the French Quarter. The good thing is, weather permitting, they are in easy walking distance of each other.
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Hurrygirl - re Miss Yangs Homestay. We have been staying there since it opened three years ago and will returned to spend a week or so there when we head south. We are in Hanoi at the moment. The sisters have become friends over the years and for us that is what it is all about. It really is a home from home. If you do go, tell them "Bun Mam Man" sent you!
It may not be for everyone, It is basic but comfortable and a far cry from a five star place. There is no breakfast but there are lots of great places to eat within walking distance and further afield which they will often show their guests. Great aircon, te castes WiFi anywhere in Asia and the cost around $25 pn.
"Homestays" covers a lot of variations. Some are like small hotels, those in the countryside often in communal rooms. Never found bed bugs to be a problem anywhere. In fat the only two places I have encountered them were in a mountain hut on Mount Kinabalu and a hotel in NYC.
It may not be for everyone, It is basic but comfortable and a far cry from a five star place. There is no breakfast but there are lots of great places to eat within walking distance and further afield which they will often show their guests. Great aircon, te castes WiFi anywhere in Asia and the cost around $25 pn.
"Homestays" covers a lot of variations. Some are like small hotels, those in the countryside often in communal rooms. Never found bed bugs to be a problem anywhere. In fat the only two places I have encountered them were in a mountain hut on Mount Kinabalu and a hotel in NYC.
#10
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Thank you crellston. I will tell them Bun Mam Man sent us It’s kind of funny choosing between the 5 star and this but we love unique experiences, especially good ones
We have never encountered bed bugs anywhere. We will be staying in a mountain gite in Morocco on a trek next month which got us thinking about it.
We have never encountered bed bugs anywhere. We will be staying in a mountain gite in Morocco on a trek next month which got us thinking about it.
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CaliNurse -- you are so right, I did like Ha Long Bay and I know I am in the minority of those who post regularly! And I think you are right that there are differences between rooms and wings at the Metropole. Sounds like hurrygirl may have a facinating experience at Crellston's recommendation. The insufficient or weirdly placed plug thing is a bummer at any hotel anywhere!
Having fun reading about your planning hurrygirl!
Having fun reading about your planning hurrygirl!