Hanoi hotel...any thoughts?
 

Looking to book for 5 nights in October... and we're trying to decide between the Sofitel Metropole and Intercontinental on the lake.

Can anyone advise which would be preferred for location and sightseeing?

Both are in good locations and are really not too far apart. I have only stayed at the Sofitel (twice) and both times we had a lot of problems with service, food etc. Maybe we were just unlucky. Being by the lake would be good for an early morning wander to watch (or take part in) the Tai Chi.

The Sofitel Metropole is within walking distance of the Old Quarter and many restaurants. Most of the other restaurants and sites are a short taxi ride away. I do not think the Intercontinental is as well situated, although you can get to almost any place via taxi. Our experience at the Metropole was fantastic but we were on the Club Floor. From what I've read on tripadvisor, this makes a difference.

This is a happy dilemma since both properties are lovely.

The Metropole is much more conveniently located but the Intercon offers serenity and a welcome retreat from a very busy city. I cannot answer without knowing how the rates compare and whether you would have access to club rooms at one or both of these choices.

For the record, a taxi from the Intercon into the Hoan Kiem Lake heart of town cost under $5 US a year ago. Staying there commits you to the cab rides back and forth, but they are very affordable taxi rides by western standards.

By the way, I am a little baffled by Crellston's comment that the hotels aren't that far apart. I wonder if she is referring to the other Sofitel which is indeed fairly close to the Intercon. The Sofitel Metropole is near the Opera and Hoan Kiem Lake while the Intercon is out on West Lake.

Thank you for the clarification.

As for costs... the Metropole's website (and parent site) is awful so I can't really tell the rates of the room I would want to stay in...although I think club level runs far more here.

((I would like to stay in the "grand luxury room historical wing" according to the pictures. It has a green settee. But then the categories are broken down to:
LUXURY ROOM HISTORICAL WING, 1 QUEEN BED, FLOOR 1-3
PREMIUM ROOM OPERA WING, 1 QUEEN BED, FLOOR 1-4
GRAND PREMIUM ROOM OPERA WING, 2 SINGLE BEDS FLOOR 5-7
PRESTIGE SUITE OPERA WING, 1 KING SIZE BED, FLOOR 1-7
so which one is it??))

If we choose the IC, we would be in the club level.

contact Tonkin travel the had by far the best rates of a club room (and believe me i investigated a few sites) and their prices include taxes.

I second the recommendation for Tonkin. None of the options shown in your post are for the room in which we stayed. The Club rooms (Grand Premium?) are in the Opera wing, floors 5-7. King beds are available.

I strongly encourage you to consider staying at the Metropole. It is completely charming and beautiful and we had extraordinary service. We also stayed in the club wing. In addition to the agent recommended above, you should sign up for Sofitel's membership program or A-Club (both programs are related). If you do, you will get far better prices and all sorts of extras offered to you when you arrive. The location is amazing, making it so easy to walk out the door and wander the Old quarter adn even come back to the hotel for breaks before going out again. The lake area is actually not close by even by taxi so although taxis are inexpensive I would not want to go through that traffic daily to get to the Old Quarter where most things are. I may be in the minority and everyone has their own taste so it could just be me but I did not find the Hoan Kiem Lake area particularly peaceful or all that pretty. Enjoy your trip.