Lots of reviews on this site say it is disappointing. I'm wondering if those reviewers got bad rooms or are particularly picky. In other words, is it still the best in Hanoi?

We loved it, still a favourite of ours- we opted for a club room....

"Best" is quite subjective. The Metropole is the "Grand Dame" of Hanoi hotels. The people who give it the best reviews have stayed in the historic area of the hotel, not the modern addition. But if you prefer modern hotels, there are several new hotels in a different area of Hanoi that get good reviews - the Marriott and the Intercontinental.

The Metropole is one of our favorites anywhere. We stayed on the Club Floor in Opera (new) Wing. I don't think we would have enjoyed our stay as much in a lesser room or in the historic wing. The hotel is better situated for first-time visitors than the Marriott or Intercontinental.

It 's fantastic hotel. The most recent Fodorite to stay there posted last week. Check rjbriskin's report. See her reply to my question on that thread.

You can take the tour of the underground bunker there. If you stay, book the tour immediately upon arrival to the hotel, as only a limited number of guests are taken on the tours, which when I was there a yr ago, were at 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm. I cannot emphasize enough that the tour is a "do not miss" event at the hotel.

It has two wings: the "historic" original wing, and the newer (twenty years old!) "Opera wing." Perhaps missing it, I don't see where the best reviews are by those who stayed in the historic wing, on either Fodors or tripadvisor which has hundreds of reviews. Both me, and the Fodorite who wrote the recent TR, as well as Craig, stayed in the "opera"(newer) wing. The room was beautiful. I had read on a tripsavisor review where someone thought it was "tacky" but it wasnt at all. The historic wing rooms are more expensive, but a different style. To describe the opera wing as a "modern addition" doesn't give an accurate impression of its style.

There are two different buffet breakfasts availabl: Vietnamese style in the Opera wing, and French in the historic wing. You have your choice of these, no matter which hotel room you stay in.
The public areas--both lobbies; courtyard pool /bar etc--are of course open to all. There historic wing has an exhibit of old photos. Whether or not you stay there, try to see that.
The location of Metropole in the French Quarter is excellent, easy walking distance to the Hoan Kiem lake --opposite end from the Old Quarter. It's the only area I saw in Hanoi where drivers paid any attention to red traffic lights! great little local restaurants, cafes. etc a couple clocks away, and much less chaotic than the Old Quarter (where I also stayed).
Intercontinental is not near this area. It overlooks a different, larger lake in Hanoi, is per reviews a lovely hotel, but friend who just stayed there thought ICH's location was "too far away from the action."

Perhaps my thoughts about the Metropole are less enthusiastic because I was pick-pocketed in their elevator. Keep your guard up even when there's only one other person in the elevator with you! We stayed in the historic wing, not a club floor room, and the room was very ordinary. Breakfast was great, excellent location.

We stayed there twice several years ago, once in the historic wing, once in the new wing. Can't say I was impressed with either room. Also had a few issues with poor service in the restaurant. That said it was befor Accor took over the running of the place so things have doubtless improved.

There are other 5* places in town that I would look at. The Apricot would be high on the list.

I'm bookmarking The Apricot. I just looked at it online. Maybe I'll do Vietnam on the 2017/2018 trip as the 2016/2017 trip is already booked. Thanks for posting.

Happy Travels!

The Metropole is one of our all time favorite hotels anywhere. If you can swing the concierge floor, it is incredible.