6 Best Hotels in Hanoi, Vietnam

A classic Asian colonial-era hotel in the same league as the Peninsula in Hong Kong and Singapore's Raffles Hotel, the Metropole is Hanoi's most storied accommodation, offering world-class service in a historic building nestled in the French Quarter across from the Hanoi Opera House. The hotel's Metropole Wing preserves the original French colonial aesthetic, which is contrasted by the Opera Wing's neo-classical decor. Guests have easy access to the picture-perfect street-side café. Artifacts, including room keys dating back to 1901, are on display in the lobby.

In a tranquil setting, over-the-water pavilions house spacious rooms with balconies and great views of West Lake and Hanoi, helping guests feel removed from the urban bustle of the city center, even though the hotel is only a couple of miles from the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. Family suites have an extra bedroom with bunks for children, who may enjoy the unique cooking class for kids. An impressive breakfast buffet is served in a glass-walled restaurant, where you can watch fisherman just outside the window. A modern Vietnamese aesthetic, top-notch dining options, and a bar on a small island on the lake give the Intercontinental the relaxing and revitalizing vibe of an urban oasis.

Capella is one of Hanoi's newest, swankiest, and---in its Roaring '20s meets opera theme---playful hotel, with some suites going for thousands of dollars a night. Rooms and suites are named after famous performers and a resident "diva" entertains guests in the early evening. Complimentary "Capella Rituals" include morning Vietnamese coffee, afternoon tea, and rotating early evening cocktails, all served with delicious snacks. There's a two-story Japanese restaurant, a rooftop cocktail bar, and the views from the rooms of the leafy neighborhood are sublime.

Although located a fair distance from the thick of the action, in an area mooted as the city's new main business district, Marriott's first Hanoi property still makes a worthwhile base. Rooms are everything you would expect from such a vaunted brand. Spacious and decorated in calming dark wood and neutral colors, they manage to combine function with luxury. The hotel's other major calling cards include its fine selection of dining venues and long pool.

This well-run Swiss chain is popular with business travelers, and the pleasant rooms and efficient service are certainly a cut above average. The main restaurant, Mangosteen, turns out good and reasonably priced international fare.