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If there is one thing Hanoi is not short of, it's places to stay. In the Old Quarter, small family-run hotels rule the roost. While many of these remain fairly basic affairs, there has been real movement in the mid- to high-end sector. Many of the more salubrious establishments bill themselves as "boutique hotels." For Westerners used to this sobriquet referring to individualist, design-led options, the term may feel like a misnomer given the relative uniformity of most of what is on offer. Nevertheless, with opulent marble-clad lobbies coupled with excellent, personal service, and smart and luxurious bedrooms, there is little to fault about many of these places. Outside the Old Quarter, some of the biggest international hotel brands have made their mark. The leafy avenues of the area south of Hoan Kiem Lake shelter some sterling lodgings, including the city’s undisputed grande dame, the Sofitel Legend Metropole. West Lake, Ba Dinh, and even some outlying areas such as Tu Liem, an enclave mooted as the city’s new central business district, are also home to some excellent international-standard options.
This basic hotel in the thick of the Old Quarter has clean but dated rooms and friendly staff. Although the hotel is not exactly tasteful, given the price, it's hard to quibble, and it sits on one of the most eclectic streets in the Old Quarter. The more expensive rooms are slightly larger but offer no real advantage over the cheaper ones.
Located just outside of the Old Quarter's center of gravity, this hotel (it isn't a homestay) offers serious bang for your buck. Staff go above and beyond to make a stay an enjoyable one, offering advice on local attractions and booking onward tickets and tours.
A bright, adorable hotel with impeccable service, the Hanoi La Selva is a great addition to the hospitality scene in Hanoi. Designed with couples in mind, this hotel sits on a happening street close to Ngoc Son Temple. Let yourself be charmed by the multicolor drawers and doors and the scenic wallpaper, which is different in each room.
This squeaky clean outpost of a popular, fast-growing, and good value hotel group that started in Ho Chi Minh City is a street back from Hoan Kiem Lake—a location that couldn't be better. Other perks include free, do-it-yourself laundry, a communal kitchen, and work spaces. If you give them your number, the reception team will message you before you arrive to make check-in smooth and answer questions throughout your stay.
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