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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.
La Siesta is Hanoi's most successful boutique hotel brand, and with large rooms, an excellent location, and a fabulous sky bar, La Siesta Premium Hang Be (which used to be on Cau Go Street) is the best of the bunch. From the moment you step foot in the lobby the staff will make you feel like a VIP.
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.
A true French Quarter boutique hotel, the colonial–style De Syloia is small and quaint, with wooden furniture, large beds, and cream-color linens in the well-appointed and well-maintained rooms. The decor is a tad old fashioned, but in this case it just adds to the charm. You should make reservations well in advance.
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.
Slightly more luxurious than others in the area, the lodgings combine comfort with crisp design. Rooms are airy and spacious; service is exemplary. A prime example of the kind of first-class small hotels that proliferated in Hanoi before the pandemic, the Lavender Central Hotel (formerly Oriental Central Hotel) is a firm favorite with discerning travelers.
Like some other resorts in northern Vietnam, the Belvedere combines trappings of luxury with the odd lapse in taste. Nevertheless, comfortable lodgings and amazing views over the surrounding countryside, along with good leisure amenities make this one of the best options in the Tam Dao area. Rooms and villas are spacious and feel secluded. Many have balconies, ideal for surveying the natural splendor. There's a nice terrace café meanwhile, which is particularly welcoming for an alfresco breakfast.
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.
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.
Bright rooms at this top-rated hotel near Thong Nhat Park have all of the conveniences—carpeted floors, carved-wood furniture, big baths, and extras such as flat-screen televisions and classy wall hangings. Happily absent are the neon and nylon of some other hotels in the neighborhood.
Homey and comfortable, the Family Hanoi Hotel is just off Le Thai To Street, a short skip from Hoan Kiem Lake. Floor-to-ceiling windows let Hanoi in, or you can keep the light out with fresh, modern curtains. Tastefully arranged artificial flowers, high ceilings, clean baths, and smiling staff in the lobby make you feel at home.
In one of the quieter Old Quarter streets, this boutique option provides a peaceful refuge from the bustle found elsewhere. There's nothing particularly arty or trendy about the place, but the cozy and comfortable rooms and attentive service compensate adequately for any lack of flash. Rooms are airy and ones on the upper levels feature stunning views over the city.
Conveniently located a stone's throw from Hoan Kiem Lake on the Street of Fans, the newest addition to the family-run Golden Sun chain is within easy walking distance of major attractions in the area. The hotel opened in late 2013, but rooms and facilities still feel modern and fresh. There are fully stocked minibars and giant beds.
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.
Despite being a little outdated, well-appointed rooms at this sports club afford spectacular sunset views over West Lake and include the use of the club's facilities. The only drawback? With two tennis courts, squash courts, a huge gym, a driving range, and an outdoor pool to keep you busy, you'll have trouble finding time to sightsee. There's an attractive terrace bar overlooking the lake, an international restaurant and a deli that serves cakes and pastries.
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.
With its sleek and airy lobby and excellent on-site sushi restaurant, this 15-story hotel is a shining example of understated Japanese elegance. The rooms are both simple and luxurious, with light wooden furniture and large closets. The corner suites have spacious bathrooms that overlook Reunification Park across the street. Superior and executive rooms are the same size, but the latter have more windows.
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.
It's hard to find fault with this cheery minihotel that overlooks the train tracks. The friendly staff speak great English and the rooms are clean and bright with big windows and bathtubs. Rooms in the front offer views of trains rumbling past.
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.
This is a solid option for those who appreciate the reliability of a chain hotel at reasonable prices. One restaurant serves international cuisine; the other specializes in Vietnamese and Thai food and hosts daily lunch and dinner buffets.
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.
Stunning views of Truc Bach Lake and West Lake and a central location are two of the highlights of this luxury hotel, but the standout is the indoor heated swimming pool with a view over the neighboring lakes and a retractable roof for year-round swimming. Central Hanoi is only a few minutes' drive away, plus it's a short hop to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and diplomatic district. The rooms are both comfortable and tasteful. Two restaurants serve sumptuous Chinese and Western food, and a rooftop bar affords a great view of the city.
While this is no boutique hotel, the Peridot does offer buckets of charm in an especially pleasant corner of the Old Quarter, squeezed down an alleyway and with commanding views from the upper floors. The rooftop pool and bar is a highlight, and there's also a Jacuzzi, steam, and sauna for those chilly winter days.
An impressive green-glass-fronted facade and attentive and professional service are indicative of the elevated ambitions of this smart business hotel. Rooms in soothing pastels are luxurious. In the spacious lobby, which has a marble floor and attractive artwork, there is a smart wine bar that stocks an extensive collection of international bottles. The buffet breakfast is guaranteed to set you up for the day in fine style. There's also an all-day restaurant.
The Silk Path Hotel Hanoi was the Old Quarter's first four-star hotel, and it still gets high marks for service. It straddles the Old Quarter and the French Quarter, and is close to plenty of restaurants and cafés. The rooms with balconies are by far the best, and the gym and spa are excellent additions, especially for those traveling on business.
