|
High End
At the top end, the Sofitel Metropole is our favorite – a restored colonial era hotel that is very central but still peaceful, and full of excellent food and French-and Vietnamese-inspired décor (recently voted the eighth best leisure hotel in Asia by SmartTravelAsia). The rooms in the Historic Wing used to be much nicer, but the Metropole completed a renovation of the newer Opera Wing a few months ago. If you are sensitive to noise, ask them not to place you in the rooms facing The Press Club, as they often have live music at events on their Terrace Restaurant.
The Hilton Hanoi Opera is centrally located next to the Opera House, and is very comfortable and with impeccable service, if not quite as charming as the Metropole. The Sheraton is the newest of the five star hotels, and is a nice alternate option if you want to stay in a quieter area. The hotel is situated on West Lake, where many of the villas of the rich are located, and the area near the Sheraton is near to many important sites, some tasty street food, and good restaurants.
Mid-Range and Boutique
There are several mid range and boutique hotels that are somewhat cheaper but still very comfortable and well located. Rooms at these places range from about US$50-150.
The earliest boutique hotel in Hanoi, the DeSyloia, is small and personal but still offers full hotel facilities such as a restaurant (Cay Cau, which serves tasty Vietnamese) and small gym.
The Zephyr Hotel is one of the more expensive of the mid range hotels but you can’t get any closer to Hoan Kiem Lake. You should stay there only if you book one of their Deluxe rooms (US$118 for a double as of November 2007), which are spacious and bright and a have a small terrace with a very narrow view of Hoan Kiem Lake through the trees. The Standard and Superior rooms are small and inward facing, with no natural light.
A more recent addition, the Giabao Hanoi Hotel also has a convenient Lo Su location near the northeast corner of Hoan Kiem Lake, with suites and VIP rooms claiming views of the Red River or the Lake. Free in-room ADSL internet. Room rates from US$50-75.
While not in the heart of Old Town, another boutique hotel newcomer, Anise Hotel, is well located in Hanoi’s center, overlooking Hang Dau Park. Room rates include breakfast and free ADSL internet in rooms, and the hotel has a fitness center and boasts very comfortable bedding. Room rates from US$55-85++, not including their one suite.
For a superb value, we recommend the Church Hotel near the St. Joseph’s Cathedral which besides being perfectly located is by all accounts cute, clean and comfortable. Book ahead early to get a room. About US$60 for a standard room.
Budget
Then there are the hundreds of smaller and inexpensive hotels, mostly scattered in the Old Quarter. Most are a good value, but here are few with whom we have direct positive experience. Note that prices across Hanoi have been on a steady march upwards and even places like the Lucky Hotels, where rooms were US$20 a night in 2004, have more than doubled their rates as of November 2007.
The Lucky I and Lucky II offer basic accommodations and efficient service on Hang Trong Street (Lucky II is on Hang Hom, just a few meters away) not far from Hoan Kiem Lake and St. Joseph’s Cathedral.
Through its tiny entrance on Hang Trong Street, the Golden Lotus Hotel opens into a welcoming space decorated in a more classic Asian style and with Vietnamese paintings on the walls. Room rate includes breakfast and in room ADSL internet connection.
The Prince Hotel has been around for a long time and offer efficient service to visitors. The Prince Hanoi Hotel is its sister location which is slightly more upscale. Rooms at the Prince start at around $20, and start at $35 at the Prince Hanoi.
For making bookings and more information on lodging try these sites:
HotelTravel.com
Ivivu
Trip Advisor
For budget accommodations and reviews:
|
