The gorgeous capital of Vietnam Hanoi is one of the fastest-growing and most popular destinations in Asia, and rightly so. Picturesque pagodas, Chinese and French-colonial structures, serene, tree-lined boulevards, and loads of noodle soup vendors are what make up this historic city. So, it’s no surprise that Hanoi can be called home for every kind of traveler. Standards for hotels in Hanoi have improved a lot, and travelers have lots of options for hotels suiting every kind of budget. The best hotels in Hanoi, especially if you’re visiting for the first time, are probably in the Old Quarter, which is the historic heart of the city. Also known as Hoan Kiem, the Old Quarter is home to many of the city’s attractions like Bach Ma temple, Hoan Kiem Lake, and even the Dong Xuan Market.
Apart from the Old Quarter, hotels are also concentrated around Ba Dinh and West Lake. The neighborhood is frequented by ex-pats and is home to lots of cocktail bars and nouveau wine shops, and will immensely appeal to the younger crowd. Furthermore, since Hanoi’s hotel scene is competitive, mid-priced hotels often end up being as good as luxury ones.
Nevertheless, hotels in Hanoi, Vietnam fill up quickly and you need to book accommodation in advance, regardless the season you go. With Vietnam also being one of the top places to travel after Covid-19, Hanoi is sure to see an inundation of visitors in the future! We’ve done the work for you by listing the 11 best hotels in Hanoi, Vietnam – go check them out!
Silk Path Boutique Hanoi
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The Silk Path Boutique Hotel boasts a hard-to-beat location on the southern edge of the serene Hoan Kiem Lake. The Old Quarter is within walking distance, as is the Red River and many of the city’s other attractions. The ‘intime’ boutique hotel channels a French-colonial vibe with fragrant flowers, Tiffany-esque stained glass, and gleaming marble everywhere. And, it is wallet-friendly too!
Guests can choose from 33 roomy suites that boast either city or lake views. They’re beautifully decked out in neutral tones, complete with dark-wood furnishings and gleaming wooden floors, Apart from contemporary touches like a smart TV and tea/coffee makers, the rooms also have ensuite marble bathrooms and even offer a turn-down service with complementary fruit!
Apart from an expansive breakfast, the restaurant also serves traditional as well as continental fare. What’s more, Silk Path even has a ninth-floor rooftop bar with a cocktail of the month. So, sip on a mango daiquiri as you take in sunset views of Hanoi.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
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Located two streets away from the southern edge of Hoan Kiem Lake, the luxurious Sofitel Legend Metropole is one of the best hotels in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The stately celebrity hotspot is a former railway station hotel from the Belle Epoque era and is Indochina-French romanticism at its best. So, be prepared to hear a lot of bonjour, madame, and monsieur.
So, what’s so special about this hotel? The fact of the matter is – just about everything. Staff donning elegant and traditional Vietnamese tunic serve signature cocktails poolside. Awnings made of glass and Parisian wrought-iron sharply contrast with swirling rattan ceiling fans and lend a classy look to the place. Moreover, the hotel offers a gamut of tours ranging from Old Quarter walks to cooking classes.
Coming to the rooms, the Metropole features a modern annex and an older, early-20th-century structure. If you’re looking for quietude, we’d suggest the modern annex rooms that overlook the sapphire-blue pool. The rooms feature polished, modern bathrooms, oil paintings depicting scenes from the country, and richly-colored Vietnamese silk cushions. The huge windows ensure lots of natural light too.
Apricot Hotel
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On the western banks of Hoan Keim Lake in the Old Quarter sits the Apricot Hotel that is swathed in true 1920s neo-classical luxury. What’s more, the streets behind the hotel feature shops that are bargains galore, ranging from handcrafted souvenirs to elegant veneers.
What makes the hotel so genuinely interesting are the glittering chandeliers and contemporary Asian art sprinkled throughout. Apart from that, the hotel also features a host of amenities including an intimate fitness center and spa. It even boasts an expansive rooftop swimming pool with superb lake views. Guests get to choose from six different kinds of rooms. They range from smaller, courtyard view-ones to studio apartments to the larger suites with lake views. However, all rooms are similarly decked out with comfy beds, modern Vietnamese artwork, and faux-vintage trinkets.
Winding up the experience is a hearty breakfast spread and a rooftop bar which is an excellent spot to have an evening cocktail.
Old Quarter View Hostel
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The name couldn’t be clearer – the Old Quarter View Hostel lies smack dab in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Since it’s a stone’s throw away from most attractions like Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex and the Bach Ma Temple, it attracts lots of budget travelers and backpackers. In fact, the Old Quarter View Hostel is often touted as one of Hanoi’s best party hostels.
Just like other hostels, guests at the Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel have a choice of 12- and 18-bed only-female and mixed-bed dorm rooms. They even have the choice of private rooms. A helpful, English-speaking staff is more than happy to dole out travel tips as well as book tours. Hostel-wide free Wi-Fi, a shared lounge, a bar, room service, and continental breakfast are just some of the perks at this fabulous hostel. However, what makes the place particularly amazing in the 30-minute window between 6 and 6:30 p.m., is that they offer free beer! So, you can not only chug some beer but also get to know your fellow travelers better.
Elegant Suites Serviced Apartments Westlake
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One of the best hotels in Hanoi’s West Lake neighborhood is the Elegant Suites Serviced Apartments. They are located in a placid, comfortable, and quieter surrounding as compared to the Old Quarter.
A business-like but immaculately decked-out lobby greets you. Beyond the lobby, the vibe is homely, warm, and comfortable. The outdoor pool is especially marvelous, with there even being a shallow end. The serviced apartments also feature a well-equipped gym and showers, sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi. Moreover, the restaurant serves out a fantastic and highly recommended breakfast, with the strong coffee receiving particular praise.
All guest rooms at Elegant Suites are spacious with balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows offering nice views of the Red River, West Lake, or the city. They can even be left open during evenings since they are fitted with sliding ‘bug screens’ too. Guests can choose between studio rooms and one-bed/two-bed/three-bed apartments. Notwithstanding the type, all rooms feature comfy living rooms, dining space, full kitchens, and modern bathrooms.
What also works in ELegant Suites’ favor is its location. It lies just a street away from Tay Ho Lake, while traditional tourist attractions are a mere 10-cab taxi ride away. They even offer a daily shuttle from Elegant Suites into town and back.
Lotte Hotel
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Coming to the Ba Dinh side of the city, you won’t find understated luxury and elegance better than at Lotte Hotel. It sits on the uppermost floors of the 65-story Lotte Center and is one of the highest hotels in Hanoi, Vietnam. If you don’t mind the 20-minute ride to the Old Quarter and are more interested in lofty luxury than anything else, then the Lotte Hotel is for you.
The opulent luxury ensconces you the minute you set foot inside this exquisite hotel. Guests can choose between standard rooms, club floor ones, and suites. Each room features floor-to-ceiling windows with jaw-dropping views of Hanoi. Club floor guests have access to breakfast, afternoon tea, as well as unlimited drinks during happy hour.
However, it is the amenities at Lotte Hotel that are incredibly amazing. The indoor and outdoor pools are perfect for luxurious unwinding. In the chilly months, relax in the heated Jacuzzi. Gym rats will especially love the striking fitness center with a sauna and state-of-the-art equipment. Overall, those looking for spaciousness and sophistication combined with lofty heights, the Lotte Hotel is where you should stay.
7 Fridays West Lake Hostel
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7 Fridays Hostel is one of the best budget places to crash at if you’re looking to stay away from the hubbub of the Old Quarter. The spacious hostel offer fabulous views of the lake and boasts a fun vibe that always has people coming back for more. After all, who wouldn’t like to enjoy 7 Fridays one after the other?
Guests at 7 Fridays can choose from 4, 6, 9, and 15-bed mixed and only-female dorms. Apart from being air-conditioned, the dorms are spacious and feature individual lockers and ensuite bathroom space. Beds even have privacy curtains. That being said, most guests come to 7 Fridays for its fun communal vibe. The modest hostel’s rates include a hearty breakfast to begin your day, completed with complimentary items and extras if you want them. Free Wi-Fi helps you keep in touch as well as plan your day of exploring Hanoi. The hostel staff are experts at giving out travel tips and the bikes for hire are a great way to explore the neighborhood at your own pace.
However, the best thing about the hostel is undoubtedly the outdoor rooftop pool! In a city like Hanoi which enjoys tropical, warm weather most of the time, the pool is a fabulous way to cool off and strike up interesting conversations with your fellow travel mates.
Maison d’Orient Hotel
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Tucked in a tiny cul-de-sac in the southern part of Old Quarter is the gorgeous Maison d’Orient Hotel. It lies in a quiet area just off the touristy Ngo Huyen street, which houses some of the best eateries in the city. Moreover, it is within walking distance of all of Hanoi’s traditional attractions.
This beautiful architect-designed hotel is sprinkled with propaganda-style artwork and vintage handcrafted furniture. Guests can choose from 12 rooms named after spices (anise, cinnamon, lemongrass, and the likes). All rooms boast of bamboo furniture and interesting light fixtures like bamboo shades sitting atop red lacquer lamps. Curl up on the French-colonial armchairs in the inviting sitting areas and sip tea from the pretty-looking, mismatched tea sets. Some rooms even boast a kitchenette and huge wooden doors leading out to lovely balconies.
That’s not all – service at the Maison d’Oreint is top-notch as well. The helpful and polite staff are more than happy to share a few travel tidbits. Breakfast is a hearty affair on the quaint ground-floor terrace that is peppered with vibrant floral cushions. There’s even a small library next door. What’s more, a small terrace outside the reception is a great place to wait for your bus tour or your bike rental.
La Siesta Hotel Trendy
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Don’t let the unassuming facade of the Hotel La Siesta Trendy fool you. It’s excellent service offerings and hospitality easily make it one of the best hotels in Hanoi.
The hotel is located on the quiet Nguyễn Quang Bích street in the western part of the Old Quarter. So, you can get around most of Hanoi’s attractions easily, with even the Imperial Citadel being a 10-minute walk. The La Siesta Trendy is actually a sister hotel of the larger, 4-star La Siesta Hotel and Spa on the other end of the Old Quarter. Again, the service at Siesta Trendy is so good that if you wish to dine at its bigger sister, all you need to do is ask the staff who’ll reserve a place for you.
So, what’s so special about La Siesta Trendy’s hospitality? Firstly, when you arrive, the staff is ready with a tray of fruits and fruit mocktails. Guests can choose from four kinds of rooms or the La Siesta suite, each of which is a blend of old-world and new. The artistically designed rooms incorporate elements of wood, glass, and steel to create an effect that is innately Hanoi. Additionally, many rooms have spacious balconies that offer splendid panoramic views of the city. The on-site restaurant serves up a hearty breakfast consisting of both continental favorites and traditional Vietnamese delicacies.
However, the hotel staff ensures memorable moments until the guest leaves. During check-out, they offer a little paper bag filled with a long-hanging mobile of handmade stuffed birds of fabric made by locals as a touching farewell gift.
Cinnamon Cathedral Hanoi
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If you’re looking for a comfy, yet relaxing place to stay, then the Cinnamon Cathedral Boutique Hotel in the Old Quarter is a great choice. The hotel lies right next to St. Joseph’s Cathedral and is a mere 10-minute walk to the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Hoan Kiem Lake.
Cinnamon’s tastefully designed rooms feature all mod-cons along with a comfy bed, spacious bathroom with a bath, and even a private patio. However, where the hotel really stands out is that it offers all guests a free 35-minute foot massage! After walking the streets of Hanoi all day long, it’s a well deserved treat. Apart from the rooms, the hotel has its own restaurant that whips up lip-smacking Vietnamese fare as well as Western dishes with equal aplomb. Don’t forget to try out the creamy and flavorful Vietnamese ‘egg coffee’!
Helpful staff armed with tons of travel tips and excellent service is perhaps the other great part of Cinnamon Cathedral. They even hand out a list of recommended restaurants as well as a city map that’ll be very helpful to explore the city on your own. Furthermore, they’ also help arrange anything from cooking classes to Halong Bay tours.
Maison d’Hanoi Boutique Hotel
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Located right in front of the Chuong Duong Bridge, the Maison d’Hanoi Hotel effusively blends contemporary ambiance into Indochine elegance. Its located on Hang Trong, just south of the Old Quarter, and just around the corner from one of the most popular shopping streets, Hang Gai, which makes it the perfect base for shopaholics.
The hotel easily has one of the most characterful rooms in the city. Wonderfully comfy beds are supported by ceiling-height padded silk headboards that ensure a fitful night’s sleep. The rooms give off a distinctly old-world Vietnamese vibe thanks to the chenille-and-silver cotton comfy chairs, red Oriental tables, silk lamps, and polished wooden floors.
Despite being closer in character to a boutique hotel, Maison d’Hanoi features a host of amenities. The on-site restaurant and bar serve out amazing Asian fare and refreshing cocktails perfect for an evening in. The hotel even as a top-floor Le Royal Spa, which is perfect to visit for a foot spa after a day of walking Hanoi’s streets.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Hanoi:
- Bun Bo Nam Bo: An Old Quarter staple dishing out delicious fatty pork bun and pork belly broth noodles.
- Red River Tea Room: Located in West Lake, the Red River Tea Room is a tranquil place with a rooftop terrace boasting excellent views of the West Lake. It also has shelves packed with books, table games, delish food, quiz nights, and great bottled and craft beer.
Recommended Activities In Hanoi:
- Vietnamese Coffee and Tea Ceremony: Vietname’s tea and coffee culture are as important as the art of their making. Indulge in a 2-hour ceremony and learn all about these two essential ingredients of Vietnamese life.
- Halong Bay 2D/1N Cruise: A trip to Vietnam is incomplete without a visit to the limestone-encrusted emerald waters of Halong Bay.
