Don’t let the colonial façade of L’Opera in Hanoi’s French Quarter fool you – its exterior might look stately, the interior is anything but. Bold colour schemes, jovial staff and a lively bar set the mood from the get-go.
Location
The hotel is smack in the middle of Hanoi’s upscale French Quarter, with the Opera House on its doorstep. The scenic Hoan Kiem lake is a mere three minutes away, and the bustling Old Quarter can be reached within 10 minutes on foot. The trip from Noi Bai international airport takes about 30 minutes by taxi.
Style and Character
In theory, the bold combination of mirrored ceilings, pink velvet couches and faux gold is a recipe for disaster – but it works surprisingly well at l’Opera. Its design recalls a theatrical grandeur with clear references to the Belle Époque: think colonial-style architecture, French black-and-white movies screening in the courtyard, and a bar and restaurants named after key characters from the Moulin Rouge. It’s not all old-world charm, though: the bright lobby, contemporary artwork and modern furnishing, such as Kartell chairs and lamps by Moooi, place the hotel firmly in the 21st century.
Service and Facilities
Service is as you would expect from a hotel of this calibre: staff members are well-trained, soft-spoken and remarkably jovial. Proficiency of the English language isn’t always a given at Vietnamese hotels (even the high-end ones) but l’Opera’s staff couldn’t be faulted.
Facilities are basic but more than sufficient. The third floor hosts a heated semi-outdoor pool, well-equipped fitness centre and a spa that’s perfect for a much-needed pampering session after exploring Hanoi’s frenetic streets. The adjoining sundeck boasts fabulous views of the Opera building, which is especially pretty when it lights up beautifully after the sun has set (a drink can be ordered from the bar downstairs).
- Bar
- Fitness centre
- Laundry
- Parking
- Pool
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Sauna
- Spa
- Wi-Fi
Rooms
All of the hotel’s 107 rooms come equipped with beds that put the competition to shame: mattresses are very thick and incredibly comfortable, which – along with the sun-blocking curtains – ensure a good night’s rest.
The detached bathrooms are fitted with spacious shower cabins, separate toilets and dressing tables (including Hollywood-style vanity mirrors), and the suite-level bathrooms come with a clawfoot tub as well. Some of the courtyard-facing rooms, however, are upholstered in black marble print paired with black wallpaper and wooden floors – making them rather dark and slightly pompous.
Food and Drink
Breakfast is a semi-buffet and semi-à la carte affair with a large variety of Vietnamese dishes on offer. The menu covers classics like bún bò (beef noodles with lemongrass), bún cá (crispy fish noodles) and xôi gà (sticky rice with chicken) alongside a list of fried noodles and congees. If you’d rather stick to continental fare, there are pancakes, French toast and a toothsome croque monsieur to choose from.
After breakfast, Café Lautrec takes over the space with a Mediterranean buffet and à la carte menu, while in the courtyard Satine Restaurant offers sumptuous Vietnamese cuisine. The beef grilled in bamboo or spring rolls with aloe vera salad are particularly good. The lobby bar, La Fée Verte, puts the focus on creative absinthe-based libations; drink enough of the bar’s signature cocktail (absinthe, lemon juice and egg white) and you might just start seeing the eponymous green fairy for yourself.
