This wallet-friendly boutique hotel in Hanoi’s atmospheric Old Quarter offers stylish rooms and a five-star service. It comes with an unbeatable location opposite the serene Hoan Kiem Lake and some of the best views in the city from its rooftop bar.
Location
It’s a 40-minute drive from the airport and a 10-minute walk to the Old Quarter’s shops, restaurants and sights. Its hard-to-beat location on the lake’s edge means there’s no traffic – or the incessant honk of scooter horns – at weekends.
Style and Character
The tall, skinny building used to be an apartment block and is typical of Old Quarter architecture, where space is at a premium. Not to be confused with its larger sibling the Silk Path Hotel, this intimate boutique channels French colonial style: gently whirring ceiling fans, gleaming marble, Tiffany-esque stained glass and public spaces filled with vases of fresh, fragrant flowers. At weekends, join the locals power-walking and jogging around the lake, or just sit on a bench and people-watch.
Service and Facilities
The warm and friendly staff offers a personal service, going out of their way to help with any questions about the city or onward travel. The concierge is on hand to book tours and restaurants, and the reception staff will store any excess luggage while you travel. The ninth-floor roof terrace has been turned into a bar with sweeping views over the city.
- Bar
- Laundry
- Parking
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Wi-Fi
Rooms
The 33 spacious rooms and suites come with lake or city views and are tastefully decked out in neutral tones, with polished wooden floors, bright white walls and dark-wood furniture. Beds are clad in soft white linens and there’s a choice of foam and feather pillows. There are tea and coffee making facilities and a good choice of English-speaking television channels, including Netflix for subscribers. And – healthier than the usual pillow chocolate – you get a piece of fruit at turn-down.
The marble bathrooms are compact but spotlessly clean; suites come with a bath, the rest have a powerful, walk-in shower.
Food and Drink
The hotel’s small Restaurant La Cour offers all-day dining. The expansive breakfast menu means you can go local with steamed rice rolls or pho bo (beef noodle soup) or opt for pastries or eggs-to-order. At dinner, you can go for traditional Vietnamese, pan-Asian or international fare, such as pizzas. Leave room for a sinfully delicious dessert of deep-fried spring rolls, filled with chocolate and dusted with cinnamon.
The rooftop bar has plenty of lounging space; try the cocktail of the month – perhaps a mango or pineapple daiquiri.
