Holiday Asia

April 2003

Hotel Watch: Hanoi, p. 72

Although it is called the Paris of the East because of its opulent French colonial architecture, Hanoi as a city has a very strong sense of identity, and a fascinating history. It is a graceful city and its lakes and ancient pagodas give it a sense of timelessness, even while economic expansion is evident in the considerable number of hotels built recently. Hotels here have impeccable service, whether they be high end or value for money options. Here are asia-hotels.com's picks:

Sofitel Metropole Bell hop rating: 4.22 Star rating: 5 Prices from: USD124 Cleanliness: 5 Facilities: 5 Staff attitude: 4 Value for money: 3.5 Overall rating: 4	Steeped in over 100 years of history and overflowing with old European charm, this beautiful French colonial hotel offers a chic option right in the middle of Hanoi and within easy access to the city's Old Quarter. The Metropole is Hanoi's foremost address and its pleasant and competent staff have welcomed the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Noel Coward and Bill Clinton. Renovated in 1992 it combines modern comforts with elegant furnishings without losing any of its historical ambience. This ambience is more evident in the original Metropole Wing with its wooden floors and high ceilings. The Opera Wing though newer is no less classy and features good-sized rooms. Facilities are some of the best in Hanoi with elegant restaurants and first class service. It does not come cheap for Vietnam, but it is worth it to enjoy a little piece of living history.
De Syloia Hotel Bell hop rating: 4.79 Star rating: 3 Prices from: USD50 Cleanliness: 4.5 Facilities: 3 Staff attitude: 5 Value for money: 5 Overall rating: 5	De Syloia is a small and really friendly boutique hotel run by Mr. Hoang and his incredibly helpful staff. Rooms are generous, clean and have everything both leisure and business travellers should need. Guests can use the Internet cheaply at the hotel, and there is a tidy little restaurant. Beyond that, there are few other facilities. The hotel is convenient for central Hanoi: just a few minutes walk from Hoan Kiem Lake and in the French Quarter, which means that it's close to many of the best restaurants. Overall, De Syloia a cozy hotel that feels very much like home - a value-for-money choice that comes highly recommended by guests.
Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel Bell hop rating: 3.98 Star rating: 5 Prices from: USD82 Cleanliness: 5 Facilities: 4 Staff attitude: 4 Value for money: 4 Overall rating: 4	With its beautiful exteriors, the Hilton Hanoi Opera can pass as one of Hanoi's hundred-year old French architectural landmarks - even if in reality the whole structure is barely four years old. This new hotel manages to exude an aura of old grandeur without looking the upstart. With its graceful columns and wrought-iron lattices its overall look and ambience is grandly elegant and complements the lovely old Hanoi Opera next door. Interior dcor at the Hilton Hanoi Opera is no less posh with the generous use of dark wood and marble that goes with the classic exterior. Still, the hotel is sensibly modern, and the comfortable and spacious rooms and baths are up-to-date with the latest fixtures. Dining and other facilities are expectedly five-star. While the price might not vary greatly from that of prestigious old properties, the Hilton's comparable city-centre location and top quality amenities make it an alternative well worth considering.
Green Park Hotel Bell hop rating: 4.62 Star rating: 3 Prices from: USD45 Cleanliness: 5 Facilities: 3 Staff attitude: 5 Value for money: 4.5 Overall rating: 3	This small privately owned hotel is fantastically friendly even by Vietnam's very high standards; it is a joy to stay here. Run by Mr. Bui, who also designed the hotel, the Green Park Hotel has the biggest rooms we have seen in Hanoi and offers everything a guest might need. The top floor restaurant affords a great view of the surrounding area. What the hotel lacks in facilities is more than made up by the determined attitude of the staff to make your stay a memorable one. Being 10 minutes away from Hoan Kiem Lake in the centre of Hanoi makes it an excellent choice for value-conscious tourists.