Hanoi hotels

[Isochronous]

Contemplating a short break to Hanoi and to use my Amex TC for it. Thinking of Melia or Hotel de l'Opera - I gather staying in the middle of Old Quarter is ideal and hence those two hotels have come to mind. Anyone tried either?

I like the look of Sofitel but it is pricing at $470 a night through Amex which seems extortionate.

 

[james4321]

Had 3 nights at Hilton Opera last week. Exec lounge is very good (like most Asian Hilton’s) and rooms on exec floors were very good also. A 5 minute walk to the lake, and another 5 minutes walk to the old town. Highly recommend the street food walking tour, great fun and sensational food.

 

[RooFlyer]

I’ve heard to avoid the Hanoi Hilton ( one more for the older set)

 

[leadman]

I do love the Sofitel, but i'm surprised on the price, gone up a bit. Was upgraded once and truly magnificent.

 

[moa999]

Stayed at both Hilton Hanoi Opera and the HGI.
Was impressed with Hilton, the HGI quite a bit more dated, albeit cheaper.

 

[Isochronous]

Thanks for the feedback - will research these options. Happy to hear more from others!

 

[Pug1]

You have to go Sofitel Metropole and pretend you are Hercule Poirot, it's only money! We stayed there some time ago and it was a great experience and a superb hotel and location.

 

[Isochronous]

You have to go Sofitel Metropole and pretend you are Hercule Poirot, it's only money! We stayed there some time ago and it was a great experience and a superb hotel and location.

But is it worth $470 a night?

 

[LadyC]

But is it worth $470 a night?

I guess that depends upon how much of an Agatha Christie fan you are?

 

[Pug1]

I guess that depends upon how much of an Agatha Christie fan you are?

True Lady C. But it's a walk to the lake, a walk to the water puppet show if that's an interest, and a walk to the old town with its great shopping and eating. We loved the whole atmosphere of the place and you can even pay for a ride on the Citroen? Life is too short to go for the cheapest!

 

[andyhui01]

I’ve heard to avoid the Hanoi Hilton ( one more for the older set)

Yes. Avoid the Hanoi Hilton, should definitely visit to have a look though

 

[Isochronous]

I have the Edge $200 TC (expires 2 Dec) and the Explorer $400 TC (expires Aug 2018), so that would cover $600 out of over $800 in cost if I stayed 2 nights. Tempting!

 

[uiopui]

I stayed at the Hotel de l'Opera (~2012) and i had a great stay, however i did stay in one of their nicer suites. Its basically opposite the Metropole and if you can snag Accor Platinum status you might get some sort of room upgrade. My room wasnt dated, if anything it was a little outrageous from memory (think zebra prints, mirror finishes, gold taps), and the breakfast that we had included was half decent for a hotel breakfast. There was a nice bakery nearby selling Parisian style treats too. We didnt spend alot of time in the hotel as the areas both north toward the old town and lake and south toward the more non touristy areas were filled with great local style cafes and places to eat (we love street food). Our view could have been skewed by the very low price we paid (i think it was close to ~$120USD but AUD was around parity or better), and the room was massive, great view, some sort of lounge access for coughtails, breaky included etc.

The metropole definitely has that foreign correspondents / colonial vibe going but it seemed fairly contrived and crowded. I didnt find the common areas to be as nice as say the Raffles (sing) or Peninsula (HK) etc.

 

[Isochronous]

Thanks locopano. I can always head to Sofitel for a drink anyway!