Editor Pick
Sofitel Metropole Hanoi
- June 25, 2007
- Rated 4 of 5 by
keatlover from Bangkok, Thailand
Last month, I took a personal trip to Hanoi in Vietnam with my parents. Before making the trip, I had searched for hotels in Hanoi with great location. I was looking for a luxury accommodation, with best service, since I wanted my parents to have a comfortable stay during their vacation in Vietnam. Finally I made the decision to book rooms at Exotissimo Travel, and also bought tours from them. Exotissimo is a travel agent and tour operator widely known in Indochina and Southeast Asian region. I knew about this company from the recommendation of my friend who once bought a travel service and booked a hotel with them. So, I made a request for a 4-night accommodation at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi: one room for my parents and one for myself.
We were quite satisfied with the location of the hotel since it is located in the heart of Hanoi, only a 30-minute drive from Noi Bai International Airport, within walking distance to the administrative and handicraft shopping district, Hanoi Opera House, and the famous Hoan Kiem Lake, which we would like to see once.
Upon arrival at the Sofitel Metropole by the hotel transfer service, we enjoyed the hotel’s French colonial style, dated back to 1901. As we all like history, we kind of appreciated the hotel’s history. A staff at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi told us that the hotel boasted a rich history and a century--long tradition of hospitality for ambassadors, statemen and writers in the past.
The Sofitel Metropole has been a landmark of Hanoi for over a century and following extensive renovations in the early 1990s. There are 232 rooms and suites both in the original Metropole wing and the new Opera wing. These provide guests with extensive international services and facilities befitting Vietnam’s first officially accredited five-star hotel.
We had a quick and efficient check in at the hotel. A staff member accompanied us to our lovely classic rooms.The rooms weren’t huge but were nicely laid out, with lovely quality wooden furniture and cosy atmosphere.
Overall, we loved them. All made us easily impressed, from the hotel’s high quality, comfort, amenities, good service and, good food. The staff were very helpful.
In the evening, we decided to try a dining at the hotel becasue we wanted to experience a Vietnamese fine dining. We made an order for our dinner at the elegant Spices Garden Restaurant, which offers superb Asian cuisine with a local flavour. After dinner, my parents told me that they were quite tired and wanted to get back to the room for a rest. I myself still wanted to chill out but didn’t want to go out. So I went to Le Club Bar at the Sofitel Metropole, which was the perfect venue for drinks, before ending up that night with the Met Pub, another unrivalled as Hanoi’s most popular bar with live jazz, great food, and a well-stocked bar.
From journal The Colonial Chic Stay at Sofitel Metropole Hotel
Sofitel Metropole Hotel
- April 25, 2005
- Rated 5 of 5 by
sonickboom41 from New York, New York
Every major Asian city has its colonial hotel. Singapore has the Raffles, Hong Kong has the Peninsula, and Hanoi has the Sofitel Metropole. Located within walking distance from the Opera House and Hoan Kiem Lake, the Metropole reflects Hanoi's French past. Owned by a Sofitel, a French company, the service is extraordinary. We received dessert in our room every night, consisting of fruit, chocolates, and creme caramel. There are two main restaurants, one Vietnamese and one French, and they both serve luscious breakfasts (Eastern and Western). The rooms are great and spacious... and very French. If you want to live in the lap of luxury in Hanoi, stay here.
From journal Hanoi--Paris via Asia