If you have already been to Hanoi, then you’ve experienced the loud traffic, heavy pollution, and high density. If not, allow me to say it’s not all about that, but keep it in mind. Be ready and accept reality, but know that all of this is not enough to stay away from this fantastic city. Once you’ll visit Hanoi make sure you will spend half of your time in peace, silence, and abundance. Yes, it is possible! All of the above you can find in the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel! Indubitably this Heritage hotel from 1901 is an oasis in the middle of the city. Please, enjoy our Metropole Hanoi Hotel Review.
Contents
Actually, the full name of this pearl is Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel. The Legend is a collection of stately heritage hotels and palaces found in iconic cities around the world. My and Vivi’s dream is to visit all! As a matter of fact, we started in Hanoi and we couldn’t wish for a better start. Read our detailed Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel Review and you’ll see why it was a perfect first.
Atmosphere
In the heart of the French Quarter proudly stands the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel. Note that this quarter is different than the rest of the Hanoi and that is why you should explore it a little. This area has always been lavish and it’s a good match for the five stars Metropole Hotel. Even so, it is hard to miss this famous building with the best part hidden inside.
There are two main entrances and two lobbies, which are entirely different. The one in the new wing is bright with white marble, while the one in the original building is moodier, full of warm wooden ornaments. French colonial feeling is instant, but there are Vietnamese finishes present as well.
A Lot of Greenery
Our favorite part of the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel is the inner courtyard. For that, we have a few reasons, with green surface and privacy the highest-ranking ones. Although, important to us is also the iconic stairways – charming and perfect for photos. Vivi was admiring it for the whole duration of our delightful Metropole Hanoi afternoon tea inside the glasshouse.
Feeling through the whole hotel is welcoming and warm. Everything is in the place, decorated with style. I think they have achieved the most desirable goal for historic hotels. Here at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel, you will never forget that you are in the heritage hotel, but also you will never miss a modern touch.
We Stayed in the Historical Metropole Wing
Well, we are fond of heritage hotels, so of course, we stayed in the historical Metropole Wing. This wing is the personalization of colonial times. Vintage lamps are illuminating moody corridors in creamy colors and ornamented with dark wood. The centerpiece is a classic imperial stairway with a chandelier in the middle. Part of this wing is also the legendary La Terrasse du Metropole Hanoi with le Beaulieu restaurant and Le Club Bar along with a picture-perfect greenhouse.
Our Room
Our room at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel was Grand Luxury Room. Like the whole hotel also our room reflects the Indochina colonial style mixed with French sophistication. Otherwise, the Grand Luxury Room is spacious, bright and decorated with good taste. It includes both ceramic and rice paper lighting to shine brightly to the massive mahogany furnishings. Floors are made of hardwood in dark color which is complementary with golden details, like curtains and metal ornaments.
The bathroom is spacious with separated big bathtub and shower, the Villeroy & Boch ceramics, washbasin, and toilet. Vivi loves the toilet accessories here at in Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel. They have ceramic cups, containers, coasters and even bin is part of the same set. All have an elegant green pattern that matches Hermès toiletries which are part of Eau d’orange verte collection.
Cleanliness
The room and common areas were generally clean. There were only a few spots in a decorative wall with wooden ornaments and glass. I understand these corners are hard to clean, but anyway… Well, we used this flaw and took a few “boudoir photos,” where blurred glass worked like a charm.
Facilities
When it comes to facilities and amenities, the Metropole Hanoi Hotel is not short of anything. It has everything that 5 stars luxury hotels should have. Not only that every space here is decorated with taste and it never loses the Indochina felling. Metropole Hanoi Hotel has two restaurants and four bars. Sadly, there was a significant renovation in progress, when we were staying there. Luckily, we got a taste of one of the best brunches in Hanoi in their famous French restaurant – Le Beaulieu.
Le Beaulieu
Le Beaulieu is multiple times rewarded French restaurant with famous Sunday brunches. Really, Le Beaulieu restaurant is a gem with a long history. This is the first French restaurant in Hanoi, opened the same year as hotel – 1901. The ambiance in contemporary French design with a blend of Indochinese touches. The marble floor and pillars give you a welcoming, sophisticated feeling of the classic Parisian restaurant. When you are in Hanoi, buffet Metropole Hanoi is something you should try out.
Spices Garden
Spices Garden is another restaurant here in Metropole Hanoi Hotel. It is mostly known for traditional Vietnamese culinary, refined with a French touch. We didn’t try any of their dishes. I guess the streets of Hanoi offer too many delicious authentic dishes.
Bars for Every Taste
Under the roof of the Metropole Hanoi Hotel are four bars, so that everyone can find their favorite. Unfortunately, Angelina and La Terrasse were closed when we were there. Renovations in progress, which means only one thing – we must come back to Hanoi! I’m dying to see the fresh look of Angelina, which is a Cocktail bar. Besides the looks, I also reckon that a few changes in the menu appeared as well.
Le Club Bar
Metropole Hanoi Hotel is hiding another pearl, this is its Le Club Bar, where you can enjoy famous afternoon tea or iconic Sofitel Metropole Hanoi chocolate buffet. The ambiance here at Le Club Bar is French colonial with a hint of Victorian touch. Glass greenhouse overlooking the hotel garden courtyard is a great place to indulge your afternoon tea. If you stay at Metropole Hanoi Hotel, Le Club Bar might be your favorite evening venue as well. Every day except on Mondays you can enjoy live Jazz performance, as we did. The review is coming soon.
Above Le Club Bar is famous for the rooftop garden balcony ‘Le Balcon’, which forms a green oasis. The only way to get up there is via white iron stairs, which are perfect for an Instagram photo session.
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Courtyard
As I have mentioned before this is our favorite part of the Metropole Hanoi Hotel. It is not only pleasant, but it also serves as a connection between the old Heritage wing and the new Opera wing. On the one side, there are two shopping arcades with luxury retails. While opposite of it is the heated swimming pool with the Bamboo bar and well equipped SoFIT gym.
Even though the name Bamboo bar is the same as in exceptional jazz bar – The Bamboo Bar Bangkok, it is more like a pool bar. The ambiance is chilled with beautiful ceiling fans. Here you can enjoy light snacks and refreshing cocktails while enjoying swimming pool activities.
SoFIT Gym and Le Spa du Metropole
The first thing to mention is the gym’s modern equipment full of typical gym machines, step machines, elliptical bikes, and free weights. Everything you need for a perfect workout, with snacks and drinks to keep you going. Usually, it’s only fruit and water in the luxury hotel gyms, but here at Metropole Hanoi Hotel, they offer also homemade energy bars and juices for a quick energy boost.
We haven’t visited the spa here at the Metropole Hanoi Hotel, but I can only imagine how great it must be.
Inside the historical Metropole Wing, you will find more shops, with the designer collections such as Bottega Veneta, Hublot, S&S Knightsbridge, Chopard, Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, Hermes, Hanoia, Breguet & Blancpain, La Boutique du Metropole. What impressed me the most about the shops is that they are not in the center of happenings, but still easily accessible and beautifully decorated.
Our favorite shop here at Metropole Hanoi Hotel is Sofitel’s “L’Epicerie du Metropole”. Offer here is full of fine French imported treats and freshly baked pastries as well. We simply love it!
Amenities
In the room, we got a collection of special Vietnamese teas, like green tea from the ancient tree tea for example. This was for us the first time to try the ancient tree tea. It is a special tea, for which some scientists estimate can have trees about 3000 years old. Taste is very close to a cup of fine raw Pu’er tea with a sweet aftertaste and vegetal, earthy flavor.
The best thing is that it can be infused a few times with steeping time extended each time. Also from the north of Vietnam is their Ha Giang black tea. Hanoi’s legend has an exclusive tea offer under the name Sofitel Legend Depuis 1901.
In the bathroom is all one needs including sewing kit and necessary hygiene tools. Hermès toiletries of the Eau d’orange verte collection are another legendary additions. Eau d’orange verte formula reaches all the way to the Hermès roots. It was the first cologne of the Hermès company and still reflects their vision of the so-called art of living. Lack of media hub on TV was partly replaced by the wide range of programs and up to date international news in the Business center.
Activities
In activities offer, Metropole Hanoi Hotel is not exactly like Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, but they have something exceptional – a heritage walk. As a matter of fact, Metropole Hanoi Hotel has its very own house historian who is having daily tours. We found out some interesting facts about the hotel and entered the Metropole Hanoi Hotel bomb shelter as well.
In a word, this bomb shelter was rediscovered by the hotel engineering department during the renovation of the Bamboo Bar in 2011. Our diary about this Path of History is coming soon.
Yoga and Tai Chi
At the rooftop garden balcony ‘Le Balcon,’ guests can join complimentary Yoga (Mondays and Wednesdays) and Tai Chi (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Classes are offered here from 7 to 8 am and are the perfect way to start our day. You know, to prepare your body for a delicious breakfast.
Food at Metropole Hanoi Hotel
Breakfast
Hm, where to start, it’s so much to say. At first, we stopped at the well being corner and had a cup of chia seed pudding with coconut milk and juice. It was a great start, especially with utterly delicious mixed juice all freshly made. Regarding the fresh juice selection, it was literally legendary. Best of all was the chefs’ combinations of different fruit, but there were also classics. Just a few steps away was a mango corner with a few dishes all made of soft Cat Chu Mango. The fruity start is a good way to enter the buffet breakfast, especially with so many twists.
Salmon corner is also a special one, with the Scandinavian salmon as a star. Before the fish gets served the chef cures it for a day. After that chef cleans the salmon and for the final step the salmon gets some cold smoking with applewood chips for two hours. The outcome is delicious as one expects. We loved it. What can I say, breakfast buffet at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel is the reason to wake up before the alarm clock.
Pho Not so Good
The only dish that we didn’t enjoy as much as we usually do, was the Pho. We are a kinda expert of this delicious Vietnamese vermicelli soup. Anyway street vendors, who have only Pho on the menu, are serving much better soups. Maybe should Metropole Hanoi Hotel management find one antie on the street and give her a job 😉
Metropole Hanoi Hotel Buffet at Le Beaulieu
Sunday brunch at Le Beaulieu restaurant earned the reputation as one of the best brunches in Hanoi. Obviously, the main attraction is the food, fresh, tasty, high-quality food. The perfect partner in crime, champagne or wine is also available for this joyful occasion. For the duration of Sunday brunch, everything runs smoothly at Le Beaulieu restaurant. The place was organized and tables clean all the time. Even the lady who was opening the oysters on the spot kept up with the high demand. Not an easy job! Read our review of this exclusive Metropole Buffet.
Afternoon Tea at Le Club Bar
To provide a detailed review, we also indulged into the afternoon tea at Le Club bar. Tea for afternoon tea is in house brand, the L’Epicerie du Metropole tea selection and includes 21 types. In contrast, the tea sandwiches came in 3 varieties, all fresh and flavorful. Scones were kind of a puzzle to us, but still enjoyable with house jams and cream. To my delight, the sweets plate was the biggest with eight pieces of sweets all delicious. The detailed afternoon tea review is here, so please be our guest and check it.
Service at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel
5-stars hotels have the best service possible in the hospitality business. However, there are some differences and we are trying to notice them. Here at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel, the service is impeccable. Evening turndown is just like we love it: water on the nightstand, curtains set, bed ready and even a poem with chocolate.
No matter where we were at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, employees were always friendly and helpful. Communication was never a problem, and you could get your peace when you want it. Yes, that’s right, in some hotels the employees can pay “too much attention.”
Gift for Accor Hotels Golden Status Guests
Some hotel chains have loyalty programs for their members. After obtaining statutes, you get some benefits. However, I will write about the Accor Hotels loyalty program another time. This time I will only describe how you are treated here at Metropole Hanoi Hotel as a gold member.
As an illustration, Metropole Hanoi values golden members with special care. At our arrival, we got a delicious welcome drink and a “classic rescue,” cold towels. Our room got an upgrade and early check-in as well. In the room, we got a small gift consisting of dragon fruit, delicious cake and luscious pralines. Above all that, we also got a vintage postcard with a dedication. Nice gesture, must say.
Conclusion
I must admit after staying at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel we developed a soft spot for hotel brand Sofitel. For this reason, you will read more reviews of this hotel chain. Indeed, Metropole Hanoi Hotel is something special and if you have a chance to stay there, do not hesitate. Service, food, room, facilities, and amenities… Everything is outstanding here. Heritage hotel like Metropole Hanoi deserves a hotel managing like this.
This building is not only a hotel but rather a historical place, where you will be a witness of noble history. There is no doubt, the Metropole Hanoi Hotel is one of the best hotels in Hanoi, or rather “the best hotel in Hanoi.” Might as well be another landmark in Hanoi and here in Hanoi is also a sister of Metropole Hanoi. It is called Sofitel Hotel de ’lOpera Hanoi and we did our review of de l’Opera Hanoi afternoon tea.
For all heritage hotel lovers, I will write a Metropole Hanoi history, so you will get to know more about this outstanding luxury hotel.
Metropole Hanoi Hotel Review Card
- ATMOSPHERE – 9.3/109.3/10
- CLEANLINESS – 9.3/109.3/10
- ROOM – 9.2/109.2/10
- FACILITIES AND AMENITIES – 9/109/10
- FOOD AND BEVERAGE – 9.5/109.5/10
- SERVICE – 9.6/109.6/10
- VALUE – 8.6/108.6/10
Price, Location and Reservation
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi address is 15 Phố Ngô Quyền, Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 010000, Vietnam and here is a link to the location for easy navigation. Price of the room the same as ours with breakfast for two is about 550 USD per night. If you decide to stay here, please use my referral link. It won’t cost you anything, only we will earn a small commission if you decide to book a hotel through it. Thank you
Disclaimer: Metropole Hanoi Hotel Review is written on our experience in the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel and it wasn’t sponsored or paid in any way.
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