Top boutique hotels in Hanoi

Though Hanoi is known for its dense scooter traffic, the city is less frantic than many imagine it to be.

Exploring Vietnam’s capital, visitors expecting a hectic urban experience might be pleasantly surprised by its peaceful, tree-lined streets and hidden cafés.

One of Hanoi’s most captivating features is its abundance of restored neoclassical and Gothic buildings, remnants from the time when the city was under French colonial rule from 1883 to 1954.

While it’s tempting to idealize this era thanks to its stunning architectural legacy, it’s important to remember that it was also a time of great hardship, marked by widespread opium addiction and oppression in Hanoi.

Despite the city’s complex past, its architectural beauty is truly impressive. One of the best ways to experience it is by staying in one of Hanoi’s charming boutique hotels.

Nestled in Hanoi’s Old Quarter – a district with 36 streets, each historically tied to a specific trade – these boutique hotels offer a unique blend of modern comfort and old-world charm, making them the perfect home base for exploring the city.

Here are eight of the finest boutique hotels to consider when visiting Hanoi:

1. Hotel de l’Opera

As the name implies, Hotel de l'Opera is located just a short walk from the iconic Hanoi Opera House, where you can regularly enjoy ballet, music, and folk performances.

The Hanoi Opera House is the largest of its kind in Vietnam, boasting a grand neo-classical French façade, towering columns, and opulent interiors.

Situated on the same tree-lined street, the 107-room Hotel de l'Opera occupies a stunning white colonial-era building.

Inside, guests are greeted with soaring ceilings, luxurious silk curtains, elegant furnishings, vibrant pops of color, and an array of high-end designer boutiques, including Max Mara, Prada, and Louis Vuitton, on the ground floor.

Each room at Hotel de l'Opera has its own unique layout and design. However, all four of the l'Opera Grand Suites offer magnificent views of the Opera House.

Just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel, guests can explore the city’s central lake, the lively Old Quarter, and an array of bars and restaurants.

Hotel de l’Opera, 29 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District; +84 4 6282 5555

2. La Siesta Central Hotel & Spa

A recent addition to Hanoi’s hotel scene, La Siesta Central Hotel & Spa opened in August in the historic Old Quarter, just a short stroll from the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake.

This 27-room hotel offers stunning lake views from 19 of its rooms, along with a fine-dining restaurant, a rooftop bar for sunset views, and a spa offering traditional Vietnamese treatments.

The hotel’s design is a blend of colonial style and modern comforts. Inside, it honors Hanoi’s French colonial past with dark wooden panels, black-and-white patterned tiles, wrought-iron furniture, romantic balconies, and timeless black-and-white art adorning the walls.

With the vibrant Old Quarter just around the corner and the serene lake right outside, La Siesta Central boasts one of the best locations in Hanoi.

La Siesta Central Hotel & Spa, 1 Cau Go, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam; +84 24 3938 0963

3. O’Gallery Premier Hotel

Nestled in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, O’Gallery Premier Hotel stands out with its narrow colonial-style façade painted in a refreshing shade of green.

The green theme continues indoors, where vibrant emerald accents breathe life into the hotel’s classic furnishings.

All 55 rooms and suites are elegantly designed, featuring wood-paneled walls, velvet furniture, leather stools, and top-tier amenities, including complimentary early check-in.

The suites also feature private balconies, accessible through elegant arched French doors.

Within the hotel, guests can enjoy the Thang Long Deli Vietnamese restaurant and a spa offering traditional Vietnamese treatments.

O’Gallery Premier Hotel, 122 Hang Bong Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam; +84 243 3633 333

4. Zephyr Hotel

Just south of Hanoi’s central Hoan Kiem Lake, Zephyr Hotel is housed in a colonial-style building featuring white and gray facades, grand pillars, and high ceilings.

The 40 rooms and suites are elegantly appointed, with many offering wooden headboards, French-style antique desks, and some rooms featuring private balconies.

The lobby café downstairs evokes French elegance with small marble tables and vibrant oil paintings, while the hotel’s restaurant showcases Vietnamese influences with red accents, lotus-shaped napkins, and a serene garden.

Zephyr Hotel, 4 & 6 Ba Trieu St, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi; +84 24 3934 1256

5. Maison d’Orient

Tucked away in a peaceful alley in the heart of the Old Quarter, this stylish boutique hotel is filled with eclectic furniture, vibrant mosaic tiles, vintage prints, and local artwork.

The hotel’s open-air terrace offers a unique dining experience with an East-meets-West vibe, where wooden tables blend seamlessly with Asian-inspired plants and decorative motifs.

Though compact – ranging from 182 to 400 square feet – each of the 10 rooms at Maison d’Orient has its own unique character, with an abundance of natural light and charming bamboo accents.

The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of key attractions like St. Joseph’s Cathedral and Hoan Kiem Lake.

Maison d’Orient, 26 Ngo Huyen, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam; +84 3938 2539

6. Essence Hanoi Hotel & Spa

Another hidden gem in the Old Quarter, Essence Hanoi is located right beside the famous Beer Corner, where both locals and visitors gather to sip on bia hoi drafts late into the night, seated on tiny stools.

It’s also just a short walk from Dong Xuan Market, a popular spot for snacks, souvenirs, and handcrafted silk items.

A mid-range hotel offering 30 rooms, each combining modern Vietnamese-inspired decor with convenient, tech-friendly amenities like complimentary laptops for guest use.

This October, the hotel completed a renovation, unveiling a fresh new look with light blue and gray hues, alongside a newly remodeled lobby and restaurant.

To complement its chic atmosphere, the hotel also offers convenient tailoring services through its partners Kitonali Bespoke Tailor and Heydi Boutique, perfect for those looking to take home a high-quality, personalized souvenir.

Essence Hanoi Hotel & Spa, 22 Ta Hien St, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam; +84 4393 52485

7. The Chi Boutique Hotel

The first thing you’ll notice at the sleek and modern Chi Boutique Hotel is a stunning wall adorned with fresh flowers and vibrant greenery.

This contemporary design ethos carries through the hotel’s 42 guestrooms, where guests will enjoy spacious bathrooms, lotus-inspired artwork, and views of the lively street below.

Looking for a private balcony with charming wrought-iron details? Be sure to request a room at the front of the hotel.

The hotel also boasts a Vietnamese-Cantonese fusion restaurant, as well as the picturesque Garden Sky Lounge on the rooftop – the ideal spot for sunset cocktails with panoramic views of the Old Quarter.

The Chi Boutique Hotel, 13 Nha Chung St, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi Vietnam; + 84 24 3719 2939

8. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

While not exactly a boutique hotel with its 364 rooms, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi oozes French colonial elegance and charm.

Once the residence of the French Governor of Tonkin (the former name of northern Vietnam), this iconic hotel is just a stone’s throw from the Hanoi Opera House and the neo-Gothic St. Joseph’s Cathedral.

Inside, guests can enjoy a selection of destination restaurants, such as the French-inspired Le Beaulieu and the charming Bamboo Bar nestled in the lush courtyard, right by the pool.

The rooms maintain the Indo-French vibe, featuring vintage furnishings, silk tapestries, green shutters, and original wrought-iron accents.

Since its opening in 1901, the hotel has been a favored spot for celebrities, politicians, and writers, having hosted icons like Charlie Chaplin and Graham Greene.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel Hanoi, 15 Ngo Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam; +84 24 3826 6919

Time to embark on an adventure!

Once you’re settled into your boutique hotel, it’s time to dive into one of Asia’s most captivating cities.

While walking is an easy option, there’s another way to experience the maze of leafy streets. Sidecar Tours Vietnam offers a unique way to explore the Old Quarter on vintage Ural motorbikes from the Soviet era.

“Riding in the sidecar is a fascinating experience for tourists,” says Steve Christensen, a guide with Sidecar Tours Vietnam.

“It gives you the opportunity to see everything from a new perspective, looking up at the buildings and watching history unfold around you.”