The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi offers one of the best and most luxurious city stays in Vietnam.
The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is a testament to timeless elegance and history, offering an immersive blend of French Indochina’s romance and modern luxury.
Many frequent luxury travellers say this is the best city hotel in Vietnam, and after a stay with my twin children over Christmas, I understand their sentiments. If there is one city hotel in Vietnam not to miss, this is it. Staying is an experience – and for us turned into a bit of an adventure as well.
Locals affectionately and proudly call The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi The Raffles of Vietnam, and having stayed at Raffles Singapore, I can see why.
Every luxury five star hotel has its own feeling, its own sense of place and belonging within the location it is in and an energy created by the staff. The unique timeless charm of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Review with a mesmerising subtle fresh floral fragrance throughout, stately, plush furnishings, and rich fabrics, envelopes guests in a sense of exclusivity yet groundedness. This is a hotel who seemingly knows who she is. Even my children felt it during our stay.
Nestled in the heart of Hanoi’s most upmarket area, the French quarter, this legendary property has been a stage for remarkable moments in history. It was the first venue in Indochina to screen motion pictures in 1916, served as a meeting place for Ho Chi Minh in the 1940s, and hosted significant state guests during the 1960s.
Few hotels can boast such a storied past. It opened in 1901, and the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has hosted some of the world’s most influential people including Catherine Deneuve and Jane Fonda, and more recently Putin, Trump and Tim Cook.
Charlie Chaplin loved it. Today, the Metropole continues to redefine prestige, blending its storied past with exceptional modern luxury.
A stay is absolutely extraordinary, and is steeped in opulent serenity, yet the experience for us remained relaxing, and calm. There is nothing uptight about it at all. If this hotel was in Europe, rates would be 3 X the price. This exquisite luxury hotel is such amazing value for money for what it is.
The award winning colonial and neo classical luxury family property has 364 rooms including 106 in the newly renovated historical Metropole wing which includes 3 legendary suites named after famous residents and visitors of the hotel Charlie Chaplin, Graham Greene and Somerset Maugham.
Located in the heart of Hanoi, this iconic hotel has been a witness to over a century of political, cultural, and social history. Guests are invited to experience Its Path of History tour and air-raid shelter sitting under the Bamboo Bar, and other unique features that bring its incredible history to life for guests.
The day to day vibe of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is one of relaxed opulence, with a continual buzz of people and things happening and staff on hand to respond and assist with any and every need for in-house guests as well as people dining in the restaurants.
During my stay with my teenagers, my son fell extremely ill with gastro, and when I phoned the late night staff at 3am desperate for help, they could not have been more kind, or helpful. Their support was remarkable.
At one stage two cleaners appeared in plastic gloves and in three piece suites ( I wish I had have had the presence of mind to take a photo) and completely cleaned the bathroom from top to toe and insisted my son and I rest whilst they did so.
It was an extraordinary level of service as well as kindness.It is in these extreme and unexpected moments a luxury hotel is put to the test. As soon as we awoke in the morning, ginger tea was offered and delivered to my son, and a doctor offered to be available on site.
Overall Rating: 10/10
Style and Ambiance: 10/10
Walking into The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi feels like stepping back into the early 20th century, with its Belle Époque architecture, refined colonial details and immaculately dressed staff. This hotel is elegance, and historical style personified.
The renovated Heritage Wing, meticulously renovated in 2023 offers 106 guest rooms and suites and enchants with polished wooden floors, Art Deco design, large windows, ceiling fans ( as well as seamless air conditioning) and luxurious touches like fresh flowers, striking wooden furnishings and claw-foot bathtubs.
Uniformed staff in traditional white silk ao dai add an authentic cultural flair. Colours are historically Vietnamese with mustard yellow, dark timber and fresh flowers highlight the interiors.
The Opera Wing complements this with a more contemporary yet equally sophisticated vibe, ensuring the hotel appeals to a wide range of tastes.
Jazz performances at Le Club Bar and the swaying rattan ceiling fans in the Bamboo Bar evoke a bygone era, making the ambiance both nostalgic and enchanting.
We took great pleasure in sitting in the bamboo bar drinking tea, inhaling the unique sultry floral Asian fragrance that fills the hotel, soaking up everything the style and feel of this incredible property have to offer. The hotel’s enigmatic General Manager George Koumendakos is a Dutch national with over 37 years experience in luxury hotels, 15 as a General Manager, and is ever present in the hotel overseeing every detailed aspect not only of the property but of guest’s stays.
Location 10/10
Located in Hanoi’s French Quarter, The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is an ideal base for exploring the city.
The French influence is immediately obvious both inside and outside the hotel, and sitting in many of the hotel’s windows including upstairs at Angelina, the view outside feels as if you could be in France with well swept suites and French architecture all around the local area.
The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is just a five-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake and ten minutes from the bustling Old Quarter. We walked a lot around the area during our stay which was a great pleasure.
It was ideal for us to soak in Hanoi’s rich culture while enjoying the calm sophistication of the neighborhood, with plenty of people watching from the cafe positioned right at the front of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.
There are many designer fashion and jewellery stores within the hotel itself as well as nearby which we enjoyed.
The proximity to classic landmarks like the Hanoi Opera House add to its allure and everything from pharmacies to nail salons, supermarkets and hairdressers are walking distance.
Food and Beverage 10/10
The dining scene at The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is exceptional, with something for everyone and a very high standard across the board.
Breakfast is in Le Club which offers indoor and outdoor seating, is one of the best ways and city locations in the world to start your day. Le Club is flooded with natural light via an atrium style conservatory design, and features glass walls, floorboards, white table cloths and beautiful warm, attentive staff.
Le Beaulieu was the first French restaurant in Indochina, and this fine-dining venue is where you will find any visiting dignitaries or celebrities dining on the excellent contemporary French cuisine, as we noted during our stay. Absolutely exquisite.
I read about the standout breakfast includes a tableside trolley with cheeses, charcuterie, and made-to-order dishes, ensuring a luxurious start to the day, although we dined at Le Club each morning.
The Bamboo Bar was my favourite due to the classically relaxed South East Asian feel with the thatched roof, wooden floors and rattan fans gently swaying overhead, creating a mesmerising ryhthm that matched that within me which was gently swaying with a cocktail in hand and a lot of deep, relaxing breaths.
The poolside location adds to the charm, and at The Bamboo Bar, everything from a sensational martini to French champagne, high tea, snacks and ice cream are served.
My twins and I had an exceptional dinner at Angelina which is a modern and sophisticated bar and restaurant known for its amazing French influenced dishes, craft cocktails, extensive whisky collection, and highland-inspired decor.
Spice Garden is Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi’s elegant Vietnamese Restaurant with all of the local favourites in a calming setting.
Rooms: 10/10
For our stay, we checked into a Grand Luxury Suite in the newly refurnished Heritage Wing, a haven of understated sophistication that effortlessly blends the hotel’s rich history with modern features, indulgences and design.
The suite was perfectly designed for a family of 3, as we had 3 huge rooms all connected, and two spacious bathrooms. Fresh flowers were in each of the three rooms as well as in the bathrooms when we checked in on Christmas Day – what a welcome.
The room’s modern and cohesive design immediately stood out. Polished wooden floors, elegant wallpaper, beautiful windows with heavy curtains, and period-inspired classic furnishings create a welcoming, homely vibe that contrasts beautifully with its hotel setting.
Thoughtful touches, abounded and included a traditional teapot and intricately painted mustard yellow lacquer boxes, add a warm and intimate local flair.
Art Deco influences recall the glamour of the 1920s, while Vietnamese patterns weave in cultural depth. The marble bathroom—complete with massive bath —felt like a luxurious step back in time. The Diptyque products felt truly indulgent, and the addition of four bath oils in beautifully presented bottles as well as bath salts took the whole bathing experience to another level.
I relished the soft, white silk dressing gowns, adorned with delicate blue floral patterns, that mimic the traditional blue-and-white China plate art in the room—a small but enchanting detail. This quickly became my favourite elegant daily go-to accessory de jour, when I awoke and before bed. Wearing it was a dream.This is another unique way this hotel elevates luxury and personalisation to another level.
The Sofitel MyBeds is a uniquely Sofitel concept, and the huge beds offer supreme comfort, dressed in crisp white linens that feel like sleeping on a cloud. Even the pullout bed was oversized and super plush and comfortable. It is the best pullout bed I have seen anywhere.
The lacquered minibar cabinet and cosy seating area are ideal for unwinding with a glass of champagne after a day of exploring.
Guests staying in the Heritage Wing also enjoy exclusive club lounge access at Le Club Bar, which adds so much value to a stay. Refined touches include the conservatory-style setting at Le Club Bar, generous buffet breakfasts, decadent afternoon teas, and live jazz performances in the evening. These decadent additions were embraced by us as a family – as there was something each of us gravitated to, and we felt so spoilt and frankly, special.
The experience is seamlessly elevated with Champagne and a huge list of perfectly mixed cocktails at happy hour, not easy to find in South East Asia, embodying the hotel’s ethos of luxurious indulgence.
Wellness 9.5/10
For relaxation and rejuvenation, The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi offers multiple options. SoFIT Gym is housed in a separate building next to the swimming pool. It is a modern fitness center designed in a circular shape and is packed with equipment.
The days I used it an inspiring and switched on staff member managed it impeccably (at 6am!), delivering water to guests whilst working out and attending to everyone’s needs from adjusting machines to personally delivering weights – it was an amazing level of personalised service and made working out a dream.
Le Spa du Metropole sits in the same building as the fitness centre, and offers Indulgent treatments in a tranquil setting next to the pool.
The Swimming Pool is a serene, tree-lined oasis perfect for unwinding after a day of exploration with a cocktail. And brilliant for instagram moments.
Sustainability 9/10
The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi incorporates sustainable practices, from preserving its historic architecture to promoting local craftsmanship through decor and amenities.
There are gorgeously luxurious eco-friendly bath products by Diptyque in the suites and rooms (and facial sprays and bath oils) as well as energy-efficient systems seamlessly integrated into the property.
Service Excellence 9.5/10
The service is impeccable, with staff offering personalised and anticipatory attention.
From complimentary Champagne at check-in for Accor members to concierge services that cater to every whim, the Metropole sets a benchmark for luxury hospitality.
The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is more than a hotel; it’s a living piece of history. With its blend of heritage, luxury, and modern comforts, it’s no wonder it remains one of Hanoi’s premier accommodations. Whether you’re a history buff, a food enthusiast, or simply seeking a refined escape, the Metropole delivers on all fronts.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi in Brief:
Who Is Behind It: Sofitel, the only French luxury hotel brand with a presence on five contents, and 120 five star hotels, and over 30,000 rooms in almost 40 countries.
Insider Knowledge: A revitalising face spray was a god send in my bathroom, as was champagne being available by the glass with High Tea in the Bamboo Bar – an amazing level of true luxury.
Renae says: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is class personified. This was my second stay and it is a hotel I will return to as it is a place to calm the mind and immerse the soul and the senses in the very best Vietnam has to offer.
Who should Stay at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi: Couples, families, solo travellers, and even celebrity seekers. As well as anyone with a love of history, and luxury experiences. The wow factor here is real.
Who shouldn’t stay here: Anyone will enjoy a stay here.
Location: About 40 minutes from Hanoi International airport
Best culinary delight: The cigar chocolate desserts at Angelina presented in a cigar box which is set on fire at the table, true story – wow. My teen’s jaws were on the floor as was mine. So much fun.
The Highlight: I found 4 of the most beautiful bath oils in my bathroom presented in tiny glass bottles for use in the bath during our stay – absolutely indulgent, and the fragrances were heavenly, richly floral and luxe. And I adored the Bamboo Bar at any time of day.
Most instagrammable location: I am torn between the incredible buffets packed with seafood (see image above), the striking pool area with towering palm trees as a back drop and the heritage wing lobbies.
The lowlight: Checking out. I will return.
