The colonial chic stay at the Sofitel Metropole Hotel during my trip in Hanoi, Vietnam

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 trip in Vietnam. Finally I made a decision to book rooms at Exotissimo Travel, and also bought tours in Vietnam from them. Exotissimo is a travel agent and tour operator widely known in Indochina and Southeast Asian region. I knew this company from the recommendation of my friend who used to buy a travel service and book a hotel with them. So, we made a hotel reservation with them. We made a request for 4 nights accommodation at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi: 1 room for my parents and 1 for myself.

We were quite satisfied with the location of hotel since it is located in the heart of Hanoi, only 30 minutes drive from Noi Bai International Airport, within walking distance of 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 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.

Afer check in, we went out to take a city sightseeing trip in Hanoi. We took a cyclo tour around Hanoi. It was great! Our trip here, in Hanoi the capital city of Vietnam, was very impressive. We got to know that Hanoi was the city of lakes, blessed by its tranquility and old traces steeped in legends and tradition.

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, that 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.

Ah, it was time to bed!