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Luxury travel inspiration from the Asia-Pacific region

DestinAsian

<h2><strong>Why Stay?</strong></h2>
<p>A storied icon in the heart of the Vietnamese capital, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has welcomed luminaries since 1901—from ambassadors and heads of state to celebrated artists and writers. Behind its white shutters and green awnings lies a meticulously restored French-colonial masterpiece, where polished service and timeless glamour intersect with the optimism and swagger of contemporary Vietnam. The Metropole offers a richly atmospheric base for exploring Hanoi—complete with a garden courtyard, elegant suites, and a heritage that feels both cinematic and soul-stirring. In a city fast evolving, this grande dame remains its most gracious constant.</p>
<h3><strong>The Neighborhood</strong></h3>
<p>Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi places guests amid the leafy French Quarter, steps from the Hanoi Opera House and Hoan Kiem Lake. Tree-lined boulevards and colonial-era shopfronts surround the property, along with artisan boutiques, vibrant cafés, and local galleries. Nearby, the bustling Old Quarter’s maze of 36 guild streets showcase Vietnamese craftsmanship in myriad ways. This is a neighborhood steeped in history and tradition, where you can spend the morning exploring ancient pagodas and the afternoon visiting silk shops and street food stalls.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-145046 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sofitel-Legend-Metropole-Hanoi-Exterior.jpeg" alt="Overlooking the pool and garden courtyard of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sofitel-Legend-Metropole-Hanoi-Exterior.jpeg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sofitel-Legend-Metropole-Hanoi-Exterior-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sofitel-Legend-Metropole-Hanoi-Exterior-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sofitel-Legend-Metropole-Hanoi-Exterior-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></p>
<h4><strong>The Feel</strong></h4>
<p>Travelers arriving at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi are immediately wrapped in a sense of grandeur layered with quiet intimacy. With over 120 years of history woven into its walls, the hotel offers more than luxury—it delivers a feeling of timeless elegance. In the Heritage Wing, recently restored with polished wooden floors, hand-tufted carpets, and Italian marble, the past feels tangible yet refined. Across the courtyard, the newer but sympathetically styled Opera Wing also mixes neoclassical charm with modern comforts. Whether it’s a beautiful hallway once graced by royalty or a suite infused with Parisian flair, every corner radiates soul and sophistication.</p>
<h5><strong>Guest Quarters</strong></h5>
<p>The lion’s share of the hotel’s 358 rooms and suites are found in the Opera Wing, but history buffs will want to book a stay in the original Heritage Wing, which emerged from a meticulous two-year restoration at the end of 2023. Here, the spacious rooms combine colonial art deco style and contemporary comfort, with mood lighting casting a warm glow over bespoke furnishings and original fixtures. Rich hardwood flooring, period artwork, and subtle Vietnamese influences add to the charm. All accommodations feature a plush Sofitel MyBed and marble bathrooms with luxe bath amenities.</p>
<h6><strong>Food and Drink</strong></h6>
<p>Guests will find a refined collection of restaurants and bars at the Sofitel Metropole. Le Beaulieu is a bastion of French haute cuisine, beloved for over 120 years and famed for its lavish Sunday brunch—a long-standing favorite among diplomats, creatives, and Hanoi’s cultural elite. For authentic local flavors, Spice Garden offers a modern take on Vietnamese gastronomy, spotlighting regional dishes from north to south with a sophisticated twist. Cocktail enthusiasts will find their haven at Angelina, a sleek whisky lounge and cocktail bar that also serves elevated comfort fare. Overlooking the garden courtyard, brasserie-style Le Club Bar presents elegant afternoon teas and live jazz from Tuesday to Saturday. Alfresco spot La Terrasse channels the feel of a Parisian café amid the vibrant street life, while the Bamboo Bar is ideal for poolside drinks in a nostalgic setting.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-145047 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sofitel-Legend-Metropole-Hanoi-An-Nam-Suite-Treatment-Room.jpg" alt="The An Nam treatment suite inside Le Spa du Metropole." width="1200" height="800" /></p>
<h6><strong>Wellness Factor</strong></h6>
<p>Tucked beside a serene garden courtyard and shimmering pool, Le Spa du Metropole offers a tranquil sanctuary where guests can indulge in restorative treatments across eight elegant therapy rooms. The spa menu blends Vietnamese traditions with modern wellness techniques, and includes a series of Sothys facials and massages. For fitness enthusiasts, the SoFit gym is fitted with advanced cardio equipment and strength-training machines. Guests can also start the day with tai chi or yoga sessions at rooftop garden Le Balcon.</p>
<h6><strong>Family Matters</strong></h6>
<p>There might not be a kids’ club at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, but younger guests can splash out in the heated swimming pool and enjoy special amenities inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s classic novella <em>Le Petit Prince</em>. The hotel also offers children’s menus and a babysitting service; connecting rooms are available too.</p>
<h6><strong>Sustainability Cred</strong></h6>
<p>This Green Globe–certified hotel hasn’t just eradicated single-use plastics from guest rooms and made the switch to energy-efficient LEDs. It also takes part in Diversey Vietnam’s Soap for Hope program (improving sanitation in remote parts of the country) and Linens for Life, which offers the poor an alternative livelihood. Other initiatives empower the next generation via Smile Group, Blue Dragon Children Foundation, and Operation Smile. Guests can rest easy knowing their stay supports NGOs that improve access to healthcare and education among disadvantaged communities up and down Vietnam.</p>
<h6><strong>What Else?</strong></h6>
<p>Within its grounds, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi also houses a remarkable piece of history: a Vietnam War–era bomb shelter rediscovered in 2011. This hidden bunker, once a refuge for guests such as Joan Baez and Jane Fonda during U.S. bombing raids, now stands as a tribute to the resilience and courage of the people who endured those turbulent times. Today, guests-only daily tours led by the hotel’s resident historians offer a memorable glimpse into the past and a poignant opportunity for remembrance.</p>
<p>Reviewed by <strong>Riga Ramadhan</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com</a><br />
+84 24 3826 6919<br />
<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/bYeH5S2DBoCRLXQVA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">15 Ngo Quyen St., Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam</a></p>


The living room of the Somerset Maugham Suite at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Vietnam

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