The Lapis Hotel

The Lapis Hotel stands at 21 Tran Hung Dao Street in the Hoan Kiem District, in the central part of Hanoi. Its design draws on classic French architecture and interiors, with a grand lobby that uses imported materials and local artwork, and it sits among French colonial buildings and century-old trees. You can reach Noi Bai Airport in about 30 minutes by car. The hotel does not publish a star rating on its website. It suits business and diplomatic travellers, as many offices, banks, embassies and ministries are within easy reach, and it also works well as a base for sightseeing.

The Lapis Hotel has 70 rooms in four categories, which are Standard, Superior, Deluxe and the Executive Suite, the highest category. Interconnecting rooms are also mentioned. Every room has a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, large windows and a safe, and bathrooms have a shower or bathtub. The Superior Room lists a mini-bar and room service, and the Superior Room, Deluxe Room and Executive Suite all look out over the city, while the Standard Room faces inside the building. Free Wi-Fi and buffet breakfast are listed with the standard room rate.

You can swim, train in the fitness suite or unwind in the Jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath. The rooftop pool also hosts cocktail parties and gatherings. Day tours and longer trips are offered, including Ha Long Bay cruises and cycling at Hoa Lu and Tam Coc. Entertainment, kids clubs and sports facilities beyond these are not published.

The rooftop infinity pool looks out over the Hanoi skyline, and you can take a drink from the pool bar while you watch the sunset. The health club adds a fitness suite with cardio equipment, strength machines and free weights, open round the clock, plus an indoor Jacuzzi, a sauna and a steam bath. The sauna is free for hotel guests. A named spa is not published.

There are two venues. Gambetta Restaurant serves high-end European and Vietnamese cuisine, with a full buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, and suits romantic dates or small parties. The Lobby Bar and drinks lounge offers coffee, creative cocktails, fine wines and premium spirits in a setting of soft lighting and leather chairs. Room service is available around the clock. A pool bar is also mentioned, though it has no venue name.

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda and Ba Dinh Square are close by, as are the Old Quarter and major shopping centres, so you can sample local food and shops on foot. Day tours also cover the Temple of Literature. The Bach Dang Conference Center on level B1 has three rooms for meetings. An airport shuttle runs to Noi Bai, and climate is not published.