Historic French colonial hotel since 1901 in Hanoi's heart. Elegant rooms blend colonial charm with modern luxury, featuring pool, spa, and acclaimed French fine dining. Hosted celebrities from Charlie Chaplin to world leaders.
The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi stands at 15 Ngo Quyen Street in the Hoan Kiem district, directly opposite the Government Guest House and a five-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. This French colonial palace opened in 1901 and remains one of Southeast Asia's most storied hotels, with a heritage wing and a newer opera wing flanking a courtyard pool. Past guests include Charlie Chaplin, Somerset Maugham, Graham Greene, and Jane Fonda, whose wartime visits are documented in the hotel's war bunker tour.
The property offers 364 rooms and suites across two wings. Heritage wing rooms feature high ceilings, dark wood parquet, and period furnishings; opera wing rooms deliver a more contemporary colonial aesthetic. The Prestige Suites and Le Club Sofitel lounge command views over the pool courtyard. Bathrooms throughout are marble-clad with deep soaking tubs in upper categories.
Dining anchors around Le Beaulieu, which serves classic French cuisine and a Sunday brunch regarded as the city's best, and Spices Garden, offering regional Vietnamese dishes in a lantern-lit garden setting. The Long Bar, inspired by Raffles Singapore, mixes historically inspired cocktails and is a Hanoi social institution.
The Metropole Spa occupies the basement of the heritage wing and offers Vietnamese and French beauty rituals alongside a 25-metre heated indoor pool. The gym is compact but well-equipped. Concierge expertise is exceptional; staff can arrange private car tours, tailor fittings on Hang Gai Street, and tickets to the Hanoi Opera House directly across the road. The hotel is well-suited for both leisure and business guests, with multiple event spaces and a business centre serving corporate requirements.
Amenities
- pool
- spa
- fine dining
- gym
- concierge
- airport shuttle
Location
15 Ngo Quyen, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam
21.0269, 105.8563 View on map
Highlights
- The war bunker beneath the heritage courtyard, used during the 1972 Christmas bombings, offers a unique historical experience included in complimentary hotel tours.
- Le Beaulieu's Sunday brunch is widely regarded as Hanoi's finest, with champagne, fresh seafood, and live music.
- The Long Bar serves historically inspired cocktails in a space that recalls Hanoi's colonial-era social clubs.
- Heritage wing rooms feature original 1901 architecture with teak parquet floors and four-poster beds in upper categories.
- Direct facing position opposite the Hanoi Opera House, five minutes' walk from Hoan Kiem Lake and the cultural centre of the city.
Tips for visiting
- Book a Heritage wing room for the most authentic colonial atmosphere; the Opera wing rooms are more contemporary but quieter at street level.
- Request early check-in if arriving on an overnight train from Ho Chi Minh City — the concierge handles this well.
- The war bunker tour runs daily and is free for hotel guests; register at the front desk the evening before.
- Complimentary pressing for one outfit per night is available in higher room categories and the Sofitel Club.
- Avoid ground-floor street-facing Heritage wing rooms, which can absorb traffic noise from Ngo Quyen in the early morning.
When to visit
October to April for the most comfortable Hanoi weather; the Tet period in January or February brings festive atmosphere.
Accessibility
Lift access to all floors; accessible room categories available on request.