Apricot Hotel

Apricot Hotel occupies 136 Hang Trong Street in Hoan Kiem District, directly on the western shore of Hoan Kiem Lake in central Hanoi, Vietnam. St Joseph's Cathedral, the Old Quarter and the Ngoc Son Temple are all within an easy walk, and the water puppet theatre is close by, which makes the location one of the most convenient for first-time visitors. The five-star hotel is themed around art, with several hundred works by Vietnamese painters hanging in the lobby, corridors and rooms, and an art gallery forms part of the facilities. Room categories include Deluxe, Premier Lake View, Junior Suite and the Apricot Suite, and lake-facing rooms are the most sought after because they look across the water to Turtle Tower. Dining is a strength, with three restaurants on site plus a sky bar for evening drinks above the lake. Breakfast is generally a broad buffet that mixes Vietnamese and international dishes. On the wellness side, the rooftop pool is a focal point, and there is also a spa and a fitness centre. Service is polished and concierge-led, with valet parking and help arranging tours to Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and other day trips. The hotel suits couples, leisure travellers and business guests who want a central address with a strong sense of place. Rates run from roughly 3,400,000 to 10,400,000 VND (about $131 to $400) per night depending on room type and season, with lake views commanding a premium. Because the surrounding streets fill with weekend pedestrian traffic around the lake, the hotel is lively but well placed for sunrise walks, cafe hopping and evening strolls through the Old Quarter.