*With eight restaurants and bars, a spectacular spa and a prime location by Hoan Kiem Lake, Fairmont’s latest outpost brings polished charm to Hanoi’s French Quarter *

**Location **

Nestled between the Old Quarter and French Quarter, Fairmont Hanoi is the luxury hotel group’s first property in Vietnam. The grand building with its colonial-style facade is a stone’s throw from the city’s government and diplomatic offices, many of which date back to the French era. Walk left, and you land in Hanoi’s bustling food markets and famous street food spots. Seek out Bún Cá Sâm Cây Si for its fried fish noodle soup.

Hoan Kiem Lake is a five-minute walk, where the Ngoc Son Temple sits on Jade Island, accessible by a bright-red wooden footbridge. It’s a spiritual and historic hub in the city, where locals participate in dance aerobics and Tai Chi each morning. Hanoi is pleasingly walkable, though I’d suggest soaking up the sights and sounds further afield by ordering a scooter from the ride-hailing app Grab.

**The vibe **

The hotel’s imposing architecture is designed to blend into the French colonial neighbourhood, but Fairmont Hanoi celebrates Southeast Asian heritage in its thoughtful interiors. The Tran Dynasty restaurant nods to Vietnam’s ancient 13th-century monarchy, resplendent with a temple-shaped bar, dragon relic, and cultural motifs. Royal influences feature throughout the hotel, from gold-leaf ceilings to phoenix sculptures and mosaic tile flooring. A spectacular crystal chandelier steals the show in the lobby.

The building’s curved structure centres a shaded, serene open courtyard, while the rooftop enjoys panoramic views across Hanoi. Like Fairmont’s other properties, the hotel attracts business travellers, families and older couples with its reliably luxurious offering.

**Service **

Service is warm and welcoming throughout the hotel. Staff look smart in red silk blazers and navy bottoms, offering informative and attentive service in the restaurants and lounges. Everyone from the bartenders to the reception staff are readily available for local dining recommendations, wine suggestions, and to help with ordering bikes and taxis or booking tours.

**Bed and bath **

There are 260 rooms at Fairmont Hanoi, spanning King Rooms, Junior Suites, Suites, Gold Suites, Signature Gold Suites and the vast Presidential Suite.

The King Rooms and Junior Suites are generously sized, with freestanding bathtubs, a Japanese smart toilet in a separate cubicle, a marbled shower room, and a living area. The rooms are pared-back, luxurious and uncluttered. All feature large balconies, though there is no outdoor furniture.

Some rooms facing the inner courtyard also look into a conference room, which doesn’t offer much privacy (request a room with a different view when booking), while outward-facing rooms look out onto a derelict building – though demolition plans mean these rooms will eventually have a lake view.

As with all Fairmont hotels, a stay in the Gold Suites includes Gold Club Lounge access, where breakfast and all-day canapés, drinks, and buffets are served. These rooms also come with Le Labo Santal 33 toiletries, Dyson hairdryers, and more picturesque views across the city.

**Food and drink **

There are eight restaurants at Fairmont Hanoi, including Hiyru, a Japanese omakase counter experience, and Bacco, an all-day Italian spot. Others, including 10 Central Cafe in the lobby and the spa cafe, are more casual, offering light bites and afternoon tea.

Tran Dynasty is undoubtedly the jewel in the hotel’s crown. Guided by Vietnamese-Australian Chef Luke Nguyen, as much attention has been paid to the opulent interiors as to the theme and menu. Get the seared wagyu crispy rice noodles, followed by the scallops in fish sauce and chargrilled pork tomahawk.

Breakfast is served at Bacco, and is a casual buffet affair with bread, cured meats, fresh fruit, granola and hot continental food, while the a la carte menu offers Vietnamese, Korean and Japanese twists on breakfast classics. The Pho station must be tried (when in Rome).

Considering Hanoi is one of the top food destinations in the world, there’s almost too much choice for dining and cuisines within the hotel (families seeking ease will appreciate the variety). Once you’ve had a meal at Tran Dynasty, I’d encourage looking beyond the hotel and exploring what the city’s incredible culinary scene has to offer.

The rooftop pool bar is a sun-drenched spot for pre-dinner cocktails: though a stylish space, it feels too tucked away on the other side of the rooftop to have a buzzy atmosphere. Meanwhile, the candle-lit YY Bar serves signature cocktails for a nightcap (try the Ha Noi and Ha Long).

Facilities

The hotel’s spa is spectacular and stylish. Spread across 3,500 square metres, the wellness facilities take inspiration from Japanese and Korean onsens. With multiple saunas, steam rooms, three thermal pools at different temperatures and a Vichy shower room – a luxurious spa hydrotherapy treatment – you could easily spend an entire day drifting through the serene space. The male and female bathing areas are separate, and nudity is optional.

There are also meditation pods and salt rooms, alongside 10 beautiful treatment rooms and an indoor lap pool. Except Sundays, the facilities are adult-only. Striped sun beds and cabanas line the rooftop swimming pool (open to families), which is more for lounging than lengths.

The gym is equally impressive, with a dedicated studio, daily fitness classes for guests, and complimentary personal training available to book. TechnoGym machines offer guided workouts, with the layout designed for privacy.

Concierge experiences include an enriching day out to the ancient village of Duong Lam (with a homestead lunch), a walking tour through the bustling Hang Be Market, and fun, educational Vespa tours through the city's historic sights or surrounding countryside.

**Accessibility **

There are seven spacious accessible rooms available, equipped with roll-in showers, grab bars and emergency buttons. There are wheelchair-friendly entrances, lifts and step-free navigation throughout the public areas, including all restaurants and bars.

Family friendly?

Fairmont Hanoi caters to families with interconnecting suites and twin rooms and children’s menus. Children are allowed in the rooftop pool, but the indoor pool and spa facilities are age-restricted and only available to families on Sundays. Infant beds are available at request, and babysitting services can be arranged by the hotel concierge.

**Pet policy **

Pets are not allowed at Fairmont Hanoi.

**Check-in/check-out **

Check-in from 3pm, check-out is 12pm.

At a glance

Best thing: The spectacular spa facilities and location.

Perfect for: First-time visitors to Hanoi and families.

Not right for: Design-lovers and those wanting a more intimate, boutique stay.

Instagram from: The rooftop pool with sweeping views across the city.

Address: 10 P. Trần Nguyên Hãn, French Quarter, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam

Phone: +84 24 3228 8888

Website: fairmont.com

*Daisy was a guest of Fairmont Hanoi. *

Read more: The best hotels in Hanoi, from five-star luxury to boutique stays near the Old Town