In a nutshell
- Hanoi is a big city with countless places to stay — we’ll tell you exactly which neighborhood suits you best and share our top hotel picks so you don’t waste time researching.
- The best areas to stay are the Old Quarter (lively, central, great for first-timers), the French Quarter (upscale, colonial charm), and West Lake (quieter, scenic).
- Hanoi hotels are seriously affordable compared to Europe — boutique hotels with rooftop pools go for as little as €60 to €80 a night.
- Our two personal favorites: the GM Premium Hotel (rooftop infinity pool, balcony rooms) and Su Casa (unique themed apartments, unbeatable value).
How much does a night in Hanoi cost?
Hotels in Vietnam are significantly cheaper than in Europe or the USA. Hanoi is no exception. You can find double rooms in a solid property with a great location starting at just €15 per night.
So why not treat yourself to a little more luxury while you’re here? Cool boutique hotels with a balcony or 5-star hotels with a rooftop pool average only €60 to €80 in Hanoi! You’d be hard-pressed to find deals like that anywhere else.
The best neighborhoods in Hanoi — on a map
When figuring out where to stay in Hanoi, there are three neighborhoods we’d point you to: the Old Quarter, the French Quarter, and the area around West Lake. All three are centrally located, putting you close to the most important sights in no time.
Our map shows you exactly where each neighborhood sits.
- Old Quarter: You’re right in the middle of the action and just steps from the top sights — perfect for first-time visitors.
- French Quarter: You’ll be staying among luxury boutiques and colonial buildings — perfect if you like things a little more upscale.
- West Lake: A bit removed from the Old Quarter, right on a large lake — perfect if you want a quieter atmosphere.
For first-time visitors: Staying in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
The Old Quarter is the ideal base if it’s your first time in Hanoi. You’ll be right in the heart of the action and just steps from the top things to see in Hanoi, like Hoan Kiem Lake or Train Street.
GM Premium Hotel
The GM Premium Hotel seriously blew us away. Our favorite feature is hands down the rooftop infinity pool and the stylish rooftop bar right beside it — a two-floor setup that’s perfect for sundowners. Thinking back to watching the sunset with a cocktail up on that rooftop makes us want to book a flight straight back to Hanoi.
You can even book a room with a large balcony at the GM Premium Hotel, with stunning views over the Old Quarter. And all of that for just €100 a night — honestly, where else can you treat yourself to something like that?
Su Casa Old Quarter
At Su Casa, you’ll stay in one of six apartments of varying sizes, each with its own small kitchen. What makes it really special: each apartment is dedicated to a different country — Japan, Vietnam, France, or Egypt. In almost every room, at least one wall features a huge mural that matches the theme. It looks incredibly cool and makes every apartment feel totally unique.
While the hotel sits more on the edge of the Old Quarter, you’re close to Train Street. It’s also our top pick for genuinely great value for money.
We stayed at Su Casa ourselves and can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s also where we set off from for our trip to Ha Long Bay, one of the coolest highlights in Vietnam.
Affordable luxury: Staying in the French Quarter
The French Quarter is another area we love for Hanoi accommodation. You’ll find colonial buildings around every corner, plus luxury boutiques like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada — a complete contrast to the lively Old Quarter. But it’s really just on the other side of Hoan Kiem Lake, so you’ll still be close to all the main sights.
La Nueva Boutique Hotel Hanoi & Spa
Don’t be put off by the name! While the hotel does offer massages and a sauna, the real star is the rooftop terrace with rooftop bar. Why would you need a spa when you can treat yourself up here with sweeping views of Hanoi and a cocktail in hand?
The rooftop terrace is beautifully designed — black furniture, lush green plants everywhere. And being on the 13th floor, no other building gets in the way of that gorgeous panorama.
One heads-up: avoid the Cozy Superior room when booking. It has no windows.
To La Nueva Boutique Hotel Hanoi & Spa
Bendecir Hotel & Spa
The Bendecir Hotel’s style doesn’t really fit in with the polished French Quarter at all — and that’s exactly what makes it so cool. The colorful décor is a highlight in itself, but the hotel earns its spot in our recommendations above all for its incredible rooftop bar. From up here, you can see the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Red River all at once.
One floor below, breakfast is served every morning in the hotel restaurant with panoramic windows. So you’ll start every day with a great view of Hanoi right from the get-go.
Quiet location: Our hotel picks at West Lake
If you’re wondering where to stay in Hanoi when you want a little distance from the hustle of the Old Quarter, the answer is West Lake. The neighborhood is a bit further out, but there are still some great highlights nearby — like the Tran Quoc Pagoda right around the corner — and you won’t need long to reach the other sights from either of these places.
iRest Orange Tay Ho Lakeside Apartment
The iRest Orange sits right on West Lake. Most rooms have a stunning view of the lake, and one even has a small balcony where you can sit back, sip your coffee, and soak in the scenery. Seriously, what could be more relaxing in the middle of a capital city?
We absolutely love the rooms. They’re decorated in a Mediterranean boho style that makes you feel at home right away. Each one also comes with a kitchen and its own washing machine — super practical for a longer stay.
To the iRest Orange Tay Ho Lakeside Apartment
Five Star Westlake
At West Lake, you can even treat yourself to a 5-star hotel with a pool — and for well under €100!
At the Five Star Westlake, you’ll stay in spacious apartments, so there’s plenty of room to spread out. You can cook your own meals, and still get a delicious breakfast delivered to your room if you want it.
The pool is enormous, and from it you have a wonderful view over West Lake. It’s the perfect place to cool off after a long day of sightseeing.
Budget stays: Hostels in Hanoi
If you’re a backpacker doing a road trip through Vietnam and prefer a hostel, Hanoi has a huge selection to choose from. We’ve picked out two centrally located options where you can stay in a private double room with en-suite bathroom or in a dorm.
- Backpackers Hostel: Right in the heart of the Old Quarter, with double rooms, family rooms, and dorms of various sizes. Every other day there’s a happy hour with free beer and wine.
- Cheers Hostel: Located right next to St. Joseph’s Cathedral, with a really cool view from the rooftop terrace. The rooms are modern and well-kept.
Frequently asked questions about hotels in Hanoi
Which hotel in Hanoi do you personally recommend?
We stayed at the Su Casa and can’t recommend it enough. The apartments look seriously cool with their wall murals, and you’re super close to Train Street.
If you want to treat yourself without spending a lot, the GM Premium is a fantastic choice too. Infinity pool on the roof, a great rooftop bar, and rooms with a balcony — the highlights just keep coming.
What is the best hotel in Hanoi with a pool?
Our top pick for the best pool is definitely the GM Premium Hotel. The infinity pool sits on the rooftop on the tenth floor, giving you a stunning view over Hanoi.
It’s open until 8 PM, so you can catch the sunset right from the water — honestly one of the best ways to end a day of sightseeing.
What is the best hotel with a rooftop bar in Hanoi?
We love the rooftop bar at the La Nueva Boutique Hotel! The black furniture paired with all the lush green plants looks really stylish.
The bar spans two stories and from every seat you get an amazing view over Hanoi — it’s the kind of spot you’ll want to spend your whole evening.
What is the best boutique hotel in Hanoi?
For boutique hotels, the La Nueva Boutique Hotel is our top recommendation. It has 34 cozy, well-appointed rooms — but the real standout is the rooftop bar. It looks incredibly stylish and the city views are fantastic.
