Don’t be fooled by the term ‘Old Quarter’ – it thrums with life whatever the weather. In the heart of the hubbub is Ma May Street (pedestrianised at weekends, when musicians and entertainers take over) and La Siesta. Chaos reigns outside, but the moment the bellboy ushers you into this superb little boutique hotel, peace and tranquillity are restored. It's the best location you could wish for.
Inside, the décor is traditional western with Asian touches. Stagger into the spa on arrival and glide out feeling revived (the massages are sublime). There’s also a lounge, a bar, a cinema room, and an excellent Vietnamese restaurant, which makes a refreshing change from the local street-style cafes. The 64 rooms and suites, in varying sizes and spread across 12 floors, have super-comfortable beds and tip-top showers, plus sound-proofing to buffer noise; some have terraces, too. As for breakfast, it’s a buffet-style feast, replete with Asian and western dishes. But what really sets this hotel apart are the staff. Attentive and charming, they’re there the minute you need them, with tickets for tours, vouchers for trains, cots or cocktails, umbrellas, and restorative cups of ginger tea.
Highs
- Right in the heart of the Old Quarter, which is exactly where you want to be, and only 5 minutes' walk from Hoan Kiem Lake with its island temple
- The service – professional yet personal – is outstanding
- A serene spa with a sauna and an excellent range of treatments
- The restaurant is excellent and the rooftop Sky Bar has some of the best views in the old quarter
- Family-friendly, with connecting bedrooms, extra beds, cots and babysitters
Lows
- The street-facing rooms can be slightly noisy at weekends
- Standard traditional décor – though the suites are luxurious
- No views to speak of, apart from the top suites
- Duplex Suites have tight spiral stairs
- No pool
Best time to go
Hanoi is a 365-day city. Weather wise, spring (February-April) and autumn (October-November) are the best times to visit. The rainy season runs from May to September, and the driest months are November to May.
Our top tips
From May to July the city’s flame trees are on fire. Many of the streets are lined with them, but they’re at their most stunning reflected in the waters of Hoan Kiem Lake.
In general, the Old Quarter is buzzing. We visited on a weekend when the streets were pedestrianised, turning them into an open-air festival of music, food and drink stalls, and shopping markets. It was rammed, bonkers and we loved it!
In general, the Old Quarter is buzzing. We visited on a weekend when the streets were pedestrianised, turning them into an open-air festival of music, food and drink stalls, and shopping markets. It was rammed, bonkers and we loved it!
- Boutique Hotel
- 64 rooms
- Restaurant & bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
The immaculate rooms are pleasantly furnished in creams and beiges, with polished dark-wood floors, dark repro furniture, high padded headboards and perhaps an armchair or two. There are touches of Asia in the light fittings and fabrics.
Most rooms are doubles or twins, and there are also a few triples. The suites are larger and feel pretty luxurious; those on the top floor get the best views. They range from Junior Suites and split-level two-bedroomed Duplex Suites (with a steepish spiral stair linking the lounge and bedroom) to the La Siesta Suite, which has a wraparound terrace overlooking the rooftops. The Family Suites come with two bedrooms (a double and a twin) too. At the top of the tree is the Club Duplex Premier Suite, with a kitchenette and dining table.
Black-out drapes and excellent mattresses ensure a great night’s sleep. The ensuites (most with walk-in showers; some with tubs) are spotless, and staff provide a turn-down service.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
The Red Bean Restaurant is a real high point of the hotel and incredibly popular. Staff are super attentive and it buzzes with diners most lunchtimes and evenings. You can sit at the bar to enjoy cocktails (they do good margaritas) while groups can take the private snug tables.
At dinner the kitchen serves authentic Vietnamese cuisine. We enjoyed a fresh mango and seafood salad for starters, followed by a beautifully presented beef and coconut curry with rice and veg (served in a coconut). The menu also featured spring rolls with fresh herbs and Bun bo Nam Bo (noodles with shredded beef, crushed peanuts, shallots and Vietnamese basil). There are western dishes, too: stuffed chicken legs, hamburgers, smoked salmon with dill, and a delectable passion-fruit cake with ice cream.
For a memorable nightcap (or sundowners) head up to the buzzing rooftop Sky Bar for 360 degree views across the Old Quarter and Long Bien Bridge.
The huge buffet breakfast has an impressive array of European and Vietnamese staples: Pho, spring rolls, eggs Benedict, canapés, breads, cold meats (the smoked duck was amazing!) and cheese. There were also puddings, fresh yoghurt, coffee and juices.
Hanoi is fast becoming Vietnam’s gastronomic centre, and in the Old Quarter you’ll find hundreds of restaurants and street stalls. Try Cloud Nine, just two minutes' walk away, or for a modern, sophisticated Vietnamese cuisine HOME, a vintage-chic restaurant in a 1930s French villa, is a brisk walk or short taxi ride north.
Features include:
- Bar
- Kids' meals
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Weave your way through the vibrant, scooter-congested streets of the Old Quarter. Each street specialises in a different type of shop: for Vietnamese coffee try Hang Giay Street; for silk scarves, Hang Gai Street; for traditional handicrafts and art galleries, Hang Be Street
- Take a morning stroll around picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, then visit Ngoc Son Temple on its island, reached via the elegant red bridge. Spot the joggers and the locals doing T’ai Chi
- Hanoi’s French Quarter is distinguished by grand boulevards and wide pavements. Its main artery, Trang Tien, is a busy shopping street. Must-sees are the beaux-arts Opera House complete with grey-slate tiles imported from France, and the extravagant Indochinese History Museum
- Drop into the 11th-century Temple of Literature, once the site of Vietnam’s first university. Its gardens are serene at off-peak moments
- Hotel staff can book excellent street food tours, cookery classes, city tours, Halong Bay cruises, water puppetry performances on Hoan Kiem Lake, and much more
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Plantlife / flora
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Traditional cultures
- Well being
Kids
La Siesta Ma May is a family-friendly hotel and accepts children of all ages'. The staff are extremely helpful.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
The Family Suites, Club Duplex Suites and Club Duplex Premier Suite all have 2 bedrooms (a double and a twin, or 2 doubles), though it’s worth noting that the duplexes have steepish spiral staircases that aren’t ideal for little ones. There are also some triple rooms and some interconnecting doubles and twins, and most rooms can accommodate a baby cot. Do note that there's only a maximum of 1 extra person per room.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms
Babysitting:
Babysitting can be arranged on request.
Children's meals:
The restaurant has a range of western dishes, including spaghetti Bolognese, hamburgers and ice cream. The buffet breakfast is vast and contains something for even the fussiest of eaters.
Distances:
- Airport: 30-minute drive
- Shop: 2-minute walk
- Hospital: 15-minute drive
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
La Siesta Ma May is in the centre of the Old Quarter in Hanoi, northern Vietnam. It’s a 5-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake.
By Air:
Fly into Hanoi Noi Bai International (27km).
From the Airport
Taxis are available, or you can arrange a transfer with the hotel.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Vietnam and getting around
Airports:
- Hanoi Noi Bai International 27.0 km HAN
Other:
- Beach 100.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape