Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Not every hotel can get away with using the word “legend,” but there’s nothing else quite like the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. There are other luxury hotels that retain their 1901-vintage façades, but few so effectively convey the sense of traveling through time. The original hotel is now the Heritage Wing, a subset of the whole — and while it’s undergone a thorough restoration it’s still true to its original inspiration, even as it’s been subtly modernized. And it was joined at the turn of the century by the Opera Wing, whose contemporary-classic interiors are a harmonious blend of modern and heritage styles.

The accommodations are decorated in a classic Indochine style, and the comforts are just about beyond reproach, from the top-end suites down to the humblest double room. The restoration added six lavish Metropole Suites, in complement to the historical suites that have long been the Metropole’s pride and joy, named for former guests Somerset Maugham, Charlie Chaplin, and Graham Greene. And all guests benefit from amenities in common, like the spa, the fitness center, and the outdoor swimming pool.

So too do they enjoy a wealth of dining and drinking options. Le Beaulieu, specializing in contemporary French haute cuisine, is the flagship, and it’s joined by the modern Vietnamese Spice Garden, and Angelina, a cocktail bar, a whisky lounge, and a restaurant all in one.