The Apricot Hotel sits on Hang Trong Street, right on the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake, which makes it one of the best-placed hotels in the city. The building is a modern, elegant property that doubles as a showcase for Vietnamese art, with paintings by local artists in the lobby, corridors and rooms. Many rooms look out over the lake, the pagoda and the old streets, and the views at dawn and dusk are a highlight. The hotel has a restaurant, a rooftop pool and bar, a spa and a lobby cafe, and the service is friendly and professional. Because it stands where the Old Quarter meets the French Quarter, you can walk to the water puppet theatre, the Cathedral, the Opera House and a hundred street food stalls without a taxi. It is a good fit for couples and for first-time visitors who want a central, comfortable base that feels special without the price of the grandest hotels, and who appreciate good design and a strong sense of place.
Location and getting around
The hotel is on Hang Trong Street, on the western shore of Hoan Kiem Lake, in the middle of Hanoi. The Old Quarter lanes, the Cathedral, the water puppet theatre and many restaurants are within a few minutes’ walk. Noi Bai airport is about forty-five minutes by road, and the hotel can arrange transfers. Taxis and ride-hailing cars are easy to find at the front door.
The rooms
Rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated, with art on the walls and large windows. Lake-view rooms are the most sought after, offering a view of the water and the surrounding streets, while city-view rooms are quieter and cheaper. Suites add a lounge area and a larger bathroom. Expect good bedding, a safe, a minibar and air conditioning.
Facilities
The hotel has a restaurant, a rooftop pool and bar, a spa, a fitness centre and a lobby cafe. The art collection is displayed throughout the public areas, and staff can explain the pieces. The concierge can arrange tours, cooking classes and shows. Opening hours and facilities change, so check them when you book.
Who it suits
Couples, culture lovers and first-time visitors who want to be at the centre of things. It is less suited to travellers who need a large resort-style pool or lots of space for children.
Good to know
Breakfast is often charged separately, so check your rate. The area around the lake is lively at weekends, when nearby streets are closed to traffic in the evenings, so a lake-view room may be busy as well as beautiful. A morning walk around the lake before the crowds arrive is a lovely way to start the day.
Why stay here
- ✓Hoan Kiem Lake location
- ✓Lake-view rooms
- ✓Rooftop pool and bar
- ✓Spa
- ✓Restaurant and lobby cafe
- ✓Vietnamese art collection
- ✓Fitness centre
- ✓Concierge service
Good questions
Where is the Apricot Hotel?+
On Hang Trong Street, on the western shore of Hoan Kiem Lake, between the Old Quarter and the French Quarter.
Does the hotel have lake-view rooms?+
Yes. Lake-view rooms are popular, so book early and request one.
What is the hotel known for?+
Its central lakeside position and its collection of Vietnamese art displayed throughout the building.
