Hotel Review: Fairmont Hanoi (Fairmont King) | Luxury Stay Near Hoan Kiem Lake
We stayed at Fairmont Hanoi for two nights in August 2026, booking the entry-level Fairmont King for VND 7,229,250 (S$359.49) through the ALL Accor+ Member's Stay Plus Benefit, which gave us one complimentary night with one paid night.
We had actually been waiting for Fairmont Hanoi to open for several months. What ultimately convinced us to make the trip was learning that renowned Vietnamese-Australian chef Luke Nguyen would be opening Tran Dynasty at the hotel. Having enjoyed his Vietnam House restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City several times, we decided this was the perfect excuse for another trip to Hanoi — and an opportunity to experience one of the city's newest luxury hotels at the same time.
With the Member's Stay Plus Benefit bringing our effective cost to around S$180 per night, could Fairmont Hanoi live up to our expectations?
Quick Verdict
Excellent central location, around a five-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake
Outstanding and consistently polished service throughout our stay
Spacious, modern and beautifully presented rooms, even at entry level
Exceptional facilities, including rooftop and indoor pools and an extensive wellness area
Excellent food, with both the buffet breakfast and Tran Dynasty impressing us
Well suited for couples, families, business travellers and anyone seeking a luxury stay in Hanoi
Our verdict: Fairmont Hanoi is the best hotel we have stayed at in Hanoi so far, combining exceptional service, outstanding facilities and an excellent central location. We would return without hesitation.
Hotel Information
Item | Details |
Hotel | Fairmont Hanoi |
Room Type | Fairmont King |
Room Size | 41 square metres |
Location | Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi |
Price Paid | S$359.49 for two nights (S$179.75 per night) |
Length of stay | 2 nights |
Booking Platform | ALL Accor App |
Date stayed | August 2026 |
Breakfast Included | No – added separately for one morning |
Swimming Pool | Yes – indoor and rooftop |
Gym | Yes |
Spa | Yes |
In This Review
Introduction
Fairmont Hanoi opened in early 2026 as the first Fairmont hotel in Vietnam, bringing another major international luxury brand to the heart of the Vietnamese capital. With 241 rooms and suites, this is a surprisingly large hotel given its location close to Hoan Kiem Lake.
We had been following the development of Fairmont Hanoi for several months before it opened. New luxury hotels this close to Hoan Kiem Lake do not appear all that often, and having stayed at several hotels around the lake on previous trips, we were keen to see what Fairmont would bring to the area.
Our expectations, however, were relatively measured. Our previous experience with the brand was at Fairmont Singapore before its latest renovation, which we found somewhat dated at the time. We therefore arrived in Hanoi expecting a good international luxury hotel, but not necessarily one that would rank among our favourite hotels in the city.
Those expectations changed almost immediately. Fairmont Hanoi felt remarkably polished for such a new hotel, while the scale and quality of the property were considerably more impressive than we had anticipated.
Fairmont Hanoi ultimately feels more like a contemporary international luxury hotel than a distinctly Hanoi-style property. But judged on those terms, our first impression was simple: this was considerably better than we had expected.
Hotel Location
Fairmont Hanoi enjoys an excellent location at 10 Tran Nguyen Han Street in the Hoan Kiem district, between Hanoi's Old Quarter and French Quarter. Hoan Kiem Lake is around a five-minute walk away, making the hotel particularly convenient for travellers who want to explore central Hanoi on foot.
We found the location extremely convenient throughout our stay. We walked to Hoan Kiem Lake several times, and the Old Quarter is just as short a walk away. On one evening, we wandered through the night market and around Hoan Kiem Lake before walking back to Fairmont Hanoi. With shops, restaurants and plenty to see along the way, the walk back was an enjoyable part of the evening rather than simply a journey back to the hotel.
What we particularly liked was that Fairmont Hanoi sits just outside the busiest tourist areas. Within around five minutes, we could be among the crowds around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter, yet the immediate surroundings of the hotel felt slightly removed from the action.
Getting around by car was equally straightforward. We had no difficulty booking Grab or Xanh SM rides throughout our stay, while the hotel's large and easily identifiable entrance made pickups and drop-offs simple. We also travelled to the hotel by Xanh SM from Noi Bai International Airport, with the journey taking less than 45 minutes in relatively light traffic.
Having previously stayed at other luxury hotels around Hoan Kiem Lake, including Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi and Hotel de l'Opera Hanoi, we would place Fairmont Hanoi among the best-located hotels we have experienced in the city. For first-time visitors in particular, it is difficult to fault: Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter and French Quarter are all within easy reach, and we spent much of this trip simply leaving the hotel on foot and exploring central Hanoi.
Check-In Experience
We arrived at Fairmont Hanoi at around 1.30 pm after travelling from Noi Bai International Airport. From the moment our Xanh SM pulled up at the entrance, the service was seamless.
A member of staff immediately opened our car door, while another took care of our luggage, and the hotel doors were opened for us as we entered. We were then personally guided towards the check-in counters on the right side of the lobby. At least three members of staff had already assisted us in some way before we even reached reception.
The lobby itself made an excellent first impression. With its high ceilings, elegant interiors and contemporary design, it felt every bit like a luxury five-star hotel. It was also remarkably quiet during our arrival, giving the entire space a peaceful and refined atmosphere. My wife was sufficiently impressed that she immediately started taking photos and videos.
There was no queue at reception, and the entire check-in process took around five minutes. The receptionist was warm and friendly while remaining professional, taking the time to explain the hotel's restaurants and facilities. She also proactively informed us of a breakfast promotion available during our stay at VND 300,000 per person. As we wanted to spend as much of the trip as possible eating around Hanoi, we opted to add breakfast for our final morning only.
Our ALL Gold benefits were also acknowledged, including complimentary welcome drinks redeemable at either the lobby lounge or the rooftop bar. We did not receive a room upgrade from our booked Fairmont King, although this did not particularly bother us given the excellent value we had already received through our Accor+ Member's Stay Plus Benefit.
After completing the formalities, another member of staff personally escorted us to our room on the sixth floor. The walk from the lifts to our room at the end of the corridor was surprisingly long and gave us our first real indication of just how large Fairmont Hanoi actually is.
Once inside, she showed us around the room, explained its various functions and reminded us to contact the hotel if we needed anything. Our luggage was delivered separately shortly afterwards. The welcome continued after we had settled in, when staff delivered fresh coconuts and a plate of fruit to our room, accompanied by a handwritten card from the manager.
Everything about the arrival worked smoothly, setting the tone for the exceptional service we would experience throughout the rest of our stay.
Fairmont King Room Review
We stayed in a Fairmont King, the entry-level room category at Fairmont Hanoi. At 41 square metres, it is already generously sized, and ours felt even more spacious thanks to an open-plan bathroom and a large balcony stretching across the entire width of the room.
Our first impression was excellent. Everything still looked brand new, while the quality of the materials and finishings gave the room a distinctly luxurious feel. The overall design is relatively safe and contemporary, somewhat reminiscent of the business-like styling at Hilton Saigon. Fairmont Hanoi, however, felt noticeably more premium in its execution.
Bedroom and Living Area
Entering the room, a short corridor leads towards the bedroom, with the bathroom immediately on the right and the wardrobe and luggage area further ahead. The bedroom itself has a fairly conventional layout, with the king-sized bed facing a wall-mounted 65-inch television.
The bed was extremely comfortable, and we slept well throughout our two-night stay. Both sides have bedside tables, with slightly different lamp designs adding a small touch of visual interest.
The bedside setup was particularly practical. Universal power sockets are available on both sides, alongside USB-A and USB-C charging ports, while one side also has a wireless charging pad. Controls for the room lighting and motorised day and blackout curtains are accessible from the bedside, making it easy to prepare the room for the night without getting out of bed.
Opposite the bed is a small round table with a proper chair, while a small sofa sits alongside it. The table works equally well for dining or as a workspace, and I used it to work during our stay. A universal power socket nearby made connecting a laptop straightforward.
Fairmont also provides a small portable Marshall speaker. We particularly liked this touch: rather than leaving it in the bedroom, I simply picked it up by its handle and brought it into the bathroom to listen to music while showering.
The 65-inch smart television was another highlight. Besides international television channels, it supports Netflix, screen mirroring and connections to your own devices. I streamed YouTube from my phone to the television several times, and the hotel's Wi-Fi handled it flawlessly, with a sharp picture and no noticeable buffering.
Storage and In-Room Amenities
Storage is generous enough for two travellers, with a wardrobe, drawers, hangers, safe and built-in luggage bench. A separate foldable luggage rack was also provided, which proved useful as we were travelling with two suitcases.
The refreshment area includes a Nespresso coffee machine with six capsules, Dilmah tea and four large glass bottles of complimentary drinking water, which were replenished daily.
The minibar was considerably more elaborate. The drawers contained various snacks, including Marou chocolate and Fairmont-branded local snacks, while the refrigerator was stocked with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Three Fairmont-branded bottles of Vietnamese-made rum, gin and vodka were also prominently displayed.
Other amenities included bathrobes, slippers, an umbrella, a laundry bag, a notepad and pen, and even a yoga mat.
Bathroom
If the bedroom plays things relatively safe, the bathroom is where the Fairmont King's sense of luxury really comes through.
Located immediately beside the entrance, the large open-plan bathroom can also be opened directly towards the bedroom through sliding doors. This arrangement makes both spaces feel larger, while still allowing the bathroom to be closed off when privacy is required.
The bathroom features a large single vanity, a separate enclosed toilet, a spacious walk-in shower, and a full-size soaking bathtub. The extensive use of marble gives the bathroom a particularly luxurious feel, while the overall space never felt remotely cramped.
The shower was excellent, with both rainfall and handheld showerheads, strong water pressure and consistently hot water. It sounds like a small thing, but this was simply a very enjoyable bathroom to use.
Fairmont provides Le Labo toiletries in large refillable bottles, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Two dental kits, cotton buds, cotton pads and a shower cap were already provided, while the staff member showing us the room explained that additional amenities such as a shaving kit could be delivered on request.
The bathtub itself is a proper, generously sized soaking tub. Neither of us ended up using it, but having both a large bathtub and a spacious separate shower further reinforces how substantial the bathroom is for an entry-level room.
Balcony and View
Our sixth-floor room also came with a surprisingly large balcony stretching across the width of the room.
The view itself was fairly ordinary compared with the rest of the room. We overlooked Fairmont Hanoi's internal courtyard and, given the hotel's U-shaped layout, parts of the opposite wing were also visible. In Hanoi's hot August weather, the courtyard was largely empty during our stay, though we could imagine it becoming a pleasant place to sit in the cooler months.
One advantage of facing inwards was the peace and quiet. With the heavy balcony doors closed, we heard virtually nothing from outside. Our room was also located at the very end of the corridor, and we experienced no noticeable corridor noise throughout our stay.
The electronically controlled blackout curtains were equally effective. Once closed at night, the room became almost completely pitch black.
Comfort and Housekeeping
The air-conditioning performed exceptionally well despite Hanoi's August heat, keeping the room cool throughout our stay.
Housekeeping was similarly excellent. The room was thoroughly cleaned and amenities replenished, while turndown service was offered at around 7 pm each evening. As we happened to be in the room on both occasions, the staff checked whether we needed anything replenished rather than unnecessarily disturbing us. A particularly nice touch was the two bite-sized Marou chocolates left for each of us during turndown service.
Overall, the Fairmont King ranks among the best entry-level hotel rooms we have stayed in. Its styling is relatively conventional for a modern international luxury hotel, but the excellent finishings, spacious layout, impressive bathroom and thoughtful technology elevate it considerably.
Most importantly, we never felt that booking the hotel's lowest room category involved any meaningful compromise. We would be perfectly happy booking the Fairmont King again.
Facilities
Fairmont Hanoi's facilities were one of the biggest surprises of our stay.
On paper, an outdoor rooftop pool, indoor pool, gym, spa and wellness facilities may sound fairly typical for a large five-star hotel. In practice, however, the scale and quality of what Fairmont Hanoi offers—particularly its rooftop pool and CIRUA Bathhouse—elevate the hotel considerably.
Rooftop Swimming Pool
Fairmont Hanoi's rooftop swimming pool was one of our favourite facilities at the hotel, even though we never actually went for a swim.
The rectangular pool is large enough for proper swimming, with a depth of 1.2 metres, while plenty of loungers and cabanas turn the surrounding deck into a more resort-style rooftop space. We also saw families with children enjoying the pool during our stay.
The biggest attraction, however, is the view. The rooftop overlooks Hoan Kiem Lake and the Hanoi skyline, making it one of the most scenic areas of the hotel. It is particularly beautiful around sunset, when the sky changes colour above the city, before Hanoi's buildings and advertising signs illuminate the skyline after dark.
Towels were already placed on the loungers, while changing facilities were available nearby. During our visits, the pool never felt overcrowded, and there were plenty of loungers available. For the combination of views, atmosphere and pool quality, this is easily one of the best city-hotel rooftop pools we have experienced.
CIRUA Bathhouse
If the rooftop pool impressed us, CIRUA Bathhouse was the facility that made us realise just how extensive Fairmont Hanoi really is.
Spanning around 3,500 square metres, CIRUA is far more substantial than the typical sauna-and-steam-room setup found at many city hotels. When we first arrived, staff offered to show us around because of the sheer size of the facility—and as the tour continued, we understood why.
During our stay, access to CIRUA Bathhouse was complimentary for hotel guests. Visitors first register with staff at the entrance before entering separate male and female changing areas.
The changing rooms are comprehensively equipped with lockers, robes, slippers, towels, showers, toiletries, drinking water and hairdryers. The initial thermal and jacuzzi areas are gender-separated before guests reach the shared facilities further inside.
At the heart of CIRUA is a large temperature-controlled indoor lap pool, accompanied by hot, vitality and cold plunge pools. There are also meditation pods and relaxation areas, while the gender-separated sections include jacuzzi facilities.
The thermal experience extends across a series of rooms, each designed for a different purpose and temperature:
Salt Therapy: 30–40°C
Forest Therapy: 30–40°C
Low Heat Relaxation: 30–40°C
Intense Heat: 70–95°C
Sauna: 70–90°C
Ice Cabin: a cold-therapy room
Staff can explain the suggested sequence for experiencing the different areas, although guests are not obliged to complete the entire circuit.
We visited at around 9 am after breakfast, and CIRUA was almost completely empty. We saw only one other guest using one of the plunge pools, giving us plenty of opportunity to explore the facilities.
Ironically, we did not actually use the pools or thermal rooms ourselves. Our priority on this short trip was still exploring and eating around Hanoi, so we mainly visited CIRUA to see what was available. That was enough to leave us impressed.
We have stayed at plenty of hotels with pools, gyms, saunas and spas, but CIRUA felt genuinely different because of its sheer scale. It turns Fairmont Hanoi into a hotel where spending half a day—or even an entire day—without leaving the property would be remarkably easy.
Fitness Centre
Fairmont Hanoi also has a large fitness centre on Basement 2, sharing changing facilities with CIRUA.
The gym, equipped by Technogym, felt like a proper full-sized fitness facility rather than a small hotel exercise room. We saw numerous treadmills and cardio machines, weight-training equipment, kettlebells, medicine balls and free weights, all of which still looked brand new during our stay.
Complimentary towels and drinking water were provided, while showers and changing facilities are available nearby. Being underground means there is no natural light, although we did not consider this a meaningful drawback given the facility's size and quality.
Overall
Fairmont Hanoi's facilities substantially changed how we viewed the hotel.
Without CIRUA and the rooftop, this would still be an excellent luxury city hotel. With them, Fairmont becomes somewhere that can function almost as a destination in itself. For us, the rooftop pool is probably the facility with the broadest appeal. The sunset views and relaxed atmosphere are easy to enjoy, whether or not you intend to swim. CIRUA is more specialised, but considerably more unusual. Travellers who genuinely enjoy wellness facilities could derive enormous value from having access to them during their stay.
Our only regret was that our two-night trip was too short to make proper use of everything. If we return, we would deliberately set aside more time simply to enjoy the hotel.
Breakfast & Dining at Fairmont Hanoi
Dining turned out to be another highlight of our stay at Fairmont Hanoi. We deliberately ate breakfast at the hotel only once, preferring to spend the rest of our limited time enjoying Hanoi's seemingly endless food options. However, the one breakfast we did have at Fairmont Hanoi was exceptional.
Breakfast at BACCO Italian Restaurant
Breakfast at Fairmont Hanoi is served at BACCO Italian Restaurant. We visited at around 7.45 am on our final morning, deliberately waking up early so that we could enjoy breakfast without sacrificing too much of our last day in Hanoi.
There were already quite a few guests when we arrived, including what appeared to be a breakfast meeting near our table, but the restaurant never felt crowded, and plenty of seating remained available. BACCO itself is bright and contemporary, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Given Hanoi's August heat, everyone was unsurprisingly enjoying the air conditioning indoors.
After providing our room number at the entrance, we were shown to our table and informed that breakfast included both the buffet and a separate à la carte menu. Staff then took our coffee orders before leaving us to explore.
The buffet was not the largest we have encountered, but what stood out was the quality. There was a good selection of salads, smoked salmon, cold cuts and cheeses, pastries, breads, fresh fruit, yoghurt, cereals and juices. The smoked salmon was particularly good, while the cold cuts and cheeses were similarly enjoyable.
Two live stations added a more distinctly Asian element. One served congee with a choice of chicken, prawn or plain porridge, along with numerous condiments, while the Vietnamese noodle station offered four dishes during our stay: bún bò Huế, phở bò, mì Quảng and hủ tiếu.
Fresh juices were available alongside a banana smoothie, while the buffet also included Greek yoghurt, bircher muesli, chia pudding and young green rice with coconut milk.
What makes breakfast considerably more interesting is the included à la carte menu. Rather than relying on a conventional egg station, BACCO offers an extensive cooked-to-order selection covering international breakfast sets, Asian breakfasts, plant-based dishes, waffles and pancakes, egg dishes and even breakfast pizzas.
I ordered The Fairmont Hanoi Breakfast, which came with three eggs, smoked country bacon, chipolata, pork sausage, potato rosti, grilled tomato and confit shiitake mushroom. Alongside it, I picked up some smoked salmon, cold cuts, brie, bread and bircher muesli from the buffet.
My wife chose the Korean Breakfast, comprising steamed rice, beef bulgogi, kimchi and soup, before adding noodles, salmon and cheese from the buffet. I had an iced Americano, while she ordered an iced latte.
We both thought the food was excellent. My wife went so far as to say this was one of the best hotel breakfasts we had experienced, even preferring it to the breakfast we had previously at Park Hyatt Saigon.
Service matched the quality of the food. Plates were cleared promptly, missing utensils were replaced without us needing to ask, and staff remained friendly and attentive throughout the roughly an hour we spent there.
We paid a promotional rate of VND 300,000 per person, which was offered to us during check-in. At that price, breakfast represented exceptional value.
Even at the regular price, however, we would recommend trying BACCO at least once. We probably would not eat breakfast here every morning—not because the food isn't good enough, but because Hanoi simply has too much excellent food outside the hotel to spend every morning eating inside.
Lunch at Tran Dynasty
Tran Dynasty was actually one of the reasons we booked Fairmont Hanoi in the first place.
The restaurant is helmed by Vietnamese-Australian chef Luke Nguyen, whose Vietnam House restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City we have visited several times. When we learned that he would be opening Tran Dynasty at Fairmont Hanoi, combining a stay at the new hotel with a meal here seemed like an obvious excuse for another trip to Hanoi.
We made our reservation almost by accident. While walking towards the rooftop pool, we passed Tran Dynasty on the eighth floor and stopped to ask about its opening hours. After learning that it does not serve lunch on weekends, we made a reservation on the spot for Monday—our final day in Hanoi.
Luke Nguyen himself was not at the restaurant during our visit. My wife, knowing that I am a fan, asked a staff member about him in Vietnamese. After replying to her, the staff member helpfully switched to English to explain to me that Chef Luke generally visits for special occasions and launches.
The restaurant itself is beautiful. The interiors are unmistakably Vietnamese in inspiration while retaining the refinement expected of a fine-dining restaurant. Plenty of natural light entered during lunch without creating uncomfortable glare, and despite the elegant setting, my berms were not a problem. We had actually asked about the dress code the previous day and were assured they were acceptable for lunch.
Service was excellent from the beginning. Cold towels and complimentary hot tea were provided, staff offered recommendations when we asked, and each dish was carefully explained when it arrived. Complimentary fish crackers were also served while we waited.
We ordered:
Char-Grilled Cha Oc / Ốc Khói Thảo Mộc
Caramelised Spanish Pork Jowl & Crispy Rice
Stuffed Chicken Wing, Seafood & Herb Sauce
Caramelised Fish Sauce with Local Vegetables / Kho Quẹt Rau Theo Mùa
Crab "Rieu" / Riêu Cua Cà Mau
Two portions of steamed rice
The first two dishes came from the Small Plates section and were indeed small, but beautifully presented. The char-grilled snails arrived with a vibrant green herb sauce we loved, while the caramelised Spanish pork jowl was remarkably tender—resembling slices of exceptionally tender steak. The stuffed chicken wing came next. It sounds like a simple dish, but Tran Dynasty elevated it considerably through its presentation, seafood filling and herb sauce. It was another excellent plate.
Even the vegetables surprised us. On their own, they looked relatively simple, but the accompanying kho quẹt transformed them. Sweet, savoury and intensely flavoured, it was the sort of sauce we could happily eat with nothing more than vegetables and steamed rice.
Then came our favourite dish: Crab Rieu. Served with silken tofu, crab meat and crab roe already incorporated into the rich sauce, this was exactly the kind of dish we had hoped to experience at Tran Dynasty. Both my wife and I independently picked it as our favourite dish of the meal, and it paired beautifully with the steamed rice.
The restaurant later provided a complimentary dessert to share, which we believe was the Semifreddo al Caffè / Kem Dẻo Cà Phê Muối. It was a pleasant, relatively light conclusion to an otherwise memorable lunch.
What impressed us most about Tran Dynasty was how recognisably Vietnamese the meal remained. This was not Vietnamese food disguised as Western fine dining or transformed into fusion cuisine for international guests. Instead, familiar Vietnamese flavours and dishes were presented through a more refined, fine-dining lens. Compared with Luke Nguyen's Vietnam House in Ho Chi Minh City, Tran Dynasty felt even more firmly positioned as a fine-dining experience.
Including a bottle of Evian still water, our bill came to VND3,281,513 after the applicable service charge, VAT and our Accor+ Explorer discounts of 30% on food and 15% on drinks. For the quality of the meal and service, we considered it excellent value.
If you enjoy Vietnamese food and want to experience it in a fine-dining setting, Tran Dynasty is an easy recommendation. For us, ending our stay at Fairmont Hanoi with lunch here was the icing on the cake.
Pool Terrace & Bar
We also visited Pool Terrace & Bar during our stay, using the complimentary welcome drinks provided through our ALL Gold status.
Located beside the rooftop swimming pool, Pool Terrace & Bar shares the same impressive views across Hanoi and is particularly attractive around sunset. We arrived while it was still light and managed to find seats facing the sunset, giving us an excellent view as the sun gradually disappeared behind the Hanoi skyline.
The August weather was extremely warm, and one particularly thoughtful service touch came when a member of staff proactively brought a portable cooler over to our table without us asking.
Our drinks were accompanied by complimentary local snacks, including a popcorn-like snack and fish crackers, which we happily finished. Staff were generous with the snacks and periodically checked whether everything was fine or whether we needed anything else. We did not order any additional food or drinks during our visit, so we cannot comment extensively on the menu itself. However, based on the setting and service alone, we would happily return.
If you are staying at Fairmont Hanoi, we strongly recommend heading to Pool Terrace & Bar around sunset—even if you have no intention of using the swimming pool.
Other Dining Options
Fairmont Hanoi has several other dining venues that we did not experience during this stay. These include HIRYU, its Japanese restaurant; 10 Central, the lobby lounge and café; and YY Bar. As we did not dine at any of these venues, we cannot comment on their food or drinks firsthand.
Overall
Dining played a surprisingly important role in our overall rating of Fairmont Hanoi. BACCO delivered one of the strongest hotel breakfasts we have experienced, while Tran Dynasty gave us exactly the refined Vietnamese meal we had hoped for when planning this trip.
Our ideal approach for a future stay would actually be quite simple: have breakfast at BACCO once, enjoy at least one meal at Tran Dynasty, and head to the rooftop for drinks around sunset. Spend the rest of the time eating your way around Hanoi. That, for us, would be the perfect balance between enjoying Fairmont Hanoi's excellent dining and not forgetting that one of the world's great food cities is waiting immediately outside.
Service
Of everything that impressed us at Fairmont Hanoi, the service probably stood out the most. It was not because of one extraordinary gesture or because we received any special treatment. Instead, what impressed us was the sheer consistency. From before we arrived until the moment our car pulled away after checkout, we cannot recall a single poor service interaction.
Pre-Arrival Service
Five days before our arrival, Fairmont Hanoi sent us two emails. One contained a Guest Preference Form asking about our estimated arrival time, dietary restrictions or allergies, whether we were travelling with children, any special occasions and whether we were interested in excursions around Hanoi and northern Vietnam. The final question simply asked whether there was anything else the hotel could do to help "Make Special Happen". We completed the form the day before our arrival and received a reply from the hotel within a few hours.
The second email offered airport transfers in either a BMW 5 Series or a BMW X5, along with fast-track service at Noi Bai International Airport. We ultimately declined and booked a considerably cheaper Xanh SM instead, but it was useful to know that a more comprehensive arrival service was available.
Consistency Throughout Our Stay
Once at the hotel, the service operated with remarkable precision. Staff always seemed to know exactly what they were supposed to be doing. Doors were opened as we entered or left, greetings were accompanied by smiles and nods, and whenever we arrived or departed by car, someone was invariably ready to help with the doors or luggage. What surprised us was that none of this felt robotic.
Fairmont Hanoi clearly operates with well-defined service standards, but we never felt as though staff were simply reciting scripts or going through the motions. Interactions remained warm and genuine, even when the service itself seemed to run like clockwork. That consistency extended throughout the hotel.
At BACCO, plates were cleared promptly and missing utensils replaced without us asking. At the rooftop bar, a staff member noticed that we were warm and proactively brought over a cooler. At Tran Dynasty, dishes were carefully explained, and staff readily offered recommendations.
None of these gestures is extraordinary in isolation. What made Fairmont Hanoi different was that this level of attentiveness seemed to happen everywhere.
We also appreciated how staff handled language differences. When my wife asked a member of staff at Tran Dynasty about Luke Nguyen in Vietnamese, he answered her before switching to English to explain the same information to me. It was a small gesture, but a thoughtful one that ensured both of us remained part of the conversation.
Housekeeping was similarly consistent. Turndown service was offered each evening, and when we declined because we were already in the room, staff checked whether we needed anything replenished and left us Marou chocolates.
Check-Out
Our checkout at noon was just as smooth as our arrival and took only a few minutes.
During checkout, the receptionist asked where we were heading next. When we explained that our flight was not until later that evening, she initially seemed concerned that we might have several hours to fill after leaving the room. After we explained that we already had lunch at Tran Dynasty followed by coffee planned, she suggested that we could return to the hotel's shower facilities later if we wanted to freshen up before travelling to the airport. We had not asked for this. It was simply a thoughtful suggestion based on our plans for the day.
When it was finally time to leave, the service continued right to the end. As soon as we began walking towards the entrance with our luggage, staff came over to help. Our bags were loaded into the car, the doors were opened for us, and several members of staff gathered outside to bid us goodbye. As our car pulled away, they remained standing there waving. I waved back and joked to my wife that the whole departure made me feel slightly like a superstar.
Overall
Fairmont Hanoi delivered the best and most consistent hotel service we can recall experiencing. There was no single dramatic moment responsible for that conclusion. Instead, it was the absence of weak moments. Across reception, housekeeping, BACCO, Tran Dynasty, the rooftop and the hotel's entrance, staff were consistently professional, attentive and eager to help. We did not encounter anyone who appeared disengaged or as though they were simply waiting for their shift to end.
Perhaps some of that enthusiasm comes from Fairmont Hanoi still being a relatively new hotel. Maintaining such standards over the years will ultimately be the bigger test. But we can only review the stay we actually experienced. And during our two nights in August 2026, the service was exceptional from beginning to end.
Who Should Stay at Fairmont Hanoi
Couples
Fairmont Hanoi works extremely well for couples seeking a luxury stay in Hanoi. We travelled as a couple ourselves and particularly enjoyed the rooftop pool and bar, where the sunset views create an excellent setting for an evening drink.
Add the spacious rooms, CIRUA Bathhouse, spa treatments and excellent restaurants, and there is plenty to enjoy together without even leaving the hotel.
Luxury Travellers
This is probably Fairmont Hanoi's most obvious audience. The rooms, facilities, dining and particularly the service all operate at a genuine five-star level. Travellers who want somewhere luxurious to retreat to after exploring Hanoi—or who simply want to spend part of their trip enjoying the hotel itself—should find plenty to like here.
Families should also find the hotel comfortable, particularly given the generous room sizes and large rooftop pool, although we did not travel with children ourselves and therefore cannot assess the family experience in detail.
Business Travellers
Fairmont Hanoi also makes considerable sense for business travel. The central location, strong Wi-Fi, a proper workspace and excellent in-room connectivity meet the practical requirements, while the hotel's restaurants offer several options for business meals. The gym, rooftop pool and CIRUA Bathhouse also give travellers plenty of ways to unwind after work.
Accor Members
ALL and Accor+ members have another reason to consider Fairmont Hanoi. Our own stay demonstrated how dramatically Accor+ benefits can change the value proposition. We used our Member's Stay Plus Benefit for one of our two nights and received dining discounts at Tran Dynasty, bringing what would ordinarily be an expensive luxury stay down considerably.
Naturally, the exact benefits and promotions available will depend on your membership and booking dates, but Accor members should certainly check what is available before booking elsewhere.
First-Time Visitors to Hanoi
Fairmont Hanoi is also exceptionally convenient for first-time visitors. Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter are only minutes away on foot, while Grab and Xanh SM rides are easy to arrange when travelling further afield.
There is one slightly amusing downside: Fairmont Hanoi may give first-time visitors a rather unrealistic idea of what every hotel stay in Hanoi is going to be like. This is international five-star luxury rather than an intimate or traditional Hanoi hotel experience. If that is what you're looking for, however, there are few compromises.
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
Fairmont Hanoi will not suit everyone. If you are travelling on a tight budget, primarily need somewhere to sleep, or want a small heritage or boutique hotel that feels distinctly rooted in old Hanoi, you would be better off looking elsewhere. There is little reason to pay for Fairmont's extensive facilities if you intend to spend almost every waking hour outside the hotel.
But if you want a luxury hotel in central Hanoi and intend to actually enjoy what you're paying for, Fairmont Hanoi is exceptionally difficult to fault.
Is Fairmont Hanoi Good Value for Money?
At the price we paid, Fairmont Hanoi represented almost absurdly good value.
Our two-night Fairmont King stay cost VND7,229,250 (S$359.49) in total through our Accor+ Member's Stay Plus Benefit, which included one complimentary night and one paid night. That worked out to an effective rate of just S$179.75 per night.
To be clear, however, we would not consider this a representative price for Fairmont Hanoi.
This is a proper five-star luxury hotel, and even at considerably higher rates, we think the overall package remains competitive. The entry-level Fairmont King is already a spacious 41 square metres; the service during our stay was exceptional; the location is excellent; and the facilities go far beyond what we normally expect from a city hotel.
CIRUA Bathhouse is particularly relevant to the value equation. Having such extensive wellness facilities included with our stay added considerable value—but only if you actually intend to use them. If you simply need somewhere to sleep before spending the entire day exploring Hanoi, paying a premium for Fairmont's facilities makes considerably less sense.
Based on our experience, this is roughly how we would judge the room rates:
Below S$300 per night: Exceptional value for this standard of hotel
Around S$300–350: Very good value and an easy recommendation
Around S$350–400: Still reasonable, particularly if you intend to use the facilities
Above S$400: We would start comparing Fairmont with other luxury hotels in Hanoi
Around S$450–500 or more: We would seriously consider the alternatives before booking
For us, around S$300 per night feels particularly attractive, while we would still be comfortable paying S$350–400 for a short stay, given the overall quality of the experience.
Accor membership can also materially change the equation. Our Member's Stay Plus Benefit transformed the room rate, while our Accor+ Explorer membership provided dining discounts during the stay. Anyone with ALL or Accor+ status should therefore check their available benefits and promotions before booking.
Ultimately, whether Fairmont Hanoi is worth the premium depends on what you want from your hotel.
If you simply need a comfortable bed in central Hanoi, there are plenty of good four-star hotels that cost considerably less. But if you want the hotel itself to form part of the experience—with excellent service, spacious rooms, rooftop and indoor pools, extensive wellness facilities and high-end dining—Fairmont Hanoi makes a much stronger case for the additional spend.
At around S$300–350 per night, we would consider Fairmont Hanoi excellent value for a luxury stay in Hanoi.
Pros and Cons
What We Loved
Exceptional and remarkably consistent service: From arrival to departure, we did not encounter a single poor service interaction during our stay.
Genuine five-star luxury: The quality of the rooms, interiors and overall hotel experience felt consistently premium.
Outstanding facilities: The rooftop swimming pool is beautiful, while CIRUA Bathhouse takes Fairmont Hanoi well beyond what we normally expect from a luxury city hotel.
Excellent entry-level rooms: At 41 square metres, the Fairmont King is already spacious, comfortable and luxurious enough that we would happily book it again.
Superb central location: Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter are both just a short walk away.
Excellent dining: Breakfast at BACCO was one of the strongest hotel breakfasts we have experienced, while our lunch at Tran Dynasty was a highlight of the stay.
What Could Be Better
Honestly, we struggled to identify anything. There are aspects of Fairmont Hanoi that will naturally not suit every traveller. It is an international luxury hotel rather than an intimate heritage property, some rooms will inevitably have better views than others, and its restaurants are priced accordingly for a five-star hotel.
But none of these was negatives for us. During our two-night stay, we did not encounter anything we would genuinely classify as a meaningful weakness. Adding complaints simply for the sake of a "Cons" list would amount to manufacturing criticism that does not reflect our experience.
Final Verdict
Our two nights at Fairmont Hanoi went by remarkably quickly.
It was only after leaving that we really started talking about just how good the stay had been. At some point on our way to the airport, I told my wife that I would happily return—and that next time, I would love to stay in one of the suites.
That says quite a lot for us. Running Straitstravellers usually gives us an incentive to stay somewhere different whenever we travel, simply because every new hotel gives us another experience to write about. Fairmont Hanoi is one of the rare hotels that makes us seriously want to ignore that logic and return anyway.
Fairmont Hanoi is the best hotel we have stayed at in Hanoi so far.
What ultimately sets it apart is not any single room, restaurant or facility. It is how complete the overall experience feels. The rooms are excellent, the location is difficult to fault, the facilities are outstanding, and the dining is genuinely impressive.
But if we had to choose one thing that defines our stay, it would be the service. Across two nights, we simply did not experience a weak service interaction. The consistency was extraordinary, and it is the biggest reason Fairmont Hanoi left such a strong impression on us.
Having previously stayed at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, we would personally choose Fairmont Hanoi if the two were available at comparable prices. Sofitel remains the more compelling choice for travellers specifically seeking history, heritage and old-world character, but we found Fairmont's rooms, facilities and service more impressive overall.
There is one important hotel missing from that comparison: Capella Hanoi. We have not stayed there yet, so we cannot credibly say how Fairmont compares with it. Until we do, our conclusion can only reflect the Hanoi hotels we have personally experienced.
If we could afford it, Fairmont Hanoi could easily become our default luxury hotel whenever we return to the city. Ideally, next time we would stay longer, spend considerably more time enjoying CIRUA and the rooftop pool, and perhaps finally try one of the suites. Fairmont Hanoi exceeded our expectations in virtually every conceivable way and has set a new benchmark for what we expect from a top luxury hotel.
Would we return? Yes.
Would we recommend it? Yes.
Our rating: 10/10.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fairmont Hanoi
Q1: Is Fairmont Hanoi worth staying at?
A1: Yes. Fairmont Hanoi is the best hotel we have stayed at in Hanoi so far, combining exceptional service, extensive facilities and an excellent location near Hoan Kiem Lake. It is particularly worth considering if you want a genuine luxury hotel experience rather than simply somewhere to sleep.
Q2: How far is Fairmont Hanoi from Hoan Kiem Lake?
A2: Fairmont Hanoi is around a five-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. We walked between the hotel, lake and Old Quarter numerous times during our stay and found the location extremely convenient for exploring central Hanoi on foot.
Q3: Is breakfast at Fairmont Hanoi worth it?
A3: Yes, we would recommend trying breakfast at BACCO at least once. The combination of a high-quality buffet and extensive cooked-to-order menu made it one of the strongest hotel breakfasts we have experienced.
However, we would still recommend eating breakfast outside the hotel on other mornings. Hanoi has far too much excellent local food to spend every breakfast inside a hotel.
Q4: Is CIRUA Bathhouse included for Fairmont Hanoi hotel guests?
A4: During our August 2026 stay, access to the CIRUA Bathhouse was included for hotel guests, providing access to facilities such as the indoor pool, plunge pools and thermal experiences. As hotel policies and inclusions can change, we recommend checking Fairmont Hanoi's current terms when booking.
Q5: Is the Fairmont King room good enough?
A5: Absolutely. The Fairmont King is Fairmont Hanoi's entry-level room, but at 41 square metres it already feels spacious and luxurious. Ours had a king-sized bed, a large marble bathroom with a separate shower and soaking tub, a 65-inch smart television, generous charging options and a full-width balcony. Unless you specifically want additional space, a better view, lounge access or the experience of staying in a suite, we would be perfectly happy booking the Fairmont King again.
Q6: How many nights should you stay at Fairmont Hanoi?
A6: We stayed for two nights and left wishing we had more time to enjoy the hotel itself. For a first trip to Hanoi, two to four nights works well depending on your wider itinerary. If you particularly want to enjoy the rooftop pool, CIRUA Bathhouse, spa and restaurants rather than spending all day sightseeing, staying three nights or longer makes considerably more sense.
Q7: Fairmont Hanoi or Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi?
A7: Having stayed at both, we would currently choose Fairmont Hanoi for its newer rooms, extensive facilities and the exceptional service we experienced. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi remains the more compelling choice if history, heritage and old-world character are important parts of the experience. Fairmont Hanoi, by comparison, delivers a more contemporary international luxury stay.
We have not yet stayed at Capella Hanoi, so we cannot say how Fairmont compares with every top luxury hotel in the city.
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