Minerva Premium Hotel

I came back to Minerva Premium Boutique Hotel for a work stay in December, and a year later it still has the same character. The location is right in the heart of Hanoi but calm and quiet. The staff are attentive and make a real effort to make you feel welcome. They reply quickly on WhatsApp, which made things easy and efficient. The Min Spa is small and well organized, with treatment rooms that feel almost private. The rooms are nicely decorated, the bathroom is a real plus, and everything was very clean. Breakfast is served upstairs on the top floor, with a well-designed menu and a pleasant setting.

Sun at reception gave us a map, detailed information about the neighborhood, and restaurant suggestions, which came in handy. Everyone was friendly and helpful, and their English was excellent, so communicating was easy. The location is convenient, with several Michelin-recommended restaurants nearby. We had booked a room overlooking the cathedral, but the air pollution was quite severe, so we couldn’t see the view we’d hoped for. The room was spacious compared with typical Hanoi hotels, and breakfast was plentiful and delicious. The hotel's hardware may be a little less than ideal, but its real selling point is the staff’s attentive approach. We really felt the care they put into serving guests.

The staff were the part that really stood out. Every interaction felt warm and sincere, and they were among the friendliest, most genuinely hospitable people I’ve met, even compared with some high-end five-star hotels. We were a little worried about being directly below the rooftop bar and dining area, but it turned out to be a non-issue, with no noise problems at all. The hotel seems to have been recently refurbished, and everything felt fresh and thoughtfully done. Our room was beautiful and comfortable, with strong AC that was a lifesaver in the Hanoi heat, good water pressure, and consistently hot water. Breakfast had a nice mix of buffet choices and made-to-order dishes. The hamburger on the menu still puzzles me a bit, but it added to the charm. The location in Hanoi’s Old Quarter is perfect for exploring, with everything right outside. We’d absolutely stay again.

The two restaurants the staff suggested were excellent and close by, and we had some of our best meals in Hanoi there. The amazing staff will go out of their way to help if you can’t find something. The location is great, about five minutes from the lake, shopping, good restaurants, and Beer Street. We’ve been back three times on this Vietnam trip and wouldn’t stay anywhere else in Hanoi Old Quarter. Thanks to everyone at Minerva Hotel for being such a fabulous part of our beautiful visit to Vietnam.