The Lapis Hotel

The staff were friendly, polite, and helpful throughout our stay. For the price, this hotel is a very good deal, even though it may not be the fanciest in Hanoi. Its spot in the French Quarter makes a solid base for exploring, with the Old Quarter about a 15-minute walk away. The rooms have an old-school, sturdy style and plenty of space. They worked well for a city trip where we mostly wanted to be out seeing Hanoi. The rooftop pool looked a little neglected while we were there, and the breakfast was disappointing by Vietnamese standards. Still, the fair price makes it a strong choice.

Breakfast was good, though not great, and some little operational choices kept an otherwise lovely hotel from earning five stars. The rooms are large and very well equipped, and the staff are lovely. But the shower door lets water spill onto the marble floor, making it very slippery, and they were very reluctant to replace the towels we needed to soak it up. Bathroom cleanser was pretty stingy too, and there was no washcloth to use with the shower gel.

The hotel is in a fancier, big-city area, a bit farther from the lively neighborhood with all the restaurants, cafes, and little shops. Even so, my partner and I had a really nice stay at the Lapis hotel. Our room was clean and pleasant, and they cleaned it on the morning of our second day. The pool, gym, jacuzzi, and sauna were incredible. Breakfast was included and very good, with lots of choices and fresh ingredients. The staff were friendly, check-in and checkout were easy, and I got a refreshing welcome drink. I arrived early and was able to check in a few hours ahead of time because the room was ready, which was amazing.

I booked and paid in full through Agoda, but the hotel never sent confirmation or contacted me. When we got to Hanoi late at night on 12 December 2025, I spent an hour in the taxi trying to reach reception. A staff member answered at first, hung up after a minute, then rejected my calls. The hotel support team didn't reply to my messages either. Once we arrived, the same person acted as if nothing had happened and was cold and rude. Then he suddenly demanded a deposit that had never been mentioned anywhere. I found the whole thing unacceptable and extremely disrespectful to guests. I absolutely don't recommend this hotel.