Apricot Hotel

Apricot Hotel is a beautiful upscale property that makes a striking first impression. Its white facade is adorned with grand pillars and wrought-iron balconies, while inside, decor is elegant and refined, with white marble floors and more ornate balconies around the mezzanine level. Vast chandeliers are suspended over antique chairs and sofas, a soothing water feature runs through the center, and neat stools line the lobby bar, with large flower displays and plants adding a touch of distinguished color. The owners are art dealers which is apparent from the original artwork and sculptures placed throughout the building. Upstairs, overlooking the lobby, L'Artiste restaurant continues the sophisticated style, with an airy open plan layout while Palette has a more intimate, cozy feel, with small carpeted rooms and views over the lake. The rooftop pool is attractively lit up at night, with bar seating overlooking the city. The hotel is favored by couples on the whole, though it's also popular with business travelers.

Apricot Hotel is located in Hanoi's Old Town, just a two-minute walk from the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake. It's a good spot for both sightseeing and shopping. Popular attractions like the Water Puppet Theater and Ngoc Son Temple are a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Popular spots like Silk Street are a five-minute walk away and designer shopping in the Trang Tien mall can be reached in less than 10 minutes on foot. Attractions farther afield, like the Citadel and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, are around 12-minute drive (depending on traffic), while outside of the city center, scenic treks in Ba Vi National Park are a 90-minute drive away. Transit to the airport is easiest by car, or with the hotel's airport shuttle, and takes around 45 minutes.

The 123 rooms at the Apricot Hotel echo the elegant style of the common areas, with warm gold and red tones plus antique-inspired furniture. The entry level Sketch Rooms look onto an interior courtyard, but all other rooms and suites offer either city or lake views. There are some great artistic touches, like old-fashioned cradle telephones and velvet lounge chairs, and rooms all include free Wi-Fi, minibars, safes, electric kettles, air-conditioning, robes and slippers, irons, and 40-inch flat-screen TVs. The Masterpiece and Gallery Rooms add comfortable living spaces, some with private terraces, plus larger 48-inch TVs, and the Studios include kitchenettes and dining spaces. Bathrooms are modern and refined, with white marble walls and antique vanities -- blinds can be drawn across the glass walls that separate them from the sleeping area. All feature rainfall showers, with top-end Masterpiece, Gallery, and Studio Rooms adding separate bathtubs.

Features are fairly numerous for a hotel in this part of town, but on par with upscale expectations. The Apricot Hotel has three dining areas. A'telier, in the lobby, serves drinks and light snacks including afternoon tea. L'Artiste is where a buffet breakfast is served, and Palette has a refined evening menu. Both offer an excellent mix of Vietnamese delicacies and Western influenced dishes. There's a large music stage and a separate ballroom in the basement, plus a meeting room on the top floor, and Palette Restaurant is also available for private functions. Leisure facilities include a rooftop heated pool with loungers and a bar serving a selection of drinks and cocktails. There's also a small gym with a handful of cardio machines plus a sauna and steam room, and a spa offering a range of treatments. The spa is a bit clinical looking, which is disappointing given how sharp the rest of the hotel is. There's a charming library room with internet access and an outside terrace. Wi-Fi is free throughout. The hotel has a limited amount of parking and offers an airport shuttle service (for a fee).