Boss Legend Hotel

The Boss Legend Hotel has a slim, but deep footprint, rising in a narrow tower no wider than the average storefront, yet far back into the block. The entrance is a few steps up past a pair of elephant statues along brass railing, and the front door opens into a long, bright lobby that's all polished stone and recessed lighting. Dark brown couches line one wall up to a reception desk that's backed by a bronze relief depicting a traditional Vietnamese landscape. The common areas are typical for modern hotels throughout Hanoi and beyond, but the restaurant has a more distinctive look, decorated with bamboo handcrafts and a rustic ceiling. Guests are typically tourists, mostly couples and families on vacation.

The hotel is a four-minute walk to Hoan Kiem Lake, making it a good base near Hanoi's most scenic spot. It's on the edge of the atmospheric Old Quarter of Hanoi, walking distance to temples and attractions, along with plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops. It's a five-minute walk to the foot bridge at the popular Ngoc Son Temple in the middle of the lake. Hang Gai, also known as Silk Street, is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and huge Dong Xuan Market is 12 minutes away on foot. Attractions such as the city's ancient Thang Long Citadel, the Temple of Literature, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum are all less than a 15-minute taxi ride away. Farther outside the city, the Perfume Pagoda temples built into the mountainside are about a 90-minute drive, and Noi Bai International Airport can be reached in just under 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

The hotel's 80 guest rooms are done up in contemporary decor, with hardwood floors and dark wood furnishings. White walls are decorated with black-and-white photos, dark wood trim, and some rooms feature wood paneling. Accent walls behind beds are covered in black-and-white murals with a graphic, architectural design that adds pizazz and polish. Standard rooms are on the large side, and contain twin, double, or king beds set between tufted headboards and bedrooms benches. All units come with built-in desks and seating areas with armchairs, but some have small windows and poor views facing a dark interior courtyard (over the pool and its cloudy glass ceiling). Free Wi-Fi is included, along with 40-inch flat-screen TVs, minibars, and electric kettles, but there are no coffeemakers. Bathrooms are modern and have average shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and toiletries. Upgraded rooms feature larger seating areas with lounges or couches, and 55-inch flat-screen TVs; bathrooms add jetted tubs. Suites have walk-in showers and claw foot soaking tubs with brass hardware. A Senior Suite and a Presidential Suite have more opulent, Old World decor and add hot tubs. 

The hotel's pool is something of a hybrid, housed in an open-air space that has a glass ceiling, but calling it an outdoor pool is misleading. Artificial turf covers the floor around it and colorful plastic balls add a playful atmosphere for kids. The spa is in the basement with treatment rooms and a typical range of services, while a small hot tub and sauna are in a room at the top of the hotel. An adjacent fitness center has views of the city from banks of windows and is well-equipped with rows of cardio machines and weight training equipment. The lobby bar has a few stools along a lighted bar and a lounge area with mirrored walls. For dining, the traditional restaurant serves Vietnamese cuisine, along with a free international breakfast buffet. There's also outdoor seating on the rooftop that provides a good view of its surrounding city. Wi-Fi is free throughout.