InterContinental Hanoi Westlake, Hanoi

The InterContinental Westlake is on the shores of Hanoi’s West Lake which makes for a serene and peaceful location in a hectic city.

The architecture and design are excellent, complementing the lakeside views perfectly, and the 359 room hotel doesn’t feel as large as it is. Many of the rooms themselves have beautiful lake views.

Unlike the hotels in or near the old quarter, the InterContinental’s rooms are spacious and genuinely deluxe in feel, and the hotel has an excellent large swimming pool, again something that doesn’t exist elsewhere right in the centre of Hanoi.

Being outside of the centre has its disadvantages – it is a 20-minute walk or a 10-minute drive to the old quarter of Hanoi, so you don’t feel as much part of the action as at the city centre hotels.  During the heat of the summer, you may find this a blessing and those of a quiet disposition might relish the chance to escape the madness of central Hanoi – if only for the evening and night!

The hotel is in the expat district which means that excellent food is to be had locally, in restaurants well used to catering for discerning westerners.