HANOI | VIETNAM
Smarana Hanoi Heritage Hotel is located in the Cau Giay District - 6 miles (10 km) from the Old Quarter (15-20 minutes by car). Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) is 16 miles (25 km) away (approximately 40 minutes by car).
Discover Smarana Hanoi Heritage Hotel:
A One-Of-A-Kind Hotel That Pays Homage To The Rich Culture And Spirit Of Vietnam's Capital City
YTF OVERALL RATING:
The Smarana Hanoi Heritage Hotel, which had just opened a couple of months before we traveled to Vietnam, was one of Daniela’s lucky finds while looking for a boutique hotel in Hanoi. Located in Cau Giay District, the city’s business center (approximately 15/20 minutes by car from the Old Quarter), Smarana Hanoi Heritage Hotel is inspired by the art, culture, and beauty of Hang Trong folk paintings. It has in its custody a collection of 72 Hang Trong folk pieces, with most of them presented in either La Memoire Lounge or the hallways for visitors to admire. All the artwork was produced by artist Le Dinh Nghien, the descendant of the Hang Trong folk art, over the course of 3 years. The main entrance of the hotel houses a spectacular piece of Hang Trong folk art, bearing the title ‘福’ (Phúc in Vietnamese/Blessing in English). It is the largest of its kind in the art collection and features The Twenty-four Filial Exemplars, prominently displayed to provide a welcoming sight to all visitors.
IS THERE PARKING AT THE SMARANA HANOI HERITAGE HOTEL?
Free parking and street parking are available to guests.
OVERVIEW:
Nestled perfectly from both the airport and the Old Quarter, Smarana Hanoi Heritage Hotel is the perfect blend of modern and traditional Vietnam. From elegant paintings to well-designed rooms, it is a visual spectacle to witness. Being amongst the new hotels being introduced into the city of Hanoi, they definitely pulled no stops in providing you the comfort that most 5-star hotels have failed to deliver. Being new still leaves room for improvement on how they can better serve future patrons of this wonderful hotel.
STAFF: 3.5/5
When we visited, the staff was relatively new and, rightfully so, had been trained to perform by the book. We had the unfortunate experience of arriving during a power outage (not in Ha Noi, just the hotel). Though apologetic, their first response was to tell us to come back after flying well over 25 hours to get to their hotel. We were then informed of the check-in policy and that we were too early. It would be one thing if the room weren’t clean, but it was clean and ready for guests since this hotel was relatively new and probably not as popular as it is today. They were reluctant to go against allowing us into the room. Even though we were fine walking the stairs, there was still some hesitation. Once convinced, their assistance in getting our bags, as well as providing a temporary source of light (candles), was on point.
Shuttle service to Old Market.
Currently, shuttle service is offered to Old Quarter, and available pickup is given when notified 30 minutes in advance. This was great if this service was offered every day. The staff should have informed us about this and was somewhat misleading about whether the driver was working that day or off. When we told them we would be back by 8, we were told the driver was off by 6. When we made it to Old Quarter and attempted to change our plans to get the driver to pick us up, we were then told the driver was off. Hotels should train their staff to remind them not to mislead your guests. Be honest and upfront with them. It causes less frustration.
Do not offer services you can’t provide.
Daniela attempted to book a massage where we were offered 30 extra minutes to make up for the outage inconvenience. Still, coincidentally, every time we tried to use it was no longer available. After discussing with different staff this once again turned out to be the lack of staff availability to perform the service. Telling us it had already been booked is misleading. Once again, be honest. The truth comes out eventually.
Staff service from the Restaurant was A+.
There are 5-star restaurants that could learn from the service they provide. They also made sure to prepare our breakfast early since we needed more time before checking out. This made up for a lot of the shortcomings we had with our interaction with the concierge.
The rating stayed high because of the situation, so we didn’t want to truly take a personal attack against a staff member who, based on the circumstances, did what they could to accommodate us acceptably.
HOTEL ROOM: 5/5
HOTEL ROOM REVIEWED
King Suite with balcony
The rooms were picturesque and well-designed! We booked a King Suite with balcony which also included a small kitchenette. The only thing missing from the rooms was automatic curtains to open/close the drapes. Equipped with a flat-screen TV featuring local channels and streaming services, robust wireless connection, complimentary bottled water, local fruits, and delightful welcome snacks, everything you need for a comfortable stay is at your fingertips. The beds are perfect, medium firm, not too hard, not too soft. Just right.
HOTEL GROUNDS: 5/5
Kudos to the interior designers who skillfully maximized space. Their Lunaire Skybar has a very romantic atmosphere and is ideal for a late-nightcap or after-party cocktail. La Carpe Restaurant right below has beautiful decor and an upscale menu at reasonable prices. Additionally, with the indoor Spa lounge and sitting area on the first floor, you have options for mobility in case you do not feel like staying in your room.
LOCATION: 5/5
Smarana Heritage Hotel is located in Cau Giay District, the city’s business center. There is only a little to report here. For us, the location was perfect! We wanted to be able to disconnect from the hustle and noise of Ha Noi, but please keep in mind that you will be about 15/20 minutes away by car from the Old Quarter. The hotel offers a complimentary on-demand shuttle (service is limited, so make sure to talk with the staff at concierge to discuss availability). Alternatively, you can easily take a taxi using the Grab app (about $5 one-way to get to the Old Quarter).
OVERALL: 4.5/5
I wanted to give them five stars, but I must be honest with our followers on what to expect when visiting, that way, there is no doubt in the decisions they make when booking.
TIPS: Smarana Hanoi Heritage Hotel offers an amazing à la carte complimentary breakfast. Don’t it! Drink as much coffee as possible (you are in Vietnam, after all), and try the welcome drink!
At the time of our review, Smarana Hanoi Heritage had recently opened its doors, and considering the glowing reviews they now boast, it’s likely that the service has continued to elevate, addressing any initial unstaffing concerns to offer an even more refined and enjoyable experience for their guests.
Do you have questions regarding the Smarana Hanoi Heritage Hotel? Feel free to leave a comment below. We will be more than happy to answer!
