This Grand Dame is classy. Truly a wonderful experience staying in a hotel rich in history. Staff are helpful, even giving useful tips when not asked on which cab companies to avoid. It shows that they care.

The Metropole is one of those gems that should not be missed. In addition to the architecture, the rooms are spacious and well appointed the food phenominal but expensive and the grounds a real retreat from the bustle of the city.

The Metropole is just what you need after arriving tired and disorientated early morning in Hanoi. From the moment the welcoming angel at check-in to our reluctant departure 2 days later we felt cossetted and spoilt. Everything about our room was pure luxury, including the choice of silk and cotton dressing gown. One night we ate in the poolside bar entertained by a jazz band and wonderful singer; the lighting was so intimate the menu came with a clip-on light. Sure it's expensive, but we thought "we could get used to this".

This was our first trip to Vietnam and our first stop on the trip. The hotel really is restored to its former glory after years of disuse following the end of the Vietnam War and communist control. Since the change in attitude some years ago, enterprise is now welcomed and this is an excellent hotel. The hotel comprises the historical wing and a new wing, around a courtyard containing a fair sized heated swimmimg pool. Hanoi is cool and cloudy in February, so we didn't use it, although on one nice day, some did. Our room was a grand luxury room in the historical wing. It was a fair size, but broken into a small lobby area too small to be used as a living room, together with the bedroom and bathroom ensuite. The bedroom was very comfortable and well appointed and the bathroom was excellent. However, the lighting in the bedroom was dim and we were told that this is deliberately in keeping with the period feel. The rooms in the new wing are more modern and do not suffer from this. We dined in the Vietnamese restaurant and also in the French. Both were excellent. Service was all that one could expect. A very good introduction to Vietnam and I haven't let the lighting prevent a five star rating overall, although this is the reason for the four star room rating. But overall, an excellent hotel by any standards.