Novotel Suites Hanoi review, Vietnam: Enjoy all the creature comforts in this quieter corner of Hanoi

Novotel Suites are in an underrated part of Hanoi. Credit: Novotel Suites Hanoi

CHECK-IN

Located in western Cau Giay district of Hanoi, the Novotel Suites are conveniently close to Hanoi's business district, with plenty of restaurants and street food in walking distance, and about a half-hour's drive to the airport. Starting with a professional and friendly team who make the check-in process easy, and are on deck twenty-four hours a day to assist with anything you may need in your room (such as extra water) or booking the best - and cheapest - taxi to the airport (pay no more than 250,000 dong - about $A15).

THE LOOK

To be frank, this is not a hotel that's trying to impress its guests with whimsy or design flair; it's built for function and comfort. With 151 rooms and apartments, the multi-story tower hosts everything you may need for your stay - a pool, restaurant, rooftop bar and second restaurant, and a decent-sized gym with modern equipment.

THE ROOM

Credit: Novotel Suites Hanoi

It's pretty rare thing for me to do but I am compelled to unpack all of my belongings and stow them away in the wardrobe like I would at home. I'm in a one bedroom executive apartment on the 13th floor, which is a little like a studio. It's high enough to be far away from the noisy Hanoi hub-bub and has excellent views over the city towards the Old Quarter. With a comfy-but-firm king-sized bed, the room also has a kitchenette with sink, two hotplates, large refrigerator with a mini-bar for stowing snacks, water, soft drink and "emergency" beers, microwave and cooking utensils, and pots and pans aimed at extended-stay guests.

The bathroom has a floating bench with another sink and plenty of room for toiletries, plus a separate rack for storing towels and shoes. The bathroom area can be separated from bedroom with blinds, but otherwise shares a space, with cubicles for the shower and toilet. Cleaning staff are like fairies who clean your rooms lightning-fast while you are at breakfast.

There are larger two and three-bedroom apartments which may be convenient for family trip. Some come with a terrace.

Credit: Novotel Suites Hanoi

FOOD + DRINK

As a leisure traveller I graze on street food in Hanoi's Old Quarter, so I don't have time to try the hotel's main restaurant, Food Exchange, over lunch or dinner. But I take advantage of the hotel's breakfast buffet and some of its highlights, including an array of tropical fruit - during my stay, it includes jackfruit, beet-red dragonfruit and tangy passionfruit. The mini pastries here are also good, as are the omelettes. You can also opt for European breakfast spread of cold cuts and there's also Vietnamese soups and noodles and, of course, Vietnamese coffee.

OUT AND ABOUT

My stay is too short to explore much of the immediate area of Cau Giay, but it is not without its attractions, which include a vibrant dining scene, Hanoi's tallest building Skyscaper Landmark 72, the Museum of Ethnology, and Cau Giay Park with a lake. It's a painless 20-minute trip on motorbike to Hanoi's Old Quarter. With assistance from the friendly staff at the front desk, I am also able to arrange transport to Tam Coc (the Halong Bay of the land) thus avoiding the mind-boggling array of day trips on offer from the Old Quarter. For business travellers, this may be a convenient spot to stay.

THE VERDICT

With clean, spacious and comfortable rooms that you can quietly enjoy, the Novotel is a reliable choice.

Credit: Novotel Suites Hanoi

THE ESSENTIALS

Rooms start from $130 a night; 5 Duy Tan Street, 10000 Cau Giay, Hanoi. Ph: [phone]; Novotelsuiteshanoi.com

OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE

★★★½

HIGHLIGHT

In an intense city, the approachable staff here made me feel right at home.

LOWLIGHT

Having to travel to the Old Quarter daily is both a blessing and a curse (the blessing being the hotel is quiet and a good nights' sleep is guaranteed).

The writer stayed as a guest of Accor