Michael Skiny Power

Metropole Hotel

  • Where:
  • Why:Final night in Hanoi after 4 week motorcycle misadventure in the mountains of Northern Vietnam
  • When:September 2012
  • Who:Me and my two closest friends, photogragher Zach Gold and cinematographer Matthew Woolf
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Metropole Hotel The city is overrun with pho noodle stands. Locals will tell you that all of them are great and everyone disagrees over which are the best.

The city is overrun with pho noodle stands. Locals will tell you that all of them are great and everyone disagrees over which are the best.

Metropole Hotel A view of the well landscaped courtyard.

A view of the well landscaped courtyard.

Metropole Hotel I can equate the room to a tasteful white tuxedo or a wide-rimmed champage glass. Does it make the memories brilliant or does it make the brilliant memories?

I can equate the room to a tasteful white tuxedo or a wide-rimmed champage glass. Does it make the memories brilliant or does it make the brilliant memories?

Metropole Hotel The history of this hotel is incredible. I stayed across from Somerset Maugham’s room in the grand luxury room. The list of regulars over the last century reads like a list of the world’s most stylish and powerful functioning alcoholics.

The history of this hotel is incredible. I stayed across from Somerset Maugham’s room in the grand luxury room. The list of regulars over the last century reads like a list of the world’s most stylish and powerful functioning alcoholics.

Metropole Hotel Hanoi has 6 million registered mopeds so one can only imagine how many swarm the city. Leaving Hanoi on a motorcycle in morning rush hour, the most incredible low horsepower grand prix starts..and then as if by magic the concrete disappears and the greenest rice paddies appear.

Hanoi has 6 million registered mopeds so one can only imagine how many swarm the city. Leaving Hanoi on a motorcycle in morning rush hour, the most incredible low horsepower grand prix starts..and then as if by magic the concrete disappears and the greenest rice paddies appear.

Metropole Hotel Travel Tip: The phrase

Travel Tip: The phrase "sin chow" means hello. Once you leave the city kids will yell it to you as you pass by. If you return the favor you have made their day...

Metropole Hotel A shot of the beautiful lake right near the hotel.

A shot of the beautiful lake right near the hotel.

Metropole Hotel The Metropole Hanoi, the best hotel on Planet Earth!

The Metropole Hanoi, the best hotel on Planet Earth!

Highs & Lows

  • Service: the waiter got our names at first meal and from that point on I was "Mr. Skiny" to everyone that passed.

  • Service: waiter got our drink at first meal and from that point on I was asked if I wanted a Bombay Sapphire and tonic whenever being seated or approaching a bar.

  • After four weeks on a motorcycle the spa was second to none. The room can best be described as a temple. Words fail to describe the level of taste and consideration that have gone into making your hour in this massive room a pure delight.

  • Expensive! Keeps the riff raff out.

  • Expensive! Spent more staying here for one night than collectively over the month at other hotels.

The Barometer

  • Design

  • Website

  • Environmental Consciousness

  • Night's Sleep

  • Service

  • Amenities

  • Takeable Treats

  • Refer a Friend

  • Overall Value

  • Life Changing

Total: 42/50

Important Bits

  • Type

    Luxury

  • Vibe

    Serene, Confident, Colonial, Authentic

  • Location

    French Quarter

  • Rooms

    364 Rooms, 22 Suites

  • Music

    English girl singing sad songs to happy people in the piano bar

  • Year Opened

    1901

  • Health & Wellness

    Yes

  • Restaurant

    Three restaurants serving French, Regional + International

  • Bar

    Yes, where Charlie Chaplin sipped champagne + a piano bar

  • Children

    Yes

  • Price

    $$$$

Avalon Cafe Lounge

Avalon Cafe Lounge

73 Cầu Gỗ, Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Rent A Moped

Rent A Moped

66 Đào Duy Từ, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Thong Nhat Park

Thong Nhat Park

THONG NHAT PARK

Metropole Hotel

Metropole Hotel

15 Ngo Quyen Street, Hanoi, Vietnam

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