Capella Hanoi

ON YOUR DOORSTEP
Hanoi Opera House, which helped inspire the hotel’s flamboyant decor, is just down the tree-lined boulevard. Early risers should stroll the couple of blocks to Hoan Kiem lakefront to watch Hanoians dancing and exercising, then onwards to the narrow lanes of the capital city’s vibrant Old Quarter.

CLAIM TO FAME
It took seven years to build and fit out the city’s most luxurious hotel, designed to celebrate the 1920s and everything opera. This is no place for minimalists; it’s unashamedly theatrical and opulent, with handwoven fabric on the lounge room walls, hand-painted murals in the lavish spa, chandeliers above the pool and Champagne and oysters on the breakfast menu. Each of the seven guestroom floors has a unique scent and individual performing arts theme. Of course, all the artwork – including hand-beaded costumes and more than 1000 pieces of opera memorabilia – is original. Designer Bill Bensley also pays homage to Vietnamese craftspeople, whose cultural heritage and skill are woven into furniture and carved into the sculptural atrium that dominates the reception area. Cultural offerings go live in the Diva’s Lounge, with daily jazz and hands-on workshops by local artisans. Since opening in 2022, the hotel has collected awards, including a 2025 Michelin star.

WORK THE ROOM
No two rooms – 47 in all – are the same. Traviata, named for Verdi’s three-act opera, is a 71sqm deluxe sixth-floor suite with twin balconies overlooking a green sea of nacre trees. Champagne and the hotel’s signature opera cake welcome guests into the suite’s lounge, dining and gold-trimmed bar space (try the dried mango and the coconut honey-coated cashew snacks). The star treatment continues at bedtime, when the turndown service delivers slippers, lavender spray and sweet delights. In the bathroom, D.S. & Durga Debaser amenities complement the plush robes, generous bathtub and marble-lined rainforest shower. Artwork includes a hand-painted imagined 1920s view behind the super king bed, alongside framed music scores and opera glasses.

BILL OF FARE
Guests are spoilt for choice in the central Living Room, with an endless procession of culinary temptations. Good luck resisting the sweets trolley and the afternoon-tea titbits, the early evening snacks and the jars of all-day treats. Look out for the pickles trolley at Backstage, which celebrates Vietnamese culinary history – the iconic fried turmeric cha ca fish dish was invented a short walk away. The star of the show is Hibana by Kōki, a Michelin-starred Japanese 7 teppanyaki restaurant within a restaurant. Chef Yamaguchi Hiroshi is the master of the grill, as entertaining as he is skilled. He’ll exhibit the nose print and parentage certification of the Yaeyama Island cow that became the beef that was chilled and f lown directly to Hanoi. In Hiroshi’s hands, fried rice becomes performance art. A kikisake-shi – sake sommelier – explains the provenance of the pour that matches each course. DON’T MISS Track 61 is the top-floor spot for cocktails, whisky and cigars, modelled on a 1920s speakeasy, with a luxury-train vibe. Guests must solve a riddle before gaining access via a hidden door. capellahotels.com