Capella Hanoi Review — exceptional luxury and personalized service (2026)

In this Capella Hanoi review, we share our experiences following a three-night stay in Deluxe Suite 608 in September 2026.

Capella Hanoi ranks among the finest hotels we have ever stayed at. Its distinctive interior design, exceptional service and generous complimentary benefits make it a hotel we would happily return to. In our opinion, Capella Hanoi has everything it takes to be considered among the world’s best hotels. Our experience was outstanding and comparable to our stay at Four Seasons Bangkok, which ranked second on The World’s 50 Best Hotels list at the time of our visit.

Capella Hanoi has been awarded three Michelin Keys, making it the only hotel in Hanoi to receive this distinction. What truly stands out, however, is the personal hospitality. The staff seem to anticipate guests’ needs effortlessly, without ever being intrusive.

Stay: 3 nights, September 2026 | Room: Deluxe Suite #608 | Highlights: Breakfast, service, design and complimentary food & drinks | Room for improvement: Limited wardrobe space, shower water pressure and indoor pool only | Ideal for: A luxury city break in Hanoi | Score: 9.9/10

Arrival

Our arrival at Capella Hanoi is seamless. We are collected from the airport in the hotel’s private car, and just five minutes before reaching the property, we are asked what we would like to drink during check-in. As soon as the car stops, the door is opened and we are personally escorted inside.

Our tea arrives almost immediately, our passports are discreetly taken care of, and then a member of staff appears with a beautiful pastry trolley. We are each invited to choose a pastry, something we have never experienced during hotel check-in before.

Our first impression of the hotel is remarkable. The lobby, known as The Living Room, features a striking interior with rich red tones, unusual furniture and inviting seating areas. With just 47 rooms, the hotel feels more like an exclusive private residence than a traditional luxury hotel. The Living Room is accessible 24 hours a day and serves as the social heart of the property.

Capella Hanoi is located in the French Quarter, right next to the Opera House and approximately a five-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. This elegant neighbourhood is quieter than the nearby Old Quarter, while many of Hanoi’s main attractions remain within easy reach. The hotel’s exterior is equally impressive, with white façades and balconies that are beautifully illuminated in the evening.

The interior was designed by Bill Bensley, drawing inspiration from the world of opera and Hanoi in the 1920s. This theme runs throughout the property, giving the hotel a truly distinctive character.

The hotel has a dedicated Capella Culturist who assists guests with arranging activities and excursions. Through this service, we booked a private day trip to Ninh Binh. Unfortunately, the arrangements fell short of expectations. There had been insufficient communication between the hotel and the driver regarding the preferences we had shared with the hotel in advance. As a result, the day unfolded differently from what we had anticipated. This is certainly an area for improvement at a hotel that otherwise excels in personalised service.

Suite (#608)

During our stay at Capella Hanoi, we receive an upgrade to a 71 m² Deluxe Suite. The suite is beautifully appointed and, like the other rooms, has its own opera-inspired theme. Ours is dedicated to Lina Cavalieri, with several photographs of the famous opera singer displayed on the walls. Other rooms are named after operas and performances such as La Traviata and The Sleeping Beauty.

Capella Hanoi offers several room categories, ranging from 41 m² Premier Rooms to four exclusive Opera Suites measuring up to 194 m², complete with private terraces. Interestingly, the Premier Suites and Deluxe Suites are quite similar in size, so it is worth comparing their individual layouts and locations before making a reservation.

Upon entering the suite, we find an opera cake waiting as a welcome gift, along with a bottle of champagne arranged through our travel agent. The suite features a spacious sitting area, a dining table and a separate bedroom with a comfortable bed. However, for taller guests like ourselves, the bed is slightly on the short side.

The bathroom is beautifully finished but relatively compact. The washbasins, in particular, offer limited space for toiletries. We also feel that the shower water pressure could be stronger. Wardrobe space is another minor drawback: there is plenty of room for the contents of one suitcase, but accommodating two becomes more challenging.

The suite has two small balconies overlooking the greenery and surrounding city. Some traffic noise is audible, although we do not find it disturbing.

What makes this suite particularly memorable is the attention to detail. Every evening, the turndown service brings a different surprise, ranging from an eye mask to pastries and fresh fruit. On one occasion, housekeeping places one of our pairs of glasses on a playful nose-shaped glasses holder. Even the unusual coffee machine and the writing paper presented on a roll reflect the hotel’s theatrical personality.

The minibar, stocked with snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, is complimentary and replenished daily. The Wi-Fi is fast and easy to access, with no password required.

For a hotel with only 47 rooms, Capella Hanoi offers a remarkably extensive selection of restaurants and bars.

Backstage is the hotel’s Vietnamese restaurant, featuring an extraordinary interior with opera-inspired details, mirrored ceilings and elaborate decorations. We thoroughly enjoy our dinner here. The spring rolls with salmon, prawns and pork are presented in an original way, while the pho is delicious. The abalone with pomelo is particularly memorable, ranking among the finest abalone dishes we have ever tasted. Service is exceptionally attentive.

The Living Room is a wonderful place to enjoy coffee, tea and light refreshments throughout the day. During afternoon tea, a pastry trolley appears with an impressive selection of cakes and pastries. Guests can choose from a wide variety of teas and coffees, including Vietnamese coffee and several iced coffee specialities.

In the early evening, the atmosphere changes with the Diva’s Soirée. Accompanied by gentle live jazz, guests are served a selection of canapés and drinks, including Deutz champagne, excellent wines and classic cocktails. The atmosphere is relaxed and the service outstanding. A champagne glass is discreetly refilled before it is even empty. For us, this is one of the most memorable complimentary experiences we have ever enjoyed at a hotel.

The Hudson Rooms, located on the top floor, takes its inspiration from 1920s New York. The restaurant serves Western cuisine, seafood, oysters and caviar. Our truffle pasta is delicious. The atmosphere is lively, although the relatively loud music makes it less suitable for a quiet or romantic dinner.

Koki focuses on Japanese cuisine and includes Hibana by Koki, awarded a Michelin star, and Izakaya by Koki. Unfortunately, the restaurant was closed when we wanted to dine there. Together with Backstage, Capella Hanoi offers several Michelin-recognised dining experiences, an impressive achievement for a hotel of this size.

The gym is not particularly large, but it is more than adequate for a hotel with just 47 rooms. The modern Technogym equipment is well maintained, and water, towels and snacks are readily available. During our visits, the gym is pleasantly quiet.

We did not visit the Auriga Spa. During check-in, we were informed that guests need to advise the hotel in advance if they wish to use the sauna. As we prefer to use such facilities spontaneously, we decided not to make use of the spa.

According to the hotel, the spa features treatment rooms, two couples’ suites and a wellness area with a sauna, steam room and cold plunge pool. Treatments are inspired by traditional Vietnamese techniques and the lunar cycle.

The indoor swimming pool, known as The Grotta, is one of the most striking spaces at Capella Hanoi. Mirrors, dramatic lighting and distinctive interior design create an almost theatrical atmosphere.

The pool is large enough for swimming laps, and the water temperature is very pleasant. The loungers are also exceptionally comfortable.

Nevertheless, it is a shame that the hotel only has an indoor swimming pool. Particularly in good weather, we much prefer an outdoor pool. Despite this, we spend well over an hour here, which is unusually long for us when it comes to indoor pools.

Breakfast at Capella Hanoi ranks among the best we have ever experienced. Alongside an extensive buffet featuring bread, fruit, yoghurt and Vietnamese specialities, there is an exceptionally comprehensive à-la-carte menu.

The selection goes far beyond the usual egg dishes and pancakes. Oysters, champagne, freshly smoked salmon and a variety of Vietnamese dishes are also available. An impressive selection of coffees completes the experience.

The quality of the food is outstanding, but it is the service that truly impresses us. Orders arrive quickly and almost simultaneously. A nearly empty glass of orange juice is noticed immediately, while used plates are cleared discreetly without interrupting the meal.

The staff are consistently attentive while allowing guests to enjoy their breakfast in complete comfort. It is a balance that even the world’s finest luxury hotels do not always achieve.

One of the greatest advantages of staying at Capella Hanoi is the impressive range of complimentary benefits included in the experience.

The minibar, stocked with non-alcoholic drinks and snacks, is replenished daily. Throughout the day, refreshments are available in The Living Room, followed by afternoon tea and, in the evening, the Diva’s Soirée with canapés, cocktails, wine and champagne.

The hotel also organises various activities and rituals in which guests are welcome to participate.

The extensive breakfast was also included during our stay, as we had booked through the Virtuoso programme. It is worth noting that breakfast is not automatically included with every room reservation.

Capella Hanoi is positioned at the higher end of Hanoi’s luxury hotel market, but the extensive complimentary benefits make it particularly attractive in terms of value for money. While many luxury hotels charge separately for almost every additional service, Capella stands out for its remarkably generous approach.

Capella Hanoi is undoubtedly one of the finest hotels we have ever stayed at. Its distinctive interior design, intimate atmosphere and, above all, exceptionally personalised service make it a truly special property.

What sets Capella apart from many other luxury hotels is its remarkable attention to detail. From the warm welcome with a pastry trolley to the daily surprises in the suite and the extensive complimentary benefits, almost everything is designed to create a memorable experience for guests.

Not everything is perfect. The wardrobe space and bathroom are relatively compact, the shower water pressure could be stronger, and taller guests may find the bed slightly short. We also miss having an outdoor swimming pool. In addition, the arrangements for our excursion to Ninh Binh fell below the standards we would expect from a hotel of this calibre.

However, these shortcomings do little to diminish our overwhelmingly positive experience. The service, breakfast and extensive complimentary benefits rank among the very best we have encountered during our hotel stays.

Capella Hanoi is particularly well suited to couples seeking an exclusive luxury city break, where the hotel itself is an important part of the travel experience. Those looking for a large resort with extensive outdoor facilities may prefer to consider another property.

Check-out is once again efficient and personal. As a farewell gift, we receive a beautifully presented box of chocolates, one final thoughtful gesture that perfectly reflects Capella’s approach to hospitality.

We would return without hesitation.

Next destination: Four Seasons The Nam Hai.

During our travels in Japan, we also stayed at an exceptional luxury city hotel. Read our review of Four Seasons Otemachi, where the spectacular views, beautiful rooms and outstanding service left a lasting impression.