Hanoi is one of the most compelling cities in Asia.
The capital of Vietnam, how home to 8 million people, is also chaotic, frenetic and noisy.
Until you walk through the front door of the historic Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel, this is.
This classic hotel, with a history dating back to 1901, is a haven of calm - and a benchmark of regional hospitality, blending classic French style with the charm of IndoChina.
This is no ordinary hotel. It is a classic of its type; with smart staff, a range of food and beverage offerings, stylish rooms and suites, a swimming pool and beautiful gardens, and two different wings with different vibes.
If you do stay here - maybe to mark a special anniversary, or celebrate a birthday - you'll be staying where some of the biggest stars on the planet have laid their heads.
From Noel Coward to Sir Michael Caine, Mick Jagger to Angelina Jolie, Jane Fonda to Roger Moore, Vladimir Putin to Joan Baez and Charlie Chaplin to Bill Clinton have all stayed here. Cartoon villains, too: Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump.
During the American War (what we call the Vietnam War), bunkers underneath the hotel protected diplomats and dignitaries from American bombing raids.
Guests can visit the recently rediscovered bunkers on one of the hotel's nightly historic tours, which also feature a look at a painting done by Baez when she visited during the war - and she later donated back to the hotel.
It's that sort of place. Many of its well-heeled guests what not dream of staying anywhere else in Hanoi.
It's stylish but not stuffy, a colonial masterwork where hospitality is a practised art.
Hanoi has gone through wholesale changes since Vietnam swung open its doors to tourism but the Metropole, in the stylish Old Quarter opposite the Opera House, is within short walking distance from many historical and cultural landmarks.
It has a long tradition as a luxury venue for prestigious events and as a popular rendezvous for business and leisure traveller.
The hotel has 358 rooms, but still manages to retain a boutique fel.
The historic Heritage Wing has 94 guestrooms, six Metropole suites, and three Legendary suites - named after famous residents and visitors to the hotel (Graham Greene, Charlie Chaplin, Somerset Maugham with private garden).
The contemporary Opera Wing offers 236 guest rooms and 18 suites, and one Grand Prestige Suite spanning 176 square meters. Think classic style and eye-catching artworks.
Each room in the opera wing has been individually furnished and decorated in a neoclassical style. Executive rooms on the upper floors get services like a personal butler, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails.
At the centre of the hotel, Located in the centre of the hotel, overlooking the garden courtyard and pool, is Le Spa du Metropole, while the rooftop garden balcony, Le Balcon, offers yoga and Tai Chi experiences to guests.
There are several dining options ranging from the Michelin-starred Le Beaulieu, known for the finest French fare in this part of the world, to Spice Garden, with its elegant Vietnamese cuisine.
I sampled the fusion food and cocktails at Angelina's - named after former guest Angelina Jolie - which a twist of clam chowder and a superfood salad left me feeling with satiated and virtuous. The venue also boasts a world-class whisky collection.
La Terrasse is a French-style sidewalk bar; Le Club Bar showcases afternoon high teas and cool jazz performances; while Bamboo Bar caters to guests using the pool.
Overall, the hotel is an absolute delight.
Path of History: The Metropole’s bomb shelter served to protect guests including famous visitors like Joan Baez and Jane Fonda from air raids during the American War (1964-1973).
After the war the bunker was closed and sealed until a chance rediscovery by the hotel’s engineering department during the renovation of the Bamboo Bar in 2011.
It was reopened in May 2012 to honour the extraordinary efforts of employees during shared hardships of wartime. Daily tours of Metropole’s Path of History and the bomb shelter with Ambassador of History are offered, exclusively for guests staying at the hotel.
For full details see sofitel.accor.com or all.accor.com
# The writer was a guest of the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
The writer/photographer was hosted by Vietjet, which flies from Ho Chi Minh City to major Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, and also connects Hanoi to Sydney and Melbourne. Economy fares start at around $250, while business class fares begin at $1,100, with frequent seat sales on offer.
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