Shining Central Hotel & Spa

We recommend the Shining Central to travellers seeking a true Hanoian neighbourhood without sacrificing 5-star comfort. It is an address for couples on a city break, families with children (family rooms available), solo travellers who want a spa after sightseeing. Regulars of the Peninsula or the Sofitel Metropole will find less lustre here, but more authenticity and a rate three times lower.

The building is a recent eight-storey construction, narrow façade typical of old Hanoi, integrated into the alignment of tube houses in the quarter. Contemporary interiors with white marble lobby, indirect lighting, lacquered wood furniture. The rooms occupy the intermediate floors, the spa and pool crown the top level. The lift is narrow, the scale remains that of a boutique hotel of around 40 rooms.

The hotel restaurant serves an unpretentious Vietnamese and international menu, buffet breakfast included in most rates with phở, bánh mì, tropical fruit and Western options. Room service operates until 22h. For tables, we head out: the neighbourhood is full of good addresses less than ten minutes' walk away, from Cha Ca Thang Long to Green Tangerine. The lobby bar offers cocktails and local beers, hushed atmosphere.

The hotel stands on rue Lô Sư, a quiet artery of the old quarter, between Hoàn Kiếm lake to the south and Đồng Xuân market to the north. Ngọc Sơn temple is 400 metres away, the water puppet theatre five minutes. The 36 Streets quarter unfolds its commercial lanes all around, dense, noisy by day, calmed after 21h. No metro nearby, but taxis and Grab everywhere. Nội Bài airport is 25 km away, allow 45 minutes to 1h depending on traffic.