Suji Hotel Hanoi: Your Dream Vietnamese Getaway Awaits!
Suji Hotel Hanoi: My Vietnamese Getaway That Seriously Surprised Me (And Maybe You Too!) - A Brutally Honest Review
Okay, so let's talk about the Suji Hotel Hanoi. "Your Dream Vietnamese Getaway Awaits!" – That's their tagline. Big words, right? Well, I'm a sucker for a good vacation promise, but I'm also a cynical travel blogger with a magnifying glass and a serious case of "traveler's eye." Prepare for the truth bomb, folks.
First Impressions: Finding the Place (and a Little Panic)
Getting there? Accessibility: I'll be honest, Hanoi's a bit of a chaotic dance, even in a cab. Negotiating the scooters and tiny streets was… an experience. The Suji, thankfully, is in a relatively central location with decent access. Accessibility (Wheelchair): I didn't personally test this (paddling through scooter traffic on a wheelchair sounds… exciting!), but their website says they've got facilities. The elevator is a MUST, and hopefully, the ramps are up to snuff. They've got a decent Elevator.
(Deep breath, the scooter-induced anxiety subsiding).
The Room: My Little Hanoi Sanctuary (Mostly)
Opening the door to my room was like, "Oh, okay, this is nice." Available in all rooms: You've got your Air conditioning, which is a GIFT in Hanoi's heat. Alarm clock to drag you out of blissful sleep (though, let's be real, jet lag does that pretty well). Bathrobes that, let's just say, I lived in. Blackout curtains – YES! Crucial for sleep. And hey, Free bottled water, always appreciated.
What I Loved: The Bed. Seriously, the bed was the best. Extra long, great. And a Laptop workspace If you're forced to check in with the real world (which, let's be honest, I was). The Slippers were a nice touch. Hair dryer, essential. TV had a decent selection of channels.
Minor Annoyances: (Because, let's be real, nothing's perfect) The Internet access – LAN wasn't exactly blazing fast. They claim Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, and it was… okay. Not a dealbreaker, but don't expect to stream HD movies. The Mirror lighting was a bit… harsh. And the Soundproofing could be better. I heard a few late-night scooters revving, but hey, this is Hanoi. Window that opens which allowed for some much needed fresh air, considering the room's compact size. I will say that their Rooms sanitized between stays which made me feel more at ease.
Dining: From Pho to Foreign Fare (With a Few Bumps)
Dining, drinking, and snacking: Okay, let's get down to the food. Restaurants: They had a few options. Breakfast [buffet] was included, and it was… decent. Asian breakfast, mostly. Loads of delicious Pho. Coffee/tea in restaurant, essential for me. International cuisine in restaurant was there to offer something that wasn't strictly Asian.
My Foodie Adventures: I particularly loved the Breakfast takeaway service option on the days that I wanted to enjoy my meal in the room. One morning, I ordered Breakfast in room. It was a treat. I took advantage of the Snack bar for emergency, mid-afternoon cravings.
What Could Be Better: The A la carte in restaurant options were a bit limited. The Vegetarian restaurant was a lifesaver for me, but maybe they could expand on the menu. The Desserts in restaurant were decent, but not memorable.
Relaxation & Wellness: Spa Days and Sauna Sessions
Ways to relax: Okay, the Spa was a highlight. Massage after a sweaty day of sightseeing? Yes, please! The Sauna was a blissful escape from the chaos. Pool with view was great, but honestly, it got a bit crowded. I skipped the Fitness center, because, well, vacation.
My Spa Story: Body scrub was the best I've ever had. My skin felt brand new. And Sauna? I could've stayed in that thing for an eternity.
Services & Conveniences: The Good, The Bad, and the "Uh-Ohs."
Services and conveniences: They tried. Air conditioning in public area - thank god. Doorman, nice touch. Daily housekeeping, keeping the room tidy. Elevator - crucial. Facilities for disabled guests - hopefully, they're up to snuff. Luggage storage, a lifesaver. Currency exchange, cash withdrawal, Cashless payment service, Invoice provided. They have the basics covered.
The Hiccups: Finding the Convenience store took an age. The Laundry service was a little slow. And the Wi-Fi for special events was not as good as they make it out to be.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Safe in the City
Cleanliness and safety: This is a big one for me, especially in a place like Hanoi. Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Rooms sanitized between stays, Staff trained in safety protocol, and Sterilizing equipment (at least that's what they claim). The Non-smoking rooms. CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property give you some peace of mind. Fire extinguisher and Smoke alarms were obviously in place. Safety/security feature were good overall.
Things to Do Around Here: Hanoi is a Gem
Things to do: The hotel is well-situated to explore the Old Quarter. You can take a taxi or a ride-sharing service easily. There's a Convenience store close by.
For the Kids: I Didn't Have a Kid With Me…
For the kids: I don't have kids, but the Family/child friendly seems legit.
Getting Around: Navigating the Maze
Getting around: They offer Airport transfer, which is clutch. Taxi service available, but be warned, Hanoi traffic is a beast. Car park [free of charge] is a bonus.
The Verdict: Should You Book?
So, should you book the Suji Hotel Hanoi?
The Good: The location is great – accessible to most of the best places to visit. The spa is top-notch. The staff are, on the whole, friendly and helpful. The price is reasonable. The rooms are comfortable, if a little compact. Overall, is well-managed and that shines out.
The Bad: The Wi-Fi is a little touch and go. Dining options could be improved. The soundproofing could be better. It's not perfect, but hey, nothing in Hanoi is. I had high expectations of seeing a Shrine , because it had been marketed, but this was not the case, which was fine, but misleading.
Overall: I'd say, YES. For the price, location, and spa, Suji is a solid choice. It won't blow your mind, but it'll give you a comfortable, clean, and well-located base to explore the amazing city of Hanoi. You'll feel safe, well and get some much needed rest. And that, my friends, is what a good hotel is all about.
My Special Offer for You (Because Why Not!):
Book Your Suji Hotel Hanoi Getaway NOW and Get:
- 15% OFF your stay: Use code "HANOIADVENTURE" at checkout.
- Free welcome drink: Enjoy a refreshing cocktail at the poolside bar.
- Bonus: Free late check-out (subject to availability).
But Wait, There's More! This offer is only valid for bookings made within the next 48 hours, so act fast, and have a nice vacation.
Paros Paradise: Your Dream Greek Island Getaway Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my totally planned… well, suggested itinerary for Suji Hotel, Hanoi. Let's be honest, things might get a little… unhinged. And by "a little," I mean I'm probably going to spend half the time craving pho and the other half complaining about the humidity. But that's the beauty of travel, right? Pure, unadulterated chaos.
Day 1: Arrival, And The Great Pho Quest Begins (Or, The Day I Almost Got Eaten By a Cyclo)
Morning (ish): Finally! After what felt like an eternity in the bowels of an airplane, I stumble out of Noi Bai International Airport. The air hits me like a warm, fragrant hug… that also tries to melt your face off. I quickly locate my pre-booked (and dearly-priced) airport transfer. Already feeling like a right royal tourist. I'm expecting a sleek black car. What arrives? A beat-up sedan with a driver who looks like he’s seen things. (He probably has, I'm about to discover).
Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Check into Suji Hotel. Ah, the sweet embrace of air conditioning. The room is actually pretty darn nice, all clean lines and minimalist chic. But, let's be real, I came for the chaos, not the serenity. Time to figure out the Wi-Fi (which, naturally, takes me 20 minutes and a near-meltdown to connect to) and start plotting my conquest of Hanoi.
Afternoon: The Pho Quest BEGINS! I consult every travel blog I could find, each promising the best pho in Hanoi. My strategy? Ask the hotel staff—they always know the REAL deals. They point me to a tiny, hole-in-the-wall place a few blocks away. I wander out, map in hand, feeling ridiculously optimistic. Which, naturally, lasts all of five minutes.
Anecdote Alert! Okay, so picture this: I'm dodging motorbikes like a caffeinated gazelle, trying to navigate the crazy, swirling street life. Suddenly, WHAM! A cyclo (a bicycle taxi) nearly takes me out. I yelped! The driver just waves and smiles, like this is a perfectly normal Tuesday. I swear, I spent the next hour clutching my chest and muttering about the fragility of human life. It was both terrifying and… strangely hilarious.
Evening: Finally, Pho! The broth is fragrant, the noodles are silky, the meat is tender… and everything is about a million times more delicious than I ever imagined. (Seriously, pho is a religious experience). I'm so engrossed that I almost forget my surroundings - the bustling street, the clinking bowls, the general happy chaos around me. I'm actually smiling! Maybe Hanoi and I are going to get along after all. I finish with a local beer, and I'm feeling warm, fuzzy, and ready to wander the old quarter.
Day 2: Culture Shock, Coffee, and a Cat Called Trouble (Probably)
Morning: I'm a sucker for a decent sunrise. So, I decide to be "cultured" and take the hotel up on their "early morning walking tour". I should've slept in. I was not prepared for a sea of identical faces, the awkward morning "friendly" small talk, and the sudden stop to meditate. I end up in the Temple of Literature, which is genuinely beautiful and fascinating. Except, a giant wave of exhaustion hits me. (Jet lag is a cruel mistress.)
Late Morning: Coffee break! I'm told everybody drinks coffee in Hanoi. And they do it right. I stumble, half-awake, into a tiny cafe, order a Ca Phe Sua (coffee with condensed milk), and my life is changed. It’s like drinking liquid heaven. If I hadn't been warned about the caffeine, I'd have inhaled 3 in a row. (Note to self: Pack extra anxiety medication). Quirky Observation: Okay, so I'm sitting there, blissfully caffeinated, and I notice a CAT! A proper street cat, nonchalantly perched on a motorbike, observing the passers-by with complete disdain. I decide, on the spot, that it must be named Trouble. Because, let's be honest, that's what cats are.
Afternoon: I'm officially "doing" the Old Quarter. Finally. This is where the real magic happens. I wander the narrow streets, dodging vendors and motorbikes, and haggling for souvenirs (the best I could manage). I am pretty sure I am hopelessly bad at the haggling game. But I'm having a blast. I find some cool trinkets, some questionable dried fruit (no regrets!), and soak up the sheer energy of the place.
Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant. I'm feeling adventurous. I get something with lemongrass and chili that sets my mouth on fire. The waiter looks amused. I look like I am dying from the heat. I wash it down with a refreshing beer and promise myself to eat much more cautiously tomorrow. Feeling slightly defeated, but still loving life.
Day 3: Halong Bay (OMG), Emotional Rollercoasters and the Art of Doing Nothing (Maybe)
Morning (Very Early): The Halong Bay day trip! I'm so excited. The pictures look incredible. I'm expecting paradise. I'm also dreading the early wake-up call. Emotional Reaction! The bus ride? About my least favorite thing ever. The driver seems hell-bent on seeing how many near death experiences he can give us. I'm clinging to the seat, muttering prayers to every deity I could think of. Also, I'm starting to wonder if I should have packed more Dramamine.
Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Okay, holy moly, Halong Bay is as stunning as everyone says. The sheer scale of it, the emerald water, the jagged limestone karsts… it's breathtaking. I am suddenly feeling incredibly small and insignificant in a wonderful, awe-inspiring kind of way. I take a kayaking tour and spend the afternoon (thankfully mostly) away from the insane bus tour. I am completely alone in the water and spend the next hour in silence, soaking in the views, and being completely entranced.
Afternoon: I'm back on the boat. Lunch: I am suddenly hit with a wave of sadness for no clear reason. I just sit there, staring at nothing, feeling quietly melancholic. I can’t explain it. The scenery is still beautiful, the food is good, people are laughing, and I feel completely… off-kilter. Okay, hormones, stop! I pull myself together. I head back to the Suji Hotel feeling exhausted by everything and completely enchanted by it all.
Evening: Back at the hotel. I'm worn out and slightly overwhelmed. All that exploring really takes its toll. I decide, it's officially the evening of "Doing Nothing". I order room service, and curl up in bed with a book. I am not going anywhere. Hanoi can wait. I just need some absolute, quiet peace for the night. Maybe I'll watch a movie. Okay, it is a must tonight.
Day 4: Exploring more, more food, and the inevitable goodbye
Morning: I decide to be a “local” today. I head out for a stroll in the park. I watch the morning Tai Chi, and I get a few strange glances directed my way. (Guess I'm not very good at looking casual). I also discover a bustling local market. I am instantly overwhelmed by the smells, the sounds, the sheer abundance of food. I buy some fresh spring rolls, and decide this is my “authentic immersion” moment.
Late Morning: I head over to the Hoan Kiem Lake. I enjoy watching the turtles and spend a bit of time trying to understand their importance. I fail. But, the scenery is stunning.
Afternoon: One last pho! Then, I will head over and buy some last-minute souvenirs. Then I will head over to the hotel for packing. Then, back to the airport sigh
Evening: My last night. And I'm going to make it count. I arrange a Cooking Class - Because I want to bring a little bit of Hanoi home with me. (Plus, I'm a terrible cook, so it should be entertaining, at least). I end up burning the noodles. But I have a fantastic time, I'm laughing, and I feel filled with a sense of accomplishment (small though it may be!). Hanoi, I will miss you.
Day 5: I am gone for the day. But, the memories of Hanoi will stay forever. Next time, I'll learn to haggle, and maybe I'll try to understand the traffic. Maybe. But I would not change a thing. It has been all kinds of chaotic.
Final Thoughts:
Okay, so that's my completely unrehearsed, probably-changing-every-five-minutes itinerary for Suji Hotel. Remember, this is a suggestion. Do whatever the hell you want. Get lost. Embrace the chaos. Eat all the pho
Unbelievable Malacca Homestay Deal: Zas Melaka City!
Suji Hotel Hanoi: So, You Think You Wanna Go? (Let's Spill the Tea)
Okay, spill the beans: Is Suji Hotel actually *good*? Or is it just another Instagram trap?
Alright, deep breaths. Let's get real. Suji Hotel... is it *good*? That depends on what you're after. Me? I went bracing myself for the influencer paradise, all perfectly curated angles and fake smiles. And, yeah, there's *some* of that. The lobby? Gorgeous. Picturesque. Instagram-bait to the MAX. But here's the thing... the actual experience… it's got a certain *je ne sais quoi*. Definitely wasn't a complete train wreck, which, in Hanoi, is a win! Think... charming, with a side of chaos. Think… it’s a good bet if you want to post a lot of photos... and maybe, just maybe, enjoy yourself doing so. Think... I *might* go back. Maybe. Depending on my mood and how tolerant I'm feeling towards over-the-top flower arrangements. (They LOVE flowers, FYI.)
What's the food situation like? I'm a HUGE foodie. Can I expect amazing pho every day?
Okay, food. Food is *crucial*, right? And look, let's be honest, Hanoi is a food *mecca*. The pho outside the hotel? Legendary. The stuff *inside* the hotel? …Fine. Not *amazing* amazing. Definitely not legendary. The breakfast buffet had your usual suspects: eggs (cooked every which way!), some pastries that looked suspiciously shop-bought (shhh!), and a pretty decent selection of fruit. Here's the key: GET OUT. Don't eat ALL your meals there. The hotel's food? Convenient. Safe. But not the reason you went to Hanoi. Go exploring! Walk around the corner! Embrace the street food! Trust me, your tastebuds will thank you. One morning, though, I swear I saw a chef just... staring intensely at a bowl of soup. Like, soul-searching intense. Felt a little bad for him. He clearly cared.
The rooms... are they as pretty as they look online? Because, come on, Instagram is LYING sometimes.
Okay, the rooms. This is where things get... interesting. Yes, they *are* pretty. Like, REALLY pretty. The kind of pretty that makes you want to immediately rearrange all your belongings for a photo shoot. (Don't judge me. I did it.) The decor? Stylish. Chic. Modern with a touch of Vietnamese flair. But here's the catch: I stayed in a "deluxe" room. Which, according to the pictures, was basically a palace. In reality? Slightly smaller than advertised. The sink was a tiny bit wonky. (Minor detail, but still.) My view? Okay, it was a *city* view. Which, in Hanoi, means you get a healthy dose of motorbikes and the joyous symphony of honking. But, honestly? I liked it. It felt real. It felt...Hanoi. Plus, the bed was ridiculously comfortable. I swear, I could have slept for a week. Maybe I DID. Time… is a blur.
Are the staff helpful? Or are they just there to pose for photos?
This one's a mixed bag. Some of the staff were absolute gems. Sweet, helpful, genuinely trying to make your stay a good one. I mean, they put up with a LOT. The non-stop selfies. The endless requests. The bewildered tourists wandering around looking lost. They deserve a medal. Others... well, maybe they were having a bad day. Language barriers can be…fun. (Or, in my case, frequently hilarious.) One time, I needed an iron. Took about 20 minutes and several frantic hand gestures to communicate this. Eventually, success! Iron arrived… in a plastic shopping bag. It worked, though! And everyone always, ALWAYS, smiled. So, helpful? Mostly. Polite? Absolutely. Picture perfect? Not always. And that's alright. It's real life, not a magazine spread.
What about the location? Is it easy to get around?
The location? Pretty darn good, actually. It’s a decent walk from the Old Quarter and some of the major sights. (Though be warned: walking in Hanoi is an extreme sport. Master the art of dodging motorbikes, quickly.) Grab is your best friend. Super cheap. Super convenient. You can practically summon a motorbike taxi with a thought (almost). I definitely got lost a few times, which, honestly, is part of the fun. You stumble upon hidden gems! Cute little cafes. A random fruit stand selling the most amazing mangoes you've ever tasted. Just… be prepared to embrace the organized chaos. And bring comfy shoes. You'll be doing a LOT of walking.
Okay, be honest. What's the WORST thing about Suji Hotel?
Alright. Deep breath. The *worst* thing? Alright, here comes my unfiltered, emotional (and possibly overblown) response. It’s NOT terrible, by the way. But... the noise. HANOI IS LOUD. I knew this. But I was *not* prepared for the full-on assault on my eardrums. Motorbikes. Horns. Construction. Even the birds seem to sing at ear-splitting decibels. Now, the hotel *does* have double-paned windows. But they're not always a perfect shield. I got a room overlooking a busy street. My first night? Slept maybe three hours. (Pro tip: request a room NOT facing the street, and bring earplugs. Lots of them.) It wasn’t *awful*, per se. But the lack of sleep… well, it turned me into something of a cranky tourist. And cranky people… are not fun to be around. (Especially when someone is trying to take selfies.)
Would you go back? REALLY?
Honestly? Yes. Despite the noise, the questionable pastries, and the somewhat wonky sink. Why? Because it was an experience. It was real. It was Hanoi. The good parts? The gorgeous decor. The helpful staff (mostly!). The absolutely amazing location. The *vibes*! (Yes, I'm using that word.) And the bad parts? Well, they gave me a story to tell. And aren't those the best souvenirs of all? I'd go back. I’d just pack more earplugs, maybe bring my own iron, and learn a few more Vietnamese phrases. Budget Travel Destination
