If you ever visit Hanoi and can swing it, stay at the Sofitel Metropole. The Metropole is deliciously luxurious. Yes it is very expensive, but it's a five star hotel in every way - beautiful rooms, expensive toiletries, great restaurants and bars, and a wonderful gym and spa complex. Of course what you are really paying for is security and tranquility in the chaos that is Hanoi. Occupying a full square block in one of the nicer areas of downtown Hanoi, the Metropole consists of two separate wings which form a perimeter around a peaceful garden, the pool area, and the spa. Our room is in the older wing constructed in 1906, which we hear is nicer than the modern wing. The floors in our room are a gorgeous, glossy dark teak wood. The bed is
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