Apricot Hotel

Apricot Hotel calls itself a luxury art boutique hotel, and art really is the defining feature. The five-star property stands on Hang Trong Street overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, in a neo-classical building with Vietnamese touches, and its lobby and every floor display a large collection of contemporary Vietnamese art. For visitors interested in the country's modern art scene, staying here is like sleeping in a gallery.

The hotel has 123 rooms. The location, overlooking the lake, is one of the most convenient in the city: Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, St Joseph's Cathedral and the old streets are all within walking distance. Rooms facing the lake are the ones to request if the view is a priority.

Dining is spread across several venues with distinct roles. L'Artiste is the breakfast restaurant, Palette serves dinner, and A'telier Lounge is the place for afternoon tea. The highlight is the rooftop, where Rooftop Bar One36 serves cocktails with a view over Hoan Kiem Lake, and the rooftop pool looks out over the lake too. Spa L'Art offers treatments for guests who want to unwind after a day of walking. As both the rooftop pool and the bar look over the lake, the top floor is the place to spend an early evening.

The hotel has warned that fraudulent websites and accounts have impersonated it, asking guests for deposits or personal information, so book through the official website or a trusted channel and be cautious of unsolicited messages. The hotel also says direct bookings get its lowest price. It won a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice award in 2024.

Apricot suits couples, art lovers and first-time visitors who want a polished, central base with a sense of place. Families can make good use of the rooftop pool. Even if you stay elsewhere, a sunset drink at the rooftop bar is a good way to see the lake from above. Art lovers can continue at the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts, a short taxi ride away, which traces Vietnamese art from ancient times to the present. Contact the hotel on +84 24 3828 9595 or at [email protected].