Hanoi's Hidden Gem: Sumitomo 3 Hotel & Apartment - Unbelievable Luxury!
Hanoi's Hidden Gem: Sumitomo 3 Hotel & Apartment - Unbelievable Luxury!
Hanoi's Hidden Gem: Sumitomo 3 Hotel & Apartment - Unbelievable Luxury! (My Unfiltered Take)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on the place to stay in Hanoi: Sumitomo 3 Hotel & Apartment. They call it "Unbelievable Luxury," and honestly? They’re not too far off. But before you picture some sterile, cookie-cutter hotel experience, let me paint you a picture… and it's got a few paint splatters.
First Impressions & the Accessibility Angle:
Landing in Hanoi can be a sensory overload. It's bikes, honking, smells (some good, some… less so), and a general feeling of organized chaos. But the second you walk into Sumitomo 3, BAM! Instant calm. Seriously, it's like stepping into a different dimension. Finding the place was a breeze – accessibility is key, people. They’ve got on-site parking (a godsend!), and the entrance is pretty darn accessible. An elevator? You betcha. And that, my friends, is clutch. No hobbling up five flights of stairs after a long flight. Though I will say, during my stay, I didn't specifically check the wheelchair accessibility in every single nook and cranny – more on that later, but I'm pretty sure they've thought of most things.
My Room: A Sanctuary (Mostly)
The room… oh, the room. Mine had a massive window. I mean, massive. And it had blackout curtains. Victory! Because let's be honest, jet lag is a beast, and those Hanoi sunrises? They're aggressive. They also had a mini-bar, which is a dangerous game, folks. But hey, free bottled water is always a plus. The bed was HUGE. And comfortable. Like, sink-in-and-never-leave comfortable. They even had a desk – perfect for pretending to work while I just stared out the window. They had a bathtub with a separate shower. Okay, I'm starting to think I'm gonna stay here forever. Honestly, the amenities were solid. Alarm clock, hair dryer, slippers (yes!), bathrobes, all the fancy things. Even a safe! (Though I'm pretty sure I just ended up stuffing my passport in a drawer – old habits die hard). My only minor grumble? More power outlets, please! But honestly, it's a minor gripe.
Cleanliness, Safety, and That Covid Thing:
Right, let's get real. Travel in the current climate is… well, complicated. Thankfully, Sumitomo 3 nails the safety protocols. I saw staff constantly cleaning. And I mean constantly. They use anti-viral cleaning products, they have hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff are all masked up. There's daily disinfection in common areas. And they even offer room sanitization opt-out (if you're, like, a germaphobe with trust issues). Plus, you can request individually-wrapped food options – a major bonus for peace of mind. I'm not saying I'm not immune-compromised, but I felt safe. And that's priceless. They also have a doctor/nurse on call (another good thing for you paranoid people).
Food, Glorious Food! (and a few hiccups)
Now, the food. This is where it gets interesting. They've got everything! From Asian breakfast to Western breakfast. A la carte in the restaurant. Buffet. Yes, buffet! (I’m a sucker for a buffet, I admit it). The Asian breakfast was amazing, honestly. The pho? Divine. I ate so much pho, I think my veins are now made of broth. They’ve got a coffee shop, a snack bar and a pool-side bar with “happy hour”.
Honestly, the food was generally great, but breakfast service got a little… chaotic. One morning, they ran out of croissants. Croissants! The horror! I almost had a meltdown. But hey, imperfections. I'm trying to forgive them (and I did).
The Spa & Relaxation Station: My Personal Oasis (and a confession)
Okay, listen up. The Spa is where Sumitomo 3 truly shines. This is my confession: I booked a massage every single day. And I’m not one to get massages, but this was a game-changer. The spa has a sauna, a steamroom, a pool with a view (absolutely breathtaking), a foot bath… you name it, they've got it. I got the body scrub and the body wrap (I recommend both!). Seriously, I felt like a new human after that. The masseuses are expertly trained.
Things to Do (if you can bear to leave the hotel):
Okay, so you want to explore Hanoi? Well, Sumitomo 3 can help organize tours, airport transfers, taxi, you name it. They also have a gift shop. And if you really want to impress, they have facilities for special events. Meeting/banquet facilities. If you want to have a meeting here this is a really nice place.
Services, Conveniences, and the Little Things That Matter
They’ve thought of everything. Concierge service? Check. Laundry service? Check. Dry cleaning? Check. Luggage storage? Yup. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Absolutely! Room service (24-hour), even! They've got a convenience store, currency exchange, and a doorman. It's the little things, right? Like the fresh flowers in the lobby or the perfectly pressed linens on your bed.
For the Kids (and the Kid in You):
Family-friendly? Yes! They have a babysitting service and kids meal options. I saw a few families there, and everyone seemed happy.
Getting Around and the Fine Print:
- Location: Central, but a bit tucked away. Not a problem if you're using taxis, but worth noting.
- Pets: No pets allowed, unfortunately.
- Hotel Chain: Independent.
- Wi-Fi: Free and generally reliable.
- Car Park: Free car park on-site, what else!
The Bottom Line (My Unsolicited Advice):
Sumitomo 3 is seriously a hidden gem. It's a place where luxury meets comfort, where you can truly relax and recharge. It's not perfect (because nothing ever is), but the staff are genuinely friendly and helpful. The Spa alone is worth the price of admission. And the location is excellent for exploring this amazing city. I genuinely enjoyed the trip and if you're in Hanoi and want a taste of luxury that's actually worth it, you can't go wrong with Sumitomo 3.
My Messy, Honest, and Slightly Opinionated Recommendation:
Book it! You won't regret it. Get the spa treatment! Eat the Pho! Embrace the chaos of Hanoi, knowing you have a perfect, peaceful, and truly wonderful sanctuary to return to. And that's that… My Unfiltered Review.
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Hanoi Hustle: A Messily Wonderful Week at the Sumitomo 3 Hotel & Apartment (and Beyond!)
Alright, brace yourselves. Because this isn’t your pristine, perfectly-organized travel itinerary. This is a raw, unfiltered look at my week in Hanoi, centered around the Sumitomo 3 Hotel & Apartment. Consider yourselves warned: I'm prone to tangents, emotional outbursts about pho, and the occasional existential crisis triggered by a particularly persistent motorbike horn.
Day 1: Arrival & Oh My God, Pho! (And Jet Lag)
- Morning (or, what felt like morning at 3 PM after a red-eye flight): Landed at Noi Bai International Airport. Honestly, the airport felt a tad chaotic. Everything's in Vietnamese, and I was pretty sure my suitcase was going to escape down the baggage carousel without me. Found my pre-booked driver – bless him, he was holding up a sign with my name spelled… well, let's just say it was almost my name. The 45-minute drive into Hanoi was a blur of motorbikes, honking horns, and what looked like a thousand tiny shops overflowing onto the sidewalks. My blood pressure spiked… but also, amazing chaos.
- Afternoon: Arrived at the Sumitomo 3 Hotel & Apartment. Place is actually pretty decent! Clean, modern, aircon blasting (needed!), and the staff were super friendly, even translating my garbled welcome speech. Checked into my apartment - ahhh, the luxury of space after a cramped airplane seat. The best part? The tiny kitchen! Visions of instant noodles danced in my head.
- Evening: Jet lag HIT. HARD. But I was determined. I HAD to find pho. Wandered the streets near the hotel, following my nose (and a helpful Google Maps recommendation). Ended up at a tiny place with plastic stools and a HUGE cauldron of steaming broth. Took one bite of that pho… and I swear, my soul did a little happy dance. That broth, that noodles, that everything… was heavenly. Seriously, I might have cried a little. Ate so fast I almost choked. Regretted not ordering two bowls.
- Night: Crashed. Hard. Woke up at 2 AM, convinced I’d missed something important. Rewatched the pho video on my phone. Went back to sleep.
Day 2: Exploring the Old Quarter & The Coffee That Almost Killed Me
- Morning: Determined to conquer the Old Quarter! First stop: Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ngoc Son Temple. Beautiful scenery, but the hordes of tourists were kinda annoying. Kept getting jostled. Took some cheesy photos because, hey, tourist.
- Afternoon: Spent hours weaving through the narrow streets of the Old Quarter. The smells… oh, the smells! Incense, street food, exhaust fumes… a glorious sensory overload. Got “lost” (purposefully) in shops selling silk, handicrafts, and… everything you could possibly imagine. Bargaining is a MUST. Got ripped off slightly on a silk scarf, but hey, it’s the experience that matters, right? (And the scarf is pretty.)
- Late Afternoon: The Coffee Scene. Oh, the coffee scene. Heard about the egg coffee – a local Hanoi specialty. Found a tiny cafe perched on a rooftop. The egg coffee… was… different. I’d describe it as a thick, sweet, eggy custard that you drink with coffee. The first sip was… surprising. The second sip… interesting. By the third, I was wired. Like, seriously buzzing. My heart rate felt like it was trying to break free. I started giggling uncontrollably. Walked around Hanoi with the jitters, feeling like a caffeinated hummingbird.
- Evening: Ate another bowl of pho. This time, two bowls. No regrets.
Day 3: Cooking Class Chaos & The Water Puppet Theatre's Enchantment
- Morning: Cooking class! (Booked through the hotel – convenient!). Learned how to make pho, banh xeo (crispy pancakes), and spring rolls. My attempts were… enthusiastic, to say the least. The banh xeo I made looked like a flattened alien. The spring rolls? Let's just say they were a little too springy. The chef was incredibly patient with my disastrous ineptitude. Somehow, it all tasted amazing. The best part? Eating the fruits of my labor – even the alien pancakes!
- Afternoon: After lunch, went to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. Seriously, GO. It's weird, it's whimsical, it's utterly charming. The puppeteers, hidden behind a screen, manipulate these intricate puppets on water. The music is loud and lively. The stories, about Vietnamese history and folklore, are surprisingly engaging. I spent half the time trying to figure out how they do it. Pure, unadulterated magic.
- Evening: Back to the hotel for a quick shower. Wandered around the hotel. Trying to find a good restaurant after a long day. The hotel has nice amenities, like gym and restaurant!
Day 4: Ha Long Bay Day Trip (Dramatic Adventure!)
- Early Morning (aka, Before the Sun): Hired a tour bus to Halong Bay (again, booked through the hotel - efficient!). Woke up at the crack of dawn. The drive was… long. Scenic, but long. At least the bus had air conditioning.
- Daytime: Halong Bay itself? Breath-taking. Karst limestone islands jutting out of the emerald green water. Kayaked through a cave. Climbed up to a viewpoint. The views were spectacular. Took about a billion pictures, mostly of the wrong things, as usual. The boat food was surprisingly decent.
- Late Afternoon: Getting back on the bus… it started to rain. Then the rain got heavier. Then the road flooded. Then traffic ground to a standstill. Hours of sitting on a bus, inching forward. Thought about getting the driver a beer; he looked like he was having the worst day of his life. Reached the hotel at… late. Exhausted.
- Evening: Ordered room service and watched a terrible Vietnamese drama on TV. Decided that tomorrow, I'd buy a scooter and find a hidden beach.
Day 5: Scooter Scares & Hidden Gems (Maybe)
- Morning: Rented a scooter. Holy moly. Navigating Hanoi on a scooter is… an experience. It's exhilarating, it's terrifying, it's the definition of controlled chaos. I quickly realized I have the driving skills of a particularly clumsy goldfish. Spent the first hour just circling the block, sweating profusely.
- Afternoon: Somehow, miraculously, I’m still alive! Drove (very, very slowly) out of the city. Found a small, secluded temple. Did some meditation. Felt zen for about five minutes before a family of five on a motorbike nearly ran me over. Decided to find that beach!
- Late Afternoon: Got lost. Badly. Realized my phone's GPS was dead…or malfunctioning. Ended up in a small village, where I was surrounded by a group of curious (and adorable) children. They giggled at my attempts at Vietnamese and offered me a soda. A sweet, unexpected kindness. The beach never happened. But this was better.
- Evening: Back to the hotel, covered in dust, exhilarated, and utterly drained. Went back to my favorite street food stall for some bun cha. (Grilled pork with noodles and dipping sauce.) Best meal of the trip, so far.
Day 6: Exploring the Hanoi’s hidden Cafes & Local Life
- Morning: I started my day early. I always had a cup of egg coffee, and then went to cafe Pho Co. The view from this cafe is the best view in Hanoi, this cafe has only one way you can get into it!
- Afternoon: I was looking for the best coffee in Hanoi! I visited a lot of cafes. One was the Cafe Dinh, which located in a 2 story house. The coffee tastes so good, everyone agrees that the coffee here is amazing.
- Evening: After a long day I went back to the hotel and enjoyed a good night’s sleep.
Day 7: Farewell Pho & Departure (Heartbreak!)
- Morning: One last pho breakfast. Cried a little as I slurped the noodles. This time, ordered three bowls.
- Afternoon: Final stroll through the Old Quarter. Bought some last-minute souvenirs: a ridiculous conical hat and a coffee dripper that I'll probably never use. Said goodbye to the friendly staff at the Sumitomo 3 Hotel. It's a good place. Nice and relaxing, you know? But now I needed to get back home, so…
- Evening: Flew home. Looking at the pictures. I missed Hanoi already. The food… the chaos… the friendly people. I can’t wait to return.
So, there you have it. My messy, imperfect, and utterly wonderful week in Hanoi. It wasn't perfect, it wasn't always pretty, but it was real. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. Now, time to start planning my return trip… and research where to find the perfect pho. Wish me luck!
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Hanoi's "Hidden Gem" - Sumitomo 3 Hotel & Apartment: So Worth the Hype (Mostly!) - A Messy FAQ
Okay, spill it. Is this Sumitomo 3 thing *really* as luxurious as everyone says?
Alright, buckle up, because the answer is… complicated. "Unbelievable Luxury!" they scream. And listen, for the price in Hanoi? Yeah, generally, it *is* pretty darn swanky. Think sleek lines, panoramic city views, and a lobby that practically screams "I'm too good for you!" But here's the thing: I've stayed in hotels that *claimed* to be luxurious before, and have been spectacularly let down. This...is different. It's a *real* contender. (More on the "mostly" later, trust me.) My jaw actually *dropped* when I walked into my apartment. It was like, "Whoa, did I accidentally book a penthouse?" (Nope, just a slightly-above-average room. Still ridiculously nice.)
What's the deal with the "apartment" part? Are we talking a full-blown kitchen, or just a slightly oversized hotel room?
This is where Sumitomo *wins*. We're talking *real* apartments. Okay, maybe not *all* of them have a full-blown, Gordon Ramsay-worthy kitchen, but mine? Had a fridge, a microwave, a stovetop, and even (gasp!) a washing machine! Seriously, after a week of trekking through the chaotic, glorious humidity of Hanoi with the scent of street food clinging to my clothes, the washing machine was practically a religious experience. It's a game-changer, especially if you're staying for a while. Plus, the extra space? Glorious. More room to spread out your chaos (I mean, belongings!). Definitely opt for the apartment, trust me. Unless you *hate* feeling like you're living in your own little palace, in which case, maybe stick to a broom closet.
The views! Everyone raves about the views! Are they actually worth it?
Oh, the views. They are. Absolutely yes. I spent a solid hour the first day just staring out the window, mesmerized. Hanoi's a city that just *never* sleeps, and watching it all unfold from above, with the sun setting and turning the sky into a bruised, vibrant masterpiece? Yep. Worth every single penny. I could practically *smell* the pho from that vantage point. (Okay, maybe not, but you get the idea.) One morning I watched the most INSANE sunrise, like the sky was on fire, and I swear I almost forgot I was on a business trip. Almost. (The emails eventually caught back up with me, sadly.) Pro Tip: Request a high floor. Trust me on this.
What about the service? Is it as polished as the decor? Because let's be honest, some "luxury" hotels are just fancy traps with rude staff.
Okay, here's where the "mostly" comes in. The service is...generally good. Polite, efficient. But sometimes, it's like they're *trying* a little too hard. Almost *too* perfect. Like, the staff are all polite, but there's not a ton of personality. It's not *bad*, mind you. Just a little… sterile, sometimes. One time, I ordered room service and the guy who brought it up was wearing a perfect white glove. A *single* white glove. I mean, impressive commitment, but also… kinda weirded me out. Where's the other one? What happened to the other glove? Is this a metaphor for something? I still don't know. (But the food was delicious, so I let it slide.) They mostly speak English. I had no real communication issues. It's just...not exactly a warm fuzzy hug, you know?
Is the location convenient for exploring Hanoi? Because getting around that city can be... intense.
Another win for Sumitomo. The location is pretty darn good. Not *smack dab* in the middle of the Old Quarter chaos (which is a *good* thing, honestly), but close enough to get there quickly by taxi or Grab (the local ride-hailing app). It's also near some really nice restaurants and cafes, which is always a plus. I walked quite a bit, and it was manageable. I’m a big walker in general. Being near the French Quarter, and walking along Hoan Kiem Lake, was a serious bonus. The traffic? Yeah, that's the Hanoi experience. Expect it. Embrace the chaos. But the hotel itself? It's a nice little oasis from the constant honking and scooter madness.
Any hidden costs or things to watch out for? Nobody likes a nasty surprise on the bill.
Okay, let's talk money. This hotel *is* pricier than your average Hanoi guesthouse, obviously. But, compared to similar hotels in other cities, it's a steal. Check for extra charges on the mini-bar (those tiny bottles of water add up!), but otherwise, nothing too outrageous. They *do* have a pretty fancy restaurant. Avoid it if you're on a tight budget. Seriously. You're in Hanoi! Eat on the street! It's a crime to waste money on overpriced hotel food. Also, laundry services are available but can be a bit expensive. Pack light, or embrace the "smell of street food" thing. Your call.
The Food? Seriously the food!
The breakfast buffet. *Sigh*. Okay, I'm going to be brutally honest. It's...fine. Pretty standard hotel fare, which is to say, a bit disappointing for a hotel that otherwise knocks it out of the park. Cereal, pastries, some questionable-looking scrambled eggs...nothing terrible, but nothing to write home about, either. The pho, the Vietnamese soup, was decent. Not the AMAZING pho I had at a random street stall five blocks away, but passable. A small, tiny, *very* noticeable imperfection in the overall luxurious whole. I went in with the highest of expectations, expecting some sort of culinaryComfort Zone Inn
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