The Hanoi Pearl Hotel is an attractive white building layered with cast-iron balconies set on a quiet side street. That classic look carries over inside as well, where the dark wood paneling of the lobby area is lightened by the white marble floors and large streetside windows. Sofas are scattered with bright pillows featuring traditional Vietnamese embroidery, and ceramic ornaments and artwork provide additional dashes of local culture. A small coffee bar sits beside the front desk, elevators lead up to the floors above, and a door to the rear reveals a cozy restaurant -- its intimate bistro-feel and checkered flooring a testimony of the city's French influence. The leafy rooftop terrace garden is a hidden gem, with views across the city and to the lake. The hotel is mostly frequented by couples and tour groups. 

The Hanoi Pearl Hotel is located at the north end of Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi's Old Quarter. It's a two-minute walk to the shore of the pretty lake, and a ten-minute walk around the edge to popular Ngoc Son Temple and to Thang Long water puppet theatre. Hang Gai, also known as Silk Street, is a five-minute walk from the hotel, and huge Dong Xuan Market is 15 minutes away on foot. Attractions such as the city's ancient Citadel and striking Temple of Literature are each a ten minute drive away. It's feasible to walk to most of the city's main attractions in less than 30 minutes if you are keen to stay on foot. Farther outside the city, the Perfume Pagoda temples built into the mountainside are about a 90-minute drive, and the airport is 45 minutes away by car. There's a bus stop a 10-minute walk from the hotel, which connects to the airport in around 90 minutes, or the hotel can arrange a transfer. 

Rooms at the Hanoi Pearl have a traditional finish, with polished wood flooring, paneled walls in warm tones, and antique-style furniture. It's a look that will likely strike many as dated, and we spotted some wear on furniture. Standard features include minibars, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, robes and slippers, electric kettles, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Be prepared for limited views (though that's the case throughout this part of town), and some rooms lack windows altogether. Deluxe Window Rooms have no views, though some look onto an exterior wall that's been painted with a mural and hung with colorful flower displays. Executive and Deluxe City View Rooms look onto narrow side streets. Some Premier Suites have views of the lake, and Terrace Suites add a balcony with city views. Suites are spacious and include separate living rooms. Connecting rooms are available for families or groups. Bathrooms are done in marble tiling, giving them a classy finish. Some of the Deluxe Rooms have a glass-walled bathroom with a shade and just a shower-tub combo, while suites offer both a bathtub and separate shower. Despite the central location, things stay relatively quiet and there's little in the way of traffic noise.

The Hanoi Pearl Hotel's rooftop bar is a great area for kicking back, with a pretty garden terrace and far-reaching views over the city and Hoan Kiem Lake. The top floor also houses a small gym with a selection of cardio and weight machines. Downstairs, the Lobby Lounge has a good selection of snacks and drinks, with seating both inside and out, plus two internet stations. Candles Restaurant -- to the rear of the lobby -- serves a varied menu of local and international dishes throughout the day, with room service also available. There's a spa offering both beauty and massage treatments in the basement. Other hotel services include airport transfer, laundry, luggage storage, and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.