The InterContinental Hanoi Westlake is made up of a large building complex, with a five-story main building and several pavilions built directly on the lake. The hotel has an exclusive resort-like ambiance, from the impressive atrium of its lobby, to its vast, lush grounds of tropical plants and scenic lakeside setting. The public areas of the hotel are bright and light-filled thanks to the many windows, which offer views over the lake. The lobby area and public spaces throughout the property are decorated in an elegant and understated style, featuring earthy tones of brown, beige, and hints of terra-cotta or vibrant orange. Many vacationers choose to stay here -- both couples and families -- but the hotel is also popular with business travelers drawn by its on-site meeting and conference facilities. 

InterContinental Hanoi Westlake is located outside of Hanoi's city center in a scenic and quiet lakeside setting. This is a residential area away from most tourist attractions. For this reason, it's not the most convenient place to stay for leisure or business travelers, with the Old Town and most tourist sites at least a 12- to 15-minute drive away. The nearest bus stop is a five-minute walk away and serves several lines. 

• Six-minute drive to Tran Quoc Pagoda (20-minute walk)
• 12-minute drive to Hanoi's Old Town (40 minutes via public transportation)
• 12-minute drive Vietnam Military History Museum (40 minutes via public transportation)
• 14-minute drive to Ho Chi Minh Museum and Mausoleum (40 minutes via public transportation)
• 14-minute drive One Pillar Pagoda (40 minutes via public transportation)
• 16-minute drive to Hanoi Opera House (43 minutes via public transportation)
• 16-minute drive to Vietnam Fine Arts Museum (45 minutes via public transportation)
• 17-minute drive to Hoan Kiem Lake (50 minutes via public transportation)
• 18-minute drive to St. Joseph's Cathedral (50 minutes via public transportation)
• 24-minute drive to Golden Lotus (Kim Lien) Pagoda (one hour via public transportation)
• 28-minute drive to Noi Bai International Airport (90 minutes via public transportation)

Guest rooms at the InterContinental Hanoi Westlake are generously sized, starting at a spacious 463 square feet (43 square meters), and all have private balconies overlooking the street (in the Superior Rooms) or the lake or outdoor pool (in the Deluxe Panoramic View Rooms). The Over-Water Pavilion Rooms are located on three island pavilions directly on the lake, and offer the most scenic views, with panoramic vistas of the lake. 

Stylish Vietnamese accents add an elegant touch to the interiors, including bamboo lanterns, wooden window shutters, local handicrafts, and lino prints displayed on the walls. The color palette is made up of earthy tones of brown and beige, accented by vibrant orange flourishes like orange window blinds. Cream-colored walls are contrasted by dark hardwood floors covered with rugs in spiral patterns of brown, beige, and orange. The dark wood grain furniture has elegant, contemporary lines, and padded brown headboards add another layer of texture to the space.

The bathrooms are spacious and luxurious, equipped with double vessel sinks set in beige marble sinktops, and fitted with separate bathtubs and walk-in rainfall showers. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, 40-inch flat-screen TVs, minibars, and electric kettles. Other handy extras include bathrobes and slippers, electronic safes, irons, toiletries, and a scale in the bathroom. A pillow menu is also available. Wi-Fi is only free to guests who are members of the IHG Rewards Club; for other guests, this is charged extra.

Suites offer separate living areas, coffee machines, and a few feature kitchenettes and dining tables. The Club Rooms are located in the hotel's main building and include access to the exclusive Diplomat Lounge where guests can enjoy free breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails, as well as a free connection to the hotel's Wi-Fi.

The InterContinental Hanoi Westlake offers the usual features expected of a large luxury hotel, including a lovely outdoor swimming pool and a kids' pool. However, past guests have complained about the limited number of sun loungers in the pool area. Located in its own dedicated building, the fitness center is spacious and well-equipped with a full range of fitness, cardio, and resistance training equipment, including weights. There's also a large, mirrored yoga hall, with yoga mats and exercise balls available. Guests can also request the services of a personal trainer. Next door is the spa area, offering massage treatments, a sauna, and steam room.

A breakfast buffet made up of a large and elaborate spread of hot and cold Western and Asian dishes is served (for a pricey extra fee) at the Cafe du Lac restaurant. Lunch and dinner is also served buffet-style here, as well as a la carte, and diners can enjoy the scenic lake views while dining. The hotel has two other fine-dining restaurants: the Saigon, serving Vietnamese specialties, and Milan, with a menu of authentic Italian dishes. Room service is also available. Reached via a torch-lit bridge, the Sunset Bar is located on its own island. Guests can enjoy a range of drinks and cocktails here in an exceptional lakeside setting. Open throughout the day, the Diplomat Lounge is accessible to guests staying in the exclusive Club Rooms. Free breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails and snacks are available here, as well as free Wi-Fi access. 

A separate building is dedicated to meetings and conventions. There are four meeting rooms equipped with technical equipment, an internet connection, and video conferencing, and a grand ballroom for special events. Wi-Fi is free in all public areas of the hotel, but in-room Wi-Fi is only free to members of the IHG Rewards Club. On-site parking is free of charge.