Hanoi hotel revives Grand Opera era

Located on Le Phung Hieu Street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, just a few steps from iconic Hanoi Opera House, the newly-built hotel opened its door to tourists last May, becoming one of the latest names in Vietnam’s hospitality industry.
Surrounded by eclectic restaurants, bars, shops and markets, the hotel was designed by American landscape architect and interior designer Bill Bensley who has overseen over 200 hospitality projects in 50 countries.

The hotel has 47 rooms and suites, each individually styled with operatic artefacts and custom portraiture that pay tribute to legendary Opera artists, composers, designers and performances.

Each room is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and has a balcony, overlooking Hoan Kiem (Sword Lake) and other busy entertainment spots dotting the capital. Last week, U.S. magazine Time listed Hanoi as one of 100 greatest places in the world for 2021 along with Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc Island. The magazine urged travelers to discover Capella Hanoi, described as Bensley’s homage to the Roaring ’20s of the West.

The hotel’s signature restaurant called Backstage presents a dramatic backdrop of theatrical costumes and vintage tableware, serving customers with vegan dishes and northern Vietnamese-inspired specialties. The restaurant is decorated with trunks, opera costumes and antiques reminiscent of those lavish spaces where artists would gather to apply makeup or relax in preparation for their performances during the 19th century’s golden age of opera.

One of the highlights of the hotel is its indoor swimming pool that resembles a paradise for opera singers to refresh after exiting the stage.

Weary guests can enjoy a 60-minute spa treatment at Auriga Spa that features couples’ treatment suites, saunas, steam baths and a fitness center.

A night’s stay costs from VND6.5 million ($283.31) per person.