Hanoi Family Getaway: Landresidence Hotel's Unbeatable 4-5 Star Luxury!
Okay, buckle up, because we're about to dive headfirst into the whirlwind that is the Landresidence Hotel in Hanoi. Forget those perfectly polished brochures – I'm giving you the real deal, the messy, the brilliant, the hopefully-not-too-opinionated truth. This is a review, a rant, a love letter, and a slightly frantic travel diary all rolled into one.
Hanoi Family Getaway: Landresidence Hotel - Prepare to Be Spoiled (Seriously)
So, the pitch, right? Landresidence. Unbeatable 4-5 Star Luxury. Let's see if they live up to the hype…
(Paces ourselves, or at least, try to)
Accessibility – A Mixed Bag, Surprisingly Common
Alright, first things first: Accessibility. Because, you know, life isn't always a smooth ride, and neither is travel. Landresidence, bless their socks, tries. They've got elevators, which is always a win in a city of stairs. Information online is a bit patchy. Don't take everything at face value. Call the hotel directly. That's my advice.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges - I did not see it.
Wheelchair accessible - I did not see it.
Internet Access - The Digital Hangover (But a Good One)
- Internet, Wi-Fi in all rooms!/ in public areas, Internet [LAN], Internet services: Ah, the digital lifeline! Free Wi-Fi is a must these days, and thankfully, Landresidence delivers. It worked, people! It worked! I'm talking streaming shows in the middle of the night, video calls with the family… glorious. They also offer LAN, and it worked (tested it in one of the business rooms to get a better connection for a video chat). The lobby had Wi-fi.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax – Spaaaahhhhhh (and a Little More)
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Okay, this is where Landresidence shines. The spa? Oh. My. Goodness. Let me back up and say I'm not a spa person, I'm not this "go get massages" type. But after a day of dodging motorbikes and trying to navigate the Old Quarter, I was destroyed in a good way.
- The Pool with a view? Yes, please. The outdoor pool is a lifesaver after a morning of sightseeing. It’s surprisingly refreshing and looks great in the photos. They have staff to help get you settled and set up. The view is not the best though, its of buildings.
- The Spa itself is a haven of fluffy robes and hushed whispers. I could write poetry about the foot bath. Honestly, I think I might have fallen asleep during my massage (don't tell anyone!). I think they had a sauna and a steamroom, but honestly couldn't face it! The pool was good enough!
- The Fitness center is well-equipped, and actually has a gym membership setup ( I did not use the gym…).
Cleanliness and Safety – More Than a Facade… I think.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: Okay, let's be real. Travel in the era of… well, you know… can be daunting. Landresidence really seems to have taken this seriously. You saw sanitizing stations everywhere, masks on staff (and guests, for the most part), and the whole shebang. They’ve got the WHOLE enchilada, from the individually wrapped food options (good luck with that, after the buffet-see below!) to the room sanitization opt-out. I got the sense they were trying hard. They even gave you breakfast in your room; I did not get into this, but I suspect it's more for the elite than me.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Buffet Became a Quest
(Here is where the chaotic brilliance truly takes hold)
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Okay, this is where things get interesting. The food situation. Let’s start with the breakfast buffet. This is a make-or-break moment for any hotel, and Landresidence… well, they tried.
- First, there's an entire aisle dedicated to pho. And banh mi. And other Vietnamese specialities. Which, fine. Awesome, even. But getting to it in the morass that is the breakfast rush is a task. I swear, I saw grown men and women battling over the last spring rolls. It was fascinating, like watching a documentary.
- The coffee was good, thank the heavens. The pastries? Hit or miss but mostly good. The western options (think: bacon, eggs) were… there. I didn’t get the chance to have breakfast taken to my room.
- The poolside bar is a convenient touch.
- Happy hour! Yeah, they had happy hour. I actually don't remember it. I think I was in bed. Jet lag, man. It’s a killer.
- Room service: Yes! 24 hour room service. Yes!
(Deep Breath)
Services and Conveniences – Because Life is Easier When Someone Else Runs the Show
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Okay, this is where Landresidence is the most “hotel-ey.” The service is slick. The Concierge? Extremely helpful in getting taxis, booking tours, and generally smoothing out the bumps. If you have any issues with currency exchange, the hotel can help, which is great considering Hanoi is a cash-heavy city.
- Dry cleaning and laundry service are always appreciated, and both were good, as was the daily housekeeping. The elevators, again, are wonderful.
- Business facilities are there if you need them, but honestly, you're in Hanoi! Get out and see the city!
- I went to the gift shop and bought something, I think.
(A quick respite)
For the Kids – Because, Family!
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Okay, real talk: I didn’t need babysitting services. Landresidence is extremely kid-friendly. I saw some kids there!
(Back to the nitty-gritty)
Access – The Details That Matter
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms, Getting around, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Safety, security, and getting around – all important! They have stuff like CCTV, smoke alarms, and 24-hour security; this is a safe environment. They can organize airport transfers (thankfully). They have car parks (or parking).
(The final stretch… almost there!)
Available in All Rooms – The Nitty-Gritty of Room Life
(Here's the stuff that really dictates how you feel about your room)
- **Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive HEADFIRST into the organized chaos that is my supposed "Landresidence Hotel FAMILY (04-05) Hanoi Vietnam Adventure." Let's be honest, "adventure" is code for "me trying not to lose my kids, my sanity, and all our passports in the same afternoon."
Day 1: Hanoi - Arrival and the Great Pho Faceplant
Morning (AKA: The Pre-Trip Meltdown): Packed everything. Twice (because I’m convinced I've forgotten something, which, spoiler alert, I probably have). Kids are already convinced they'll HATE Vietnam. "It smells funny!" my youngest declared upon seeing a picture of a water buffalo. Bless her heart. The airport drop-off was a tearful affair, mostly on my part. Goodbye, sweet freedom! Hello, controlled chaos!
Afternoon (Landed! Now What?!): Arrived at Noi Bai International Airport – managed to navigate customs without being arrested (a personal victory!). Finding the taxi to the Landresidence… oh, the haggling! Felt like I was bargaining for my soul. Got totally ripped off, but hey, we made it! Check-in at Landresidence Hotel. Room 405. Decently clean. Kids immediately critique everything. "The pillows are too… fluffy!" (Kids, I swear).
Early Evening (Pho, and the Fall of the Bowl): Okay, this is where things go…interesting. Took a brave step and embraced the deliciousness that is Pho. Finding a little street-side place, dodging the motorbike traffic in the process (serious adrenaline rush!). Ordered Pho for everyone. (Me: "This is LIFE-CHANGING!") My youngest, bless her, went for a dramatic dive into her own bowl. Face-first. Broth EVERYWHERE. The poor woman serving us just started cackling. I felt like a terrible parent. Took a deep breath and laughed it off. That's the Vietnam spirit, right? We then spent the next twenty minutes wiping off all the noodles. "More rice paper rolls!" – My oldest girl, in what was the first, genuine happiness of the trip.
Night: Stumbled back to the hotel. Kids devoured snacks. Collapsed on the bed. Exhausted. Wondering if I'll survive the next few days. But there was this – the street noises, the smell of simmering food wafting up, the feeling that something wonderful was just around the corner. A little bit of hope.
Day 2: Old Quarter Charm and the Water Puppet War (and the Lost Sock Mystery!)
Morning (Lost in the Labyrinth): Ventured into the Old Quarter. Oh my God, the sensory overload! Motorbikes buzzing past at the speed of light. Smells of jasmine and questionable street food. So many shops – silk, lanterns, knock-off designer bags (tempting, so tempting…). Got hopelessly lost. Again. The kids found it HILARIOUS. Me? Less so. Eventually found our way back to… somewhere. Bought the kids matching conical hats. Instant photo op WIN!
Afternoon (Water Puppet Wonderfulness): Water Puppet show! Super touristy, but honestly, it’s brilliant. The puppets are amazing, the music is captivating, and it’s all so… unique. The kids were entranced. (Mostly, but the sugar rush hit when we went back and brought lots of candy.) I almost cried when the dragon breathed fire. Seriously. Lost a sock. Where, I don't know. One minute I had two, the next…one. The great sock mystery of Hanoi. I might have been too distracted by the dragon.
Evening (Dinner Disaster and Early Bedtime): Trying another restaurant. Food was questionable. Kids only ate white rice. More disappointment. So we got some gelato instead of dinner. So worth it. The whole family got tired and went to bed early.
Day 3: Temple Tranquility, Egg Coffee Bliss, and a Potential Motorcycle Mishap
Morning (Temple Time and Inner Peace… Sort Of): Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Trying to achieve some semblance of peace. Staring at the turtles. Feeling vaguely Zen. Then the kids start arguing over who gets to walk in front. Lost my zen. Took some photos, though. It's beautiful. Hanoi is beautiful.
Afternoon (Egg Coffee Nirvana): Egg coffee. Oh. My. God. This is life-altering. Rich. Creamy. Sweet. Like liquid heaven. Took the kids. They surprisingly loved it. (Maybe they're not so bad after all!) Sat on tiny plastic stools, watching the world go by. Bliss. This whole experience almost redeemed the earlier coffee catastrophe. I could sit there all day. I wanted to sit there all day. (But… children).
Evening (Almost Motorcycle Mayhem): Okay, here's where it got REAL. We decided to take a cyclo ride (that bicycle rickshaw thing). Seemed safe enough, right? WRONG. Our cyclo driver. Let’s just say, he had a lead foot and a blatant disregard for traffic laws. At one point, we were basically weaving through traffic at what felt like warp speed. The kids were screaming, I was screaming, the driver was… grinning. I thought we were going to die. Survives. Order a pizza. (Because sometimes, you just need pizza.)
- Evening (More Pizza, More Peace): We ordered pizza. The kids calmed down..
Day 4: Goodbye Hanoi (For Now!) and the Questionable Souvenir Selection
Morning (Souvenir Shopping and Regret): Last-minute souvenir shopping. Bought way too much junk. Including 3 conical hats but one of my kids did not want it.. My luggage is going to be over the weight limit. Definitely a good moment of panic at Hanoi's airport.
Afternoon (Departure and the Sigh of Relief): Taxi to the airport. Goodbye, Hanoi. You were beautiful, chaotic, frustrating, and absolutely unforgettable. Would I come back? Absolutely. Maybe without the kids next time. (Just kidding… mostly.)
The Grand Farewell: As we were driving to the airport, and it became clear we were indeed leaving, the kids felt a wave of sadness.
The Final Thoughts: Looking back on the chaos, I think the chaotic and imperfect moments are those that I appreciate and will treasure the most.
P.S. Definitely buy the egg coffee. And maybe a bulletproof vest. Just in case. And for the love of all that is holy, pack more socks. You'll thank me later. The end. (For now.)
Luxury Getaway: Shantou Jun Yue Hotel Awaits!
Hanoi Family Getaway: Landresidence Hotel – Because Let's Face It, You Deserve This!
Okay, Okay, Landresidence... But Is This REALLY Family-Friendly? My Kids Are Little Tornadoes!
Landresidence... changed my mind. They *get* it. The staff? They're practically superheroes of hospitality. Little Timmy spilled his orange juice *everywhere* in the lobby (bless his heart), and before I could even squeak a "Sorry!", BAM! Someone was there with a smile and a cleaning cloth. They even made him a *fresh* orange juice. No judgment. Just pure, unadulterated kindness. That's a big win. Plus, the suites are *amazing*. Lots of space to spread out, which, in my experience, is crucial for avoiding toddler-related meltdowns. Trust me on that.
The Rooms – Are They REALLY as Luxurious as They Say? And are the beds comfy? Because sleep is a precious commodity these days…
And the rooms? Yeah, they’re fancy. Like, seriously, "ooh-la-la, Downton Abbey" fancy. Marble bathrooms, fluffy robes… My husband actually did a little happy dance when he saw the TV (he’s easily pleased). It’s a true escape. They're definitely a step up from a cramped motel room, that's for sure.
Let's talk FOOD! How's the food at Landresidence? My kids are picky eaters, and I'm always worried about finding something they will eat...
What about the Location, Location, Location? Is Landresidence actually in a good spot for exploring Hanoi with kids?
Did you get ripped off? How about the extras?
What was the most memorable moment? (Good or bad!)
Anything I need to be aware of *before* booking? Any potential downsides?
Would you go back? Seriously, would you?
