Maybe Hanoi’s Church Boutique Hotel heard me complaining about it looking tired and dated when I last passed through here for Travelfish.org, as not only have they opened another hotel on nearby Hang Gai Street, the original Nha Tho location has been completely refurbished — and my jaw hit the floor when I saw the transformation.
Hotels in Hanoi change regularly. Sometimes it’s a name change, other times a bit of tidying up and a paint job, and very occasionally they rip it all out and start again. The Church falls into the latter category. I was assured that the management is still the same, but they have really upped their game.
The building is still the same building, the room layout is the same and the door is still opened by a uniformed doorman, or if you’re as lucky as I was, two of them. But gone are the tatty carpets and the dark wood fittings, to be replaced with mirrored walls, lots of white, large black and white photos and an overall touch of glamour. The designers haven’t got it all right; in my non-interior designer opinion for example, the carpets are too heavy and elaborate and there are a few too many patterns going on, but if you want a change from more traditional Vietnamese style and can’t stand laminated wood wardrobes then this could be the place for you. It’s not quite Maison d’Hanoi but that’s where it’s trying to be.
The heavy use of white and mirrors is definitely an advantage when it comes to the smallest of the rooms; despite their size and having only a small window the rooms don’t feel at all claustrophobic, although they do lack storage. If you want more space, upgrade to a slightly larger room at the front or a suite. Bathrooms are now modern black and white affairs. Some are compact, but still squeeze in a large sink, a big-enough shower cubicles and plenty of fluffy white towels.
For more information visit, Church Boutique Hotel Hanoi
