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Monuments to ancient gods abound in Southeast Asia
Vietnam Hotels
HO CHI MINH CITY/SAIGON
The country's largest metropolis boasts a varied offering of hotels, from five-star oases of luxury where a night costs upward of $200 to comfy budget hotels where rooms sell for less than $30. For five-star Western trimmings, and excellent vistas from the rooftop bar, stay at Caravelle Hotel (19 Lam Son Square) a top choice for plush downtown accommodation, featuring a series of smart rooms replete with deluxe amenities. The historic charm, superb location on the Saigon River and a sparkling courtyard pool make the landmark Hotel Majestic (1 Dong Khoi St.) our second-favorite four-star option. For moderate prices, you can't beat the tastefully renovated colonial interiors of the 1930s Grand Hotel (8 Dong Khoi St.). If you're doing the city on a budget, we recommend the recently spruced up Que Huong Liberty 3 Hotel (187 Pham Ngu Lao St.), with a series of well-located snug rooms in the city's commercial center.
HOI AN
As Vietnam's premier tourist destination, Hoi An has a wealth of atmospheric lodging options in the old town, as well as a bevy of new resorts popping on the outskirts. A worthwhile splurge is a stay at the town's top boutique property, Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spa (2 miles outside of town, on Cua Dai Road), with exquisite Japanese and Vietnamese-style balconied villa rooms in a lush garden setting by the Song Do River. More affordable luxury, and a private stretch of Cua Dai Beach to boot, can be had at Hoi An Beach Resort (Cua Dai Beach), where spacious suites feature large balconies and a pleasing French-Indochinese decor. For value, book a pleasant balconied room at the brand-new Glory Hotel (06B Cua Dai St.), a faux French-Indochinese mansion with a swimming pool, restaurant and bar. Our favorite bargain option is Green Field Hotel (1C Cua Dai), featuring poolside or garden-view rooms with balconies, plus free cocktails and movie screenings each evening.
HANOI
The elegant French Quarter is home to many of the city's most remarkable hotels, with only a few dotted around the outlying districts. For all-out luxury, the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi (15 Ngo Quyen St.), offers a prestigious overnight in a grand 1901 structure with a lush interior garden and exquisite high-ceilinged rooms that have hosted the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Jane Fonda and Joan Baez. The stylish high-rise of Hotel Nikko Hanoi (84 Tran Nhan Tong St.), is a more modern five-star affair, with hi-tech perks and stretching city views from the spacious rooms, the exceptional Japanese Benkay restaurant, and a nice sun terrace with a pool. The luxurious Meliá Hanoi (44B Ly Thuong Kiet St.) gets you the best value steps away from the central lake, where rooms come equipped with bags of executive perks at affordable prices. Of Hanoi's three-star properties, we most recommend Hoa Binh Hotel (27 Ly Thuong St.), with a seamless blend of historical details and mod cons in the nicely appointed rooms, some with French doors opening to balconies. The best budget options is Camellia Hotel 3 (31 Hang Dieu St.), a sparkling clean if somewhat kitschy place next to Hang Da Market.
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