We used the Sofitel Plaza for the beginning and final nights of our visit to Hanoi and surrounds. I was really impressed with the standard of service in all areas of the hotel. Reception and concierge were especially helpful and upgraded us to a Club room for our return stay. Use of the Accor loyalty card made the accommodation and dining very reasonably priced for a Sofitel.
Drinks and snacks at the summit bar overlooking Hanoi is a nice way to enjoy the sunset albeit through the haze that typically shrouds Hanoi. The pool with its glass roof and fitness centre were great to relax in at the end of the day of battling the traffic in the streets below.
Hanoi is noisy crowded and sometimes confronting but it is an exciting developing city that grows on you. If using taxis always use metered cars and if possible choose Hanoi Taxis or Mai Linh Taxis. If using others get the driver to drop you opposite the hotel as the address - Sofitel Plaza- may be an opener to boost the fare.
Starting your visit to Hanoi at the Sofitel Plaza is a good way of acclimatizing yourself. The Ho Chi Minh complex is nearby and is a must visit for a day before venturing into the Old Quarter.
Our stay at this hotel was excellent in all respects.

Very good hotel. Room clean. Nice lobby - excellent piano bar there. Buffet breakfast a little expensive- room service a la carte breakfast much better - just pay for what you eat. Good hotel taxi service about $2 to Old quarter. Only disappointment was the hotel restaurant breakfast that we tried on one day- arrived for breakfast around 9:15 (meant to be still serving until 10) and staff were rather inattentive and slow to replenish the buffet.

Hotel was rather too far from the Old Quarter to Walk, but taxis were cheap enough, although funnily enough a little more expensive when returning from the Old Quarter - about $4.

My wife and I had never been to Vietnam and were a bit unsure of what to expect. Our first stop was Hanoi and our hotel the Sofitel Plaza. We found the hotel to our liking. The staff were pleasant and quite friendly. Our room was very comfortable and very clean and tidy. The daily maid service was excellent. The breakfasts were very good and there was plenty of choice for those who like a good 'English'. The views from the hotel windows are nothing to write home about, but saying that it is in a bustling city, which doesn't boast great views anyway. We are in our 60s and walked to the main attractions around the city from the hotel. Taxis, pedalos and motor bike taxis are all available for those who don't like to walk. All in all this is a good hotel.

This is my first time in Ha Noi and I'm here on business. The organization that sponsored my trip made a reservation for me at the Sofitel Plaza. I was here for a week and half. Left to travel to HCMC and Cambodia and came back to Hanoi before returning home. The hotel has been wonderful. They kept a bag for me the week I was gone. They came immediately to fix a noisy water pipe when I checked back in. The staff has been very helpful and always pleasant. While its not in the heart of the city, it's a wonderful place to stay and the staff can help you get anywhere.