Hanoi Luxury: Vinhomes Skylake 2BR Haven Near Keangnam!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this review of "Hanoi Luxury: Vinhomes Skylake 2BR Haven Near Keangnam!" is going to be less a dry list and more a messy, honest, slightly-obsessed, and definitely opinionated deep dive. Forget the corporate jargon, let's get real.
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First Impressions: The Good…and the "Oh, Right."
The elevator did work. Praise the gods of modern engineering. Getting to the “Hanoi Luxury” apartment – and yes, the name is a bit much, I'll get to that – was generally easy. Accessibility? Okay, here's where we delve in deep. This is critical for a lot of folks, and it’s where my experience got…mixed. While there's mention of "Facilities for disabled guests," and a goddamn elevator, the specifics are murky. I didn't personally need them, but I poked around. No clear signage for accessible routes, and the bathrooms, while modern, didn’t screech "accessible" at me. Important: Contact the hotel directly if you have specific mobility needs. Seriously. Don't just assume.
The view from my, uh, haven? Spectacular. I'm a sucker for a cityscape, and even the relentless Hanoi humidity couldn't mar the Skylake panorama. It's legit Keangnam-adjacent; you could practically fling a baguette (though, please don't) and hit the thing.
Now, the “Luxury” part of the name. Yeah. "Luxury" is a strong word. It was…well-appointed. Clean, yes (more on that later). Modern, yes. But genuine "luxury" conjures up images of marble floors, personal butlers, and diamonds in the in-room coffee maker. This was more… upscale apartment living. Comfortable. Stylish. But luxury? Let's just go with “very nice and comfortable.”
Inside the Apartment: Functionality and (Mostly) Freedom
Available in all rooms: Alright, let’s run through the room list, shall we? Air conditioning? Obviously. Alarm clock? Yup. Bathrobes? Check. Bathtub? Yep, with separate shower (thank the heavens). Blackout curtains? Crucial for sleep, especially after battling Hanoi’s traffic. Closet? Perfectly adequate. Coffee/tea maker? Essential. Complimentary tea? Decent. Daily housekeeping? Delicious. I'm serious. Coming back to a magically cleaned, put-back-together space after a day of chaotic sightseeing is pure bliss. Desk? Functional. Extra long bed? YES! Finally, a bed that doesn't make me feel like a giant trapped in a dollhouse. Free bottled water? Replenished daily. Hair dryer? Worked like a champ. High floor? Excellent view! In-room safe box? Always a good thing. Internet access – LAN and wireless? Worked flawlessly. Ironing facilities? Needed them desperately. Laptop workspace? Yep. Linens? Clean, fresh, and luxurious enough to sleep on. Mini bar? Not hugely overstocked, but sufficient. Mirror? Lots of mirrors. Great for judging my outfits. Non-smoking? Thank goodness! On-demand movies? A very nice bonus. Private bathroom? Obviously. Reading light? Needed after a busy day. Refrigerator? Very useful. Safety/security feature? Present. Satellite/cable channels? Lots of them, but honestly, who watches TV in Hanoi? Scale? Ugh. Seating area? Comfortable. Separate shower/bathtub? Yay! Shower? Good water pressure. Slippers? Included. Smoke detector? Thankfully, yes! Socket near the bed? Essential for charging phones. Sofa? Cozy enough to sprawl on. Soundproofing? Mostly effective, though Hanoi horns still penetrate, the city's noise is everywhere. Telephone? Didn’t use. Toiletries? Decent quality. Towels? Fluffy. Umbrella? Provided. Visual alarm? I didn’t check them out, but they were there, so that’s excellent if needed. Wake-up service? Didn't need. Wi-Fi [free] Fast, reliable. Window that opens? Yes! Fantastic for fresh air and even more city views.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax…or, the "Where's the Spa?" Dilemma
Here's where "Luxury" starts getting a little… optimistic. The amenities aren’t exactly bursting with options.
- Spa? Spa/sauna? Steamroom? According to the info, yes! But the reality was a bit different. More research needed here.
- Fitness center/Gym/fitness? Uh, I think there was something that might qualify as a gym. I didn't go, so I can't vouch for the equipment.
- Swimming pool? Outdoor, yes, and a Pool with view! Looked inviting, but I was too busy eating Pho.
- Massage? I believe one was available.
- Body scrub/Body wrap: None I saw.
My Verdict on the Relaxation Factor: Decent for the basics. Don’t expect a full-blown spa experience. If you're all about the spa life, maybe this isn’t the place.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Feast of Possibilities (or Just the Basics?)
Dining, drinking, and snacking: Okay, let’s talk food.
- Restaurants: There are restaurants. The specifics? Unclear.
- Coffee shop: Yes. Good coffee.
- Bar: I believe there was one!
- Breakfast [buffet], Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, Breakfast takeaway service, Breakfast in room, A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant: Yes! The breakfast was…a mixed bag. The Asian options (Pho, etc.) were great, but the Western stuff was a bit…meh.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Present.
- Desserts in restaurant/Snack bar: Present.
- Bottle of water: Provided.
- Happy hour: Didn't see it.
- Room service? Room service [24-hour]: Available.
- Poolside bar? Couldn’t find it.
- International cuisine in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant: Yes!
- Alternative meal arrangement: Ask the front desk!
- Safe dining setup: Present, thank goodness for the current environment.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Present, due to the current environment.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Assumed.
- Cashless payment service: Convenient!
My Verdict on Food: Good, not exceptional. Breakfast is your best bet. Hanoi's street food scene is, of course, infinitely better. Venture out!
Cleanliness and Safety: The COVID-19 Factor
Okay, let’s rip off the band-aid. We’re in 2024, folks. Safety is paramount. Cleanliness and safety: were definitely a priority.
- Staff trained in safety protocol, Hand sanitizer, Anti-viral cleaning products, Rooms sanitized between stays, Daily disinfection in common areas, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Sterilizing equipment, Hygiene certification: All present. I felt genuinely safe and confident.
- First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: Good.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Attempted.
- Front desk [24-hour], Fire extinguisher, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Smoke alarms, Security [24-hour], Safe dining setup, Individually-wrapped food options, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: All present.
My Verdict on Cleanliness and Safety: Excellent. They're taking this seriously, which is reassuring.
Services and Conveniences: The Stuff You Actually Need
Services and conveniences: Here's the rest of the story in the hotel.
- Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Air conditioning in public area, Ironing service: All present.
- **Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Available in all rooms, Breakfast in room, Clothes Iron and board, Extra long bed, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Internet access – wireless, In-room safe box, Non-smoking, Private
Alright, buckle up Buttercup, because this isn't your Grandma's travel itinerary. This is… my attempt at conquering Hanoi from the (slightly) luxurious confines of Anrooms - 2BR/S3 Vinhomes Skylake/ Near Keangnam Hanoi Vietnam. Wish me luck, I'm gonna butcher this.
Day 1: Arrival and the Agony of Jet Lag (and Pho)
- 6:00 AM: Wake up in a cold sweat. Did I turn off the iron before I left?! Nope. Just the terrifying jet lag monster clawing at my brainstem. Also, where are the coffee pods? This is a tragedy of epic proportions. Found 'em! Okay, crisis averted. For now.
- 8:00 AM: Finally, drag myself out of the super comfy bed. The Anrooms place is actually pretty swanky. Seriously, I could live here. But the view? Not as spectacular as advertised. More like "a view of other buildings and a sliver of sky if you squint." Meh.
- 9:00 AM: Taxi to the Old Quarter. This is when the real adventure begins! Or… maybe just the annoyance of navigating Hanoi traffic. It's like a ballet of honking scooters and suicidal pedestrians. Honestly, it's mesmerizing. And terrifying.
- 10:00 AM: Pho time! Okay, here's where things get real. I'd heard about the pho. The legendary, soul-warming pho. I found a place recommended on, like, a thousand blogs. The broth? Oh, my god. It was like a warm hug in a bowl. The noodles? Silky perfection. The herbs? Explosion of freshness. I inhaled that bowl. Absolutely no regrets. Ate every single noodle.
- 11:30 AM: Walked around Hoan Kiem Lake. It's pretty! The red bridge is iconic, and I even saw a couple of old dudes fishing. Seriously though, the lake felt like a tranquil oasis after the scooter-mayhem. I may or may not have tried to feed a particularly aggressive duck, which resulted in it chasing me. Humiliating.
- 1:00 PM: Back to the apartment. Holy moly. The jet lag is hitting me like a freight train. All I want to do is pass out.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Nap. Glorious, glorious nap.
- 4:30 PM: Attempt to venture out for a Banh Mi. Fail. Back to sleep.
- 6:00 PM: Wake up, feeling vaguely human. Realize I have no clue where I am or how to use the TV remote. Order some food delivery (thank god for Grab!) and resign myself to a quiet night of Netflix and snacks. This is the life.
- 7:00 PM: Food delivered. Noodles, because I am predictable. Watch Squid Game on Netflix. Question my life choices.
Day 2: Temples, Traffic, and the Tragedy of the Coffee Culture
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. Not quite refreshed, but alive. Coffee, coffee, coffee. Oh, the coffee in this city. I'm still struggling to understand the whole "egg coffee" thing. It looked like scrambled eggs in my drink…which, by the way, tasted amazing!
- 8:30 AM: Visit the Temple of Literature. Okay, it's beautiful. The architecture is stunning, and there's a peaceful vibe that's a much-needed dose of tranquility after the scooter-chaos. Took way too many pictures. Am I secretly an architect now? Probably not.
- 10:00 AM: Attempt to find a specific hidden gem coffee shop. Get completely, utterly lost in the Old Quarter's maze of tiny streets. Wander into a fabric shop, buy a silk scarf I didn't need, and then find coffee shop. It was, predictably, filled with Instagrammers. The coffee was good, but the vibe was… well, a bit much.
- 11:30 AM: The Traffic – I swear it's trying to kill me. Crossing the street is an extreme sport. You commit, you go, or you die. There's no in-between. I think I've lost 5 years of my life due to the anxiety.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a place I stumbled upon. It looked unassuming, but the food was killer. Found some delicious street food. It’s a bit of a gamble, but you know what? Worth it.
- 2:30 PM: Attempt to find the Citadel of Thăng Long. Find it. Get a little lost. Wander around in the sun. It's pretty darn hot. Wish I'd brought more water. Whoops.
- 4:00 PM: Shopping! Souvenirs for the fam! Buy a ridiculous conical hat. Wear it. Get stared at. Embrace it.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner and a beer at a "famous" restaurant recommended by my friend. Disappointing. The food was mediocre. The beer was warm. Regret.
- 8:00 PM: Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake again. It's prettier at night. The air is a little cooler. All the neon lights are kind of mesmerizing. Feel a pang of melancholy knowing this trip will eventually end.
Day 3: Boat Trip, Bargaining Battles, and the Unending Quest for the Perfect Coffee
- 7:30 AM: The apartment's coffee maker strikes again! Making instant coffee. It's not glamorous, but it'll have to do.
- 8:30 AM: Taxi to Halong Bay (booked through a very sketchy looking website). The journey takes longer than expected. Traffic. Sigh.
- 12:00 PM: OMG. Halong Bay. The water, the karsts, the view. It's ridiculously beautiful. It's like a postcard come to life.
- 1:00 PM: Cruise around Halong Bay. The water is perfect. Saw some amazing views. The food on the boat? Surprisingly good!
- 4:00 PM: Kayaking! The kayak felt wobbly, but the views were majestic. Explored a cave. So much beauty.
- 6:00 PM: Back from Halong Bay! Exhausted from that journey. It's good, but it's a lot!
- 8:00 PM: Night market shenanigans. The shopping in Hanoi is the best and worst. You can find amazing things, but the art of bargaining will test your soul. "How much is it?" "Yes." "No way! Too much!" "Okay, how much you want to pay?" I've clearly got a lot to learn.
- 9:00 PM: Tried egg coffee again (at a different place). Nope. Still confused. Still delicious. Give up on understanding it. Just enjoy it.
Day 4: Departure! (And the lingering scent of Pho)
- 7:00 AM: Actually, wake up feeling semi-rested! Shocking. Try to figure out how to work the fancy coffee machine in the Anrooms place. Fail.
- 8:00 AM: One last glorious bowl of Pho is a must-have. Devour it. Cry a little bit because I'm leaving.
- 9:00 AM: Pack. Panic. Did I buy enough souvenirs? Did I forget something? Probably. Regret not buying more of that scarf.
- 10:00 AM: One last attempt to find that "perfect" coffee shop for a final, memory-making cup of Hanoi coffee. Fail. Settle for the okay coffee shop with the Instagrammers. Decide it would be okay to leave Vietnam at peace.
- 11:00 AM: Say goodbye to the apartment. Check out. Realize I'm going to miss this place. The Anrooms place was actually pretty great.
- 12:00 PM: Taxi to the airport. The journey out of the city feels bittersweet.
- 2:00 PM: Fly away with thoughts of pho, egg coffee, scooters and the beauty of Halong Bay lingering.
Things I Learned on This Trip:
- Hanoi is chaotic and beautiful, frustrating and rewarding.
- Jet lag is a cruel mistress.
- I need professional help to master the art of bargaining.
- I love Pho.
- The perfect coffee shop will remain a mystery, and that's okay.
- I'll be back.
Okay, So, Vinhomes Skylake 2BR... Is it *Really* Luxury? Like, Actually?
Alright, let's get real. "Luxury" gets thrown around like confetti. Vinhomes Skylake… yeah, it’s aiming for that vibe. Walking in, the lobby *does* have that sparkly, "we’re fancy" feel. Think chandeliers that could probably outshine the sun. My first impression? "Wow, I hope I don't spill coffee anywhere." (Clumsy, I am.)
The apartment itself... well, okay. It's nice. REALLY nice, actually. The views are killer, especially at sunset. You can practically reach out and touch Keangnam Landmark Tower. (Which, let's be honest, is oddly impressive. It's like the giant robot of Hanoi.) The materials are upscale. Granite countertops, fancy appliances… the kind of stuff you'd buy if you suddenly won the lottery and had NO idea what to do with the money. (Hypothetically, of course.)
But… here's the thing. Luxury isn't just the shiny stuff. It's the *experience*. And that, my friends, can be a bit… inconsistent. I had a minor issue with the AC (it sounded like a dying walrus at one point). Took a while to get it sorted. Stuff happens, you know? Even in luxury, apparently. And I'm not sure the doorman memorized my name, it took a week. So... yeah, mostly luxurious. But not *perfectly* luxurious. Which, honestly, is kind of a relief. Slightly less intimidating.
The Location - Is it Actually Convenient, or Just Pretty?
The location… it’s a mixed bag, honestly. It *looks* amazing on the map. Right next to Keangnam, which is a huge plus for finding a Starbucks fast (because, caffeine dependency). My first thought with the area? “Wow, this is huge. It's like a city within a city."
Here's the good: You're close to a lot of stuff. Restaurants, shops, all the usual suspects. Plus, traffic isn't *terrible*... most of the time. And the view! Did I mention the view? Especially from the pool. It’s… mesmerizing. You get to pretend you're a jet setter while you splash around.
The not-so-good? Getting *to* other places. Traffic in Hanoi is a beast. It’s a strategic game of dodging motorbikes, and at times, felt like a scene from Mad Max. So, while it's central, you'll still spend a decent chunk of your life in taxis. And sometimes, you just really, *really* want a banh mi from that amazing little place across town. But the thought of battling that traffic... ugh. It makes me want instant noodles for dinner. And maybe cry into them.
About Those Amenities... Pool, Gym, etc. Are They Actually Worth It?
Ah, the amenities. The siren song of the luxury apartment. The pool is… well, the pool is gorgeous. Infinity edge, overlooking the city. Seriously, it's Insta-worthy. I spent a good hour the first day just staring at it, feeling like a glamorous spy in a James Bond film. Although, when I tried to get in, the water was slightly cold. Maybe I need to get used to it, or maybe I'm just a wimp.
The gym? Okay. It's a gym. It *has* machines, and they *mostly* work. It’s not exactly a world-class fitness center, but it's functional. Nothing to write home about. Just remember, you're not actually going to the gym *every* day, are you? (Don't answer that. I'm asking myself the same question.)
The convenience store in the lobby? *Bless*. Lifesaver. Expensive, but sometimes you just NEED a midnight snack and don't want to brave the outside world. The only problem I have it is about the lack of "goodies." Mostly just packaged snacks. Sigh.
Overall, do the amenities add to the experience? Absolutely. Will they make you magically more fit and successful? Nope. But they make life a little bit easier (and prettier), and that’s enough for me.
The 2-Bedroom - Is It Enough Space, or is it Cramped? (Real talk!)
Okay, two bedrooms. When I first walked in, my initial thoughts were: "Wow, this is bigger than my first apartment. The space! Freedom!" This is great. As a couple, the space is nice. It easily accommodates a couple, maybe a small family, or even just a single person who likes to spread out like I do. I'm currently using the second bedroom as a home office/storage room/ occasional guest room (which is rarely guest the way it is).
The living room? Comfortable. Big enough to relax, entertain (if you're into that sort of thing.), or just curl up on the sofa with a book or watch TV. The kitchen is functional (again, the appliances are nice). The balcony is nice, too! A little bit of fresh air and a prime location to watch the sunset. I once had a perfect evening with a view and a drink in my hand. Amazing.
Is it the palace? No. Is it cramped? Definitely not. It's a perfectly reasonable amount of space, especially for the price point. And honestly, the extra bedroom gives you options: a spare room, a home office, a place to hide from your partner when you need some peace and quiet... It's a win-win.
The Little Things: What About the Internet/Utilities? Are They Reliable?
Internet: Mostly reliable. But, and this is a big but, there were a few times, when I was right in the middle of a zoom meeting, that my internet decided to take a nap. It was incredibly frustrating. I mean, you're paying for luxury, people! I expect consistent internet. It's a modern-day necessity. So, keep that in mind if you're a digital nomad or rely on the internet for work.
Utilities: Generally fine. Electricity is… electricity. Water… well, it comes out of the tap. Bills are what you'd expect. Nothing too crazy. I had a mini heart attack when the bill came once. After that, I just kept my usage down.
The biggest issue is... it's the little things. Like, the Wi-Fi going out just as I load a movie. I swear, even luxury apartments aren't immune to these tiny frustrations. It keeps you grounded, though. It's a reminder that even in a fancy apartment, you’re still just a human, sometimes yelling at a router.
Overall, Would You Recommend Vinhomes Skylake 2BR? (Be Brutally Honest!)
Alright, the million-dollar question. ... Honestly? City Stay Finder
