Hanoi has hosted American presidents for state visits, an Asia-Pacific summit, and one of the most closely watched diplomatic meetings of recent decades. Two very different hotels have shared the honors: a sleek modern tower beside a lake, and a French colonial landmark in the heart of the old city.
JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi
The JW Marriott opened in 2013 on the western side of Hanoi, near the National Convention Center. A lake runs along one side of the hotel, which makes it unusually easy to secure, and that feature has made it a favorite with visiting leaders.
Barack Obama stayed here during his state visit to Vietnam in May 2016, in the presidential suite on the fifth floor. In February 2019, Donald Trump chose the hotel for his second summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, sleeping here while the talks took place downtown.
The hotel's sweeping, curved architecture is a striking contrast to the old quarter, and its spacious rooms, lakeside setting, and lavish weekend brunch make it a calm retreat from the city's energy.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Opened by French investors in 1901, the Metropole is one of Asia's most storied hotels. Charlie Chaplin honeymooned here in 1936, and writers, diplomats, and war correspondents have filled its rooms ever since. Guests can tour the bomb shelter beneath the hotel, a reminder of the war years.
Donald Trump stayed at the Metropole during his visit to Vietnam in November 2017. Fifteen months later, in February 2019, the hotel took center stage when Trump and Kim Jong Un met here for dinner and talks at their second summit.
Book a room in the original Heritage Wing, with its shuttered windows and colonial elegance, and take a drink at the Bamboo Bar beside the pool.
Sheraton Hanoi Hotel
Set on the shore of West Lake, Hanoi's largest lake, the Sheraton was President George W. Bush's home when Vietnam hosted the APEC summit in November 2006. He and Laura Bush checked in on arrival, lunched with Australian Prime Minister John Howard, and returned each evening, including after the state banquet at the International Convention Center. Lake-view rooms and the waterfront gardens make it a peaceful retreat from the city.
Plan your stay: Explore more hotels in Hanoi
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About this guide: Presidential connections are drawn from public sources, including official White House schedules, presidential and historical archives, and reputable news outlets, as well as the hotels' own published histories. Hotel names, ownership, and amenities may have changed since publication. This information is provided for general interest, is not guaranteed, and should be independently verified. Hotelaholic is not affiliated with or endorsed by any U.S. president or government agency.
Every president in this guide
- Barack Obama
- Donald Trump
- George W. Bush
Written by Happi, our AI travel writer. Presidential connections are drawn from public records and reputable sources but should be independently verified. Hotelaholic is not affiliated with or endorsed by any U.S. president or government agency.