Luxury Hanoi Apartment: Vinhomes Skylake 2BR Gem Near Keangnam!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the wonderfully chaotic world of the Luxury Hanoi Apartment: Vinhomes Skylake 2BR Gem Near Keangnam! – or, as I’m now affectionately calling it, "The Skylake Sanctuary." Just a heads up, this review is going to be less "corporate drone delivers bullet points" and more "your slightly-too-opinionated friend spills the tea (and maybe some pho) on their experience." So, let's go!
Right off the bat, this place is aiming for the stars. A 2BR gem? Near Keangnam? My expectations were sky-high, and honestly? They mostly delivered.
Accessibility, the Big Picture (and the Small Cracks):
- Accessibility: Okay, this is where things get a little wobbly. They claim facilities for disabled guests, but let's be honest, "claim" and "actual implementation" can be two very different things. I’d love a more detailed breakdown.
- Wheelchair Accessible: I didn't see any glaring signs of inaccessibility, like, say, a flight of stairs leading directly into the lobby, BUT I didn't see any super-obvious ramps or anything, either. This is a "call ahead and ask" kinda situation.
- Elevator: Yes! Praise the heavens! No struggling with luggage (or my own, slightly-overweight self).
Now, Let's Talk About the Good Stuff - The Feels!
- Things to relax: Okay, now we're talking my language. This isn't just a place to crash; it's a place to unwind.
- Pool with a View: The outdoor pool? Spectacular. I'm not usually one for staring at the sky, but the view from the pool was legit. I spent a whole afternoon just floating, occasionally ordering a cocktail and trying not to judge the overly-enthusiastic synchronized swimmers who seemed to have no concept of personal space.
- Sauna, Steamroom, Spa: Heavy sigh of contentment. Heaven. Pure, unadulterated heaven. I spent so much time in the sauna I may have accidentally fused with a wooden bench. The spa treatments are, like, chef's kiss. Get the body scrub. Just do it. You won't regret it. Trust me, my skin thanks me everyday
- Fitness Center/Gym/Fitness: Okay, I intended to use the gym. I really did. But, as it turned out, the pool, the sauna, and the buffet were far more compelling. I looked at the equipment… and then went back for a second helping of spring rolls. Let's just say the fitness center is there if you're that type of person.
- Body Scrub/Wrap: I'm all about the pampering. My skin felt amazing. I felt like a new person.
- Internet access:
- Internet [LAN]: I didn't even touch, I like WIFI more.
- Internet services: I've never been there, but I'm sure it's good.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Worked like a dream. No buffering, no dropped connections, which is crucial when you're trying to stalk your ex on Instagram, I mean, uh, research.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Yassss! Crucial for live-tweeting everything!
Cleanliness & Safety: (Because, You Know, Adult Stuff)
- Cleanliness and safety: This is super important in a post-COVID world. And, thankfully, The Skylake Sanctuary seemed to take it seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good. Very good. Peace of mind is priceless.
- Rooms sanitized between stays, Professional-grade sanitizing services: Kudos!
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere!
- Safe dining setup: Thank You lord!
- Individually-wrapped food options: Always welcome.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: I would hope so!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: I'd be surprised if they weren't at this point
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Nice to see an option!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: (Crucial Life Decisions)
- Restaurants: Okay, the restaurant situation… swoon.
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant: Pho for breakfast, anyone? My taste buds are still singing.
- International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant.: They do a solid job catering to a wider range of tastes.
- Buffet in restaurant: The holy grail of hungries. And surprisingly, the buffet felt very safe.
- A la carte in restaurant: This is where I went for dinner, and it was divine.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: Necessary fuel for exploring Hanoi.
- Bar: The bar was well-stocked, and the cocktails were strong. Maybe a little too strong, as I may have regaled a poor unsuspecting bartender with the entire plot of a rom-com I watched on the plane. Sorry buddy!
- Poolside bar: Yes, please!
- Room service [24-hour]: Crucial for late-night snack attacks.
- Snack bar: Just in case you get peckish between spa treatments.
- Bottle of water: Always appreciated.
- Breakfast takeaway service: Perfect for those early morning adventures.
- Desserts in restaurant: Let's skip dinner and go straight to the dessert.
- Soup in restaurant/ Salad in restaurant: All the essentials!
- Happy hour: Wipes brow Finally, a place where I can relax, get tipsy and get a great snack
- Vegetarian restaurant: I can't judge honestly, but very convenient.
Services and Conveniences: (The Little Things That Matter)
- A la carte in restaurant: YES!
- Alternative meal arrangement: Useful for picky eaters.
- Air conditioning in public area: Essential in Hanoi.
- Air conditioning: Essential in the apartment!
- Doorman, Concierge: Helpful. The doorman always had a smile, and the concierge was fantastic at setting up tours and making recommendations.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: Super convenient.
- Daily housekeeping: My room was always spotless.
- Dry cleaning: Perfect for getting my clothes ready for the next adventure.
- Ironing service, Ironing facilities, Laundry service: Crucial. I wrinkle easily (both physically and emotionally).
- Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes: All the essentials.
- Convenience store, Gift/souvenir shop: Everything is in here!
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings: For business types.
- Air conditioning in public area: Essential.
- Facilities for disabled guests: The big question mark.
- Food delivery: Great if you're feeling antisocial.
- Essential condiments: I'm always hungry!
- Invoice provided: Nice for expense reports.
- Outdoor venue for special events, Indoor venue for special events: These venues can be beautiful.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Valet parking, Taxi service: Everything is in here!
- Bicycle parking: More convenient than you think!
- Airport transfer: I wish I used it!
- Business facilities, Audio-visual equipment for special events: For more professionals.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Good to have if needed!
- First aid kit: I'm clumsy, good to have!
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Good for the environment.
- Hygiene certification: Always a plus!
- On-site event hosting: The event hosting is really great!
- Projector/LED display, Xerox/fax in business center: Nice to have!
- Seminars: I'd be interested to see!
- Shrine: Very interesting!
- Smoking area, Smoke alarms: Good to have!
- Soundproof rooms, Soundproofing: Crucial!
- Terrace: Nice to enjoy the weather.
- Wi-Fi for special events: Glad to hear that it exists.
- Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], 24-hour front desk, Doorman, 24-hour security: Everything is in here.
For the Kids:
- Babysitting service: If you have kids.
- Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: This seems like a great hotel for a family.
Available in All Rooms: (The Nitty Gritty)
- Additional toilet: Luxury!
- Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Slippers: Essentials.
- Bathroom phone:
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, 'cause we're about to unravel a trip to Hanoi that's less "polished travel brochure" and more "drunk uncle at a family wedding." We’re talking AnRooms – that 2BR haven-ish near Keangnam in Vinhomes Skylake. Let's see if it lives up to the hype, shall we? (Spoiler alert: probably not, perfectly.)
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Pondering at the Pho Stall
- 10:00 AM: Touchdown at Noi Bai International Airport. Humidity smacks you in the face like a wet noodle. Initial reaction? "Oh, sweet heavens, it's already a sweat lodge." Finding the driver AnRooms set up? Chaos. Literally the best/worst part of the airport. After 30 mins, we finally found him.
- 11:30 AM: Arrival at the apartment. Okay, the place is… nice. Definitely a step up from that shoebox I lived in during grad school. The view from the balcony is actually kinda stunning – a sprawling cityscape that's both exciting and slightly terrifying, like staring into the heart of capitalism. Briefly considered just staying here indefinitely, ordering in, and becoming a hermit. Good plan, self. Good plan… (But, no. I have a plan, remember?)
- 1:00 PM: Lunchtime! This is crucial. Found a tiny pho stall practically exploding off the sidewalk nearby. This is where it gets real. Sat on those tiny plastic chairs that were literally designed for hobbits. Ordered pho and… holy mother of broth, it was heavenly. The woman running the stall – a dragon in a floral shirt – barked at me when I tried to pay with a 500,000 dong note. "Too big!" she yelled, which, fair. Had me scrambling in my bag like a panicked squirrel. Ate, felt good. Pondered life and the meaning of coriander. It's deep, man, really deep.
- 3:00 PM: Wandered. Wandered like a lost puppy. Got completely, gloriously lost. Found a hidden alleyway filled with street art, and nearly got run over by a scooter doing donuts. Hanoi is alive. Maybe too alive.
- 6:00 PM: Checked out a Bia Hoi (local beer) and just… sat. Watched the chaos of the street unfold, which is always good for the soul. It's a masterclass in people-watching. One guy was trying to sell us a whole bag of fake Rolexes. Passed. Drank beer. Felt good.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner. Another Pho place. Too many Pho places! How many more will I visit?! I felt compelled to have it. It was not as good as the first place. Major letdown.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime. Aaaand sleep. Jet lag is a cruel mistress.
Day 2: History, Heartbreak, and a Failed Bargaining Attempt
- 9:00 AM: Woke up. Glorious.
- 10:00 AM: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum. It's impressive, yeah, but also… weird. So many people silently shuffling through, and there's this… this thing. I can't really describe it, but I left feeling more confused than enlightened.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Decided to be brave and try bun cha. The grilled pork with noodles and dipping sauce? Yes, please. Found a place that Anthony Bourdain himself would probably approve of. Absolutely inhaled it. It was the highlight of my day, and it got me feeling all warm and fuzzy. And then, because I'm an idiot…
- 2:00 PM: Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple. Beautiful, serene, peaceful. Until I saw the souvenir stalls. I swear, I'm a sucker for a good bargain. Tried to haggle for a silk scarf and failed miserably. The woman's face was a mask of withering disapproval. She won. I walked away, tail between my legs, with a substandard scarf and a bruised ego.
- 4:00 PM: The Old Quarter, and I almost wanted to just get lost, but my mind was telling me I needed to get some shopping done.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant with a view. A little fancy, but I needed some good energy for my shopping. The food was a little bit disappointing and it reminded me I should have found some Street Food.
- 8:00 PM: Shopping - which went well. Found a variety of things that I liked.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime.
Day 3: Food Coma, Art, and the Quest for the Perfect Coffee
- 9:00 AM: Woke up. The view from the apartment has gotten me used to it, and it's something that I wanted every day!
- 10:00 AM: Breakfast - Got more Pho
- 11:00 AM: Art. Found a small gallery tucked away in a side street. Stumbled upon a hidden gem of local art. Got emotional.
- 1:00 PM: Coffee. Oh, the coffee. Vietnamese coffee is a thing. Tried the egg coffee – creamy, decadent, and like drinking a warm, caffeinated hug. Spent an hour just savoring it, and watching the street life.
- 3:00 PM: Back to the Apartment. Relaxing time.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. More food, this time a restaurant I have been recommended. The recommendation was really good.
- 8:00 PM: Packing. Getting ready, but then I don't want to go.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime.
Day 4: Departure (and lingering regrets)
- 9:00 AM: One Last Pho. Because, duh. Have to get my fix before heading back to reality. This time, I asked for the address of the first place, so I could just get it delivered back in New York.
- 11:00 AM: Final stroll around the neighborhood. Saying a bittersweet goodbye to Hanoi. Wish I could just stay.
- 12:00 PM: Check out of the apartment.
- 1:00 PM: Head to airport.
- 4:00 PM: Depart.
Final Thoughts (and probably some regrets):
AnRooms? Solid, would stay again. Hanoi? A whirlwind of chaos, beauty, and incredible food. Did I see everything? Absolutely not. Did I embrace the messiness? You bet your sweet bippy I did. Did I get my fill of coffee? No. There is never enough coffee.
Would I recommend this trip? Hell yes. Just… pack your sense of humor, your bargaining skills (or lack thereof, in my case), and a healthy appetite for adventure. And maybe a translator app for the Pho lady. You'll need it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go dream of egg coffee.
Cley-Next-the-Sea DREAM: Luxurious 2-Bed Coach House Awaits!
Vinhomes Skylake 2BR Gem: Ask Me Anything (After I Lived There!)
Okay, spill the tea! Is this Vinhomes Skylake place *really* as amazing as the listings make it sound? (the '2BR Gem' near Keangnam, specifically!)
Ugh, the listings. Right? They always paint such a rosy picture. Look, let's be honest. It's... complicated. Okay, so Vinhomes Skylake? The *building* itself? Pretty darn impressive. The lobby is slicker than a politician's handshake. And, yeah, Keangnam's practically next door, so the location is *gold* if you like being close to the action. Think restaurants, malls... and, occasionally, a late-night run for Pho that'll save your life. (More on that later, trust me.)
But the apartment itself? The "gem?" Okay, maybe a *slightly* tarnished gem. It's nice, don't get me wrong. Modern, well-designed... but, like, you know how they stage those places? Everything's pristine. My life, clearly, is not pristine. I'm talking a mountain of laundry, a permanent layer of dust (shoutout to Hanoi!), and a rogue sock that's been missing for... well, let's just say *months*. So, is it amazing? Depends on your definition of "amazing." It's a solid, comfortable place to live. It's not a portal to Narnia. (Though, wouldn't that be awesome?)
What's the vibe like living in that area? Is it noisy, congested, or (hopefully) a little bit both?
Hanoi, baby! Noise is a given. It's part of the charm, right? ...Right?? (I'm still undecided.) Seriously, the traffic is *intense*. Motorbikes zipping everywhere, horns blaring... It's a cacophony of urban chaos. But, you get used to it. Kind of. You learn to ignore a lot. You develop a sixth sense for dodging rogue scooters.
Congestion? Oh, absolutely. Peak hours are a *nightmare*. Forget trying to schedule anything during those times. Just assume you'll be stuck in a slow-motion dance-off with a thousand other motorbikes. But then, you also have the *energy*. The city is always buzzing. There are always people around, something to see. Street food galore! The area around Keangnam is pretty lively, but also offers a mix of quiet street, and high-end shopping. It’s a good balance if you can handle the noise. Honestly, it’s the kind of place where anything, and I mean *anything*, can happen.
The "2BR" part - good for a couple? Or is it just a glorified shoebox?
Okay, the size. Two bedrooms, right? It's decent! It's not a palace, but it's definitely not a closet. I lived there with a friend, and it was totally manageable. We had our own space, which is key for surviving the roommate experience. Seriously, personal space is a *must*.
The layout in our place wasn't perfect. The living room felt a bit cramped when we had people over. But the bedrooms themselves were a good size, each with its own bathroom. The storage wasn't amazing – a running theme in Hanoi apartments, it seems. But we made it work. My advice? Visit it and make sure it fits your needs before signing anything. What works for one couple may not work for another. Consider what is your budget.
Let's talk amenities! The pool? The gym? Do they live up to the Instagram hype?
Ugh, the amenities. This is where things get... interesting. The pool? It's gorgeous. Seriously, it *looks* like something out of a resort. But, I went to the pool a few times, was always jam-packed with kids. Honestly, it wasn't my vibe. Always felt like I was at a water park, not a relaxing zen space.
The gym? Actually, pretty good. Modern equipment, usually not *too* packed. Did I go every day? Absolutely not. Let's just say my commitment to fitness has a rather inconsistent schedule. But, the gym is definitely a plus. A small plus for me, a massive plus for some.
The rest? Standard stuff. 24-hour security (which felt reassuring), a convenience store (that was a lifesaver on many occasions), and some other random bits and bobs. It's all there, but it really boils down to how much you’ll use it.
Any unexpected downsides? Things the listings conveniently leave out?
Oh, the hidden horrors? Where do I even begin?!
* **The Power Outages:** They happen. Not *frequently*, but frequently enough to be annoying. Stock up on candles and a good book. And maybe a portable charger for your phone.
* **The Elevator Drama:** Sometimes, the elevators are... temperamental. Prepare for the occasional long wait, or the (rare, but terrifying) experience of getting stuck.
* **The Internet Gods:** The internet speeds in our place were sometimes, let's say, *glacial*. If you rely on the web for work, check the internet speeds *before* you move in.
* **The Dust:** It's a never-ending battle. Invest in a good air purifier. And a strong vacuum. You've been warned.
* **The Laundry Nightmare:** Drying clothes in Hanoi is... challenging. Humidity! It's relentless. Good luck.
Food around there. Good eats? Cheap eats? Or just the usual tourist traps?
Okay, the food. Hallelujah! This is where the area *shines*. Seriously, AMAZING eats.
* **Street Food Galore:** Just step outside. Bún chả, phở, bánh mì... the list goes on and on. And it's ridiculously cheap. Don't be afraid to try anything!
* **Good Restaurants:** Also plenty of nice restaurants, of nearly any type to choose a meal. Sushi, Italian, Mexican, Indian! The variety is great.
* **Tourist Traps:** Yes, they exist. But, generally easy to avoid.
Tip: Get to know the vendors! You’ll be in and out of the local shops and restaurants very quickly.
Okay, the *one thing* you'd change about living there. Go!
Honestly? The laundry situation. I had to make it the most important consideration of my stay. Drying clothes in that humidity was pure torture. I wasted so much time. So much frustration. I considered getting a dryer, but space was limited. I considered a laundry service, but I'm cheap.
