I work in Hanoi for about 3 months at a time on a project to improve access to education for the most disadvantaged children in Viet Nam so I need to live somewhere with good facilities which is not too expensive. I stayed at the Somerset West Lake for 3 months before its recent refurbishment. It was good then and is even better now.

The apartments are well apointed - even the studios which are fine for one or two people, with a well equipped separate kitchen and good modern bathroom. There is a range of bigger family apartments which have balconies or outside areas. The staff are excellent and very helpful.

The cafe is good but basic. Not a place to eat regularly, other than breakfast which is excellent, but great for an occassional meal and for snacks and drinks

The swimming pool is a good size and is of a uniform depth so there is no deep end for parents or weaker swimmers to worry about. The gym is fine - not huge but with three treadmills, a bike... more