Michi Photostory: Hanoi

Showing posts with label Hanoi. Show all posts

June 22, 2026

JW Café Breakfast Buffet at JW Marriott Hanoi Review

Seven years ago, I wrote about my husband's stay at JW Marriott Hanoi, one of Vietnam's most iconic luxury hotels. This year, he had the opportunity to revisit the hotel while attending a company event. While I wasn't able to join him on this trip, he shared plenty of photos from his stay, and I was impressed to see that the hotel still looks as beautiful and well-maintained as ever.

Today, I'm sharing his breakfast experience at JW Café, the hotel's popular all-day dining restaurant.

For hotel guests, the room package includes a buffet breakfast at JW Café. Known as one of the top dining venues in Hanoi, the restaurant offers an extensive selection of international and local cuisine. From Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Mediterranean dishes to Vietnamese specialties, the buffet caters to a wide range of tastes.

One of the things my husband enjoyed most was the restaurant's relaxing atmosphere. The dining area overlooks the lake, providing a scenic view that makes breakfast even more enjoyable. The large windows also bring in plenty of natural light, creating a bright and welcoming space to start the day.

Breakfast is served from 5:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on weekdays and until 10:30 a.m. on weekends. Guests can explore a variety of dishes from live cooking stations, freshly prepared throughout the morning.

Here are some snapshots my husband took during breakfast at JW Café. The buffet spread was impressive, with plenty of local and international options to choose from.

As expected, my husband's favorite was the traditional Vietnamese pho. He opted for a bowl of beef pho, which featured a flavorful broth, tender slices of beef, and fresh herbs. According to him, it was the perfect way to begin the day and one of the highlights of the breakfast buffet. After all, a trip to Vietnam is not complete without enjoying a bowl of authentic pho.

Aside from the pho station, the buffet also offers a wide selection of pastries, breads, fresh fruits, eggs cooked to order, Asian dishes, cold cuts, cheeses, salads, and healthy breakfast options. The variety ensures that both local and international guests will find something they enjoy. My husband especially enjoyed the fresh fruit selection, which provided a refreshing start to the morning.

Based on my husband's experience, JW Café continues to offer one of the most impressive hotel breakfast buffets in Hanoi. From the comforting bowl of Vietnamese pho to the fresh fruit selection and beautiful lakeside setting, breakfast here is a wonderful way to start the day. If you're staying at JW Marriott Hanoi, be sure to arrive hungry and take your time exploring the buffet's many offerings.

September 27, 2023

Hanoi Daewoo Hotel

It’s been a while since my last blog post because I spent my time crafting. But I am taking a break for now so I am back to blogging. Just this month my husband went back to Hanoi and he stayed at the Hanoi Daewoo Hotel. His Vietnamese colleagues suggested this hotel because this is near the event place. This is the fourth hotel that he tried in Hanoi, he stayed before at Sheraton Hanoi, JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi, and Movenpick Hotel Hanoi.

It was my first time to hear about this hotel so I checked their website and learned that this hotel is one of the best 5-star luxury hotels in Hanoi. It has been one of the options of dignitaries and heads of state for more than two decades because it is near embassies too.

This hotel has been around for more than two decades so when you see the room and bathroom, it looks old already but it is still presentable. What you see on the website is what you get with a sign of wear and tear. The bathroom is small but it has a bathtub.

What is nice about this hotel is the view, My husband can see the Thủ Lệ Lake and the swimming pool from his room. This hotel has the largest swimming pool in the city.

Daewoo Hotel Restaurants

Daewoo Hotel has different restaurants that offer local and international fare. You can dine at Cafe Promenade, Ngah Dinh Hanoi Restaurant, Duc Bao Gartenstadt, Edo Japanese Restaurant, Palm Court Lobby Lounge, Brodard Terrace, Brodard Gourmet, and Lakeview Sky Lounge. Among the options, my husband was able to try three restaurants during his trip.

Cafe Promenade

My husband booked the promo rate room and he did not notice that breakfast was not included but he still ate at Cafe Promenade where the buffet breakfast was served. But unlike in other hotels, where you can charge the breakfast meal in your room and pay upon check-out; here you need to pay your meal immediately.

One of my husband’s favorite cuisines is Vietnamese pero iba-iba rin pala ang taste ng food per places. I noticed that when we went to Saigon and Da Nang, napapaisip ako kung bakit favorite ni hubby ang Vietnamese cuisine kasi yung sa hotel lang naman na food ang nagustuhan ko.

Anyway, there are so many choices in the buffet spread but my husband ate “pho” every single day. Hindi obvious na favorite niya. Hehehe! So whenever he is in Hanoi, nawawala ang diet sa vocabulary niya. Conclusion, yung food sa Hanoi ang favorite niya.

Edo Japanese Restaurant

My husband ate at Edo where you order your favorite teppanyaki, sushi, and sashimi dishes.

Duc Bao Gartenstadt

While waiting for my husband’s midnight flight, he went back to Daewoo Hotel for dinner. He ate at Duc Bao Gartenstadt, this restaurant serves German cuisine and beers with a swimming pool view.

My husband is on a business trip so he has no time for leisure but this hotel is on Kim Ma Street where you can find the colorful houses and Thu Le Park where you can ride a swan boat, and visit the zoo and garden.

Hanoi Daewoo Hotel

360 Kim Ma Street,

Ba Dinh District

Hanoi Vietnam

February 08, 2022

Movenpick Hotel Hanoi Vietnam

As of this writing, I have 5,600+ photos on my phone from June 2019 so I am pressuring myself to blog so I can already delete the photos on my phone. My Scandinavian photos are not yet included kasi nasa old phone ko pa siya. Waah! But for documentation's sake, I am trying to refresh my memories for the past two years or more.

Let me start with my husband's trip to Vietnam last December 2019, this was a tiring trip because he visited Saigon and Hanoi in a span of one week so Manila - Saigon - Hanoi - Manila. Not only that, he also stayed in three different hotels. I already blogged about Sheraton Saigon, Le Meridien Saigon and this time let me share Movenpick Hanoi.

Movenpick Hanoi is the third hotel that he tried in Hanoi, Vietnam, he previously stayed at Sheraton Hotel Hanoi and JW Marriott Hotel. If I remember it right, he had a hard time looking for a hotel during that time so good thing Movenpick Hanoi has an available room for him.

This hotel is located in the heart of the central business district so it is ideal for both leisure and business travelers. It is 40 minutes away from Noi Bai International Airport and 5 minutes away from the Old Quarter and city center.

The 30 sqm room is decorated in contemporary French Style with city views. It has a working desk, a comfortable leather armchair, and LCD TV.

The bathroom has a full glass panel, magnifying mirror, and rainshower.

24-hour room service is also available, my husband arrived late so he chose room service for his meal.

The room package includes a complimentary breakfast at Mangosteen, it is an all-day-dining restaurant where you can order a mix of Vietnamese and international flavors. Open from 6AM up to 11PM.

Guests have access to their Kinetic Gym and Wellness Studio and if you want to relax, they also have massage and sauna facilities.

For leisure travelers, you can explore these attractions which are located a few minutes walk or drive from Movenpick Hanoi.

Quan Sun Pagoda

Friendship Cultural Palace or Huu Nghi Cultural Palace

Hanoi’s Train Station

Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi

Hoan Kiem District, 83A Ly Thuong Kiet Street

Hanoi, Vietnam

November 08, 2019

JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi in Vietnam

Two years ago, my husband had a not-so-good experience in Hanoi, Vietnam, so when he went back two weeks ago, he made sure that he would only bring clothes and all business product samples were sent via courier. Read the story here.

Read: Sheraton Hanoi Hotel

When my husband told me that he would go back to Vietnam, part of me wanted to go. I wanted to join his trip because Philippine Airlines already has a direct flight to Hanoi, so wala ng mahabang layover, and of course, I wanted to visit Halong Bay, but unfortunately, exam week ng anak ko yun, so bawal talaga umabsent.

Moving on, he was in Hanoi for almost a week, and he stayed at the JW Marriott Hotel. It is a five-star hotel near the National Convention Center, the Old Quarter, Hanoi Night Market, Hoa Lo Prison, and even temples. This hotel is a little bit far from the city center, but if you want to have a staycation or want to be away from the busy city, this is a good hotel.

My husband enjoyed his stay here; he likes the room, food, service, and the environment. So far, this is the 6th Marriott hotel that he has tried, and for him, this is the best among the six hotels. Looking at my husband’s photos, I also like the JW Marriott Hotel; the interior and exterior design are very impressive. Look at the rooftop pool, lobby chandelier, garden, and lake.

De Luxe City View Room

He only stayed at Deluxe City View, but the room and bathroom are pretty, clean, and spacious. The room is big for one person, it has chairs, entertainment gadgets, a working desk, a safe, a coffee and tea service, a mini-bar, and more.

The bathroom has a separate bathtub and shower. Knowing Marriott, they are very generous when it comes to toiletries and other complimentary stuff. They even have bath salt for the bathtub, kung may bathtub lang kami sa bahay, for sure iuuwi ni hubby yun. My favorite is their eco-shopping bag and chocolates. Every turn-down service, the staff leaves few pieces of chocolates on his desk and he took home some of it para matry din namin.

Note: When my husband returned in 2026, there were no more eco-shopping bags or chocolates. He received a complimentary welcome fruit.

Buffet Breakfast at JW Cafe

If you stay in JW Marriott and your budget is not a problem, you can eat or drink at Akira Back, Smack Dab Hanoi, The Lounge, French Grill, Cook Cats Jazz Club, JW Patisserie, Chocolate Lab, Milk & Co, and JW Cafe.

The room package includes buffet breakfast at JW Cafe, which is one of the top restaurants in Hanoi offering international dishes like Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mediterranean, and Vietnamese local dishes. They also serve fresh seafood, barbecue, and desserts. What's nice about their restaurant is the view; you have a nice view of the lake.

JW Marriott Hotel has a luxury spa, rooftop indoor swimming pool, 24-hour fitness center, kids’ room, and meeting venues. Speaking of venues, this is also the reason why my husband stayed in the hotel, because they have company events at the JW Marriott Hotel.

Read: Marriott Renaissance Shanghai Yangtze Hotel
Courtyard Fort Worth University Drive by Marriott in Dallas Texas
Chengdu Marriott Hotel Financial Centre in China
Marriott Residence Inn Austin Lake
Cebu City Marriott Hotel

JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi
No 8 Do Duc Duc Road,
Me Tri Ward, South Tu Liem District
Hanoi Vietnam