An emblem of grace and grandeur, drama and design, the Hanoi Opera House has been a must-see landmark in the Old Quarter of Hanoi since the neoclassical structure emerged in the early 1900s. And now, the spirit of the opera lives on at the nearby Capella Hanoi, where rich cultural elements and Roaring Twenties glamour converge.
Every detail of this 47-room luxury hotel was left to the imagination of decorated designer Bill Bensley, who also happens to be the creative force behind Bali’s Capella Ubud and Cambodia’s Shinta Mani Wild, among other magical escapes. For this project, Bensley conjured up visions of a petite auberge — a little boutique hotel where actors, opera singers, composers, stage and costume designers and spectators liked to stay in opera’s golden age.
As with many of Bensley’s designs, stepping inside the hotel feels like walking into an enchanting alternate universe. Each unique room and suite pays tribute to different opera talents, while the property’s theatrical dining destinations showcase authentic turn-of-the-century artifacts. Meanwhile, Capella’s curated cultural experiences — think tai chi beside Hoan Kiem Lake and intimate Song Cai gin distillery visits — celebrate the many treasures in Vietnam’s capital.
An emblem of grace and grandeur, drama and design, the Hanoi Opera House has been a must-see landmark in the Old Quarter of Hanoi since the neoclassical structure emerged in the early 1900s. And now, the spirit of the opera ...