Lakeside Retreat – Tay Ho

Lakeside Retreat – Tay Ho Overview

You know what hit me first about Lakeside Retreat? It’s actually tucked into this tiny alley off Đặng Thai Mai, and I mean really tucked – you’d walk right past ngõ 50 if you weren’t looking for it. But that’s exactly what makes this place special. While everyone’s hunting for accommodations right on the lake, you’re sitting here maybe 200 meters back from all that chaos, and honestly, it’s perfect.

The thing about staying in Tay Ho is that most places either put you right in the expat bar scene (which gets old fast) or way too far from anything interesting. This spot though – it’s like they found the sweet spot. You’re close enough to West Lake that you can easily walk down for sunrise coffee or those evening strolls when the locals are doing their exercise routines, but you’re not dealing with the motorbike traffic that never seems to stop along the main lakefront road. The walk to Summit Lounge or one of those rooftop places takes maybe eight minutes, and there’s actually a really good bún chả spot right at the corner of the alley that I kept going back to.

What really surprised me was how quiet it gets at night – I mean, this is Hanoi, so there’s always some noise, but tucked back in that lane, you’re mostly hearing normal neighborhood sounds instead of the constant honking. The rooms themselves feel more like a boutique guesthouse than a typical hotel, if that makes sense. Nothing fancy or trying too hard, just really solid and comfortable. The staff genuinely seemed to know the area well too, not just the tourist stuff but practical things like which xe om drivers are reliable and where to get your laundry done properly. They helped me figure out the bus situation to the Old Quarter, which honestly saved me a fortune on Grab rides. The Wi-Fi actually works consistently (not always a given in smaller places), and the air conditioning doesn’t sound like a construction site, which – let’s be real – matters when you’re trying to sleep off jet lag. I’d definitely come back here, especially if I wanted to experience Hanoi more like someone who actually lives here rather than just hitting the major tourist spots. It’s the kind of place where you end up having actual conversations with other travelers instead of just nodding at each other in hallways.

Lakeside Retreat – Tay Ho Accommodations

Reviews of Lakeside Retreat – Tay Ho

• Yota from Japan – 3 June 2025 (10/10)

  全てがパーフェクトです!
  一日中美しい湖の景色を眺めることができます。
  部屋も清潔でとても過ごしやすく、居心地が良いです。
  洗濯機や冷蔵庫に、インターネット接続がされているテレビなど、必要な設備は一通り揃っています。
  プロジェクターもあります!
  ホストの方が、とっても親切でフレンドリーでした!
  また宿泊したいと思います。
  
  What could be improved: ないです

• Anthony from United States – 24 May 2025 (10/10)

  The was our second booking in the same week. Refer to previous comments 😉

• Anthony from United States – 24 May 2025 (10/10)

  Amazing views of ho tay, comfy beds, and a projector with Netflix. We booked 3 days then stayed 3 more. Go ahead and give yourself a whole week here!
  
  What could be improved: If you’re walking it can be a little far from nearby restaurants, but you can grab the bikes or call a scooter or taxi.

• Claire-helene from Reunion – 15 May 2025 (10/10)

  Appartement très confortable, très bien équipé, lumineux, vue sur West Lake magnifique. Propre et paisible.
  
  What could be improved: Rien!

• Phúc from Vietnam – 7 May 2025 (10/10)

  Tầm nhìn đẹp

• Duong from Vietnam – 4 May 2025 (10/10)

  phòng ở sạch sẽ; chủ nhà thân thiện; hàng xóm tốt bụng; quán bánh tôm bên tay trái nhà nghỉ ngon giá phải chăng. Sẽ ở lại nếu đi công tác Hà Nội. Chủ nhà có hệ thống nhà nghỉ hoặc khách sạn như thế này ở Hà Nội thì tốt
  
  What could be improved: chỗ vào hơi khó

• Mạc from Vietnam – 1 May 2025 (10/10)

  Căn hộ sạch sẽ view đẹp lắm nha , ac qli dễ thương cần gì có lấy

• Gregory from United States – 13 April 2025 (10/10)

  Fantastic place. Clean and new. Each toom with its own ac controls. Spacious. Washer- dryer unit. Water dispenser. Great location. The area has budget restaurants and food kiosks as well as trendy bars and restaurants catering to expats. If you search for live music Hanoi most of the venues are nearby. Linh is a responsive host with excellent English.

• Florian from Germany – 31 March 2025 (10/10)

  12 out of 10 stars. Very high quality furnishing and equipment. Free air purifier. Staff super lovely and helpful.
  The landlord's family is staying there, and that's how it's built. Imagine somebody wealthy building apartments for themselves and their family, but building some extra to rent out.
  It's a very different experience from other apartments that were just built for tourists.
  Better than on the photos.

• Ute from Germany – 17 March 2025 (10/10)

  Unsere Betreuung war super: sehr freundlich, hilfsbereit und sehr offen, vielen Dank nochmals auf diesem Weg. Das Appartement hat eine tolle und sehr ruhige Lage und einen exzellenten Blick über den See mit der dahinterliegenden Bebauung. Quasi nebenan gibt's zahlreiche kleine vietnamesische Restaurants, welche zu empfehlen sind. Zur Altstadt sind es mit dem Grab ca. 20 Minuten, je nach Tageszeit etwas länger.
  
  What could be improved: … da gibt es wirklich nichts 😊

Surroundings

Facilities