Ngan Nga Bac Ha Hotel

We only stayed one night, but the manager's attitude really soured it. We rented a bike from him for three days at 200k d a day, with no contract written. We returned it a bit late in the afternoon, and he claimed we'd kept it an extra day. Fair enough, but he was rude and shouted about it. Later, when my friend sat down for breakfast, which we assumed was included, the manager shouted at him because it apparently wasn't. The room was basic, up many stairs, with a nice bed, awkward cushions, and shower. We'd come to expect that in Vietnam, so those things weren't a worry. We don't recommend it :-) Find somewhere with friendlier staff :-)

The cheap room didn't make up for how disappointing the stay was. There was a salty-food smell everywhere, and the restaurant downstairs was very expensive for ordinary-tasting food. I rented a motorbike in Hanoi and needed somewhere to keep it. After I'd paid for the accommodation, an employee bluntly told me to leave it unlocked by the roadside because it was hard to move. When I asked again because I was concerned, that's what the employee did to me. We left after the first night despite having booked and paid for two. The manager didn't apologize or offer anything.

The food was mediocre and expensive, about twice what better meals cost in Hanoi. The receptionist was cold and barked orders for passports without even a basic greeting. Management also failed to honor confirmed reservations, and we felt treated like a transaction instead of guests. The facilities were run down: outdated rooms, no elevator, and stairs that were awful to climb. We had water leaks, no hot water, constant noise, and pillows that were physically painful. Tour agencies often push this tourist trap. Between the dilapidated rooms and the host's arrogance, it felt like an insult to Vietnamese hospitality. Don't let your guide leave you here, find somewhere else.

A very central place, with clean, fairly comfortable rooms and really helpful service. The vegetarian food is quite nice too!