The Western Hill Hotel

The room was a good size and the furniture was decent, and the location was great. Breakfast had a range of items, but some, including sausages, had no labels. It wasn't clear whether they contained pork, beef, or chicken, which matters to people who avoid pork. There weren't many pork-free choices in general. Noise was another problem: we could hear the busy street and our neighbors because the windows and doors seemed to have no sound insulation. Cleaning wasn't great either. The tea cups were very dirty, daily room cleaning was poor, and the shots were not changed.

The room was hot and stuffy at night, with no air conditioning or ceiling fan. Other family members had rooms with ceiling fans, so the standards seemed inconsistent. When we complained, we got two portable fans. One couldn't be adjusted for height, while the other was noisy and seemed faulty. Its head looked loose enough to fall off, which made it feel unsafe and badly maintained. Breakfast was a letdown too, with very little choice for a hotel presented as 4-star. We found the facilities, upkeep, and food disappointing for that rating. The whole stay was uncomfortable and frustrating, and we wouldn't come back or recommend The Western Hill Hotel.

The lobby had a lovely holiday feel, with a huge white Christmas tree that was great for photos. I also liked the bathroom: the toilet was very clean, with a modern wall-hung bowl and flush on the wall. The hotel itself was clean, the room spacious, and the price affordable. Getting around was easy. It's near the city center and within walking distance of local restaurants serving affordable Vietnamese food. There's a pharmacy next door, with shops, banks, and ATMs easy to reach. My one concern was at check-in. The receptionist had noticeable bad breath while talking. I hope management pays attention to staff hygiene, especially for front desk workers who speak closely with guests. The Western Hill Hotel was good value, and with that issue addressed, it would be better.

We stayed two nights in the Suite Family Room. The staff were polite and professional, and spoke English well, which made everything smooth. The room was clean and well kept, and breakfast had lots of well-prepared options. Comfort was the weak point. There was no central air conditioning, and renovations added noise on top of poor soundproofing. A portable aircon was supplied, but its fan was loud and it didn't cool the room enough. The noise and heat kept us from sleeping well the first night. We did better the second night after opening the windows, though we were probably also worn out after a long day walking. Service and dining were the parts we rated highly.