Ha Long Essence Classic Hotel

I regret choosing this place for a family holiday with my mother and my father, who had a stroke in the past and uses a wheelchair. I booked online, but the room I saw looked nothing like the photos. It was dusty and dirty, and the place felt more like a motel than a hotel. It was also far from the beach. The front desk staff were helpful enough to cancel the booking and move me to their other hotel nearer the beach. But the owner of the Essence hotel group charged me double what others paid at the same time for the money I'd already paid. That felt completely dishonest. Avoid all the Essence Hotels in Bai Chay Ha Long if you don't want the same experience.

The room was roomy, clean, and comfortable, and the bathroom had everything we needed. Breakfast was half price and well worth it. We had a restful stay at the Ha Long Essence Classic Hotel, with excellent service throughout. On arrival, the reception staff made us feel welcome, and one particularly kind gentleman explained everything and upgraded our room for free. Before the trip, the support assistant on WhatsApp was one of the most helpful I've come across in my travels. He booked the Rosy Cruise for us and arranged a limousine back to Hanoi at a very reasonable price. I'd happily recommend this peaceful place for a Ha Long Bay trip.

We paid for a king room and got a small one instead. There was no hot water, the electrical sockets seemed dangerous, and there wasn't any shampoo, unlike at the other hotels we've stayed in. Breakfast was supposed to be ready at 7am, but there was no chef, no food, not even coffee.

The rates were reasonable, and the room was great. The staff were friendly and kind. One thing to know is that you need to ask the night before if you want breakfast at the hotel. My only complaint was the jet spray by the commode. Its water pressure could injure delicate parts.