Paddington Hotel Halong Bayview

We started our trip on a cruise, so moving here afterward was a really nice change. This hotel has a beach, incredible views, amazing seafood, and easy access to everything without the huge crowds of the busy tourist areas. Our city-view room felt new and was very clean. Breakfast was amazing, especially the pho bo, which was probably the best we had on the whole trip. The staff were super friendly, even though some didn't speak English. My family and I would definitely stay here again.

The staff had the poorest, rudest attitude I've ever seen. The room and elevator smelled bad. The bathroom floor was left wet after showers because there were no curtains. The receptionist said the room's aircon couldn't be switched to heat unless all the other rooms were also switched to heat.

I'm an independent travel agent, and when I planned my Ha Long trip I wanted a room with a bay view. Paddington was one of three hotels I shortlisted and the one I contacted first. I emailed from my work address through the website contact details, but got no reply. I tried again two weeks later and still heard nothing. I was very disappointed, and the website didn't answer all my questions, but I still wanted to stay, so I booked as a client through my back-office partner. On arrival, the hotel seemed big and clean, and it's across the road from the beach. The view was what I expected, though I wish they'd replied so I could have chosen a better room and made requests. The area is very limited for shops and restaurants, and the center is about 1 mile away, so you'll need some transport to get there. It could suit someone who just wants the beach and to do nothing. The room could use a few improvements. The shower screen doesn't sit flat against the tub, so water leaks out even when the shower head is tilted away. The bathroom blind is outside the bathroom, and condensation builds up in the morning, which may blur the bay view. Scooter hire was 250k per day. We waited 15 minutes for delivery, which wasn't a problem, but there were no helmet choices and the speedometer didn't work. We could have taken it back to exchange, but with our limited time we kept it until the end. My feelings about the hotel started with that first unanswered email, and I hoped the stay would improve because I really wanted to be there. In the end, it felt like I'd been there and done that, and wouldn't go back. Sorry, Paddington, the whole experience wasn't what I expect from a 5*.

It's a very nice hotel, a little away from the action, but that's not really a problem. An inexpensive Grab ride generally gets you where you want to go.