Azen Lakeside Hotel & Travel

The staff were the best part of our stay. They greeted us warmly, suggested local places, and arranged a fantastic Halong Bay day trip, which made getting around much easier. Our Lakeside view room wasn't available on arrival because of plumbing issues, so we spent the first night in a City view room. The staff dealt with the change professionally and moved us to the Lakeside room the next day without any hassle. Both rooms were comfortable and roomy, with clean linens and basic amenities, though the beds were very firm and the rooms could use some maintenance. The hotel sits right by the lake, with Hanoi's busy streets easy to reach. It's a budget-friendly base for exploring, though minor problems can come up. We had a pleasant stay and felt it was a solid four-star choice.

Having two roomy, clean rooms made a big difference after long days walking around Hanoi. Housekeeping tidied up while we were out and replaced the towels daily, so it was comfortable coming back each time. The rooms felt much larger than most hotel rooms we've had in the Philippines, with plenty of space and no cramped feeling. We stayed here for our whole Hanoi trip, and it was a good call. The hotel is newly built, and the lobby and rooms all felt fresh, modern, and clean, with clear care put into the design and amenities. The staff were welcoming and accommodating, always helping with things like extra towels or directions and greeting us with a smile. It was good value for the room size, service, and location. The Old Quarter was only a few minutes away by Grab, so getting around was easy without staying right in the noise and crowds. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for an affordable, comfortable place with spacious rooms and nice staff. It made our trip better.

The staff at the counter were helpful when I complained, asked to move rooms, or needed tours booked. After the first room, the receptionist moved me upstairs to a room with sunlight, and I was happy with that. I got lucky, though, and you might not. At first we were put on a lower floor in a room with no natural light, and it looked very different from the online photos, which showed only the best room. The toilet and some pillows smelled, and water flooded the shower area while bathing. Towels, toothbrushes, and slippers were supplied. The shampoo and soap barely lathered, so my hair still smelled afterward, and the bottles weren't labelled, leaving me to guess which was for hair. It's a short walk to West Lake, with restaurants and cafes nearby. Taxis are cheap for farther trips, around $1-5 to the Old Quarter, weekend night market, water puppet theatre, and other places. There's a very small minimart next door for water and snacks, and you can collect water on the first floor. We took two tours, and the bus pickup point was just behind the hotel, though we were picked up first before the bus went around the Old Quarter. Nearby dining choices are limited if you want a quick bite. A three-star, budget-friendly place.

The neighborhood has plenty of restaurants where locals eat, along with some bars and BBQ places. A short stroll to the next street brings you to a quiet riverbank with cozy coffee shops, nice for an evening walk or a relaxed stop after dinner. Good value for the price. The room was comfortable and just the right size. It had no window, but I wasn't in Hanoi to spend the day indoors. The bed, pillows, and blanket were clean and comfy, and the large TV had over 200 channels, including some English movie channels. Reception and the bellman who handled our luggage were friendly and helpful. Their airport taxi service was convenient and priced fairly.