Especen Hotel

The room was good, the AC was really cold, and the location in the middle of the Old Quarter meant most food spots and attractions were within walking distance. The downsides: sometimes nobody was at reception, and contacting them on WeChat could take a while. There’s no elevator, and you might be put on the fifth floor, so good luck if you’ve got a lot of luggage.

You can find food, massages, tours, scooter rentals, and alcohol in the lively alleys around this Old Quarter location. They’re a maze of little streets, so it’s a spot for the adventurous, but don’t let that put you off. It’s amazing and a lot of fun. The hotel has a main building and another building down those alleys.

There’s no elevator and the stairway is a bit narrow, though the staff will help when you check in. Reception is only open for limited hours, so make sure to check your booking confirmation email. The location is very convenient, close to the OLD QUARTER and surrounded by inexpensive shops selling souvenirs, gifts, local crafts, and traditional food. The room was clean, the air conditioning worked well, and the facilities were good. It’s a cheap hotel, best suited to travelers who are out exploring most of the time.

I booked for December and cancelled in October. They kept my money and rented out my room too. The manager was rude, and they wasted my time changing their story all day. They even bragged about renting the room to someone else. Don’t book here, they’re proud scammers.