Hanoi Rose Hotel

Locals scoffed when we said we were staying there, and our experience wasn't good. We paid upfront for four nights and two rooms. My friends were okay in the balcony room, but my first room had a towel with huge yellow stains, and the hot water ran out within minutes. At 6:30AM, drilling woke us up because the connected apartment next door was under construction. The owner moved us, but construction woke us again the second morning. The new room's water-heater socket was burnt, so we couldn't plug it in and had to shower in our friends' room. The next day, staff offered to move us back to the original room with the loud construction. Two days into our four-day stay, we found another hotel. Staff demanded our keys when we moved, even though we had paid for the remaining two nights. We assumed there'd be no refund, but they offered to refund those two nights and asked us to stay quiet. We didn't, but took the refund anyway.

The room was clean and cleaned daily unless we put out the “no cleaning” label. Shampoo, a toothbrush, a small toothpaste, and a comb were provided. The location was quite good, and you could get bottled water or refill your own bottle at reception. A few things were confusing: they photographed our passports two days in a row, and I don't know why they needed them again the second day. Staff didn't speak English well, and we had to leave our room card at reception whenever we went out. It looked safe, but we took our important belongings with us just in case. They switched off the room's electricity when we left during the day, so we had to charge things while in the room. The water heater was on Eco mode, and with the power off while we were out, I could only have a hot shower if I set it to Max. On Max, a long hot shower was no problem. Card payment for the accommodation cost 3% extra.

The rooms are small but clean, and they provide the basics. At check-in, we paid and the receptionist seemed finished with us. No one explained where to go or what to do with our luggage, which we had to carry ourselves. After we asked three or four times, he finally came into the lift with us just to press the floor button. The staff seemed barely interested in helping.

The hotel was very clean and fresh, and the staff made us feel welcome. We were happy with the facilities, location, and the value for what we paid. I wonder if the older reviews, from a few years ago, might be about a previous owner. I'd definitely recommend it.