Hera Palace Hotel & Apartment Ba Dinh

The price seems fair for the amenities, and both the room and restroom were clean. Still, the room felt small and poorly ventilated, and I could barely get mobile reception inside. The operator could also have been more helpful.

The airport transfer arranged by the hotel staff was much appreciated, since taxi drivers at the airport were asking double. There are plenty of markets around, a couple of good coffee shops with nice breakfasts, and a cafe with delicious Pho Bo about 400 meters away. The rooms were clean, comfortable, and good, and the staff were good too. Cleaning happened every three days. That wasn’t terrible, though I’d have preferred fresh towels every two days. Noise was a real problem, especially in the morning and afternoon: construction nearby started around 7am, and after that I couldn’t sleep. Despite that, I can recommend the place for a few days or even a couple of weeks.

I paid for a full week that couldn’t be refunded and regretted it right away. I’d suggest asking to inspect a room before paying. There’s construction directly next door, apparently from 6am to 6pm even on Sundays. You can see through large holes in the building, and dust and debris come in. I know the hosts aren’t responsible for the work, but guests should be told about it. My first room had a balcony door that wouldn’t open, a broken fridge, no microwave despite it being advertised, and a toilet with a rank smell. After two days of messaging the ‘hotline’, I moved three floors up, but the drilling and hammering were just as loud. Without noise-cancelling headphones, I would’ve cut my losses and left. I hate posting a bad review, but I’m trying to be firm, fair, and honest.

The location is down an alley, with a few minutes of walking to get there. Water is provided in a jug rather than a bottle, and the staff didn’t speak English at all. They also tried to put us in a superior room even though we’d booked the business suite. The room was okay, but the bathroom smelled awful. Construction was right beside the building, basically next to our room, from 6am to 6pm. If you’re considering staying here, wait until the construction is finished.