Old Town Palace Guest House

I paid for a four-night booking but could only stay one night, and they still kept half of what I paid. The hotel was so bad that I would have been more comfortable sleeping on the street.

Damp rooms, food smells everywhere, noise, and dirt. I booked and paid in advance through Booking.com for four nights, but left after the first because the room didn't match the pictures on the system. They kept half the fee when I asked for a refund. They also told Booking.com I hadn't checked in, even though I had checked into the hotel. Truly awful.

The location made getting around the old quarter easy, with shops, restaurants, and coffee places within walking distance. Grab and Xanh taxis were cheap and easy for anywhere farther away, like Lotte Mall and Aquarium, and Reception arranged tours at discounted prices. The alley is small and well lit, and unlike the other low-priced hotels I checked, there wasn't traffic noise, just birdsong in the morning. The nearby street food was popular with locals and priced for locals. I went three times for the seafood rice because it was so good, and there were freshly cooked BBQ sausages and other dishes too, though the seating was basic. For the price, I thought it was a very good hotel. Staff were friendly and helpful, kept the room very clean, and served a good basic breakfast. Some reviews seem to expect four-star quality at a low price, which I don't think is possible in Hanoi. The facilities are basic but have what you need, including a firm, comfortable bed. Some things could be modernized, but they worked, which isn't true of every hotel. Laundry was inexpensive and returned the same day. Most staff spoke good English, and others understood it well; translation apps are easy and useful too. I'd be very happy to come back. Thanks to Lucy, Lena, Kian, and everyone for making my stay so easy and comfortable. ☺️

A reservation problem meant I was placed here for one night as a free upgrade. The room was clean, and the management were kind and accommodating. They also helped move my luggage.