The Autumn Homestay

I thought this was great value, and really liked the space, location, and friendly, helpful staff. They pointed me toward good coffee spots and helped me find the right money exchange for a good deal. It's a quieter part of the city, with plenty to see within walking distance. My only issue was the noisy AC unit outside my first room on the second floor. I asked to move and got a much quieter room.

The receptionist was very nice, and they held our bags after checkout. I can only speak to the room we had, though. Other reviewers seem to have been in nicer rooms on the upper floors, so maybe we'd have had a different experience there. I wouldn't recommend the cheapest first-floor room, 101. It had a noticeable mold smell and no windows facing outside. There were quite a few mosquitoes, possibly because the door had been propped open and a fan left running to air it out before we arrived. The bathroom was dank, neglected, and very cramped. Its door made a horrible, piercing squeak every time it opened. That sound still haunts me. On the plus side, the AC blew cold, the price was good, the bed was soft, and the sheets and linens were acceptably clean.

The lake view was lovely, and the whole place felt quiet, clean, and cozy. I slept really well during my two nights there. The woman at reception deserves a special mention; she was so kind and made a real effort to help me feel welcome and comfortable. I had a great stay and would happily recommend it.

I became very sick during my two-night stay. After the first night I was bedridden and too unwell to go out and find somewhere else. The room was filthy, with a damp, sticky floor the whole time, and the old building was crumbling, damp, and mouldy. There was no ventilation. Opening the window meant mosquitoes came in, and they seemed to breed near faulty plumbing outside. The water heater had been broken for a long time, while moisture had made the walls and ceiling swell and crumble. The service was effectively nonexistent. A few brief WhatsApp messages with emojis hardly count as service. The three-star rating and photos are misleading, and I'm looking into whether I can seek compensation for becoming ill. The surrounding streets were filthy too, with rubbish, dog mess, and broken, loose paving stones. I don't consider this fit to stay in, let alone three-star accommodation. After those two nights, I booked a flight back to Thailand, which I found cleaner, friendlier, and better value, with better service. You can keep your filthy, unfriendly Vietnam.