Viola Royal Hotel & Spa

We spent four nights in a small, cozy room that was affordable and well placed for getting around Hanoi. The staff were friendly, with one man speaking Mandarin and the women able to help in English. Beer Street was noisy at night, but we still slept well. The floor could have been cleaner, though slippers were provided, and the shower pressure was weak but usable.

The cruise we booked through the hotel was dreadful. Service was terrible, the equipment was old, it felt unsafe, and the food was the grossest I had during my time in Vietnam. Don’t let how lovely the hotel is persuade you to take that cruise with the baffoons they work with. The hotel itself was adorable, with some hilariously sparkly touches. We had a very soft bed, a luxurious bathroom, and little balconies that were fun for people watching. The staff were kind and a huge help.

The staff were very polite and helpful, and the location made it easy to walk to the city's attractions. The rooms looked nice and were clean, but the furnishings felt cheaply made. Our sink was broken and only temporarily fixed, and it seemed as though the small minibar water bottles were being refilled. Breakfast didn't offer much variety. We got upgraded to a Deluxe Room, which was supposed to be bigger, but it felt average in size. The price was low for what was offered, though the place didn't feel as luxurious as advertised.

I stayed three nights and would come back. The hotel was clean and pleasant, and the free breakfast is generous. I only had coffee, but the other guests seemed to enjoy the food. It’s a handy spot in the old part of town. When some streets are closed, you can still get a cab just a few meters away. One small surprise: my room was listed as having a window, but it only looked into the hallway. Haha.