Westlake Pearl Suites - By Pegasy Group

The room was a decent size, with a soft, comfortable bed, good water pressure, and reliable hot water. The staff were friendly. I did keep getting mosquitoes in the room, though it wasn’t a major problem. The cheapest rooms have no windows. Breakfast is included and served in the basement. The selection was small, and by 9 a.m. it was usually nearly gone, though you can order eggs or noodle soup cooked fresh. What bothered me most was seeing rats run in and disappear behind the curtain separating the dining space from storage. I saw them on two different mornings and told the staff. I know there may not have been much they could do right then, but wondering whether rats could reach the raw ingredients was unsettling. It’s about a 45-minute walk to the Old Quarter. The immediate area is quiet and not very busy, with restaurants, coffee shops, and mini marts just a few minutes away. Whether that works depends on what you’re looking for.

The location was the one good thing about this place. The hotel looked nothing like the photos, felt dirty, and seemed as if only the sheets and towels had been changed. It was dark and uncomfortable, and I wouldn’t recommend staying here.

The Wi-Fi was stable and strong enough for work and video calls. Reception spoke English and were very accommodating, although nobody mentioned breakfast when we arrived, which caused some confusion the first morning. We liked the breakfast. It wasn’t a buffet, you ordered food, and the choices were limited but tasty. The juices were hit and miss, changing every day. On my last day they finally served apple juice that tasted normal instead of watered down. We stayed a couple of days, right across from the lake and close to lots of restaurants. Our preferred room wasn’t available, so we had one without a window, but it was still comfortable and nice.

This was one of the nicer small hotels I’ve tried in Hanoi, and the place was clean and quiet. There’s plenty to eat nearby, including lots of Western-style places, plus upscale bars and shops. It feels more sophisticated than the backpacker scene in the Old Quarter. I didn’t try the hotel restaurant or the spa advertised on the eighth floor, though there is a restaurant and bar on site. The room was roomy and comfortable, with big windows that let in plenty of daylight, even though they faced an unattractive back area. Blackout curtains helped when I wanted to sleep in. The decor and fittings were simpler than some Western visitors might expect, as is common in Vietnam and much of Asia. There was tea and coffee, and bottled water was replenished daily. Snacks, beer, soda, and extra water in the mini fridge were charged to the room and restocked as needed. Slippers and robes were provided, but there was no iron or in-room safe. I didn’t use the TV, which probably had local Vietnamese channels. The king bed was quite firm but not uncomfortable. It came with one very firm large pillow and a smaller, softer one. The comforter was fine with the AC on overnight. There were bedside lamps and power outlets. The bathroom was clean and simple, with toiletries, large clean towels, and both toilet paper and an Asian “butt gun.” The shower also worked as a tub. Hot water was plentiful without needing to switch on a heater in advance, and the water pressure was low but okay. It was a Western-style dry bathroom. The hotel is in the popular Quang An area, next to Ho Tay. Staff were welcoming, friendly, and spoke good English. Check-in was quick, with fragrant tea and snacks while they filled out the paperwork. English was spoken at the hotel, and bookings can be made through hotels.com or directly. I’ve stayed at several small hotels and Airbnbs in this part of Hanoi, and would recommend this one.