Hanoi

Hoan Kiem district

Cheap accommodation is available here, but it's hard to find and it books up quickly. The trend among hoteliers since our last update has been to take an old budget place, renovate, and start charging US$30 a night. This has erased some of the more notorious rip-off joints, though a few of those are still going strong. Generally the rip-off joints are fine as long as you book tours through them as well, but if you don't, expect to suddenly find your room full. Luxury travellers also should consider this area of Hanoi for some excellent options and a more immediate immersion into the life of Hanoi than you'll get at one of the swank places outside the city centre. Take note: there are many fine places with excellent balcony rooms, but if you're a light sleeper, the staff can do nothing about the street noise. Bring ear plugs, get a room on a high floor or opt for the back of the hotel.

Luxury
US$100+
87%
1 vote
 

Sofitel Metropole - Simply outstanding -- splurge if you can
15 Ngo Quyen St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 826 6919; F: (04) 826 6920
Dating back to 1901, the Sofitel Metropole is without doubt Hanoi's colonial classic -- with a grandeur and timeless charm unmatched in the city. Somerset Maugham, Graham Greene and even Jane Fonda ... Sofitel Metropole complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
83%
2 votes
 

Hong Ngoc Hotel, Ma May St - Low on charm, but high on cleanliness
99 Ma May St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 828 3631; F: (04) 926 2285
One of the flasher offerings on Ma May St, the Hong Ngoc is a two-star hotel, low on charm, but high on cleanliness and functionality. It has very well-sized rooms both at the rear (without balcony) ... Hong Ngoc Hotel, Ma May St complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
81%
7 votes
 

Golden Lotus Hotel - Excellent value for money
32 Hang Trong St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 928 8583; F: (04) 928 8584
The Golden Lotus has a dozen very smart rooms, making it a cut above the bunch for this price range in Hanoi. Set on fashionable Hang Trong Street, you're but a short walk from chic cafes, endless ... Golden Lotus Hotel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
81%
4 votes
 

Classic Street Hotel Pho Co Hotel - A fine choice
41 Hang Be St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 825 2421; F: (04) 934 5920
The streetfront rooms at the Classic Street Hotel (also known as Pho Co Hotel) are the cheapest of all the options, and they're pretty good value. Slate bathrooms are a refreshing change from ugly ... Classic Street Hotel Pho Co Hotel complete profile

Luxury
US$100+
80%
1 vote
 

Hilton Hanoi Opera - The business travellers' best option
1 Le Thanh Tong St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 933 0500; F: (04) 933 0530
Voted Vietnam's Best Business Hotel in 2000, this five-star property remains a favourite among the business-traveller crowd. Sitting next door to the Hanoi Opera House, the Hilton Hanoi Opera does a ... Hilton Hanoi Opera complete profile

Toprange
US$50 to 100
80%
1 vote
 

Quoc Hoa Hotel - Comfortable, if pricey
10 Bat Dan St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 828 4528; F: (04) 826 7424
The Quoc Hoa has smart mid-range rooms in a handy location. Rooms are well-sized and those on the higher floors have good views over the city. Bathrooms have tubs and are very clean -- as are the ... Quoc Hoa Hotel complete profile

Backpacker
Under US$10
78%
4 votes
 

Little Hanoi Hotel - Very noisy location
48 Hang Ga St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 828 4461; F: (04) 828 0539
We've never been great fans of the Little Hanoi Hotel, but the addition of a cheap six-bed dorm is starting to sway us. Set on noisy Hang Ga Street, Little Hanoi Hostel has barely adequate rooms both ... Little Hanoi Hotel complete profile

Toprange
US$50 to 100
77%
2 votes
 

Queen Hotel - Unique in the Old Quarter
65 Hang Bac St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 826 0860; F: (04) 826 0300
Walking in through the foyer, over the carp-filled pond and through the rattan-lined foyer, you'll feel more like you're entering an antique store than one of Hoan Kiem District's better mid-range ... Queen Hotel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
75%
1 vote
 

Van Minh Hotel - Helpful staff
88 Hang Bac St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 926 0150; F: (04) 926 0149
As with most guesthouses and hotels in Hanoi the ground floor of the Van Minh plays host to the resident travel agency. The front rooms have balconies, along with the accompanying street racket, ... Van Minh Hotel complete profile

Luxury
US$100+
73%
1 vote
 

Zephyr Hotel - As boutiquey as Hanoi gets
4-6 Ba Trieu St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 934 1256; F: (04) 934 1262
Just a hop, skip and a jump from the southern end of Hoan Kiem Lake, The Zephyr delivers stylish rooms on seven floors (accessible by lift), some of which have quite special views over the city. ... Zephyr Hotel complete profile

Backpacker
Under US$10
73%
1 vote
 

Phu Hoa - Old-style Hanoi
16 Luong Van Can
T: (04) 828 5173;
The Phu Hoa is easy to miss -- a small sign marks its location down a narrow corridor between two other buildings to the entrance, somewhere in the centre of the city block. Yup, don't expect any ... Phu Hoa complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
72%
2 votes
 

Youth Hotel - Popular and almost pretty
33 Luong Van Can St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 828 5822; F: (04) 828 5862
Based on the name, you might suspect that this is a hostel for backpackers, and it sort of is -- the dorm offers four cheap sleeps for the budget crowd, but the rooms are priced for backpackers with ... Youth Hotel complete profile

Backpacker
Under US$10
71%
6 votes
 

Thu Giang Guest House - Budget hideaway
5A Tam Thuong St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 828 5734;
You'll find some of the cheapest rooms in Hanoi at the Thu Giang Guesthouse, and as long as you're prepared to get what you pay for, it's just what a lot of travellers we know are looking for. Rooms ... Thu Giang Guest House complete profile

Backpacker
Under US$10
71%
11 votes
 

Hanoi Backpackers Hostel - Outstanding budget option
48 Ngo Huyen, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 828 5372;
This excellent budget option is the only real hostel in Hanoi if not Vietnam, and for the single traveller who doesn't mind a dorm bed, this is outstanding value. Under Australian management, the ... Hanoi Backpackers Hostel complete profile

Backpacker
Under US$10
70%
38 votes
 

Tung Trang Hotel - Welcoming and comfortable
13 Tam Thuong St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 826 6267;
The Tung Trang shows how spending an extra couple of dollars on a room in Hanoi can make a world of difference to the comfort of your stay. Rooms are spacious and absolutely spotless at this very ... Tung Trang Hotel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
69%
1 vote
 

Salute Hotel - Overpriced but friendly
7 Hang Dau St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 825 8003, (04) 934 3789; F: (04) 934 3607
The Salute Hotel has undergone a remodel since we last visited -- good thing too, since they used to be a pastel-hued 'salute' to bad taste. Now they feature clean lines and muted tones with good ... Salute Hotel complete profile

Backpacker
Under US$10
67%
2 votes
 

Real Darling Cafe Guesthouse - Cheap - you get what you pay for
33 Hang Quat St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 826 9386; F: (04) 824 3468
The Real Darling Cafe is a long-running, backpacker-orientated place with cheap and grotty dorms and better-conditioned single, double and triple rooms. It's popular for budget travellers, and if you ... Real Darling Cafe Guesthouse complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
64%
2 votes
 

Tien Thuy Hotel - Feels more local than others
9 Hang Thung St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 934 3608; F: (04) 934 8502
The Tien Thuy is a little bit of a stroll from the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter, but for some travellers that's probably just what the doctor ordered. Friendly, English-speaking staff will show you ... Tien Thuy Hotel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
62%
3 votes
 

Prince II Hotel - Excellent value, in-room WiFi
42B Hang Giay St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 926 1203; F: (04) 828 0156
The Prince II Hotel looks like just another mini-hotel from outside, but for the money, the upper-floor rooms are excellent value. Rooms come with complimentary WiFi broadband access, so travellers ... Prince II Hotel complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
61%
3 votes
 

Bamboo Central Stars Hotel - Good rooms, though exercise caution
So 8 Dao Duy Tu Lane, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 926 2563-4; F: (04) 928 2318
Take note that this place is actually located on a lane that branches to the west of Dao Duy Tu Street, not on the street proper. We've got a lot of intelligence about the Central Stars (we're not ... Bamboo Central Stars Hotel complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
61%
3 votes
 

Prince 79 Hotel - A few cobwebs
79 Hang Bac St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 926 0628; F: (04) 824 9049
The front rooms at the six-storey Prince 79 Hotel have balconies and accordingly catch a bit of street racket, but for an almost-budget room, you could do worse. Rooms are semi-clean, if you don't ... Prince 79 Hotel complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
60%
1 vote
 

A Dong Hotel - New owners, fresh start
46 Luong Noc Quyen St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 825 6948; F: (04) 824 6475
Formerly the Van Xuan II Hotel, the A Dong has changed ownership and got its act together. It's no wonder they got rid of the old name -- there were some horror stories circulating about the place. ... A Dong Hotel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
60%
1 vote
 

Hanoi Stars II Hotel - Miniature bathtubs, large rooms
25 Hang Mam St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 825 0273; F: (04) 926 1918
The interiors here were renovated in October 2007 to good effect -- they've spruced everything up so it's all clean lines, recessed ceilings with atmospheric lighting, and light-wood wainscotting. ... Hanoi Stars II Hotel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
60%
1 vote
 

Hong Ngoc Hotel, Hang Bac St - A flashpacker possibility
39 Hang Bac St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 926 0322; F: (04) 926 1600
One of a growing number of Hong Ngoc Hotels in Hanoi, the Hang Bac property has adequate rooms which, like most of the branches, are somewhat overpriced. The front rooms have small balconies and big ... Hong Ngoc Hotel, Hang Bac St complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
60%
1 vote
 

Lucky Star Hotel - Gaudy tiles, poor location
11 Bat Dan St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 923 1781; F: (04) 923 1782
The very clean rooms at Lucky Star are tiled throughout with some gaudy styles making a refreshing change from the chipped white ceramic fare you'll see in most hotels. All rooms are air-con with ... Lucky Star Hotel complete profile

Backpacker
Under US$10
58%
2 votes
 

Prince 57 Hotel - A top budget pick
57 Hang Be Street
T: (04) 926 1554-5; F: (04) 824 5039
We received a very friendly, casual reception on our visit here. When we asked to see a room they tossed us the key and let us go up on our own, and when we forgot to shut the door after leaving, ... Prince 57 Hotel complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
56%
4 votes
 

Rose Hotel - Not bad value for the area
56 Ngo Huyen Street
T: (04) 826 0470; F: (04) 826 0471
The area around the cathedral is a great place to stay -- quiet, pretty, and a lot of interesting restaurants and cafes to check out right near by. So we tried to find some good-value budget ... Rose Hotel complete profile

Backpacker
Under US$10
52%
8 votes
 

Manh Dung Guest house - Cheap and homely
2 Tam Thuong St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 826 7201;
In a city where so many hotel staff are bored and burnt out, this place is a breath of fresh air. The guesthouse sits near the northern end of Tam Thuong alley, which offers a modicum of piece and ... Manh Dung Guest house complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
51%
6 votes
 

Nam Hai 1 - Wooden floors and good sized front rooms
37 Ma May St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 926 3632; F: (04) 926 3633
Under new ownership, the old Anh Dao Hotel has been renamed and remodelled. And the prices have doubled, of course! The cheapest rooms are a bit cramped and have no windows, though all the rooms now ... Nam Hai 1 complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
50%
3 votes
 

Ocean Stars 2 Hotel - Good flashpacker value
So 10 Dao Duy Tu Lane, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 828 1711; F: (04) 926 3745
This place used to be a rip-off outfit, but the building owner evicted the folks running the old 'Old Darling,' rebranded, and has set up his own place. Ocean Stars now has very a comfortable and ... Ocean Stars 2 Hotel complete profile

Toprange
US$50 to 100
50%
1 vote
 

Hoa Binh Hotel - No longer splendide
27 Ly Thuong Kiet St
T: (04) 825 3315; F: (04) 826 9818
Built in 1926, and originally operating under the name La Splendide, the Hoa Binh was extensively renovated in 1998 but the result is well short of splendour. The renovation wiped out much of the ... Hoa Binh Hotel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
50%
1 vote
 

Classic I Hotel - Not a classic in our book
22A Ta Hien St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 826 6224; F: (04) 828 1727
If you want a place stumbling distance from the bia hoi corner, the seven-floor Classic 1 is about your best bet, though that's probably the only reason to stay here. The Classic 1 has a mix of ... Classic I Hotel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
50%
1 vote
 

Viet Fun Hotel - Not too much fun
48 Ma May St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 926 2113; F: (04) 828 0089
Viet Fun has a small selection of rooms and while it is popular, it certainly didn't strike us as being very fun. The cheaper rooms are bright compared to similar offerings in the area and the more ... Viet Fun Hotel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
49%
3 votes
 

Sunshine Hotel - A spacious affair
42 Ma May St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 926 1559; F: (04) 926 1558
The six-storey Sunshine Hotel is a spacious enough affair with tiled floors throughout and ornate Chinese-looking furniture. The front rooms have small balconies, making the rooms a bit noisier, ... Sunshine Hotel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
44%
2 votes
 

Nam Hai 2 Hotel - Wood fiesta
40 Ma May St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 926 1688; F: (04) 926 1687
The Nam Nai 2 has reasonable rooms -- very clean with half wood panelling and as much heavy wood furniture as they can cram in -- gotta love those pearl-inlay renderings of flying cranes and placid ... Nam Hai 2 Hotel complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
40%
1 vote
 

Artist Hotel - Unusual, eclectic hideaway
22A Hai Ba Trung St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 825 3044; F: (04) 934 9949
The Artist Hotel is an interesting find for those who want to strike out off the tourist track and hang out with, well, artists. The hotel is managed by the Ha Noi Centre for Tourism and Culture ... Artist Hotel complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
40%
1 vote
 

Hanoi hostel - Could do with less pressure from the travel agent
85 Thuoc Bac St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 923 2735;
We're a little suspicious of Hanoi Hotels with multiple names -- often they're trying to dodge a bad rep they earned under one name, but they're too cheap to change their old signs. Hanoi Hostel ... Hanoi hostel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
40%
1 vote
 

Prince 1 Hotel - The original
51 Luong Ngoc Quyen St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 828 0155; F: (04) 828 0156
There are many copies but this is the original Prince Hotel in Hanoi. It's in a cute little location at the crook in Luong Ngoc Quyen Street where it bends. The staff here have a reputation for being ... Prince 1 Hotel complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
31%
5 votes
 

Old Darling II and Asia Queen Hotel - Has a new lease on life
16 A-B Trung Yen Lane, Dien Liet St, Hoan Kiem District
T: (04) 825 9468;
This place used to be the most wretched of the 'Darling Backpacker' rip-off outfits -- some users complained of being kicked out of a room simply because someone else showed up willing to pay more! ... Old Darling II and Asia Queen Hotel complete profile