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Real Darling Cafe Guesthouse

Cheap - you get what you pay for

What we say

Photo of Real Darling Cafe Guesthouse, 33 Hang Quat St, Hoan Kiem District. , Hanoi
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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 don't intend to spend a lot of time in your room, it makes sense: the prices are among the cheapest we could find in Hanoi, but remember, you get what you pay for. They've added a dorm on a lower floor since our last visit, and, strangely, the more expensive dorm is the one up top. The latter is a festy affair reached via a slippery and precarious staircase which we found after walking through a flooded foyer. And when we revisited for an update, guess what -- it was still flooded! It's adjacent to the shared shower facilities and is never dry. The singles and doubles are in better condition and have private bathrooms. The travel agency downstairs is popular.

Contact details:
33 Hang Quat St, Hoan Kiem District. T: (04) 826 9386 F: (04) 824 3468
Email them at: darling_cafe@hotmail.com

What we were quoted*

Type of room	Low season	High season	Notes
Dorm Fan	3 USD	4 USD
Sgl fan private b'room	7 USD	7 USD
Dbl fan private b'room	9 USD	9 USD
Triple fan private b'room	12 USD	12 USD

* Travelfish researchers visit and review properties on an anonymous basis. By that we mean they show up, in person, and pretend to be either be a potential guest, or somebody looking for a room for a friend or relative. Where possible the researcher will inspect at least a couple of rooms. The rates you see above are what either the desk staff told us they were, or what were in the brochure when they just told us to quit bugging them and look in the brochure. For mid-range hotels and up, always shop around online for a competitive rate. Click here to find out more about what makes Travelfish different with regards our accommodation reviews.

Added to Travelfish on: 21st February, 2006
Last visited or updated on: 22nd April, 2008

Real Darling Cafe Guesthouse reviews

Read 2 opinions from Travelfish readers

Friendly and cheap - 2nd February, 2008
I think ''you get what you pay for'' is a pretty apt statement about this place. The staff is friendly but the rooms could use some work. If you're on a really tight budget, I would recommend staying here.

Real Darling Cafe Guesthouse reviewed by bethmitchell on 2nd February, 2008, rated 4 out of 5.
Stayed here 12/2007
This is a Travelfish recommended reviewer
Total reviews submitted: 16.
bethmitchell also reviewed: Ao Toh Ko Bungalows, Hotel 31, KaiKeo Bungalows and Restaurant, Le Jardin Organique Vang Vieng, Miss Loi, Pakinai Guest House, Rattana Guesthouse, Saysouly Guesthouse, TAT Guest House, The Bed and Breakfast, Thu Giang Guest House, TR Guesthouse, Two Dragons Guesthouse, Vinh Phuoc Hotel & Restaurant, Xuan Thu.

decent with great atmosphere - 31st January, 2008
On my stay in Vietnam I stayed on and off 7 or so nights in Real Darling GH and I kept going back. I stayed in a signle and a double with private bathroom which were very good (for the price) and at the dorm which could be better. But the great thing about this GH is the atmosphere. Great feeling and great place to meet travellers. The people working there are very helpful and the tours they do highly reccommended. Overall a great place to stay if you're looking for a cheap place and don't expect (any) luxuries.

Real Darling Cafe Guesthouse reviewed by mpiftex on 31st January, 2008, rated 4 out of 5.
Stayed here 11/2007
Total reviews submitted: 5.
mpiftex also reviewed: Lamphone, Mutmee Guesthouse, Niyana Guesthouse, River Moon Guesthouse.

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