Although it doesn’t quite live up to the name, Impressive Hotel, near Hanoi’s St Joseph’s Cathedral, is still a very good option for the midrange traveller.

The views are the impressive bit — and they get better higher up.

Located on Au Trieu Street, a quiet narrow road that runs between Ly Quoc Su and Phu Doan, Impressive Hotel is in the more chic area of Old Quarter, with a number of midrange restaurants and boutique shops all within a short walk. Of course, being Hanoi, plenty of street food and drink options are also nearby, so you get the best of both worlds on your doorstep.

The hotel itself accommodates what was originally two buildings, and has 24 rooms. Although lacking character, rooms are modern and fresh, with light wood furnishings, recessed lighting, white bedding and an unusual bamboo photo mural covering an entire wall. Somehow it ties together, despite being let down in the design stakes by the gold patterned curtains.

Pretend you’re not in a city hotel.

Flat screen TVs and desktop computers, with internet, come as standard and bathrooms are small but smart, with fake pebble floor in the shower cubicles — to go with the bamboo wallpaper we guess.

Rooms are at three price levels, differentiated by size and the views (US$40-60). The cheapest rooms are cosy, but not the smallest doubles in Hanoi, and have no balcony; the pricier rooms are more spacious, with a double and single bed and balconies with impressive (so that’s where the name comes from) views of the cathedral.

It’s a … hotel.

At seven storeys high, you’ll be glad to hear that two lifts are on hand — one in each of the original buildings. They may be the smallest we’ve ever seen, or tried to squeeze into, but at least it saves you a walk up six flights of narrow stairs.

Breakfast is included in the price and taken in the ground floor reception area. It’s functional rather than a culinary experience but enough to set you up for the day. Reception is also home to an internet station, which might come in handy if you’re fighting over the computer in the room.

Overall, it’s a solid though not exciting choice in an excellent location. Prices are on par with similar offerings nearby, such as Joseph’s Hotel over the road, but the views from the top floor balconies are worth paying a bit more for and deals are available for longer stays. If you’re looking for something cheaper, try First Choice Hotel at number 60; or look at the budget options around the nearby backstreets.

Check Agoda for a discounted online rate at Impressive Hotel.

Impressive Hotel
56 Au Trieu Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
T: (04) 3938 1590 / (04) 3938 1591 / (01682) 656 776
http://impressivehotel.com/

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