Hanoi Hotel Tips by Martialsk

Camellia No 3 Hotel: Be Careful!

We spent one night here before our excursion to Ha Long Bay and booked and paid in full for 4 people through Agoda.com. The reviews seemed to be very good.
The place was very very basic but clean enough. Staff were very slow at reception and although not brimming with friendliness, they weren't quite rude either. It seemed that they were just bored and couldn't really be bothered.
Since 3 of us were leaving early to pick up our transport to Ha Long Bay, we had an early checkout but the fourth person was checking out at midday and we would catch up with her on our return. Therefore, at checkout we ensured that we'd paid for everything we'd used such as the drinks that we had from the rooms (four people, two rooms). We waited for about 10 minutes whilst reception got everything sorted out at snails pace.
'Is that everything' we asked? 'Yes'. 'Thanks - remember our friend is leaving later?'. 'Ok, no problem. Have a great trip'. When our friend checked out, reception suddenly realised that they had not charged us for the taxi from the airport. We had also actually forgotten this in all fairness. If they had just apologised to our friend and asked her to pay the US$15 for the taxi she would have paid. But instead, they created elaborate fib tactics get more money from her, accusing us of not paying the whole bill and that she'd have to settle it for all of us. Our friend knew that the bills were all settled so she argued this but they refused to hand over her passport. However, being a smart girl, she tricked them into handing over the passport before sprinting out of the door with her luggage. They didn't even attempt to go after her.
Unaware of these events, the rest of us thought that after Ha Long we'd just return to this hotel because it was ok in the grand scheme of things and we could survive a few more days there. Saved us having to look for somewhere else and we'd gladly give them more business. So, we went straight back there without meeting with our friend first and hearing her story - only to have reception demand this 'unpaid' bill in excess of US$50 as we walked through the door! Again, had they asked for the US$15 for the taxi nicely and politely, we'd have paid it because it was an honest mistake (and we wanted to stay another 3 days here) but they came at us in an agressive and abusive fashion, so we turned our backs and sauntered off down the street. Needless to say, they didn't come rushing after us nor did they report us to the police. That is because we could easily prove we'd paid the hotel bill. The taxi bill was their problem now - and they had just lost our business.
We were quite stunned by the experience!
All I can say is be very careful and make sure you have documentation to prove payment if you have paid online. Also, don't let them hold your passport hostage and attempt intimidation tactics. They are only after a quick buck.
As a result we had to spend the night in a hovel of a hostel before we found somethng much better than this place.

Unique Qualities: none - unless cheating you out of your hard-earned money counts for anything?

Address: 12C Chan Cam Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hoan Kiem District - Ha Noi Cathedral, Hanoi, Vietnam

Comparison: about average

Directions: Hoan Kiem District - Ha Noi Cathedral

Price: US$20-40

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.agoda.com

Green Street Hotel: A neat little find in Hanoi's Old Town

After a horrific experience at a hovel of a hostel, we found this little gem on Agoda.com and booked 2 nights for 3 people. We ended up staying 4 nights but arranged the extention directly with the hotel and they gave it to us for the same price as Agoda.
It is by no means 5* but certainly ticked the boxes we needed.
Friendly, welcoming staff from the moment go, we were immediately offered a welcome drink and a seat whilst our luggage was taken to our rooms (no lift). Both rooms were large, clean with aircon units and en-suites and thankfully, at the back of the hotel so we didn't have to deal with street noise. A simple, yet satisfying breakfast every day.
Laundry was taken care of at a reasonable price (US$2/kg - normal for Hanoi) and airport taxis arranged at a reasonable price too (US$15).
Staff always friendly and helpful and full of suggestions of things to do if you asked them. Never came under pressure to buy anything from them and they were happy for us to look through their brochures without need to buy a tour.
We requested for our rooms not to be cleaned because we were paranoid about theft but in hindsight, there was probably no need to be as we left our valuables with reception anyway. This fear came about largely because of the attempted break in at the hovel we'd spent a night in prior to moving here.
We would recommend this hotel to people who don't mind no-frills, budget accommodation.

Unique Qualities: Great location in the Old Town. Easy to walk everywhere. Exceptionally friendly and helpful staff - a pleasant change in Hanoi that helped us settle in an enjoy this city.

Address: No.21A Ma May Street, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam

Comparison: about average

Directions: Old Town. Ma May is a major street and not difficult to find

Other Contact: www.agoda.com

Phone: (84-4) 3828 0195

Price: less than US$20

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.greenstreethotel.com