Panda Hotel Hanoi — Hotel in Hà Nội

Surely better options available elsewhere ...

An elevator-less hotel situated in Old Quarters, it's difficult to say what are the plusses offered by this properly. Not the staff for sure, because when I landed here in the early morning, the sleeping check-in desk man's expression was as if I am pretty early here. He did open the door for me but did seem frustrated.

Coming to the room, I had a two-bed single room, initially the same front desk man refused to accept perhaps because I was the only traveller saying that I have only a single-bed room, only upon showing the voucher, he agreed and located me on the 5th floor. The stairs aren't very straightforward, so watch out for your steps. Quite a task to go up and down with one's big trolley.

No hot water despite trying for a long ( trying the old on-and-off technique, but in vain ). The front desk now had another person, quite hesitant to come up and check, and in fact, refused initially. Then he called his brother ( on the phone ), then asked me to do on and off thing, as if I had come there to complain without trying out the remedies. Then again a holler to his brother, then did on and off at the hotel's primary switch and finally, after many requests came up. Moved the taps here and there, and phew, the hot water was there. Surely, all this wasn't worth the time and one part.

And comes another part. Not long, and the hot water went off in 10 mins. No soap there to wash hands. No intercom to call them, so for any issue, go down 5 stairs and come back, quite an exercise for sure. Not to forget the absence of head shower, and the hand shower being quite small. Doesn't end here really, because the roof of the bathroom ( precisely over the toilet seat ) looked a bit dodgy.

And the price range. Around the same price, many good hotels in the very same locality. Overall, an unwanting experience. I have stayed in hotels in the same price range in Old Quarter, and had much...

All I can say, Philip was an amazing host. Philip took us to a local bars and Vietnamese street food area, he even got his wife to deliver him home-made rice wine for our dinner since we were guests, he even paid his own portion even we were willing to pay his portion but he refused as it's an insult for a Vietnamese host. It was the best experience we had as I am filming and blogging my travel through Vietnam on Vietnamese cuisine and culture. Philip even booked our one night Halong Bay trip 3 stars ($117 CAD) which is the same price as every travel agency in Hanoi and explained about the tax fraud (so if a person say I will save you the 10 percent tax, there's no such thing). He booked our train ticket from Ninh Binh to Da Nang which was ($63 CAD). We rather booked though Philip and give him the commission than booking it online. He also booked our bus to Tam Coc ($9 CAD) direct than going to Ninh Binh which saved us ($3 CAD). Now about the hotel, the hotel doesn't have an elevator, so if you have a physical disability it will be an issue trying to walk up 6 flights of stairs, lucky we are physically fit. The room is big, clean and comfortable. The downside is the "airconditioner" which provides heat or cool air didn't seem to work as some of our friends hates sleeping in 12 C weather, little chilly. The bathroom is clean but the pressure on our shower head wasn't working properly, it is perfect if you are short and can squat under the sprout. Overall, I will come back to this hotel and support a small local business as his been an amazing host and his staff. My saying, "you pay for what you get" so...

I wish I could give a rating BELOW ONE STAR.

The owner of the property rejected admission (check-in) after reaching the hotel. First he said,

1- You will have to pay me extra if you want to stay here...then when I have questioned him how is possible, as I have already maid 100% advance payment for my booking.

2- After a good half-an-hour discussion, I agreed to pay extra but now he said we are all full and have NO ROOMS till next week.

3- I spoke to agoda customer care...that was another big joke....they said they will reimburse and pay me 10% cash back..bla bla...... neither they could convince the hotel for room nor could they find any other property for me to stay.

ALL IN ALL I had my whole day screwed up because of the Hanoi Panda hotel ...!!

Finally...this is even bigger twist...he wrote a mail to Agoda saying their is repair work happening in the hotel and they can't accommodate any guests.

Worst of all he did not even allow me to use the washroom!!!

The guy in the photo is the one I am referring to who was absolutely insensitive of what I am undergoing during my vacation because of his greed and pshy.........