So if a budget-friendly hotel in Hanoi is on your most-wanted list, this is a great little option – the Hanoi Boutique House.
Finding a good, budget Hanoi hotel is always a bit of a challenge. But this place is definitely worth your consideration. Prices range from £15 upwards, and location-wise, you’re right at the busy northern end of the Old Quarter in Hanoi, within easy-walking distance of some great Hanoi sites, including Dong Xuan market and the Long Bien bridge.
I stayed here twice, and both times left the place a fairly happy camper. As far as I recall, I splashed out both times on an Executive Suite, which set me back an astronomical £20 or so. There’s a little balcony in this room, from which you can get a peek into the backstreets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Which means you’ll hear neighbourly shouts of Mot Hai Ba Yo! once the stars come out – I actually think this might be the very first place I heard this legendary Vietnamese drinking chant!
The owner/manager (Tien) is very friendly, and will do his best to help you out. He helped me grab a taxi to the airport, as the road the hotel is on is very hard to get to by car.
Rooms are decent, not luxury, but seem pretty spacious in contrast to other places we’ve seen in Hanoi. If there are two or three of you, it could prove very cost-efficient! There is a small breakfast available (I think), and free tea and coffee. Tien will always wait up for you, at whatever time of night you make it back from nearby Beer Street!
The only fault I can really point out is the lack of a lift. Tien helped me up the stairs on arrival, but on checking out, I had to lug my suitcase down the stairs (3 flights of stairs I recall). If you’re traveling light, great, but if you’ve got heavy bags, or your knees are a bit dodgy, you might want to rethink a stay here.
All in all, for the price, location, and overall friendliness/hospitality, I’d give it a warm recommendation.
Check out the Hanoi Boutique House’s location here (bear in mind that there are probably 200 hotels in Hanoi with the words Hanoi and Boutique in their name – so make sure you head to this place!):