World Charm

The Hoa Binh Hotel, Hanoi, Vietnam

The Hoa Binh Hotel, Hanoi, Vietnam

Hoa Binh Hotel

          After looking at all the available travel books before my trip I selected Frommer’s Southeast Asia guidebook for my source of travel information while exploring this fascinating region of the world.  It turned out to be an excellent choice and it was among their hotel recommendations that I found the Hoa Binh Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam.  My two nights at this moderately priced three star hotel   could not have been more pleasant and I can highly recommend it to anyone visiting the capital city of Vietnam.  Built in 1926, this architecturally beautiful hotel is ideally located in the old French Quarter of central Hanoi, within walking distance of most of the major attractions, including the train station and Hoan Kiem Lake.  Only the most jaded traveler would fail to be impressed with the grand staircase just off the main lobby.

An Awesome Accommodation 

          The Hoa Binh Hotel boasts 103 guest rooms and suites and combines the old world charm of colonial Vietnam with all the modern amenities required by the discriminating business or leisure traveler.  My room with en suite bathroom was large, clean and comfortable and included a television, air conditioning, fridge and internet, not to mention the impressive crown molding details.  The hotel also has Wi-Fi availability.  The reasonable price of $65 per night included a wonderful buffet breakfast and daily fruit basket and tea tray in the room.  The staff at the hotel were friendly and helpful and easy to communicate with in English.  I was able to have my laundry done while I was there and the front desk travel clerk was able to book me on a tour of Halong Bay for the day after I arrived.  The Hoa Binh Hotel met all my criteria for an Awesome Accommodation, including value for the money, excellent location, friendly, helpful staff, cleanliness, safety and comfort.  Be sure to check it out on your next trip to Hanoi.

    

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Doormen in Kilts at the Astor House Hotel

Astor House Hotel, Shanghai, China

The Astor House Hotel, Shanghai

          The Astor House Hotel was a bit of a splurge for this budget traveler, but compared with some of the other hotels in Shanghai it was a good value. Since I knew that I would be in Shanghai on the last two nights of my trip, I booked it in advance through Hotels.com, which I found to be easy and reliable. I paid $99.00 per night including taxes and fees, but disappointingly, not including breakfast. The hotel is conveniently located just a short walk across the bridge over Suzhou Creek near the northern end of the Bund.

The Astor House Hotel, Shanghai, China
The Astor House Hotel, Shanghai, China

Old World Charm

          The place reeks of old world charm from the moment you spot its colonial architecture, to your greeting by doormen in kilts and on until you get to your room, which is big enough to quarter a small army. The bathrooms are correspondingly huge and completely modern. On the other hand, the floors and woodwork are all original and very old. Most rooms include an original fireplace. The front desk staff were friendly and helpful and the maid service was efficient and regular. Although they put out a sumptuous spread for the $11.00 buffet breakfast, it would have been worth it if only to sit in the spectacular domed dining room. I can highly recommend this elegant old hotel based on location, value and ambience and can easily understand why it was frequented by the celebrities of yore.

Update: November 2021

Sadly, it appears that the Astor House Hotel will be closing and is no longer available for accommodations.

Doormen in Kilts at the Astor House Hotel
Doormen in Kilts at the Astor House Hotel

TRAVEL TIP:

          For independent travelers, booking hotels in advance can be risky, since your itinerary may change. If you are flying in and out of a gateway city, however, you know where you will be on the first few nights and the last few nights of your trip and booking in advance can ease some of the stress of traveling. Generally, at each end of your trip you will be in a big city that you will want to spend a few days exploring. At the beginning of your trip this enables you to refresh yourself after a long plane flight and at the end, it is a nice way to unlax after a busy trip.

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