Hanoi Charming 2 Hotel

The Hanoi Charming 2 Hotel is vastly different from its sister property, the Cheering Hotel (formerly Charming 1). The modern Charming 2 is on a large, heavily trafficked street, and at eight stories it's taller than most of the buildings in this part of town. It's bright and cheerful, and the lobby has chairs and small, round tables lined against a wall, along with a magazine and book rack, but the restaurant area, which serves drinks throughout the day, is a far more pleasant spot to sit. The hotel is well-maintained, and it shows, from the gold Egyptian-motif elevator in the lobby to the polished stairs. It attracts a wide range of travelers -- from couples to families to solo travelers -- and its excellent location and welcoming service make it a popular Old Quarter choice.

The Hanoi Charming 2 Hotel is located at the edge of the atmospheric Old Quarter, on a heavily trafficked street near bars, restaurants, and shops, and within a 10-minute walk of Hoan Kiem Lake and the Thang Water Puppet Theater. Other major sights are a bit farther away, such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (a nine-minute drive) and the Temple of Literature (a seven-minute drive or 21-minute walk). Noi Bai International Airport is about an hour's drive from the hotel, depending on traffic. 

All 22 rooms have well-polished wooden floors and furniture, free computers, DVD players, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, safes, minibars, bathrobes, hairdryers, and tea/coffeemakers. Beds are large with quality sheets and cocoa-colored bed runners plus creative towel arrangements placed on top. White-tile bathrooms come with rainfall showerheads and bathtubs; marble countertops, wood-framed mirrors, and little bud vases with sprigs of greenery add personality to the space. Charming, Family, and Honeymoon Rooms have balconies overlooking busy Hang Ga Street, and come with a free bottle of wine at check-in. Standard Superior Rooms are on the small side, although they manage to fit in writing desks, but don't have good views.

A small downstairs restaurant serves a free breakfast but not lunch or dinner, although drinks are available all day, and it's a pleasant place to sit and use the free Wi-Fi. There's a travel desk in the lobby, which can make bookings and arrange tours to Halong Bay, Sapa, and elsewhere.