La Storia Ruby Hotel

The hotel's small lobby is a cool and quiet respite from the chaotic market lane in which the hotel sits. There is a dapper gray couch with black-and-white floral-patterned cushions, and if there is a crowd down there, the lobby has a second seating area upstairs, with a small bookshelf with magazines and books for guests to peruse, as well as more soft gray seating around a simple wood coffee table. This hotel is more expensive than the backpacker digs to be found in the area, but far more stylish for those who want a bit more comfort while staying in the pulsing Old Quarter. There is an ultra-helpful travel desk in the lobby staffed by good English speakers, and the staff here go out of their way to ensure that guests are well taken care of. The crowd is mainly tourist couples, though some families and solo travelers also stay here. 

The Hanoi Elegance Ruby is located in the middle of the Old Quarter of Hanoi, surrounded by restaurants, bars, and shops, and convenient for all tourist sights. Bach Ma Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake are about a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and the Hanoi Opera House is 20 minutes away on foot (or 10 minutes by taxi). The hotel is ideally located in the middle of the tourist belt, and the traditional alleyway where the hotel sits is a great spot to observe local Hanoi life: crowded and chaotic by day, but tranquil in the evening. The bustling market area, thronged with passersby, motorcycles, and vendors, may be wonderful for some guests, while others may not enjoy the chaos and crowds. Cars cannot get through the alleyway, but staff are always available to carry luggage the few hundred steps to the main road, for taxi and vehicle pickup. It's about 40 minutes to an hour's drive to the international airport depending on traffic.

Guest rooms are on the small side, especially the Superior Double and Twin Rooms. In fact, in Superior Double Rooms, the desk chairs block the minibars, and one cannot move around the bed except on one side. Still, decor is simple and bright: light wood floors and matching armoires, desks, and nightstands, and white bedding topped off with velvety red or dark purple pillows. All rooms come with stocked minibars, tea/coffee facilities, safes, flat-screen TVs with cable, and free laptops and Wi-Fi. The Junior Suites are a much better option, as they have much more space, plus each comes with a free bottle of wine, bathrobes, an iron and ironing board, and even a balcony, although the views are nothing special. Family Suites also have ironing boards and irons, but no robes, balconies, nor wine. However, they do have two large beds, plus are decorated with balloons for the kids. Tiled bathrooms have glass-door showers with rainfall showerheads, stand-alone sinks, and toiletries.

The Hanoi Elegance Ruby has a tiny restaurant, which serves free, well-reviewed breakfast in the morning, and then shuts down for the day. Hotel staff are excellent, and the travel desk has good English skills and local knowledge, and can point travelers to all the best spots for local food and other activities. The hotel has a second-floor seating area, which has some books and magazines to read, plus free Wi-Fi access, which runs throughout the building. The front desk is staffed 24 hours a day and airport transfers, laundry, and babysitting services can be arranged.