Hanoi Holiday Diamond Hotel

Like many Old Quarter hotels, the Hanoi Holiday Diamond does not have many public spaces for guests to gather or linger. The simple lobby is long and narrow with a painting of Hoan Kiem Lake, hardwood throughout, and modern gray couches with throw pillows where guests can sit and use the free Wi-Fi or sip their passion fruit or fresh mango welcome drinks. The small but bright breakfast room is spare and functional, with wooden tables and chairs and colorful paintings on the wall. It's not the most stylish dining room we've seen, but it serves its purpose just fine. Although the hotel is near the backpacker street of Ma May, which has a lot of cheap digs and plenty of noise, the Hanoi Holiday Diamond is comparatively quiet, and is a good choice for travelers -- from couples to families and solo travelers -- who want to be near the action without all of the noise.

The Hanoi Holiday Diamond Hotel is conveniently located in Hanoi's famed Old Quarter, amid dozens of chaotic and narrow streets selling an amazing array of merchandise. While the Old Quarter tends to be congested and noisy, the Hanoi Holiday Diamond is located on on one of the quieter streets that's lined with trees, so it's peaceful, yet only a two-minute-walk to the famed Beer Corner and the area's nightlife along backpacker-heavy Ma May street. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops within walking distance of the hotel, and Hoan Kiem Lake and the Thiang Long Water Puppet Show are both a 10-minute walk form the hotel. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is about 15 minutes away by taxi, while the Hanoi Night Market is less than 10 minutes away on foot. Noi Bai International Airport is about an hour's drive away, depending on traffic. 

The 21 modern rooms at the Hanoi Holiday Diamond Hotel have wood floors and are bright and cheerful (even Superior Rooms, whose windows face the interior corridor but still get plenty of light). Lotus-patterned curtains feels slightly old-school, while paisley cutout panels flank damask accent walls above the padded headboards behind white-linened beds. Furniture throughout is simple, contemporary, and dark, and all rooms include free computers, DVD players, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, minibars, electric kettles for tea or coffee, Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. The most expensive rooms receive a free bottle of wine at check-in and have much more space for guests to stretch out. Tiled bathrooms are a tad small, but each room category offers a choice of shower only or shower/tub combos and all include hairdryers, bathrobes, toiletries, and decent-size vanities. Holiday, Junior, and Family Rooms have large windows with views of the street, as well as window-side banquettes and mats to sit and take in the views, which admittedly aren't that great. 

Like most two-and-a-half pearl hotels in Hanoi, the features here are thin. A good free breakfast is served in the hotel's restaurant behind the lobby, and though lunch and dinner are not offered, fruit, coffee, and tea are available throughout the day. There is free Wi-Fi throughout and the hotel has a small travel desk, where staff can assist with tours, transport, and other Hanoi and Vietnam travel needs. The building has an elevator and the front desk is staffed 24 hours a day. Airport transfers are also available with prior arrangement and laundry services can be arranged.