La Beaute De Hanoi Hotel

La Beaute de Hanoi is a surprising little find squeezed between buildings on a tiny side street amid Hanoi's buzzing Old Quarter. Stepping into the bright lobby from the streets outside -- which are filled with swarms of scooters -- is a calming relief. The wood-paneled walls are painted white and lined with a stylish gray patterned paper, while a red sofa providing a splash of color. Through the lobby, the dining room continues the same serene decor with a charming indoor garden that brims with hanging baskets. Overall, this is a fresh and relatively modern property for this part of town, and makes for a solid value compared to the other mid-range options nearby. It also stays blissfully quiet. Guests tend to be couples of all ages, including some family and friend groups. 

This hotel is located in the heart of the Old Quarter, on a narrow side street that stays comparably quiet for the neighborhood. It's a five-minute walk to Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ngoc Son Temple, and less than 10 minutes on foot to Dong Xuan and the night markets. It's a short 10-minute cab ride to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Hanoi Citadel, and five minutes by car to the grand Opera House. For those who enjoy exploring on foot, this journey can be made in less than 30 minutes, and it's a pleasant walk around the edge of Hoan Kiem Lake. Out of town, picturesque hikes in the Ba Vi National Park are a 90-minute drive away, and the stunning Perfume Pagoda temples are about the same. Expect a 45-minute to one-hour commute to the airport, depending on traffic.

The hotel's 30 rooms have a mix of pleasantly modern and traditional decor, with warm red tones against white walls and dark furniture. While it's not cutting edge by design standards, the look is bright and cheerful -- a feat in the often crowded quarters in this part of town. All units feature air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, safes, electric kettles, and minibars. Larger rooms include Family Suites with a combination of double and single beds. Most of these have small balconies -- those on the higher floors sometimes include decent views out over the rooftops, but others overlook the narrow street and alleyways. Suites also have a softer finish, with curtains replacing blinds and pretty cutout screen panels above the beds. Bathrooms are compact, but modern, with rainfall shower/tub combos, a bit of counter space, hairdryers, and robes. Most guests report that the hotel stays nice and quiet at night. 

The hotel serves a good buffet breakfast in the charming dining room, with a la carte dishes also available. The meal is included in hotel rates. A wide choice of tour packages are also available and can be booked directly through the hotel. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.