Even after countless visits to Hanoi, booking a hotel in the Old Quarter remains a challenge. The options seem endless, and it’s impossible to know the real difference in comfort, service, and atmosphere until you’re actually there.
In this blog, I’ll share my experience staying in the Old Quarter at five hotels across different price points (all under $100 per night – low season rates) to find out which ones truly delivered on value for money.
1. La Siesta Classic Ma May
If you’re looking for a stylish Hanoi boutique hotel, La Siesta Classic Ma May delivers incredible value. I booked a Deluxe Room and got a really good deal on Agoda. Even better, I was surprised to get a free upgrade to a Junior Suite when I checked in.
The suite was bright, spacious, and well-designed, featuring a comfortable bedroom, a relaxing seating nook, and a large bathroom with a bathtub, separate shower, and double basins. Even the standard Deluxe Room looks bright and inviting for its category.
One highlight is the Moonlight Sky Bar, a rooftop bar with full 360° views of the Old Quarter and Long Biên Bridge. It’s one of the best rooftop views you can get in this neighborhood for a hotel at this price.
Ideal for:
- Travelers prefer small, boutique hotel
- Visitors who want great location + rooftop views
Address: 94 Mã Mây, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
2. Anatole Hotel Hanoi
The Anatole Hotel Hanoi is located steps from St. Joseph’s Cathedral, it’s in a lively and central area popular with travelers and locals.
I stayed in a Deluxe Room which felt fresh, bright, and thoughtfully designed. The bathroom is one of the most practical I found in Hanoi—modern, spacious, and with plenty of counter space and drawers (rare in the Old Quarter hotel scene).
Storage was exceptional here. The desk provided ample workspace, and the closet was large enough to actually fit my luggage inside with plenty of hanging space and drawers. It’s these practical touches that make a huge difference especially when you’re sharing a room, each person with multiple luggages.
For those willing to spend $15-30 more, the Grand Executive room offers 35 square meters of space on the quiet backside of the hotel, complete with both a bathtub and separate shower.
A big bonus: Anatole has a rooftop pool overlooking the Cathedral, a rare feature for Old Quarter hotels.
Ideal for:
- Couples or longer stays needing space + storage
- Guests who want a rooftop pool and bar
Address: 26–30 Nhà Chung Street, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
3. L'Signature Hotel & Spa
Located on Bao Khanh Street, one of my favorite streets in the Old Quarter, L’Signature Hotel & Spa sits just a stone’s throw from Hoan Kiem Lake. I booked a deluxe room with a window, but as an Agoda VIP member, I was upgraded to a Junior Suite.
The upgrade transformed my stay. Instead of the standard room, I found myself in a bright, airy space with a balcony—a rarity in the Old Quarter and one of my most important criteria when choosing a hotel in Hanoi.
From the outside, the hotel looks fairly standard, but stepping into the room revealed a surprisingly luxurious interior. Modern decor, subtle lighting, and soft background music created an elegant atmosphere. Unlike some older hotels with limited ventilation, this recently renovated property smelled fresh with no trace of mustiness.
The bathroom is very nice but quite small for a junior suite. It would have been a perfect room if the bathroom was slightly bigger with more counter space.
Small details impressed me: a built-in phone charger and USB outlets throughout the room showed attention to modern travelers’ needs. The hotel’s prime location makes it perfect for viewing fireworks during public holidays like New Year’s Eve, Vietnamese Lunar New Year, or National Day on September 2nd.
Ideal for:
- Travelers who prefer smaller, boutique hotel
- Those looking for a quiet stay
Address: 4A–4B Ngõ Báo Khánh, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
4. La Siesta Premium Hang Be
La Siesta Premium Hang Be came highly recommended—an article in UK’s The Independent publication even listed it as one of the best hotels in the Old Quarter. As the top tier of the La Siesta chain, expectations were high.
The lobby certainly delivered on first impressions with its impressive design, open space, and luxurious feel. Curious about rooms without windows, I booked the superior room with no windows—the lowest category. While there technically is a window, it faces the wall of another building.
Surprisingly, the 25-square-meter room felt spacious because more square footage was devoted to the bedroom than the bathroom. However, the bathroom area felt cramped. The set-up is different than most hotels with the basin being outside the bathroom with limited space to put your toiletries. For one person, it works; for two people, it becomes challenging.
The next category up—deluxe rooms with outdoor views—costs about $20 more for the same size but includes a larger window and a separate counter for coffee and tea, significantly improving the usable space.
I admit I’m a breakfast buffet snob, so I didn’t think there was as much variety as the buffet at the Anatole and L’Signature. However, the dining room was quite nice, located on the top floor, below the rooftop bar.
One thing to note is that both La Siesta properties feature rooftop bars but have no pools.
Ideal for:
- Travelers who appreciate interior design and premium aesthetics
- Those looking for a hotel with a rooftop bar and views
Address: 27A Hàng Bè, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
5. Flora Centre Hotel
As a mid-range option from $50-65 per night, Flora Center Hotel represented what many travelers might actually book. Several viewers had requested a review of a mid-range hotel, so I included it in my inspection.
This small hotel with just 35 rooms occupies a narrow building that extends deep into the block—a common Old Quarter design that typically means no windows except for street-facing rooms.
My deluxe room measured 20 square meters, the smallest among the five hotels I stayed. The oversized bed took up most of the space, leaving little room for walking space and storage. The closet was too narrow to store my suitcase.
The bathroom featured an older-style high bathtub with a shower head—getting in and out can be tricky, especially when wet. This type of bathroom is not recommended for travelers with mobility issues. Most rooms have internal windows facing the hotel’s interior, which means no soundproofing from hallway noise.
The simple breakfast setup consisted of some hot foods, pastries, and fruits. It’s worth noting that most small hotels in this category don’t have full restaurants, just basic dining areas.
For an additional $30, the Junior Suite with balcony offers 30 square meters, a sofa, more shelf space, and a large window overlooking the street—making it a much better option for two people.
Ideal for:
- Budget travelers
- Short stays
Address: 14 Lương Văn Can, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
The Final Verdict
Among the five hotels, my two personal favorites were the Anatole Hotel Hanoi and L’Signature Hotel & Spa.
The facilities were modern and the rooms were well-lit. They both had rooftop bars and pools which is a bonus in the Old Quarter. The buffet breakfast at both hotels had an impressive selection.
And of course, the service and friendly staff also made the stay enjoyable.
To learn more about hotel locations in the Old Quarter, make sure to read this article.
Smart Tips for Booking Hotels in Hanoi
Consider Travel Season. Rates tend to be higher during peak season (October-January). You can find lower rates from May to August.
Compare Days-Dates. Rates can vary for weekday and weekends and tend to increase during national holidays and Christmas-New Year.
Use loyalty programs. Agoda VIP and similar programs offer special rates and free upgrades. I saved money and got better rooms.
What to Look For
Natural light matters. The Old Quarter is packed tight. Windows and light make a huge difference in how a room feels.
Bathroom quality counts. Older and budget hotels will have outdated bathroom fixtures.
Sound insulation is key. Internal windows mean you’ll hear hallway noise. Avoid these if possible.
Red Flags to Watch
“Internal windows” = noise problems and no natural light
No food-dining photos = there is no dining area
No room photos but 3D drawings = rooms in reality does not match drawing
