We actually lived in the Army guest House for three months in early 2006 (sorry for the 2009 above - I couldn't find an option for any earlier date on this form) while my husband was working in Ha Noi. Contrary to many comments on this site, we found the staff to be amazingly pleasant, fluent in several languages, approachable, kind and willing to help as and where they were able. Sure the decor is a bit tired, but I quite liked the novelty of the quasi Soviet style furnishings in some rooms, as well as the Chinese marble and wood that featured elsewhere. We decided to pay a little extra and plumped for a family room which gave us a bedroom, sitting room and large bathroom, all of which were kept spotlessly clean for the entire length of our stay.On one occasion the staff turned up to clean the carpet, which was then a very new feature and a source of considerable pride to them. I was told that they wanted to make sure it was kept spotless for us, so I felt that I had done my bit for international understanding when they smilingly accepted my advice that a mop and bucket of water might not be the best way to accomplish this. They then sourced an ancient vacuum cleaner (possibly dating, like some of the furniture and a few of the beds, from the Soviet era) and between that and a broom, the carpet was well cared for. The regular Army staff were surprised to find that my husband had served a year in what was then South Viet Nam but they were merely curious to hear his thoughts, and at no time were we ever made to feel uncomfortable (either there or in other parts of the country) about the involvement of our home country Australia. This was our second stay in Viet Nam as we had previously spent a year in HCMC - also enjoyable but much faster paced than Ha Noi, a city we came to like very much indeed. The pool, which is certainly popular and which can be crowded, is a winner when that Ha Noi heat moves in, and we found that everything we wanted was accessible without the problem of being right in the noisy backpacker area or far out in the suburbs. Proximity to the office was a major factor in our initial selection of the Army guest house and it was a choice we never regretted. Reading the reviews here, I'm left with the feeling that some people can't ever be satisfied with travel, griping about the accommodation, the scenery, the locals, the food, the climate or the fact that it isn't 'home' - but surely that's part of the reason we travel. To experience different cultures and to meet people from other lands, all with backgrounds that have something to offer us if we can only be open minded. I'm not a plaster saint when I travel and I've been known to throw a little tantrum or two (mostly in a bathroom with the shower running) but overall I make the most of wherever we are are and what we're seeing. I'm fortunate to have travelled to many countries on holiday, and lived in many of them at different times. We're just finishing up four years in the Middle East, which has been quite an adventure and if I'm really lucky, it won't be the last. I just adore that feeling of arriving in a country not visited before and realising that it's all there to be discovered - an open book for whatever time we're there.

In closing, I'd like to mention that we are still in contact with a number of staff members from our time at the Army Guest House and we will undoubtedly stay there again should we be fortunate enough to return to this lovely country and again meet its kind and friendly inhabitants.

Our Ha Long Bay trip was cancelled due to the typhoon so at the very end of our trip, tired and at a bit of a loose end, we decided to chill out with some swimming. Having stayed in down town Hanoi we found this place a bit out of the way. The rooms were a good size and the place is solidly built but some restoration wouldnt be amiss; it's tired and shabby. The pool is really the only drawcard. There is a fitness centre but although initially interested, on seeing it we gave it a miss. We were able to access stable wireless internet in our room.

Breakfast was pretty ordinary; cold fried eggs swimming in watery stuff, cold fried rice, dryish bread, little fruit. The staff were disinterested and interacted as little as possible.

I dont think we'd choose here again - it would be better to taxi here and pay pool entry.

We stayed at the Army Hotel for 4 nights with our 2 children. We arrived late in the evening and our check in was very quick which was good as we had tired kids. The room was very spacious with 2 bedrooms (each with their own balcony overlooking the large pool) and a large lounge. The room was very clean and the aircon good after long days exploring this beautiful city. If you are expecting 5 star appointments then you will be disappointed however, for the quiet location at the end of a day and a beautiful pool to swim in you can not beat this hotel.

Army Hotel failed across the board -- failed to pick us up at airport as promised, grumpy service and mean ladies at desk, room, though spacious is grotty and filled with mosquitoes, and all that for $95 bucks/night. We left in the morning and went to Hong Ngoc 2, whcih charged us only $55 and was so much more friendly and clean (only issue is small room) and in the heart of the Old Quarter. Though we chose Army b/c of the pool (we were traveling with 2 small kids), it is not worth it.