We stayed at the Lucky on Hang Trong street, which is a convenient location to Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter and shopping. Staff is friendly. Breakfast service is a little slow, but we met other travelers in the breakfast room and compared notes about Hanoi. My friends stayed in the $50 rooms which were actually suites and had balconies. I stayed in a $30 room on the top floor which was probably quieter, since it didn't face the street. I could hear the cathedral bell in the morning.
Be sure and use their laundry service! Like a fool I washed out my own stuff, when they can do it for you quite cheaply and return it the same evening.
We were in and out of the hotel between out-of-town tours, and the staff remembered us and had us checked in when we returned. They stored our luggage for us and got us airport transport (which saved us money over a taxi.)
