I would not stay here again. There is constant noise from the street below, banging of pans from the restaurant and the people and car noises just non stop. We were in Hanoi for 3 nights, but after realising how noisy it is have booked into another Hotel in a quieter part of the old quarter. Much better value too for only $12 a night more. Cannot wait to get there tomorrow. Nearly 10.30 pm and there has been constant noise since we got here at about 12. Seriously not letting up at all, hoping that as someone said above that it will quieten at 11 pm so we can sleep.

Just also need to advise people to be very careful of the taxi scams from the Hanoi airport. We caught a taxi and told them we wanted to go to the sunshine hotel, yes, no worries, then all of a sudden the speedo keeps making a beeping noise and is flashing from 40 kms to 200 kms, although the driver is only doing about 60. He is ringing people on his mobile constantly, pointing to the speedo, and all the time the price meter is spiralling upwards extremely quickly, whilst he thinks he is diverting our attention from it. He then pulls up a an hotel and someone comes out saying 'have you got a booking' I am sorry but we are full and we have to put you into one of our other hotels. We were parked outside some other hotel and we insisted that it was not the sunshine and that we be taken to the Sunshine Hotel.. Eventually we are, all within the 1 hour expected trip from the airport which is 32 km, but amazingly the meter says we have travelled over 70 kms and the taxi driver is wanting over 720,000 dong for a 315,000 trip. We paid 315,000 and took information from the taxi. The taxi was Taxi Dai Nam. San Bay Noi Bai No 63. Tel 04 3884.6666. Hoping trip advisor will do some reporting here.

My wife Brenda and I are from Bunbury, Western Australia and have just returned from a fabulous 2 week trip to North Vietnam thanks mainly to Sunshine 1 hotel manager Mr Manh Hung who had arranged a full itinerary for us via email, prior to our arrival in Hanoi. He was recommended to us by a friend of mine and we're glad he did. My friend Eric warned me about the Sunshine1.... "don't expect the Hilton Paul, it's basic but very clean". Of course we were expecting a bit of a dump but were pleasantly surprised on entering our 3rd floor with balcony room 302, to find it to be very clean and spacious, a flat screen cable TV, a computer with free internet connection, bar fridge, ensuite with shower/bath, 2 beds (Q & D), and great air conditioning...... all for US$25 per night! It was better than the Perth City hotel room we stayed in before catching our flight! Ok, the mattresses were a bit firm but that did not prevent a good nights sleep, plus, as Brenda said, "it's good for your back!". Noise wasn't too bad either, considering the Hotel is smack bang in the middle of all the action of the 'Old Quarter'. The staff were very helpful and attentive and nothing was too much for them. Of course we didn't stay at the hotel all the time as Mr Manh Hung had pre-arranged trips for us to Halong Bay (3 day cruise) Sapa Mountains / Bacha Markets (3days) and a number of excellent day trips too, all of which truly made our holiday a memorable one. To us, the whole inclusive package of hotel accommodation, all trips, (including overnight sleeper train journey to Lao Chai), entry fees, many delicious meals, tour guides, comfortable transport and airport transfers, was made possible by Sunshine1 Hotel manager Mr Manh Hung & Sunshine Travel. We didn't have to worry about a thing....everything ran so smoothly.
What did this cost you ask? $700 each! Incredible value for those like us that have long since been a backpacker, and NO I am not being paid to write this cos if I was, I wouldn't have mentioned about the firmish mattresses.. now would I !
Value for money all round.
Happy travels
Paul & Brenda Hassell
E: hassgoog@gmail.com
Mr Manh Hung contact email: sunshine1@hanoisunshinehotel.com

Our first night in Vietnam, didn't bargain, should have done that. Paid $30 for the first night, $25 for the second. Really nice breakfast in hotel just next door. Bathroom was old, but clean. We got 2 complimentary bottles of water a day and fruit.

I stayed for 2 nights. rooms was large, clean, felt safe, location perfect. I would recommend this place if you are not looking for luxury but location with friendly staff. Breakfast is just ordinary but the breakfast room is not with any ambience so just go sit somewhere at a street cafe to take in the scenes. airport pickup all fine.