Highly recommended, great hotel, great service, clean rooms, quiet rooms, fantastic spa. Great restaurant with a fantastic view at the top.

From the best hotel group in Hanoi, we checked out the other hotels on our walks around.
We have stayed here 3 times now once in 2004 and twice in august 2011.
attentive staff, clean facilities.
A great position in Ma May st, in the old quater of hanoi.
The tour orgainiser was helpful and not pushy.
they recently emailed us to tell us that they are closing for renevations, to me thats premature but that is the standard of this hotelgroup from what i saw at the other hotels.
im sure the new hotel same site will be a gem.
they offered the basic things you want from a stay.
clean serviced rooms, efficent staff and good value for money.

We traveled in Vietnam in September 2011 (two middle age couples). This hotel made a very good impression. Simple, clean, very friendly. It is located in the old center in walking distance from the famous lake, etc (not that there is too much see in Hanoi).
A special word we have to say about travel manager Mr. Vuong Manh . He was extremely well organized and helpful.
We had an overnight trip to HaLong Bay and one full day trip to five caves. He arranged everything, picked right days for these side trips, transportation, all details.
We definitely would recommend this hotel for travelers of all ages for general atmosphere and professionalism.

I don't know what this hotel is currently called but it used to be Hanoi Elegance. I decided to stay at this place because the rooms are nice and the staff was very welcoming and spoke great English. Do negotiate a better price if you want to stay here though.

Criticisms:
We stayed in room 205 which overlooked the office and was away from the street so it was very quiet EXCEPT at night when I could hear the drain from the rooms above. I think there seems to be poor plumbing. It sounded like the toilet was bubbling every time someone took a shower from above. The internet was super slow and our tv didn't work. Either that or the 3 of us just didn't know how to operate it.

Compliments:
The bed was the most comfortable thing I've ever experienced. The pillows and mattress felt like clouds. I am very picky with sheets but their sheets were so silky and soft! The rooms are very spacious and I love the computer station they have. THe bathroom was clean and the hotel staff were fantastic. No hassling, just very pleasant people. I really enjoyed my stay and would have stayed longer but it was just not in my budget. The breakfast was decent and we really enjoyed eating across the street at Yin Yang Restaurant, where Handspan tour company is located.