The Best Cheap Hotels in Hanoi, Vietnam

A must-see in Hanoi is one of the city’s traditional water puppet shows. The Mayflower is just a 10-minute walk away from the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, a world-famous attraction where performers stand waist-deep in water and make puppets skim across its surface – an art form that dates back to rice paddies almost 1,000 years ago. Take in a show, have a stroll along Hoan Kiem Lake, then head back and crash in one of the surprisingly spacious rooms. If you’re looking to explore further out of the city, the hotel has its own tour desk that will sort out the travel arrangements for you.

The name of the game at this hotel is relaxation. Non-negotiable for all right-minded guests is a few hours spent in the hotel’s Golden Spa, which offers traditional Vietnamese massages as well as Thai-style and Swedish warm stone massages. Their relaxing treatments will have you ready for another day of sightseeing – but not before you’ve admired the French architecture and luxury touchpoints of this stylish spot. Artfully decorated in gold, white and black, this family-run boutique encapsulates old-school class in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

This boutique stay in Hanoi’s Old Quarter prides itself on its luxurious, modern rooms and its spa, all in a historic location. But what really sets it apart is the wide range of city and country tours on offer. Shining Boutique’s motorbike tours will guide you through the city’s winding streets, filling you in on the area’s rich history – plus you can pretend you’re in the least-threatening motorcycle gang of all time. Don’t worry if you don’t have a license, as the hotel also offers bicycle and walking excursions too.

The boutique Tu Linh Palace was built with western visitors in mind. In the Old Quarter, this clean, simple hotel is staffed by a mix of westerners and Hanoi locals. This gives you the benefit of knowing that nothing will be lost in translation when you order room service, while still letting you chat to people who know the city like the back of their hand.

The Holiday Emerald is a great base for foodies eating their way through the city’s best restaurants. Don’t miss the nearby Bun Cha Huong Lien, which earned fame in 2016 when Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain stopped by for a bite – though it was already one of the city’s most prominent family-run eateries. The former President’s table has since been turned into a shrine, and you can now order the Combo Obama: bun cha (pork with rice noodles), a seafood spring roll and a bottle of Hanoi beer. Then it’s back to rest your head in the clean, dark wood-furnished rooms of this boutique stay – or a treatment or massage at the Mido spa.

The rooms at the Splendid Star Boutique are ideal for just chilling after a long day of sightseeing, as it’s set back from the fray in one of the Old Quarter’s quieter streets. But that doesn’t mean you’re far from the action – Hoan Kiem Lake and St Joseph’s Cathedral are just a few minutes away. Rooms range from modest to suites, with blackout blinds for jet-lagged new arrivals or bright rooms for those already acclimatised. There’s even a honeymoon suite with city views, if you’re in Hanoi on extra-special business.

Hàng Bông Street is known as Hanoi’s silk district, and it’s a popular destination for visitors looking to get a bit of shopping done on their travels. It’s also the location of Hanoi Royal Palace Hotel 2, the long-awaited sequel to Hanoi Palace Hotel. This new four-star hotel is an ideal place to unwind in style thanks to its wide balconies, city views and Old Quarter location near Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Night Market. In addition to its well-equipped rooms, it also features a restaurant with a great view, where you can tuck into a breakfast buffet between 7 and 10am.

Hipsters will feel right at home in La Siesta Trendy, a sleek hotel on Nguyen Quang Bich Street. The interior is sculpted from metal, glass and wood to create a hip and contemporary feel. The restaurant is an excellent place for a drink, whether that’s at the beginning of your night out or as a nightcap as it winds down – the huge windows give a great view of the Hanoi skyline. The reliable wifi, double-glazed windows and stripped-wood desks wouldn’t look amiss in Berlin or Copenhagen, and will keep you connected and refreshed for the duration of your stay.

In Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Oriental Suites boasts 42 stylish rooms, modern spa facilities, and a number of two- or three-day excursions for anyone wanting to explore the nearby mountain town of Sapa. Sapa is popular for its hiking trails through the Muong Hoa Valley’s vivid-green, stepped rice fields and up the Phan Xi Pang peak, the highest mountain in mainland Southeast Asia. Oriental Suites will arrange for you to travel there via overnight train – in an air-conditioned, soft-sleeper cabin – or luxury van. When you arrive at the hotel, book walking tours via the desk.