Hanoi Elpis Hotel

The location of this no frill hotel is ideal. As soon as you step out oft he hotel, there are food vendors and bars and coffee shops everywhere. I didn't read the details before I booked and didn't know the toilets were shared outide common area and no elevators. Good thing I only had my backpack and no other luggage. It was better than I expected since there were only two rooms per floor. I only used the bathroom for shower, etc twice per day. Most of the time you are out and about doing things around the city or excursions, therefore, it was not a big deal. The price was fabulous for 4 nights stay. The host was very nice and arranged for a hotel transfer to airpofor me on time. I had a great time in Hanoi and would choose this place again convenient location traveling solo or as a couple. I would choose a different place if you are traveling with family.

This was me and my family’s first time to Vietnam, and Ms. Hoa made us feel so welcomed and comfortable. The hotel was clean and comfortable, but it was the service that made the stay extra special! Ms. Hoa helped us get all set up for our stay in Hanoi and surrounding areas, including selling us a Vietnamese SIM card through the hotel, booking our cruise at Halong Bay and a day trip to Tam Coc (Ninh Binh), and booking all our taxis (and escorting us to the correct driver). My family and I strongly recommend staying at Hanoi Elpis, especially if this is your first time in Hanoi!

The good: The location was great in the heart of the old quarter. The female staff was friendly. Breakfast was good. The bad: We had to cut our stay short and check out early as there was one male front desk staff with glasses that was not too pleasant. We were a couple families with small children each and we got the negative vibe that our kids were not very welcome. He made several comments about our children's behavior and additional gestures that any Westerner would find quite rude. It's just not how anyone treats guests if they want good customer service scores and I don't think he is in the right field of work personally. He never seemed even mildly happy. Perhaps he should find work elsewhere? He also wanted to "confine" our children into a pre-determined breakfast time slot - something we didn't want to agree to since we don't know when our kids will all be up and timed together. This seemed like a way to avoid being around other guests. We just never have had any such issues in any other of the dozens of hotels/Airbnbs we have stayed at. Additionally there is no elevator and the hotel is small and 5 floors so this may be difficult for elderly or disabled to make the journey if room is on upper floor. Room 202 also has a strange layout where you have to exit the main bedroom outside where the AC units vent to go to the bathroom which makes this area and the bathroom get quite hot and uncomfortable.

The Elpis is down a side alley/street. There is no elevator but the staff were kind enough to upgrade our triple room to a family room so we got a lower floor. Small buffet breakfast with a few options for ordering fresh. The staff do enter your room despite the do not disturb sign we had put up. I think it’s to turn off any a/c or plug ins. This bothered us and no explanation was given. As power isn’t expensive in Vietnam this seems like overkill. Otherwise a cute and convenient location