“Unique Friendly Hotel in the Center of Hanoi”
This would be an excellent hotel if only for it's central location, only two short blocks from Hoan Kiem Lake, which is the absolute center of Hanoi. Despite being so close, the street itself is fairly quiet, which is something that you will come to appreciate in the frenetic hustle and bustle of the streets.
Added to this is an absolutely wonderful and helpful staff of this hotel. They were of great assistance while I was staying for 10 days, showing me where to get cellphone (the manager, Spring, even let me borrow one of hers for a few days), directions on where to go and things to do. In a city where service is hit-or-miss, the Jasmine is tops.
The rooms are clean and well kept, and are actually pretty Vietnamese in their layout, which means small room and smaller bathroom. You do get your own personal water heater, which means a hot shower is always on tap. The bathrooms are very tiny ( I couldn't open the door if I were on the toilet, for instance). Some of the fixtures and furniture were tired, if well kept, and it appears that they are trying to go through and replace items one at a time (for instance, I had a new toilet and TV, but an old shower). Those who demand all the perfection (and uniform blandness) of a Western chain hotel, however, should look elsewhere.
This was a wonderful, unique hotel and I am definitely planning on staying here again when I next visit Hanoi.