Before my trip to Hanoi, I've been reading reviews and researching on good hostels to stay at. May de ville Backpackers Hostel got good reviews from different hostel sites so I gave in. Most reviews or blog entries I saw were from people who stayed at a dorm. While it's good, I'm not so keen in staying at dorms. So I opted to stay at a private room instead.
Customer Service
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| This is the ever accommodating Mahn Tien, the manager. |
I really have to emphasize here that they got very good customer service. Prior to my flight, I had so many questions which was addressed promptly thru email. I guess they never got tired answering my questions even if I change my reservations details from time to time. And to top it off, they even gave me a discount on my first night since I arrived early morning. plus!
The Room
I haven't seen any private rooms around Hanoi so I really can't give comparison. But for $30, I guess it's worth it. My room is quite big, I got a double bed. It's so very cozy and I love how i can actually walk around and do stuff in my room. It's even bigger than my room at home! hah!
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| Very comfy double bed. Good air-con. Working area and...wait for it... a LAPTOP! |
Yes, they'll provide you a laptop in case you forgot yours. But don't expect a mac book air though. I wasn't able to try it since I got my own. It's a thinkpad running with centrino processor.
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| 32 inches LCD TV. Instant coffee and tea. Chair. and windows with a wall view. That door leads to the toilet. |
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| nevermind the mess. dresser. kettle and a mini ref and a safe! |
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| Hair dryer and complete with toiletries et al (razor, shower cap, tootbrush, cotton buds and a comb!) |
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| Hotel like toilet. |
It's been said that not all hostel private rooms were like this. I had a good time staying at the private room. Though I have to try the dorm...just for experience.
Facilities and amenities
All floors do have wi-fi and, during my stay, the signal was good all through out. They also have a game and movie room on the 2nd floor, which I like. I found myself laying around the comfy chairs during my last day of stay there while waiting for my airport transfer. Plus, they also have set of computers in the lobby in case you'll stay in the dorm and got no laptop. It's for everybody's use.
They also clean rooms everyday. I was sleeping around 11am when housekeeping arrived, I declined. But when I got back from lunch around 4pm, I noticed that my sheets were fixed and towels were replaced. Apparently, they do housekeeping anytime when you are not there. :D
Breakfast
One of the reasons people stay here was for the breakfast. They do serve buffet breakfast regardless if you stay in a private room or dorm. Though it's a buffet breakfast, don't expect too much. It's not like the usual hotel style buffet were they serve so many varieties. But not all hostels in Hanoi do serve buffet, so it's a plus. and where can you find a breakfast buffet that serves leche flan?! hah! :P
Transfers
After reading lots of comments about getting scammed in taking a taxi on the airport going to the city, I got a little paranoid in setting my airport transfers. My time of arrival in Hanoi is 3:00 AM and was worried that nobody will come to pick me up. I emailed Manh Tien and keeps on reminding him to pick me up. When I arrived, after passing thru the immigration, the first person I saw on the arrival area was a guy holding up a card with my name. I'm too exhausted. My body is craving for a bed and the last thing I wanna do is to wait up for someone to pick me up. You can imagine the smile on my face when I saw him.
On the day of my flight back home, I booked also an airport transfer. My flight is at 1:00 AM and even if I wanted to, I couldn't take the risk of taking bus going to the airport. not now. At exactly 10:00 PM the taxi arrived, I was surprised to see a 10-seater van waiting for me. I asked the girl, "Is that it?", she nods with a smile. I smiled back and say thank yous. When I got in, lay down and slept. :)
Overall
It was a good experience to stay there. I felt so relaxed. It was so cozy and people are so accommodating. Money well spent.
For reservations and inquiries, you may contact them at:
1 Hai Tuong Lane/24 Ta Hien Str., Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi
Tel: (+84-4) 3935 2468 - Fax: (+84-4) 3935 2488
Email: info@maydevillebackpackershostel.com
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