Now that we've moved on to Hue, it seems childish to dwell on the past, but I would be remiss if I didn't post about one of the worst hotels I've ever been in: City Gate Hotel in Hanoi.
The only business this place gets is from people who've read the 2007 Lonely Planet for Vietnam that contained a favorable mention of the place. It was dropped from 2009.
Mom, don't freak out but this is the City Gate neighborhood:
At $20/night, it may sound like a case of "you get what you pay for", but other, much better budget hotels in Hanoi charge lower or comparable prices. And odds are those prices would include heat. Other hotels would most likely not change their quoted price on arrival or try to add a 30% surcharge on money exchanges, and include heat in their price.
The owner of another hotel would most likely not yell at their employee for allowing us to take two Lipton teabags.
Two thumbs down, City Gate Hotel!
MN
Well, at least you survived the experience! Does this remind you of our hotel in L.A. coming back from Mexico?!
ReplyDeleteHaha! I give City Gate points for having a door that closes.... ;)
ReplyDeleteDude, I was JUST telling Kristen as she dropped me off at LAX about the rotund fella waiting in Mom's room in his undies and watching "Cops." And how our door had obviously been broken down and reattached several times over.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are looking awesome!