Hanoi Golden Moment Hotel & Travel

Not much goes on at the Golden Sun Moment, nor is there a lot of space, but the small building provides a great respite from the traffic, heat, and chaos outside. The lobby is tiny, with just a few cushioned sofas, but the pleasant little restaurant with cushioned booths and tables downstairs is a better place to relax. Throughout the restaurant and lobby are artistic photos of Hanoi street scenes, along with sculptures of cycle rickshaws, rice farmers, and other images of Vietnamese life. The upstairs hallways display black-and-white photos of Hanoi life, and the narrow spiral staircase that winds through the building is festooned with colored lanterns, which light up at night and give the hotel a dash of charm. Guests here predominantly couples, though a few families also pass through.

The Golden Sun Moment Hotel is located on a narrow, congested side street in Hanoi's Old Quarter, with nonstop traffic, noise, and scarce sidewalk space, which makes the immediate area difficult to navigate. The hotel is within a 10-minute walk of all the sights of the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Thang Water Puppet Theater, as well as a large selection of restaurants, street food, bars, and shops. One Pillar Pagoda, a storied Buddhist temple, is about 10 minutes away by taxi depending on traffic, while Ho Chi Minh's residence is a 15-minute drive, on the other side of Hoan Kiem Lake. Noi Bai International Airport is about a one-hour drive from the hotel, and the hotel can arrange taxis for guests.

Each of the 20 stylish rooms have wood floors, white walls, and striking patterned curtains. There are interesting accents throughout, including elongated light fixtures and contemporary decorative headboards. All rooms have safes, mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and electric kettles for tea or coffee, and while the hotel's website implies that all rooms have windows, some Standard and Deluxe Rooms do not have them and can be small. Tiled bathrooms have stylish rainfall rain shower units with wooden floors set amid small white rocks -- it look almost zen-garden inspired. -- and bathrooms in general are clean and tiled, with contemporary fixtures, small granite vanities, toiletries, and hair dryers. Junior Suites have tiny balconies, while the Family Suite, which is larger and has a street-facing window, also comes with a free bottle of wine. When we visited, some of the rooms had broken lamps or lights, and guests should make sure these are working when checking in, but despite the busy street outside most guest rooms are quiet.

Breakfast comes with the room and is served in a pleasant restaurant below the lobby. The space stays open throughout the day, though and serves cold drinks, which can be a blessing in the Hanoi heat. The hotel's front desk is staffed 24 hours a day and the travel desk can book tours, taxis, and arrange other transportation, including airport and bus station transfers. The hotel can also help arrange Vietnam visas prior to arrival. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and laundry services can be arranged.