Sofitel Plaza, Hanoi

Advantages: Hot, cheap, cheerful
Disadvantages: Noisy, poor air quality

...ones,or the sky train and do get on a local ferry on the Chao Phraya river. For a few pennies you get a totally different slant on the City, a cooling breeze and a respite from the traffic noise and air pollution. See the zoo but don't get upset when charged more than the locals; this is commomn practice, after all foreigners are richer. Use overbridges to cross roads - Bangkok is the second most dangerous city in the world for pedestrian casualties (after Hanoi)- and look out for speeding motorbikes on the pavements [often with a family of five arranged on a Honda 125]. Get your pirate software for a couple of pounds at Panthip Plaza -it doesn't always work but at these prices who cares? Don't buy pirate videos, the quality is pathetic, but the T shirts and football strips are a real bargain. Read the Bangkok Post or The Nation, the local... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Very beautiful
Disadvantages: Can be busy

...Hoan Kiem lake is at the centre of Hanoi and a focus point of the city. It is easy to get to and doesn't cost a penny to visit. The lake isn't too large and doesn't take too long to walk around. The lake is central to the locals as well as the tourists in Hanoi. If you visit early in the morning while it is still cool you will be able to watch the locals do Tai Chi. Badminton courts are painted onto the ground all around the lake and sometimes you will see the locals playing this too. The lake is a great place to meet people and see local life. It can be busy at times but this is due to the fact that the locals love and use this lake as much as the tourists. There are loads of shops and coffee bars around and it's great to spend the afternoon people watching.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: the weather
Disadvantages: everything

...Trusting the Sofitel name, we booked and pre paid for 7 nights at the Sofitel Capsis Rhodes. Upon arrival, we found that we had to make our own way to the room, bags in tow. When we entered the room we were surprised at how small it was. We are a family of four, (2 adults and 2 kids). The room consisted of 1 double sized bed (not even a queen), 1 single bed, and 1 fold away bed. There was literally no room to move. The room also contained a 12 inch TV. Being such a big hotel (691 rooms), the dining room was very noisy. The food was pretty average. The prices within the hotel are exorbitantly expensive. For example, at the pool bar, a take away instant coffee, served in a small, disposable, plastic cup, cost 3.80 euros. No wonder nobody around the pool seemed to be drinking anything. The mini club they advertise on their web site, doesn... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful