We stayed at the Zephyr on 1/8/09 and the price was extemenly expensive ($162 US, including tax). We were tired from our long van ride from Halong Bay and needed a stay (where we have hot water and a clean room) before our morning flight to Nha Trang. They placed us in a smoking room and would argued with us that it "did not smell like smoke." We did not have hot water, and called 4 times and they still did not do anything about it. They wanted to give us a smaller room. The staff was rude and does not want to address any of the concerns we had. There are so many other hotels that are not as costly, just shop around and do not listen to any of the recommendations from these travel agencies in Hanoi (they get a kickback for booking your stay).

Great location opposite Bobby Chinns restaurant. Excellent friendly service if a little slow at times. Great breakfast and rooms were very good for the price, clean and comfortable.

That hotel is not luxe but comfortable, well located in the center of the city. The breakfast offers a good range of asian and european food, We really liked the breakfast buffet: A good variety of fresh fruit, delicious pho' bò (Vietnamese beef noodle soup), eggs made to order, pastries and the usual breakfast fare. BUT, we are really upset about the room: we booked a DE LUXE room and we had a small room with a small scuttle, the carpet was dirty. It is not a 4 star hotel. We wrote to our travel agency which will not use this hotel any more.

grand voyageur

We spent 3 nights there and we booked through Handspan for about $110 a night. I think it was classified "superior" and it was very good--large and pleasant. The location is as good as any in Hanoi and we walked everywhere--Old Town, Silk Street, around the Lake, "Hanoi Hilton" , Opera area, and even to the Mauseleum (but took a cab back to hotel) along tree-lined streets with lovely French Colonial houses. Breakfast was good. There are several LP-recommended restaurants nearby.
I would definitely stay there again.