• Blog
  • The Nomadic Notes Newsletter

Nomadic Notes

Travel blog featuring transport and accommodation guides in Southeast Asia

  • Southeast Asia Train Travel
  • Thailand Travel
  • Vietnam Travel
  • Where To Stay

Hotel Review: Church Alley Hotel, Hanoi – Vietnam

July 1, 2019 By James Clark

Hotel Review: Church Alley Hotel, Hanoi - Vietnam

Hotel Name: Church Alley Hotel
Address: No 13 Ngo Huyen Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam.

I stayed at the Church Alley Hotel in Hanoi. I booked online and picked it for its price and location in the old city. I was originally staying for a night so I just wanted a cheap room in a central location.

Church alley

The hotel is in an alley off another alley that is filled with other hostels and cheap guesthouses. It’s one of the main backpacker streets of Hanoi, though not as noisy as the one near the beer street. This is one of the best areas to stay in Hanoi for budget travellers.

I was welcomed by a friendly receptionist and then was shown to my room.

Reception

I got a double room with a private bathroom, and I made sure my room had a window when I booked. Many of the guesthouses in the old city are in skinny buildings and not every room has a window. In this case my room had an unusual shape, with an entrance room and hallway with a window that connected to my room.

Hallway

The room didn’t have a window but you could see it from the connected hallway. The bed was comfortable and the room was air conditioned, which is needed in the Hanoi summer.

Bed

Free water and tea and coffee making facilities.

Water

The bathroom looked a bit shabby, with a broken shower head and mould on the window. I think I’ve stayed in more mouldy places in Hanoi than anywhere else in Southeast Asia.

Bathroom

As the name would suggest, the hotel is in an alley near a church. It’s near the landmark St. Joseph’s Cathedral and overall it’s a great neighbourhood to stay in if you are a visitor to the city.

Church at alley

There is free wifi at the hotel and I got a good signal in my room. There was a breakfast advertised but I didn’t have it there. The hotel also has a tour booking desk for onward bus connections and tours to Halong Bay.

Overall this hotel is most suitable for backpackers who are looking for a cheap private room instead of a dorm. Check prices for the Church Alley Hotel, or search for more hotels in Hanoi.

Filed Under: Accommodation Tagged With: hanoi, hotel, vietnam

About James Clark

James Clark is the founder of Nomadic Notes. He has been a digital nomad since 2003, and Nomadic Notes features trip reports, train travel articles, and where to stay guides. He writes about transport and urban development at Future Southeast Asia. Subscribe to the weekly travel newsletter.

Nomadic Notes Newsletter

Sign up for the newsletter for a summary of the latest posts, site updates, and other unblogged ramblings.

About Nomadic Notes

James Clark from Nomadic Notes

Hi, I’m James Clark, and I've been travelling the world since 2003 while running a location independent travel business. Nomadic Notes is a travel blog featuring travel guides and notes from my travels.

More about me and Nomadic Notes.

Get more travel reads

Subscribe for more travel reads at my weekly travel newsletter.

Browse the list of best travel books.

Follow Nomadic Notes

About Nomadic Notes

About
Contact
Press/Media Mentions
Where I've Been

Search Nomadic Notes

Follow Nomadic Notes

Where To Stay In…

Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Da Nang
Ho Chi Minh City
Hoi An
Hong Kong
Jakarta
Kuala Lumpur
Macau
Penang
Singapore

Newsletter

Sign up for the newsletter for a summary of the latest posts, site updates, and other unblogged ramblings.
Subscribe to the newsletter

Find more travel newsletters.

Copyright © 2025 Nomadic Notes · Site Map | Privacy · Log in