Queen Hotel Hong Bang: Vietnam's Hidden Gem (Luxury Awaits!)
Queen Hotel Hong Bang: Vietnam's Hidden Gem (Luxury Awaits!) - My Honest, Rambling Review (with SEO sprinkled in!)
Okay, folks, let's be real. Writing a hotel review is a commitment. But hey, I just got back from Queen Hotel Hong Bang, and I'm still buzzing. So, buckle up, because this isn't your average dry, corporate-speak review. This is the raw, unfiltered truth (with some juicy SEO keywords thrown in for good measure, of course!).
First Impressions (and the Accessibility Angle):
Finding this "Hidden Gem" in Hong Bang, Vietnam was something of an adventure. Forget those cookie-cutter hotels – Queen Hotel is… well, it's got a vibe. Right off the bat, you're greeted with fantastic accessibility. The elevator is a lifesaver after lugging your suitcase around, and the facilities for disabled guests seemed thoughtfully considered. Now, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I noticed wide doorways, easy ramps, and generally a layout that felt… inclusive. Big thumbs up!
Getting Connected (Internet & Tech Stuff):
Look, I'm a digital nomad. Wi-Fi is life. And Queen Hotel delivers. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? YES, PLEASE! I'm talking solid connection, no annoying dropouts. I even attempted some Internet [LAN] action (yes, I’m old school), but the Wi-Fi was so good, I didn't bother. You can easily work with Internet access, and if you happen to need a Xerox/fax in the business center, they've got you covered. Seriously, the internet services were top-notch .
Keeping it Clean & Safe (The Covid Era Blues):
Let's be frank, travel feels a little… different these days. Queen Hotel took Cleanliness seriously. The Anti-viral cleaning products and Daily disinfection in common areas gave me peace of mind. I loved that they offered Room sanitization opt-out – because, let's be honest, sometimes you just want to keep your germs to yourself. Hand sanitizer was everywhere, Staff trained in safety protocol, and the Sanitized kitchen and tableware items was a game changer for a germaphobe like me. They do have a doctor/nurse on call and a first aid kit, just in case, but luckily I didn't need them! There was Physical distancing of at least 1 meter and the Safe dining setup made a huge difference.
Food, Glorious Food (Dining, Drinking, Snacking):
Okay, confession time: I live for food. And the Dining, drinking, and snacking options at Queen Hotel are legit. The Asian breakfast buffet? Heaven. Think pho so good it brought a tear to my eye. They also serve a Western breakfast, but honestly, embrace the local flavors! The restaurants, coffee shops, and snack bar offered a great variety so I didn't need to leave the hotel. The poolside bar was the perfect spot for a sunset cocktail (Happy hour, anyone?). I'm a big fan of their Soup in restaurant and Salad in restaurant, since I was always trying to be health conscious but couldn't resist the Desserts in restaurant! The Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver after a long day of exploring. And I loved that they had a Vegetarian restaurant and Alternative meal arrangement options since I don't eat meat.
Chill Time & Pampering (Ways to Relax):
This is where Queen Hotel truly shines. They've got a Spa/sauna! And the Pool with view is just stunning. I spent HOURS in it. Seriously, I'm pretty sure I turned into a prune. I tried the Massage – pure bliss. My shoulders are still thanking me. They also have a Body scrub and a Body wrap if you are into it. And a Fitness center, Gym/fitness, and a Foot bath. This place is a sanctuary. The steamroom was also incredible.
The Nitty Gritty (Services & Conveniences):
The staff at Queen Hotel are genuinely lovely. The concierge was super helpful, and the daily housekeeping kept my room spotless. Laundry service? Check. Dry cleaning? Check. Currency exchange? Check. They even have a convenience store on site, which is perfect for grabbing late-night snacks (because, obviously). The elevator was a godsend, the doorman greeted you with a smile, and the luggage storage made it easy to explore the area.
My room was everything that I wanted
You know, I’m not one for frills, but even I loved my room. The Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens made for a very comfortable stay.
For the Kids and Other Stuff.
Family/child friendly but I didn't have kids, so I can't speak to the Babysitting service, Kids facilities or Kids meal. There's a Shrine, so you could go there for prayer…
Getting Around (Access):
The Airport transfer was smooth and easy, which I appreciated after my long flight. Taxi service is readily available, and they have Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site].
The (Slightly Messy) Conclusion:
Look, Queen Hotel Hong Bang isn't perfect. No place is. The room decorations were a little… let's say, "unique." But honestly? Those little quirks are what make this place special. This hotel is a hidden gem (I'm telling you!) – a place where you can truly unwind, recharge, and experience Vietnam in all its vibrant glory. The staff treated me well, the hotel is kept safe , the accessibility is good, and, the facilities are comfortable.
Now, for the Offer! (Because You Deserve a Treat):
Stop dreaming, start living! Book your stay at the glorious Queen Hotel Hong Bang today and get a FREE upgrade to a room with a view (subject to availability!) Plus, enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival and 10% off all spa treatments. Use code "QUEENBLISS" when booking to redeem. Don't wait – this offer is only available for a limited time! This hotel truly is a luxury stay!
Escape to Paradise: Les Glycines Hotel & Spa, Teritoria, France
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because planning a trip to Queen Hotel in… is it Hong Bang? Vietnam? This is gonna be less "smooth travel itinerary" and more "scatterbrained-but-hopefully-delightful journey into my own messy head." Here we go!
The Queen Hotel & Hong Bang: A Slightly Overhyped Adventure (My Honesty Level: 10/10)
Day 1: Arrival – And Suddenly, I'm a Hot Mess.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: The Painful Ascent (and the Unexpected Joy) - Flight to Cat Bi International Airport (HPH) (Haiphong). Oh god. Airports. The smell of stale air mixed with desperation, the endless queues… I'm already picturing myself as a grumpy, sleep-deprived mess. BUT! This time, I'm determined to be that traveler. You know, the one smiling, the one enjoying things. My internal monologue is already screaming, "Yeah, right." The flight itself? Uneventful, which, honestly, is a win in my book. The best part? Seeing the land from above, always gives me goosebumps.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Airport Antics (and a Near-Miss with a Taxi Scam!). Landing! Cat Bi International… looks… functional. Already starting to feel the heat. Customs? Fine. Currency exchange? Okay, I think I got a decent rate. Now, the taxi hunt. The vultures circling… I swear, I almost fell for the 'friendly local' act and got roped into a taxi that would have cost me my firstborn. Saved by a helpful (and I mean actually helpful) airport security guy who pointed me to the official taxi queue. Seriously, that guy deserves a lifetime supply of coffee.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Great Taxi Ride - To Queen Hotel (…hopefully). The taxi ride to the Queen Hotel. Chaos! Scooters weaving like drunk bees, honking like a symphony of road rage. And the smells! A delightful assault on the senses – incense, fried food, exhaust fumes… it’s pure Vietnam. I'm simultaneously overwhelmed and utterly captivated. I'm hoping the hotel is close, my patience is already wearing thin.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Check-in and Hotel Hysteria (AKA, the Room Roulette). Finally! The Queen Hotel! The lobby… promising. Sleek, air-conditioned, and thankfully, not as opulent as the photos suggested (which is a GOOD thing for me, less pressure to be sophisticated). Check-in? Smoothish. My room? Okay, here's where things get… interesting. It's either a tiny shoebox, and with a view of a brick wall, or a spacious suite with a balcony overlooking the city. Praying to the travel gods for the suite.
**1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Room settling & Initial Exploration. **The room is… fine. (Not the suite. Sigh). A tiny window and the view isn't exactly postcard worthy. But hey, at least it's clean. Unpack (or haphazardly toss things around. Guilty.) Quick shower to wash off the travel grime. Time to venture out, even if its just to the nearest cafe, get some of the local coffee.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The "Lost Tourist" Walkabout (and the Coffee of Dreams). Finding a coffee shop. This is crucial. Wandering around the neighborhood… getting slightly lost (of course). The language barrier! Pointing, gesturing, the universal language of “caffeine, please!” Finally! A tiny, buzzing cafe, overflowing with locals. The coffee? Holy. Moly. Scoop that stuff up, it's like liquid gold.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Queen Hotel - Afternoon Break (if i can find it) Back to the hotel (after getting slightly lost again). A power nap is in order. This time, I'm determined to figure out the TV (or at least how to mute it).
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Hong Bang by Night - Street Food and Senses Overload. Time to embrace the chaos! Street food tour. My stomach is both excited and terrified. Banh mi, pho, spring rolls… oh, the choices! The smells, the sounds, the vibrant energy of the markets! So many people watching, smiling, talking, eating. This is what I came for! I might have accidentally eaten something that resembled a small, fried, crunchy….thing. (I'm still not sure what it was. But it was delicious.)
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner and Debriefing. Find a restaurant. Trying to decipher the menus. Ordering something that (hopefully) isn't more "mystery food." Reflecting on the day… exhaustion mixed with exhilaration. Made a mental note to stock up on antacids.
8:00 PM - onwards: Meltdown in Bed (or, Sleep if I can manage it). Back to the hotel. Collapse onto the surprisingly comfortable bed. Scrolling through photos, feeling an odd mix of elation and "what have I gotten myself into?" Attempting to sleep, but the sounds of the city keep me awake. Exhausted, but can't stop smiling!
Day 2: Deeper Dive, More Mess, and a Love Affair with Rice Paper
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast Buffet… and a Minor Crisis. Breakfast at the hotel! The buffet is… standard. Some things look amazing, some things look… questionable. I opt for the safe route: toast, coffee, and a bit of fruit. A minor panic attack when I realized I left my phone charging in the room!
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Local Market Madness and the Art of Bargaining. Exploring a local market. The sights, the smells… overwhelming. And the noise! The vibrant colors of the produce, the chattering of vendors… Practicing my terrible Vietnamese phrases. Attempting to bargain. Failing miserably, but loving every second of it. Bought some amazing spices!
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The "Rice Paper Revelation." Okay, THIS is where the trip gets real. I tried a local delicacy - fresh spring rolls! And oh my god. The freshness of the rice paper.. the herbs..the dipping sauce! I'm completely obsessed. I spend the next hour trying to figure out how to make them myself. (Spoiler: It was a disaster. I'm sticking to eating them.)
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch and the Questionable Fish Sauce Episode. Lunch at a small restaurant – trying to re-create the spring roll magic. Ordered pho, and in a moment of culinary bravado, I decided to try the fish sauce.
- RAMBLE ALERT: Fish sauce… It smells like… fish. And it tastes like… well, it's an experience. I'll just say it was… memorable. I made a face and the waitress asked what was wrong. i just said "Too Strong", and ordered another drink.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The Temple of Serenity (and a Moment of Deep Sigh). Visiting a temple. Finding a moment of peace amidst the chaos. Sitting quietly, observing the rituals. Feeling… something. Maybe a connection to something larger than myself. Or maybe just a deep sigh of contentment.
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Shopping and the "I-Deserve-This" Purchase. Shopping for souvenirs. Finding some amazing, unique items. The "I-deserve-this" purchase! (A small, hand-painted vase. Or maybe a silk scarf!) My wallet is weeping, but my soul is happy!
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Sunset From…? And More Street Food Searching for a good sunset spot. (Maybe a rooftop bar? If I can find one.) Back to the streets for more food.
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: The Journaling, the Reflections, and the Realization. Back at the hotel. Journaling. Reflecting on the day. Realizing that I'm actually enjoying this. That the mess, the chaos, the moments of utter confusion… they're all part of the adventure.
- RAMBLE ALERT: You know, travel is weird. You
Queen Hotel Hong Bang: Vietnam's Hidden Gem (or Just a Really Good Hotel? My Brain is Still Processing!)
Okay, spill the tea! What's the *real* deal with the Queen Hotel Hong Bang? Is it REALLY "luxury awaits"?
Alright, settle in, buttercup. "Luxury awaits?" Well, it depends on what you consider luxury. My first reaction? "Whoa." My second? "Where's the spa menu?" (Okay, I admit, that's always the second.) It's definitely a step *up* from your average backpacker hostel. Think plush robes, ridiculously comfortable beds that swallow you whole (seriously, almost slept through the sunrise), and a level of service that borders on unnervingly attentive. They practically anticipate your thirst.
But, here's the thing: My room had a view of… well, a very nice building. Not *the* view. The view was apparently reserved for the suites. Now, did that ruin my whole experience? Nah. But a slightly grumpy whisper to myself? Absolutely. Point is, it's luxurious *for the price*. Don't go expecting the Burj Al Arab, okay? Think more like a very well-appointed palace, with a few little imperfections that make it, dare I say, *charming*. The whole experience is more like the feeling of a good hug than a perfectly manicured Instagram post.
Location, location, location! What's the neighborhood like? Is it safe? Is it… boring?
Okay, the neighborhood. It's in Hong Bang, so you aren’t going to be smack-dab in the middle of all the action (which, depending on your mood, can be a *good* thing). Think a bit more… residential? I felt safe, wandering around in the evening, which is always a win. There are some local restaurants and shops (the street food is *amazing*, find it!), so you’re not totally isolated.
Boring? Potentially. If you *need* throbbing nightlife on your doorstep, this ain't it. But it’s a great base for exploring the surrounding area. Plus, I personally *loved* the quiet. After a day wrestling with traffic and the energy of Vietnam, it was pure bliss to retreat to a peaceful oasis. And hey, taxi rides are cheap, so you can always go find the party. Just prepare for the return trip... my navigation skills are… questionable after a few Saigon beers.
The Food! Give me the dish on the breakfast buffet!
Oh, the breakfast buffet. My kryptonite. My absolute *weakness*. It wasn't the most extravagant buffet I'd ever seen (a *little* less variety than I’d hoped for, to be honest), but the quality? Stellar. Fresh fruit, a made-to-order noodle station (hello, pho!), and a ridiculously good selection of pastries (I'm looking at *you*, those tiny croissants). And the coffee? Strong. Dark. Perfect for jumpstarting your day.
Here's a slightly embarrassing confession: I totally, shamelessly, took a *second* (and possibly a third) plate of those croissants. I mean, who *wouldn't*? I even tucked some into a napkin for later. (Don't judge me. I’m a sucker for carbs.) My only real gripe? The staff were *so* efficient at clearing plates. I barely had a chance to savor the deliciousness before my plate was whisked away. I mean, I get it – they're trying to keep things tidy. But a girl needs time to *fully* appreciate her croissant, you know?
Swimming pool? Yes or no? And is it Instagrammable?
Yes! There is a pool. It's lovely. It's the perfect temperature. It’s not *huge*, but it's beautiful. And, yes, it's *definitely* Instagrammable. Think shimmering turquoise water, strategically placed loungers, and (hopefully) minimal screaming children. I saw a lot of people snapping photos. I did too, for all of about 3 minutes before I remembered that I needed to relax.
Okay, the truth? I spent *most* of my time lounging by the pool, nursing a cocktail, and pretending I was a glamorous movie star. It was pure bliss. And the pool staff? They were amazing. Constantly checking in (the right balance of attentiveness, but not overwhelming). They'd bring you drinks, towels, even offer to adjust your umbrella if the sun was getting too intense. It’s details like that that really elevate the experience. It’s the kind of pool you want to spend an entire afternoon at. If you are into instagramming, be prepared to get into the water. That's where all the magic happens!
The Staff: Are they genuinely friendly, or just putting on a show?
Okay, the staff. This is where the Queen Hotel really shines. They're not *just* friendly; they’re genuinely warm, helpful, and seem truly invested in making your stay enjoyable. I had a minor mishap with my luggage (totally my fault, I swear!) and they went above and beyond to help me sort it out.
There was a particular waiter in the restaurant, bless his heart, who somehow remembered my coffee order on the second day. I mean, *who does that*? I felt like royalty. And the reception staff? Always smiling, always ready to help with any request. They even gave me some great recommendations for local restaurants (the ones that weren't in the super touristy spots). I swear, they'd mastered the art of hospitality. They are truly the heart and sole of the hotel. Made my entire trip worth it. I have to rate them 11 out of 10.
Room Service: Worth it? Or should I venture out?
Room service… hmmm. The menu looked tempting, and I'm a sucker for a lazy evening in. I tried it once. The food was good (decent, but not *amazing*), and the presentation was lovely. However, it arrived slightly lukewarm (I think it had to travel a bit).
The one thing I will say about room service? The ambiance. You get to eat in your robe! The ultimate level of comfort. If you are looking for ultimate comfort and can't handle a *slightly* lukewarm meal, go for it. I would rate it 6.5 out of 10. I would recommend venturing out to the local restaurants. They are amazing!
Value for money? Would you stay again?
Value for money? Absolutely. It's not the cheapest hotel in Hong Bang, but you definitely get what you pay for (and then some). Considering the quality of the rooms, the service, and the amenities, I felt it was a total steal.
Would I stay again? In a heartbeat. Even if the room view wasn't the best (and if I could snag a suite!), I'd go back. The hotel is a great basecamp for exploring the area. The staff is amazing. The pool is spectacular. And the croissants… well, you know. It's aPopular Hotel Find
