KemKay Homestay

KemKay Homestay Overview

You know what caught me off guard about KemKay Homestay? Walking down Cầu Gỗ street, I almost missed it entirely – it’s tucked into this narrow lane in Old Quarter where the buildings lean into each other like they’re sharing secrets. I mean, 28 Cầu Gỗ sounds official enough, but honestly, you’ll be looking for house numbers painted on weathered walls while dodging motorbikes that somehow squeeze through spaces that seem impossible. The thing is, once you find it (and you will, eventually), you realize you’ve stumbled onto something that actually gets Hanoi right.

The homestay feels like someone’s actual home that happens to welcome travelers, which – let’s be real – is exactly what it is. The family running it knows every nook of Hoan Kiem district, and I’m talking about the kind of local knowledge you can’t Google. They’ll tell you which corner of Ngoc Son Temple gets the best light for photos around 4 PM, or where to grab proper pho that doesn’t cost tourist prices (hint: it’s a ten-minute walk toward the lake, down an alley that looks sketchy but isn’t). The rooms themselves are clean and comfortable – nothing fancy, but the AC works properly, which honestly matters more than marble bathrooms when it’s 35°C outside and humid enough to wring out. I actually loved that the building has character; old wooden floors that creak just enough to remind you you’re in a century-old neighborhood, but not enough to wake you up at night.

What really sells this place though is the location without the chaos. See, most people think staying in Old Quarter means dealing with constant motorbike horns and street food vendors shouting until midnight. Cầu Gỗ is just far enough from the main tourist drag – you’re still walking distance to Hoan Kiem Lake (seriously, like eight minutes), but the street actually quiets down after dinner. You can sit by the window in the evening and watch local life happen: kids playing between parked scooters, neighbors chatting over balcony railings, that sort of authentic daily rhythm that makes you feel less like a tourist checking boxes. The 8.7 rating makes sense when you consider that this isn’t trying to be a luxury hotel – it’s trying to be a comfortable base for exploring Hanoi, and it nails that completely. Plus, the family speaks solid English and genuinely seems to enjoy helping guests figure out the city, which… well, you’d be surprised how rare that combination actually is.

KemKay Homestay Accommodations

Reviews of KemKay Homestay

• Mona from Philippines – 19 January 2025 (9/10)

  Location. Very good place. Very clean. Comfy beds. Nice kitchen and bathroom. Overlooking and walking distance from hoan kiem lake.
  
  What could be improved: Low voltage electricity.

• Jose from Philippines – 31 December 2024 (9/10)

  i like the location of the property it was very near the water puppet show theater, which was central to everything else. I also like that it was on the second floor, so easy to go up, the apartment was the whole 2nd floor, with a kitchen at the back.
  
  What could be improved: because the balcony is overlooking into the street, the noise of the vehicles at night, and the smell of the grilled food can affect sleeping conditions, but if you get used to it, its ok

• Michele from New Zealand – 13 December 2024 (9/10)

  The property was in a good location very central and was easy to walk anywhere around the old quarter.
  Good spaces and facilities for a family.
  
  Host was very helpful giving us a list of eating places in the area and was available for any questions.

• Tanya from Australia – 3 July 2024 (8/10)

  Friendly hosts, always responsive if we needed anything. We loved the busy location. Walking distance to the water puppet theatre, beer street, and night markets! There is plenty of space for a family to rest and relax, and escape the heat. Aircon and fans kept us nice and cool!

• Tran from Vietnam – 22 April 2024 (9/10)

  We loved the balcony and the apartment is on the 2nd floor so we could sit and watch all the people and activities below .
  My nephew loved the loft and lots of sleeping space for family or a group of friends
  Our host is very responsive, he gave us a plenty of restaurants and sightseeing. Highly recommended !
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Leena from New Zealand – 16 December 2023 (9/10)

  Very well located near the lake
  
  What could be improved: Little weird having the bathroom across the stairwell but it worked ok

• Georgia from Australia – 28 September 2023 (9/10)

  We were moved to a different apartment but it was close to the original one and very large. It did have a night club across the road which was noisy on the weekend but location was great and I would recommend this over staying in Hanoi hotels, much better value. The host was very responsive and helpful.

• Lok from Hong Kong – 8 September 2023 (8/10)

  Excellent location, but the entrance is a little bit hard to find. The homestay is on 2nd floor, a little steps go up. Night is quiet, around 7:00 morning call from outside. Better have activities before 11:00, since Vietnam is quite hot.
  
  What could be improved: Toilet and shower together.

• Thistravellife from Australia – 20 July 2023 (8/10)

  A very comfortable place with heaps of room for a family of five, the kitchen area was a bonus. The owner was very friendly and accommodating for our early arrival.
  
  What could be improved: It was a little weird the kitchen and shower on the other side of the stairwell.

• Angelica from Australia – 13 December 2022 (9/10)

  The location is perfect! Right in the heart of the old quarter of Hanoi with a cute balcony to sip on a Vietnamese coffee and soak up the bustling streets!

Surroundings

Facilities