KemKay Old Quarter

KemKay Old Quarter Overview

You know what struck me first about KemKay Old Quarter? The fact that they managed to carve out this surprisingly peaceful pocket right in the heart of Hanoi’s craziest neighborhood. I mean, you’re literally on Hàng Bè street – which honestly, most tourists never even notice because they’re too busy dodging motorbikes on the bigger streets nearby. But that’s actually perfect because you get all the authentic Old Quarter vibes without the constant honking that’ll keep you up at night.

The building itself has this really nice balance going on. It’s modern enough that the AC actually works (trust me, this matters in Hanoi summers) and the Wi-Fi doesn’t cut out every five minutes, but they haven’t stripped away all the character like some places do. The lobby’s got these cool touches that feel distinctly Vietnamese without being cheesy about it. What I really appreciated though was how the staff just… gets it. They’re not overly formal, but they know exactly what you need – like how to get to the night market without taking the tourist route, or which coffee shop nearby actually serves Vietnamese people instead of just backpackers.

The rooms are honestly better than I expected for the price point. I’ve stayed in plenty of four-star places in Southeast Asia that felt like they were phoning it in, but KemKay seems to actually care about the details. The beds are properly firm (not those saggy mattresses you sometimes get), and there’s enough space to actually unpack your suitcase – which sounds basic but you’d be surprised how many Old Quarter hotels treat luggage like a puzzle. The bathrooms are clean and the water pressure’s decent, though I’d probably avoid the peak morning hours if you’re picky about that stuff. One thing that really stood out was how quiet it gets at night. You’re still hearing the city – it’s Hanoi, after all – but it’s more like a gentle hum than the chaos you might expect.

Location-wise, you’re about a three-minute walk to Hoan Kiem Lake, and you can easily stroll to all the main Old Quarter attractions without needing to figure out taxis or anything. But what I loved was how you’re also near the real Hanoi – there’s this little alley just around the corner where locals grab their morning pho, and it’s the kind of place you’d never find if you stayed in the more touristy spots. The weekend night market is close enough to check out but far enough that you’re not dealing with the crowds every single day.

Look, it’s not going to be the fanciest place you’ve ever stayed – this isn’t Park Hyatt territory or anything. But for what it is, KemKay really delivers. It feels like someone who actually travels designed it, not just someone trying to check boxes for online reviews. The 9.1 rating makes sense to me because it’s one of those places that just works without any drama, and honestly, that’s exactly what you want when you’re trying to explore a city as intense as Hanoi.

KemKay Old Quarter Accommodations

Reviews of KemKay Old Quarter

• Charlotte from Australia – 27 April 2025 (9/10)

  What could be improved: Bathroom in the lounge had a couple of potentially dangerous steps out especially with wet feet. Apartment was on 3rd floor so lots of narrow stairs and we were locked out so make sure you take keys with you

• Julian from Singapore – 21 March 2025 (10/10)

  Location, spacious, clean rooms, comfy beds, friendly host Mr Lam Son, the unit has elevator to move our luggages up the floor.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Ian from United Kingdom – 1 November 2024 (9/10)

  Contact with the owner was great, gave us great ideas of places to visit and eat. 6 comfortable double beds in a very spacious property. Washing machine and kitchen. We enjoyed our time here. Some steep steps to gain entry to the property but didn't really bother us. Be sure to have a few beers at the hotel next door. Would definitely stay here again

• Luyen from Australia – 8 October 2024 (10/10)

  The staff was very friendly and helpful, the place was spaced and clean,
  We went to Halong bay the day after, my son forgot his Nintendo, we contacted staff and Kem was very helpful to keep the devices for us to collect after our 2 days trip.
  Highly recommended, my children said this was their favourite hotel for the whole Vietnam trip 😃

• Nicole from Australia – 23 March 2024 (10/10)

  Family of 4, kids 12 and 14. Excellent location, very comfortable beds, a lot of space, well appointed and clean. Excellent value for money.
  
  What could be improved: We loved everything about the property but people need to know that you are in the heart of the city. There is noise and the street is busy. We had no issues with this because the location was excellent.

• Evangelia from Greece – 2 February 2024 (9/10)

  Location and comfort. There are several double beds, the rooms are enormous so everybody was comfortable. Host was amazing and answered all our questions
  
  What could be improved: 4th floor and no lift

• Justine from Australia – 11 January 2024 (9/10)

  Size and location
  
  What could be improved: Steep stairs for luggage

• Rebecka from United Kingdom – 5 December 2023 (10/10)

  KemKay is fitted with some of the most comfortable beds we've seen in all of Vietnam! We didn't mind it but be aware that the layout is one smaller bedroom with a door, a middle sized area with two beds with curtain partitions and three beds in the living area. Having such a spacious place with a living area was really nice, well equipped kitchen and hot showers. Additionally, the owner was so amazing and helped to arrange a birthday cake for our friend! Lots of amazing cafe and food on your doorstep.
  
  What could be improved: The upstairs neighbors and adjacent nightclub are very noisy until late in the night but what do you expect when you stay in the center of Old Quarter! We had a great time regardless.

• Peter from United States – 18 February 2023 (10/10)

  Incredible location! large roomy rooms, plenty of beds, two bathrooms, top floor.
  
  What could be improved: nothing I didn’t like.

• Phil from Australia – 1 October 2022 (9/10)

  Great location in the Hanoi Old Quarter for our active family. We love the street food and hustle-bustle of Hanoi city. This apartment is perfect for that experience. Don't stay here expecting peace and luxury. Thank you to our host Lam Son who was very responsive at all times and gave us tips on the best places to eat locally. The room was clean and was HUGE for our family of 4 with 2 teenagers (this apartment sleeps 12 people with 3 separate rooms). Highly recommended

Surroundings

Facilities