Review: Meracus Hotel 1, Old Quarter, Hanoi Vietnam.

Hello hello. I'm finally back with another post. 

Do you like my new blog template? I'm liking it for now. Clean tidy little Barney.

This will be first post about Hanoi. Yes, we went to Vietnam around April to celebrate my hubby's birthday and the weather was fantastic, cooling at the right temperature. 3 hours flight from Malaysia. The flight ticket cost RM500 per pax two ways including luggage. Not so bad I think.

Oh yes, before I forgot, taking a flight on Monday in LCCT was horrendous. Madness crowd, everyone is cutting queue, every line is full, just madness. We thought we wouldn't be able to make it to boarding but of course, we did (all the dramas aside). Note to self, no more Monday flight.

Only one daily flight to Hanoi

Dozing off. This was captured by hubby

I came across this hotel in Tripadvisor and the reviews were kind of good or may I say too good to be true since its only a small boutique hotel. So we booked 3 nights with Meracus 1 Hotel located in Old Quarter (shoes street) but one of the night we will be staying in Halong Bay Junk so the hotel help us to babysit our luggage.

We also engaged transportation from airport to hotel (USD18). Hanoi is quite well-known of taxi scam. If you do not do your homework in advance, the taxi will bring to "tour" around before charging crazy price based on the meters. Know your price and know your route distances.

Travelling Advice in Hanoi (Given by the hotel)

1. How to cross roads?

• Be relaxed and self-confident
• Look two ways and make eye-contact with drivers (well, there were practical a few hundreds motorbike riding through and I didn't know who to make eye contact with. Just walk without looking at them)
• Walk slowly with a purpose (Yup, just keep going...)
• Never step back or reverse (This is so crucial, just keep walking straight and they will know how to avoid you)

2. How to get away from pushy vendors?

• Do not touch anything if you do not intend to buy
• Do not talk to them or smile
• Keep walking (away!)

3. How to bargain in markets?

• Check the item(s) carefully before buying
• As for the rate
• Say 50% off what they say, then negotiate for the best you can 

4. How to get away from street risks?

• Do not walk alone in the streets after 23:00 (Honestly, it is still much safer compare to Malaysia)
• Do not bring your passport(s) out when going outside
• Do not wear too much jewelry or you will become a target
• Keep your bags/camera close
• Be careful of your cellphone while using it on the street 

Upon arrival, the staffs were so friendly and helpful. First, they took care of our luggage and lead us to the waiting/lobby area. Few minutes later, they provided us a relatively simple but very useful and user friendly map (sight seeing, recommended restaurants, famous streets and etc).

Lobby/ Waiting area

Welcome drink

Very grand looking hotel

We both have traveled quite a bit from 2 stars to 5 stars hotel and this hotel gave us one of the best experience and service so far! Location was excellent, situated in the old quarters whereby there are many restaurants, cafes and water puppet show theater was only a few stones behind the hotel. On the same day that we checked-in, we also booked a Halong Bay Tour (2Days 1 night) through Meracus 1. I will talk more on that in another post. The room was a good size, clean and value for money. The rain shower was excellent too with some body spray thingy.

Deluxe room

So sweet

Complimentary fruits, mineral water and laptop for free Internet surfing

Hoan Kiem Lake surrounding (10 mins walk from hotel)

Breakfast spread

My eye-bags-ception

Last day gifts. We appreciate it so much 

Sticky rice with bean paste. Hotel staff were so helpful and helped us buy when they know we wanted to get it

On the last day, there was a minor hiccup. Our transport to airport was 15 mins late and in the end we took the taxi that hotel called for us. Morning rush hour was CRAZY! Please go to airport earlier if you have international morning flight. We made it home so not an issue to us.
However, after we got home, my hubby received an email from the hotel apologizing profusely and insisted on refunding us the taxi fare and promised that it will never happen again to us and other hotel guests. How can we take the money? Of course we refused cause the email alone already meant they really CARE even though we no longer staying there. To us, this hiccup does not hinder us from having the best experience in Meracus1 (This is not a sponsored review).

Meracus Hotel 1
11, Hang Dzau, Hoan Kiem Hanoi
Tel: 844 3926 4936
Website: www.meracushotel.com
Email: info@meracushotel.com

1st Wedding Anniversary Trip. Ye Olde Smokehouse, Fraser's Hill

Yes, you guess it right. It’s Fraser’s hill (duh, so obvious the title). Well, for our first anniversary (30.12.2013), as usual, I wanted to surprise my hubby with a memorable trip. I booked the room in advance but in the end, it wasn't a secret cause I need him to drive us there. Sigh..stupid.

The reservation method for Ye Olde Smokehouse Fraser’s Hill is kind of disappointing. First of all, they do not have online booking. You need to call them, they will send you the booking form, fill in your details, Photostat your credit card and email back to them. It was kind of tedious. The ride up here was quite scary for me as the road was quite narrow.

 The living room only for guests

 

The bar area (if I'm not mistaken)

Our room..”Laura”

  

The bed was very high. Upon entering the room, I felt really good. Pretty little cottage decoration but once I stepped on the carpet, it was a whole different story. I’m sorry to say that the room, carpet and the furniture were kind of dirty and sticky. So was the floor and the vanity table.

 

Complimentary fruits

 

 The only reason why I got us this room Jacuzzi!!!

 

Browsing the menu. Thinking what to eat cause the waiter told us that they need at least 30 minutes to prepare the food as they cooked from scratch. The smokehouse system was weird too. When we wanted to dine in for lunch, of course in general you would walk to the restaurant to be seated. Instead, the waiter ask us to ask the reception to ask whether there is any table available. Ok, maybe I'm too sensitive.

 

While waiting for our food 

   

The weather was very cold actually. Regret not bringing my sweater

      

Chicken and mushroom pie RM48. Not worth it

Fettuccine Salmon · Rm28.00 (with salmon, green peas & cherry tomato, choice of garlic or tomato based). Quite delicious

 

Semi private dining room

Ok. The last complain that I have is that after lunch, we wanted to try out their signature scones but only will be serve at 3pm. SO the lady manager mentioned that we can order and they will send it to our room. Yeah! She mentally took down the order and we requested the scones to be deliver to us around 3.30pm. 4pm passed, nothing happened. 4.30pm my hubby went down to check on the order. The lady manager just told my hubby to order himself at the restaurant. WHAT THE……. then why bother to agree just now!!! 10 minutes later, the scones arrived.

 

Devonshire Tea · Rm18.00
(Tea, 2 Scones with Strawberry Preserve and Cream)

For dinner, we decided to head out. The food was expensive and the service…just too “brilliant”. We ate in Malay restaurant somewhere near the clock tower. Breakfast was included.

  

 

And YES, they took more than 30 minutes to serve the breakfast. If it was steak or other main course, I would definitely understand but eggs and mushroom?????? seriously?!?!? No head count preparation in advance???

Will I be back to The Smokehouse Fraser’s Hill? My answer is NO if they maintain the same service or no refurbishment (the place is rundown and the rooms have very thin walls). I paid RM450 + RM45 tax just for the room. Maybe my expectation was too high after reading all the good reviews on trip advisor or maybe it just wasn't my day. Well, you can always check it out. Good luck!

(Disclaimer: This is a personal blog. The opinions expressed here represent my own. Yeah baby!)

Website: http://www.thesmokehouse.my/?p=141