The Kim Lien Hotel is located about 2.5 km southwest of Hoan Kiem Lake, in a noisy and crowded area of the city that most tourists would never see unless they were staying at the hotel.  It is not an easy or pleasant walk to any major tourist destination.

The hotel has several buildings set up compound-like, with a central lobby that, aside from its poor air-conditioning, is nondescript.  The staff is quite unfriendly.  Small elevators service the 3-story building.

The hallways have high ceilings.  There is a decent amount of light in the rooms, and the bathrooms are clean and newish.  The rooms are slightly musty and the beds are hard.  The suites are big but have a very strange layout.   

The hotel’s pool is quite big and well-used by the guests.  There is also a slightly seedy complex offering karaoke and Thai massage within the hotel compound, which is consistent with the overall feel of the hotel; it’s catering to regional business travelers.

Overall, the Kim Lien Hotel is a bit sketchy, but definitely captures one of Viet Nam’s many sides.