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Bodega Hostel Hanoi Details
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cheating at last! Cheating at last!
Do you know what bodega means? In Vietnamese, BO -- cow, DE -- pig, GA -- chicken. When you go there, you may have a chance to be slaughtered. I have stayed in that hostel and I must say the service and staff there are very good. Sometimes, you feel in debt with their kindness. Soon, you will trust them and rely on them for good tips of visiting. Then, you starts falling to their trap. However, to be fair, the working staff under the manager, Mr. Tamzay, are honest. But be careful with Mr. Tamzay since he is in charge of the whole trap without letting known by his staff. For the first good night staying there, you slept well and sweet. Of course, you wake up early in the next morning and finish your breakfast. When you walk down to the lobby, Mr. Tamzay will soon ask you, "where are you going?". Soon after some conversations, he will recommend you his APT tour for local tour to Ha Long Bay. For a two-day, one-night boat trip, they charged you with US$36. He will further persuade your a very luxurious trip will be US$52. I chose the US$36 one since he guarantee that he will give the hotel guests the best package tour. Well, if you trust them and do not ask for details, you are fallen into his or their trap. On our way in the bus, we were informed that three people including me were arranged to stay in hotel and all the other stay in the boat at night. When I arrived at the boat for Halong Bay, everybody start complaining, "why can't anybody start the air-conditioner?" The tourist guide just saying, "we do not have A/C but just only fan and will be started later." I checked around whether they have any A/C machine or not. They do have A/C machine. Why don't they turn on for us? However, all the other boat next to us has fans working. As I worry whether we will have no A/C for the whole trip. I start asking a coming boat about how much the trip was in another boat. One man answer me, US$41 for three days, two nights but no air-con. What? They just pay $5 more than me for three days, two nights. I start thinking Mr. Tamzay. About thirty minutes later we are in the middle of the sea, people start arguing with the tourist guide about the A/C during the lunch. All people said, $36 has A/C. The tourist guide keep saying, he is innocent. He knows nothing. He keeps if you all want A/C, you must pay for the $52 package. The ladies keep asking the tourist guide for money back since we all believed that we are cheated. About thirty minutes later, one couple say goodbye to us since they were sent to another luxurious boat with A/C. However, all of us were left in the same boat. All the ladies starts frightened since we are all in the middle of the sea and no man can protect us. No money back. No answer. The tourist refuse lending his mobile phone to us and we cannot call back to get help. We were all trapped in the middle of the sea. The girls started desperate and surrendered. For me, I insisted to the tourist guide that I need to call Mr. Tamzay since I was first allocated to stay in hotel but I was also trapped in the middle of the sea. The tourist guide keep lying that the mobile phone has low battery but I see his phone is hidden for charging in the captain room. I have no choice and use international rooming (US$5 for one minute of call) to call Bodega Hotel. Mr. Tamzay just say, "relax and enjoy." I told him I was in bad condition and no solution now. Mr. Tamzay does not answer my phone anymore. I cannot consume any service including the meals there since I still not get proper answer about the false arrangement. I was starved for the whole night, morning, and the other day lunch. I was survive with a pack of chewing gum, potato chips, and water. I was turned to a boat people, a refugee from HK. Mr. Tamzay does bring me to see the boss APT. Before we go there, he claims if everything is true, he will refund me full. However, the boss of APT say that they offer me all the things but I refuse. He blames me making trouble and this is not their fault. The final conclusion is that I was so stupid to trust somebody in Vietnam. They did not refund me even I did not consume any food and service since the first day lunch. I ask Mr. Tamzay to stop my credit card payment to APT but he refused. I ask him not to sell APT tours again for the god's sake. Instead, he refund half in cash with a very black face. The other morning I still see Mr. Tamzay selling the same tour to other tourists. This makes me believe that Mr. Tamzay is part of the whole trap.I inform the story to other tourists. Then, ten minutes later, he said no more vacancy and ask me leave the hotel. Anyway, I would say the hotel is full of friendly staff but do not join any tour recommended by them. I am not sure it is the boss problem or Mr. Tamzay but it is not worthy for your tour be destroyed as you have to pay ticket, visa for going to Vietnam which is about US$300 already. — Vietnam Boat people from Hong Kong , Hong Kong (2007-09-12) Loved the hotel. The staff were friendly and courteous, and always available. I felt guilty going to the restaurant for breakfast and having three staff running around after me to ensure I was fed quickly and in great abundance. My only issue was with the free pickup from the airport. They didn't show up. I think they were having a bad day because they apologized profusely and asked me to take a taxi. — Heather , Australian (2007-04-30) I have stayed at the Bodega hotel now for nearly two months while I studied and traveled in Vietnam. My length of stay is a testament to the wonderful staff and spacious, comfortable rooms. Their motto is "Your family in Vietnam," and they mean it. They are very welcoming and helpful and made me feel right at home, answered all my questions and sent me on many adventures. After a month of staying here I was even invited to some of their hometowns to participate in the Tet festivities of their families. I can't guarantee this for you but maybe you'll stay for while and find yourself on some real down-home Vietnam adventures of your own! The room prices are quite reasonable for Hanoi Old Quarter and for the quality of rooms and service. I can't say enough about this place to do it justice. Don't hesitate to stay here. I am so sad to say goodbye tomorrow. — Gretchen Lorenson (2007-03-04) The Hotel is recommended greatly. The service is perfect and the staff is very helpful in any way. I can only say that my stay here has been super good. If you travel alone, you can always find good company here. The rooms are clean, and very nice. All my best to the people working here. — Thomas Jensen (2007-01-31) Happy moments in this small hostel where anybody tries to help you anytime. I come from France and I'm very satisfied for all services and good atmosphere. Please do not forget to go to Ha Long Bay. Recommendation for your holidays in Hanoi! — PLOUVIER Marco (2006-12-18) it is a comfortable hotel, with friendly people. The rooms are big enough, it's clean. The tour operator, Tam, is a very kind man who helps you to organize good tours around Ha Noi (Halong Bay, Sa Pa). I recommend this hotel to other tourists from Europe and Spain especially. — angeles villlares armas (2006-11-13) Very nice hotel. Good service and nice staff. Tam is a very good organizer and our "brother." We visited Tam Coc and Halong Bay which was booked by the hotel and very well organised. Had a good time here. We strongly recommend this hotel to visitors of Hanoi. — An & Bren (2006-11-09) The hotel is in the center of the city. Perfect for every backpacker! We are ten people together. We love it especially very cheap. It is complete in one place we also book our tours with this hotel. Strongly recommend to everybody. — Villie (2006-11-01) Bodega Hotel in the centre of Hanoi's Old Quarter offers excellent value for money. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The rooms are basic but very clean. Breakfast is included, internet is free. I would like to recommend this hotel to everyone looking for reasonably priced accommodation in Hanoi. — Steve. (2006-10-14) BODEGA HOTEL in Hanoi's old quarter is a charming place to stay with good service and warm and resourceful staff. The hotel is clean and has hot water as well as air-conditioning. There is breakfast included and the location is in one of the best parts of the old quarter of Hanoi, accessible to all the major sites. Be sure to check them out; and don't forget to ask Mr. Vi concerning all your travel details as he is most helpful and can get the best deals. — Terence S. (2006-09-28) Excellent hotel! Good price, very clean, quite friendly and safe. Everyone as a family member. Food and drinks are very good. Free coffee and tea anytime of day! — Abdul samad (2006-09-26) I have found the hotel as our gang was finding a way to get to the town. And as we talked to one security guy at the airport, he did recommend the hotel for us. After walking in, seeing the room, it then the right choice to choose -- not only is the room is affordable, but it is indeed comfortable. And what else? The services are also good! The staff are all friendly and helpful, and they really made us feel at home in Hanoi! — Matapee Petcharamanee (2006-09-22) Don't let the star rating fool you. I arrived in Vietnam without knowing where I was going and feeling a little afraid but was extremely fortunate to stumble across the Bodega Hotel. The staff cannot do enough to ensure that you have a great time in Hanoi. They orgainsed a lovely tour and even took time out to give me special tours of the city. The rooms are very clean and excellent value and above all quiet. I highly recommend choosing to stay at the Bodega for those who want comfort without all the fancy trimmings. Speak to Vi. He is an excellent contact in Hanoi with a great understanding of the local scene and his english is good enough. You will feel welcome and safe. If you call in advance and are staying for three nights, he will arrange a free pick and drop off saving you $10US each way. It would have been nice to be greeted at the airport had I known this. — JOSEPH DE GUIA (2006-09-19)