Chancery Hotel***

Our brief comments:
The 8-story Chancery is located near the city centre, about ten minutes walk from the Ben Than Market to the south, and to the main post office and the Notre Dame cathedral to the east. The fascia is fussy and overcomplicated, and belies the attractive lobby and bar area on the ground floor. Rooms and service are mostly above average, but there are problems with the restaurant and breakfast.

Decor and soft hangings were attractive and good quality. Furniture was basic, but agreeable. The bed was large and comfortable, and bed linen was above average. Fixtures and fittings were of good quality, and appliances and plumbing were all in full working order.

The bathroom was comparatively small, but adequate. Another unusual feature of the Chancery was the use of European three-pin electricity sockets throughout.

At the time of inspection, the restaurant appeared bare and unattractive. The impression was heightened by cheap metal chairs supplementing the more acceptable wooden chairs. A bare backboard still bearing some balloons and other remnants suggests that a recent wedding might be responsible, but the overall effect was more like a guesthouse than a quality hotel.

The 'American' buffet breakfast was also below par - a limited selection, cheap ingredients, undrinkable bitter coffee and no fresh milk, for example. In a city hotel, the only meal that most guests will eat is breakfast, so this is a concern.

The poor quality of the Chancery breakfast experience contrasts vividly with the attractive rooms and good service.

If you like plenty of room, a friendly, helpful staff, and don't mind putting up with an indifferent breakfast, the Chancery offers an economic alternative to higher priced central hotels or those further away from the city centre.

(Last inspected in August, 2003 - comments welcomed if you've visited more recently!)

Room facilities (?= awaiting updated information from the hotel):

Room Categories	Suite
Number of rooms	96
Air-conditioner
Satellite television
Shower only
Bath with shower
Bath + separate shower	?
Personal safety box
Coffee and tea facilities
Laptop connection	?
Free broadband access	?
Extra bed available?
Child's cot available?
Room size (m2)	32
View	park (front rooms only) or city

Additional room facilities:

Hotel facilities:

Outdoor pool		Non-smoking floor(s)	?
Pool bar		Non-smoking rooms only	?
Fitness/health centre		Vietnamese/Asian restaurant
Sauna		International restaurant
Massage		Patisserie/coffee shop/cafe
Jacuzzi		Business centre

Additional hotel facilities: