Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Tips by Mikebb

During February 2008 we were with a group of 27 friends travelling Vietnam who had a group booking for one night before moving on to Da Lat. We chose to stay in HCMC for 3 additional days before joining the group in Da Lat.

Our experience at the Rex Hotel was unsatisfactory mainly due to the room which smelt on entry, the furnishings were tired and impossible to sleep at night due to the incessant road noise, horn blowing etc etc. The split system airconditioner had not been cleaned for years and was black with dirt at the air outlets.

The hotel has an icon status, however it does not live up to the image. Designed in the 1950's it has massive passages one has to walk along to reach the lift, from the entry foyer we had to walk a maze of corridors, at least 200 to 300 metres, to reach the lift which serviced our 2nd floor room.

The hotel is under renovation and work commenced by 8am each morning, the internal noise competing with the horrendous traffic noise which penetrated our room. To make things worse the swimming pool was closed for renovations.

Before arriving I had booked an additional night at US $ 206 per night and we quickly decided not to extend our stay for the 4 nights intended but moved to another hotel which provided better rooms, swimming pool , health club etc.

The group had a one night booking at the Rex prior to leaving Vietnam. Our group leader had previously complained about room standards and we were given upmarket , recently renovated rooms in an area of the hotel protected from road noise. Refer to additional tip to view these rooms.

Unique Qualities: Historic hotel, the US Army used this hotel as Headquarters during the Vietnam War.

5th Floor Roof top Bar and Restaurant is excellent and has excellent views of the city centre particularly at night.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: 84 8 8292195
Address: 141 NGUYEN HUE STREET, Ho Chi Minh City, VI 70000
Directions: In the City Centre, it is a landmark.
Website: www.rexhotelvietnam.com
Other Contact: rexhotel@sgtourist.com.vn

We enjoyed our 2 night stay at this recently renovated hotel which was less than 5 minutes by taxi from the city centre. Our room was excellent, a good bed which was not hard like most Vietnamese hotels provide, the pillows were large and gave you something to rest your head upon, and the new bathroom was something you liked to spend time in.

On top of this there was a very nice outdoor swimming pool and gymnasium on the 3rd floor, an ideal pool to relax and afterwards enjoy a drink from the nearby bar.

The previous 2 nights we stayed at the Rex Hotel at nearly twice the price for a room half as good as the Metropole and no swimming pool available due to maintenance. It was a good move to the Metropole and the American breakfast was excellent.

Unique Qualities: Very nice room and a good swimming pool.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: (84.8) 295 8944
Address: 148 Tran Hung Dao Ave, , Ho Chi Minh City, South. District 1
Directions: Within walking distance of Ben Thanh Markets and a US$1 taxi ride to city centre.
Website: www.metropole@libertyhotels.com.vn
Other Contact: metropole@libertyhotels.com.vn

We returned to the Rex Hotel for one night prior to departure from Vietnam. Our tour leader had complained about the quality of our accommodation the previous week and the Rex Hotel responded by allocation our group of 27 persons fully renovated rooms. The rooms looked as though renovations has just been completed, and best of all our room faced an internal courtyard without any road noise and the beds were soft.

Full marks to the Rex hotel this time, but I suggest when booking this hotel you request a renovated room and that it does not look onto the road, otherwise you will get the 24/7 road noise.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: 84 8 8292185
Address: 141 NGUYEN HUE STREET, Ho Chi Minh City, VI 70000
Website: www.rexhotelvietnan.com

When checking out of the Metropole Hotel we tried to book one night on our return from our 3 day tour of the highlands (Da Lat). The manager said the hotel was booked out but he said to return to the hotel as there may be a cancellation, in any case he would obtain a room from their other hotels.

Upon our return he arranged a room at the Que Hong which was located closer to the city centre. It was a small Vietnamese hotel, a very narrow building with a low profile entrance and looked several grades lower than the Metrople. Our room on the 3rd floor was a pleasant surprise, much nicer than we expected having a nice bed, good lounge, refrigerator and airconditioner, the bathroom was clean and in good order. The 3rd floor foyer was worn and needed repainting and better lighting.

Breakfast was included, a buffet on the 10th floor which was mainly local food, however there was cereal, fresh fruit, a station where they cooked fresh eggs , but no toaster.

Accommodation for one night with breakfast for two was US $97 in total. We were there during peak season and I believe prices are often much lower.

Overall the accommodation was acceptable and the next morning we moved to the Rex hotel to rejoin our group who were returning from Da Lat that day.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: (84.8) 822 4922
Address: 129 - 133 Ham Nghi Blvd, HCMC, District 1
Directions: Just over 5 minutes walk to the City Centre.
Website: www.libertyhotels.com.vn
Other Contact: liberty2@libertyhotels.com.vn