Set on the lovely-tree lined Le Duan Boulevard in the thriving metropolis of Vietnam’s biggest city, Ho Chi Minh, this luxury hotel is within walking distance of top attractions like The Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office.
With a spectacular rooftop pool, high end cuisine and a touch of French chic in its design, this is the place to stay if you like your accommodation to reflect the city you’re in – a vibrant mix of old and new. It’s also perfectly placed to enjoy the high octane whirl of Saigon commerce and culture, bustling markets and hip boutiques, but with quiet rooms far above the humdrum noise of city life.
The Check-in Experience
Arriving at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza gives you an insight into what it’s like to be a VIP – doormen and other hotel staff rush to greet you, refreshing towels are placed in your hands and your bags are whisked away in seconds. Check-in is quick and seamless – a godsend after fourteen-plus hours of travelling. Every single member of staff at the hotel is friendly and professional – from the doormen to the drivers, the concierge through to the management teams, any time we needed to confirm transfers, wanted to book a taxi or find a route to a tourist site, it was done swiftly and easily.
The Rooms
My friend and I stayed in a twin room for two nights. It was the perfect hotel room because you could want for nothing – it was dark and quiet at night with very comfortable beds, so we slept well. There is even a Sofitel MyBed and pillow menu – so you can customise your bedding to get the perfect slumber.
As well as fantastic views of the city, there are lovely French and Vietnamese touches throughout from French designer Pierre Maciag – think ornate bird cages and lotus print (the symbol of Vietnam) on the carpets. There are also all the luxury amenities you could need – particular attention should be paid to the bathroom which has lovely Lanvin products and a rainfall shower to rival any of the world’s best hotels.
Drinking & Dining
Breakfast at the Sofitel Saigon is absolutely fantastic – there are numerous different food ‘stations’, offering everything from an extensive pastry and bread selection to beautifully cut fruits and fresh smoothies. As well as having delicious things to eat, all are manned by highly attentive staff. At one point they had run out of bánh mì – a popular Vietnamese baguette that can be eaten at breakfast – so we asked for some more and it was done for us within a minute. Eggs, omelettes, waffles and pancakes can all be cooked to order and we never had to wait to be seated or for hot drinks to be brought.
Gastronomy is a high point in the hotel’s fine dining L’Olivier restaurant, too. The week we were there, they were hosting the 4th Saigon Gourmet Week, a series of events during which Michelin-star and celebrity chefs cook up special meals and host cooking classes. We were lucky enough to be invited to one of the main dinners, whipped up by none other than five female chefs, where we dined on seared scallop with mandarin and cauliflower and basil and turbot with bearnaise and swiss chard.
The cosy Boudoir Lounge is the perfect place for an afternoon tea, and come evening it turns into a sultry bar to sip fine wines and clever cocktails.
The Extras
A stay at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza is not complete without a dip in its incredible rooftop pool, which has panoramic views over the city. Open until 10pm, I recommend heading up there to see the sun set and the twinkling of Ho Chi Minh’s sleek skyline light up. AccorClub members can gain access to the secret lounge, a lovely space for relaxing and tucking into a variety of sweet treats after a day of walking around ornate temples and expansive shopping malls.
Find out more about Sofitel Saigon Plaza.
Hannah Hopkins is a commissioning editor and freelance writer, covering hotels, destinations and restaurants for AGLAIA.
