The Intercontinental says it all, class and luxury in the middle of a well known city, the ideal 5 star hotel. But I find it difficult to get worked up about the Intercontinental brand in general. I feel much more comfortable with Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn. It took quite a bit of effort to get a simple chair put into my room so I could sit down. I suppose people who go to 5 star hotels don't need to sit down and therefore don't require chairs. Loads of simple chairs in the breakfast room downstairs but no, I could not have one. I put the pressure on and eventually someone turned up at my door with two chairs from the banquet room. It's little things like this that can make or break a stay but, in fairness, the remainder of this 3 night stay was very good and the hotel's located is excellent (which can't be said of the Holiday Inn near the airport). In addition this was a booking using points, at the bargain price of around 22,500 points a night.

The opening atrium where reception is located was quite welcoming although it was not as spacious as in some other IC hotels. My Platinum benefits were not recognised at check-in so I had to ask for the drinks vouchers and I was also offered a free coffee or tea at the bar (the coffee was excellent). When choosing a glass of wine with the voucher I was offered the choice of anything on the menu (the Australian Shiraz was really very good) and this is how it should be when you are offered a drinks voucher. I did not bother with the breakfast offer, which would have cost $20 per person per day, not worth it in a place like Ho Chi Minh City where there are so many cheap eating options. Other hotel amenities included a decent looking fitness room and a outdoor swimming pool that was far too small.

I was given a standard room on the 12th floor (1211) which was pleasantly appointed with a fridge and minibar (crazy to touch it when you can buy the same stuff for a fraction of the price at stores just outside the hotel). There was also a good quality separate desk (I really value this in hotels) and a chaise lounge. The large bed was very comfortable and I had good nights there, dreaming about spinning through the city on a motorbike. The bathroom was very generous in terms of size and included a large bathtub as well as a shower with good water pressure. The only negative aspects about the room were that it was rather warm and not easy to regulate the air conditioning, and there was a true lack of storage space.



Reception area of the Intercontinental Saigon


Main lobby of the Intercontinental Saigon, with piano bar and coffee room


Bar area of the Intercontinental Saigon


Standard room in the Intercontinental Saigon


The same room from a different angle


The bathroom facilities were very good at the Intercontinental Saigon


Floor and escape plan of the 12th floor at the Intercontinental Saigon