Quick year-end update from a work trip, barely saw the room, but here we go:

Le Meridien (my usual hangout) was fully booked, so I tried The Landmark thanks to a deeply discounted corporate rate (3.9m in December). After 5 years and a dozen+ SEA Bonvoy properties, this was the first hotel ever to ask for a staff pass to verify the rate. Since my company is a subsidiary, it took a few awkward minutes to explain, time to enjoy welcome drink an cookie. Welcome options were snack + drink or points.

Got bumped from base to a “panoramic view” corner room on the 50th floor - modern, slick, easily a step up from LM. Shame mine faced away from D1, so the skyline flex wasn’t quite there. Turndown service provided different local midnight snacks for each day which is a very nice touch.

The lounge: Surprisingly great. Friendliest staff in SEA, proper cocktails, solid dinner, and sunrise breakfast views from the 71st floor was stunning. Main breakfast allegedly better but happy with a peaceful morning coffee and omelet.

Commute to my Saigon Center office varied between 15 and 60 minutes depending on traffic RNG. Location is the weak spot: the hotel sits inside a condo-meets-mall complex that could be anywhere between Beijing and Jakarta. Authentic Saigon this is not. Grab drivers routinely got lost among the entrances, but the door staff will happily yell directions at them for you.

Bottom line: Room & lounge beat Le Meridien by a mile. Location… not so much. For a business trip? Totally fine. For tourists? You're missing out on a stunning city.