Vietnam General Discussion Thread (Where to go? Which hotel? etc.)
#46
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Tucson - Seattle
Programs: UA 1K;
Posts: 2,474
Originally Posted by dchang1
Pasties, huh? Are those left over from the unregistered "guests" at the hotel?
#47
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Tucson - Seattle
Programs: UA 1K;
Posts: 2,474
Thanks to masonic for the report on the Hanoi property. I will be there in January (not business) and was considering the Sheraton. You confirmed that the location sucks. The rest of the report did nothing to inspire me to book this hotel.
Back to the Hilton...unless there is a similiar story about the Hilton
Back to the Hilton...unless there is a similiar story about the Hilton
Last edited by grayland; Sep 30, 2005 at 11:36 am
#48
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1k SPG Platinum Marriott lifetime Titanium
Posts: 69
Originally Posted by Rasputin
I'm curious what is likely to happen if I upgrade for only the first night of my multi-night stay. As a gold, are they likely to let me & Ms. Rasputin stay in the same room with the same benefits, or will they force us to change rooms and downgrade us. It's really the executive lounge benefits we want, not the upgraded room, so curious if it's possible to achieve this by paying for one night only. (I looked for this topic on the board but couldn't find it despite a number of searches.) Thanks in advance.
According to what you are saying unless they book you in a room either ending in 06 or 08 the Club level benefits will automatically kick in. I spoke to someone there. If you decide to book just one night with the upgrade then taking the chances of them changing your rooms. Its a 50/50 chance of that. Hope that helps.
#49
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
Airport to Hotel
How did you get from the airport to the hotel? If by taxi, did you "buy" a voucher at the airpport? In local currency, or USD??
[QUOTE=ak47]
[QUOTE=ak47]
Originally Posted by masonuc
I just got back from staying at the Sheraton in Hanoi over the weekend and I LOVED my stay. I think this may be one of my favorite Sheraton properties and is well worth the money! The staff is very attentive and treat elite guests very well. I'm SPG Platinum and I got a private check-in, access to the club lounge, free dessert tray every night, fruit and chocolate basket as a welcome gift and my 500 Platinum Amenity points. The location is gorgeous - right on the lake. I would definitely stay there again.QUOTE]
#50
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 551
Originally Posted by masonuc
Anyone have advice here? The Sheraton Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) seems way overpriced ($150+ a night). You can buy a house for that much in Vietnam. Hanoi Sheraton is about 1/2 the price. Are either of these hotels worth it compared to other options in the city? How are platinum upgrades? Platinum amenities?
As a Platinam member I got free full buffet beakfast every morning.
Also, I got a suite upgrade, but I rejected since I didn't need that big room just for me. Instead, I asked a highest floor room and nicer biew room.
They also gave me breakfast box on the day I left early morning.
#51
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 304
[QUOTE=BKKLEE]How did you get from the airport to the hotel? If by taxi, did you "buy" a voucher at the airpport? In local currency, or USD??
I stayed there in September. I sent an email to the hotel with my flight details and they had someone at the airport waiting to pick me up. Very easy, and didnt have to think twice about it.
I stayed there in September. I sent an email to the hotel with my flight details and they had someone at the airport waiting to pick me up. Very easy, and didnt have to think twice about it.
#52
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SEA
Programs: AS-MM 75K, Marriott Plat Lifetime, SPG Plat Lifetime, HH Gold
Posts: 78
Hanoi Sheraton and Saigon Sheraton Reviews
Just got back from a 1 month trip of Vietnam/Cambodia.
We started in Hanoi and worked our way to HCMC (Saigon) and then did a 5 day trip to Siem Reap to visit the Angkor temples.
I used my SPG points for both the properties.
Hanoi Sheraton (4000 points a night). Excellent hotel, recognized me as a plat and escorted me and Mrs Magiclamp to the exec lounge while they checked us in. While having our breakfast they brought us the room key - a room on the 17th floor with a view of the lake. The room was really well furnished with a pretty big bathroom and good bath products. The bed was the Sheraton sweet sleeper. The hotel exudes richness and you feel like you are in a big luxury hotel. The staff were very personable and the lounge staff looked after us very well. The lounge is open all day with a full hot breakfast (Western+Vietnamese food) in the morning, tea/coffee/drinks through the day and evening appetizers (Western+Viet). This is the best SPG or Marriott lounge I have ever been to. Mr Dat is the lounge manager and is very efficient.
It was not warm enough for us to use the pool so no comments there, the wife used the spa for a massage ($25) and she loved it. There is a good sized gym but again we didnt use it.
The hotel has a slightly pricey travel/tour organizer who are very efficent and professional, we used them to get our Cambodian visas done. We did not book any tours through them as they were about 30-40% more expensive than the tours in town.
Other details: The hotel is about 5-6 KM outside the old quarter of Hanoi. You have to take a taxi to get to and from the hotel (approx 40,000-45,000 VND). Few restaurants near the hotel. To get to the hotel from the airport the standard taxi fare is USD 10.00
Saigon Sheraton (5000 points a night when I booked the hotel, it's 7000 points/night now). Recognized me as a plat and gave me a suite on the 15th floor - very nice. Again escorted us to the lounge, while the check in process happened in the background. The lounge is 3 floors here and is similar to the Hanoi Sheraton lounge in terms of food variety and timings. The only difference is that the Saigon Sheraton is a busier hotel so you don't get the high level of personal service like Hanoi but the service level is still very impressive.
This is a huge hotel with a humungus lobby with traditional Viet music in the evenings followed by a piano dude.
The hotel has a huge pool. It being warm in December I used the pool every day - recommended. The wife and I got a massage in the spa - highly recommended.
Other details: The hotel is in the middle of all the action in the Dong Khoi area. Lots of restaurants nearby. Taxi fare to/from airport not more than 65,000 VND.
Unique feature of this hotel: They allow you to use SPG points for anything and everything (we used 4500 points for a 90 min massage) from Moet champagne bottles to Cu Chi tunnels tour to taxi ride to the airport.
We immensely enjoyed our stay in both the Sheraton properties.
Let me know if there are any questions.
Our itinerary if you are interested: 4 nights in Hanoi, 3 nights on Cat Ba island (Princes Hotel) in the Halong Bay, train to Hue - 3 nights in Hue (Saigon Morin Hotel), bus to Hoi An - 3 nights in Hoi An (Ha An Hotel), flight Da Nang to HCMC to Siem Reap - 5 nights in Siem Reap (Prince d'Angkor Hotel), bus to Phnom Penh - 1 night in PP (Imperial Garden), Ferry to Chau Doc, Vietnam; bus to Can Tho - 3 nights in Can Tho(Ninh Kieu Hotel), bus to HCMC - 4 nights in HCMC.
We started in Hanoi and worked our way to HCMC (Saigon) and then did a 5 day trip to Siem Reap to visit the Angkor temples.
I used my SPG points for both the properties.
Hanoi Sheraton (4000 points a night). Excellent hotel, recognized me as a plat and escorted me and Mrs Magiclamp to the exec lounge while they checked us in. While having our breakfast they brought us the room key - a room on the 17th floor with a view of the lake. The room was really well furnished with a pretty big bathroom and good bath products. The bed was the Sheraton sweet sleeper. The hotel exudes richness and you feel like you are in a big luxury hotel. The staff were very personable and the lounge staff looked after us very well. The lounge is open all day with a full hot breakfast (Western+Vietnamese food) in the morning, tea/coffee/drinks through the day and evening appetizers (Western+Viet). This is the best SPG or Marriott lounge I have ever been to. Mr Dat is the lounge manager and is very efficient.
It was not warm enough for us to use the pool so no comments there, the wife used the spa for a massage ($25) and she loved it. There is a good sized gym but again we didnt use it.
The hotel has a slightly pricey travel/tour organizer who are very efficent and professional, we used them to get our Cambodian visas done. We did not book any tours through them as they were about 30-40% more expensive than the tours in town.
Other details: The hotel is about 5-6 KM outside the old quarter of Hanoi. You have to take a taxi to get to and from the hotel (approx 40,000-45,000 VND). Few restaurants near the hotel. To get to the hotel from the airport the standard taxi fare is USD 10.00
Saigon Sheraton (5000 points a night when I booked the hotel, it's 7000 points/night now). Recognized me as a plat and gave me a suite on the 15th floor - very nice. Again escorted us to the lounge, while the check in process happened in the background. The lounge is 3 floors here and is similar to the Hanoi Sheraton lounge in terms of food variety and timings. The only difference is that the Saigon Sheraton is a busier hotel so you don't get the high level of personal service like Hanoi but the service level is still very impressive.
This is a huge hotel with a humungus lobby with traditional Viet music in the evenings followed by a piano dude.
The hotel has a huge pool. It being warm in December I used the pool every day - recommended. The wife and I got a massage in the spa - highly recommended.
Other details: The hotel is in the middle of all the action in the Dong Khoi area. Lots of restaurants nearby. Taxi fare to/from airport not more than 65,000 VND.
Unique feature of this hotel: They allow you to use SPG points for anything and everything (we used 4500 points for a 90 min massage) from Moet champagne bottles to Cu Chi tunnels tour to taxi ride to the airport.
We immensely enjoyed our stay in both the Sheraton properties.
Let me know if there are any questions.
Our itinerary if you are interested: 4 nights in Hanoi, 3 nights on Cat Ba island (Princes Hotel) in the Halong Bay, train to Hue - 3 nights in Hue (Saigon Morin Hotel), bus to Hoi An - 3 nights in Hoi An (Ha An Hotel), flight Da Nang to HCMC to Siem Reap - 5 nights in Siem Reap (Prince d'Angkor Hotel), bus to Phnom Penh - 1 night in PP (Imperial Garden), Ferry to Chau Doc, Vietnam; bus to Can Tho - 3 nights in Can Tho(Ninh Kieu Hotel), bus to HCMC - 4 nights in HCMC.
#53
Moderator: GLBT travelers, India-based Airlines and India; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Asia
Programs: Yes!
Posts: 15,512
Bump!
How much did the hotel charge for it?
I'm going to Saigon for the first time next month, and my flight into SGN arrives just before 11pm. So it'll be quite a late night trip from the airport to the hotel. Would it be best / safest to book the hotel transfer or is the pre-paid taxi from the airport reliable enough?
Also, I'm facing a choice between a rate of US$150 at the Sheraton (with Plat status for club benefits, breakfast etc.) versus the Park Hyatt at US$162 (no status, but rate includes upgrade, breakfast and 1 free lunch during stay.)
Any recommendations greatly appreciated!
TIA!
Originally Posted by airbust
I stayed there in September. I sent an email to the hotel with my flight details and they had someone at the airport waiting to pick me up. Very easy, and didnt have to think twice about it.
I'm going to Saigon for the first time next month, and my flight into SGN arrives just before 11pm. So it'll be quite a late night trip from the airport to the hotel. Would it be best / safest to book the hotel transfer or is the pre-paid taxi from the airport reliable enough?
Also, I'm facing a choice between a rate of US$150 at the Sheraton (with Plat status for club benefits, breakfast etc.) versus the Park Hyatt at US$162 (no status, but rate includes upgrade, breakfast and 1 free lunch during stay.)
Any recommendations greatly appreciated!
TIA!
#54
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Rural Ozarks These Days
Programs: UA and BA
Posts: 221
Originally Posted by AJLondon
Bump!
How much did the hotel charge for it?
I'm going to Saigon for the first time next month, and my flight into SGN arrives just before 11pm. So it'll be quite a late night trip from the airport to the hotel. Would it be best / safest to book the hotel transfer or is the pre-paid taxi from the airport reliable enough?
TIA!
How much did the hotel charge for it?
I'm going to Saigon for the first time next month, and my flight into SGN arrives just before 11pm. So it'll be quite a late night trip from the airport to the hotel. Would it be best / safest to book the hotel transfer or is the pre-paid taxi from the airport reliable enough?
TIA!
Enjoy Vietnam, I love it!
SEA2BA
#55
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: UA 1k, UA MM, MB Amb, Hyatt Globalist, Accor Plat (ha ha), Hertz Pres, etc.
Posts: 239
Originally Posted by AJLondon
Bump!
How much did the hotel charge for it?
I'm going to Saigon for the first time next month, and my flight into SGN arrives just before 11pm. So it'll be quite a late night trip from the airport to the hotel. Would it be best / safest to book the hotel transfer or is the pre-paid taxi from the airport reliable enough?
Also, I'm facing a choice between a rate of US$150 at the Sheraton (with Plat status for club benefits, breakfast etc.) versus the Park Hyatt at US$162 (no status, but rate includes upgrade, breakfast and 1 free lunch during stay.)
Any recommendations greatly appreciated!
TIA!
How much did the hotel charge for it?
I'm going to Saigon for the first time next month, and my flight into SGN arrives just before 11pm. So it'll be quite a late night trip from the airport to the hotel. Would it be best / safest to book the hotel transfer or is the pre-paid taxi from the airport reliable enough?
Also, I'm facing a choice between a rate of US$150 at the Sheraton (with Plat status for club benefits, breakfast etc.) versus the Park Hyatt at US$162 (no status, but rate includes upgrade, breakfast and 1 free lunch during stay.)
Any recommendations greatly appreciated!
TIA!
BTW, have never stayed at the Hyatt, but I have only good things to say about the Sheraton.
#56
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum (3MM), QF Lifetime Gold, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, Ex-Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 7,541
Also, I'm facing a choice between a rate of US$150 at the Sheraton (with Plat status for club benefits, breakfast etc.) versus the Park Hyatt at US$162 (no status, but rate includes upgrade, breakfast and 1 free lunch during stay.)
Any recommendations greatly appreciated!
TIA!
#57
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: TG Plat , AF Lifetime Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 915
The Sheraton Hanoi has to be the stingiest SPG property in Asia, when it comes to suite upgrades.
I get suites at the Westins and Sheratons in Taipei,Tokyo, KL, Singapore, Osaka , Sydney and others.
After close to 10 stays in Hanoi, I never got a suite there.
I get suites at the Westins and Sheratons in Taipei,Tokyo, KL, Singapore, Osaka , Sydney and others.
After close to 10 stays in Hanoi, I never got a suite there.
#58
Join Date: Sep 1999
Programs: AA EXP, SPG PLT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton GLD
Posts: 974
There are numerous threads in the Hyatt forum regarding the Park Hyatt, but overall, the Park Hyatt is a smaller, more intimate hotel and has less of a busy atmosphere. No club lounge at the Park Hyatt, but not really needed either. Beautiful pool at Park Hyatt. Given equal dollars (insane at today's rates), I prefer the Park Hyatt. Sheraton also just opened a new luxury tower with higher rates, but I have not seen a reason to spend the money.
#59
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum (3MM), QF Lifetime Gold, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, Ex-Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 7,541
There are numerous threads in the Hyatt forum regarding the Park Hyatt, but overall, the Park Hyatt is a smaller, more intimate hotel and has less of a busy atmosphere. No club lounge at the Park Hyatt, but not really needed either. Beautiful pool at Park Hyatt. Given equal dollars (insane at today's rates), I prefer the Park Hyatt. Sheraton also just opened a new luxury tower with higher rates, but I have not seen a reason to spend the money.