Cinnamon Hotel Saigon

The hotel is situated in a narrow six-story historic building that fits right in in its neighborhood of shops, cafes, and residences. Balconies on the front of the white building display hanging and potted plants, giving the hotel a charming residential look. Cafe table and chairs out front give guests a place to pause on the street. Inside, the bright, cheerful lobby doubles as the breakfast spot with a few tables and chairs. Guests are asked to remove their shoes in the reception area to reduce noise on wood floors and to help keep the hotel clean -- it's a thoughtful detail in a hotel that's just a touch more charming than its budget competition. A few slatted-wood installations add a bit of character, as does an Expressionistic painting of sailboats. There is no elevator, so guests must climb the wooden stairs up to their rooms. The hotel is geared to both leisure and business travelers, but couples make up the majority of the guests here. 

The hotel is centrally located in District 1, just off a main street with shops, residences, and local restaurants surrounding it. This is the city's main central neighborhood, and as such the hotel is within an easy walk of plenty of tourist sights. Ben Thanh Market is one of Ho Chi Minh City's most popular destinations, and it can be reached in 10 minutes on foot. The Reunification Palace, Cathedral of Notre Dame, and the Opera House are a 15- to 20-minute walk away. The area has its share of upscale shopping, too, including at Saigon Centre -- which has a number of indie outlets as well as mall shops. Even more shops, cafes, and restaurants can be found along Dong Khoi, a 15-minute walk from the hotel -- expect to see plenty of luxury retailers in this area. Son Nhat Airport is about a 30-minute drive northwest from the hotel. 

The hotel calls its rooms "Inspiration Rooms" as they were created with a goal of promoting a feeling of well-being. They are decorated in a subtle Vietnamese style, with a focus on simple shapes and natural, earthy elements. Floors are wood, ceilings are high, and dark wood furniture is modern and clean-lined. Coat racks provide a place to easily hang things, though there is plenty of storage space otherwise as well. Small details, like hardwood knobs to adjust the speed of the ceiling fan, are a particularly thoughtful touch, and many rooms have sharp bamboo accents or bamboo-paneled ceilings. Pillow-top mattresses are either king- or queen-sized and modern amenities include stocked minibars, flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, free Wi-Fi, and alarm clocks. Bathrooms are tiled in white and colorful mosaics with black accents and come equipped with shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and toiletries. Rooms in the front of the hotel have small balconies furnished with chairs and potted plants that look out over the street and city, though rooms in the back are quieter. The hotel does provide ear plugs.

Despite its charms, features are undeniably thin here. Guests can start their day with a free breakfast served in the lobby area -- it includes a number of a la carte options. Delicious local coffee and tea are available 24/7.  A business desk in the lobby offers two computers for guests to use, and the hotel can help arrange tickets, visas, and sightseeing. Certain packages come with discounts to events like water puppet shows, and airport pickups can be arranged.