GK Central Hotel

One of the more modern hotels in Ho Chi Minh City, GK Central Hotel is a housed in a nine-story, shiny white building, with large glass doors leading to contemporary interiors. The brightly lit lobby is spotless and sleek, but the gleaming white tiles and boxy suede gray chairs making up the small seating area are slightly stark, and not the most inviting for lounging purposes. A small gift shop corner selling local trinkets adds some color to the space, but most of the hotel -- including the dining room at the back of the ground floor -- features similarly neutral-toned decor that lacks distinctive character. However, the property is comfortable and clean, and a practical and popular choice for both tourists and business travelers.

Located on a busy main road in one of Ho Chi Minh City’s central business and entertainment districts, GK Central Hotel is ideally situated for visitors arriving for either work or leisure, as many major tourist attractions are within walking distance. The large Ben Thanh Market is a four-minute walk away, and the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum are 10 and 12 minutes away on foot, respectively. Several bus stops are under five minutes away, and 20 to 30 minutes on public transport will reach additional sites like the Vietnam History Museum and the Jade Emperor Pagoda. Tan Son Nhat International Airport is a 23-minute drive away. The hotel’s prime location means it’s also exposed to noise from traffic, construction, and nightlife. 

Like the common areas, hotel rooms here are immaculate but blandly tasteful, with wooden floors, cream walls, and bed frames and drapes in muted shades. Work desks and bedside tables are simple, and aside from the single framed prints above the beds, the decor is minimal. With Superior Rooms starting at 160 square feet, rooms are also small and have limited closet space. Several rooms come with balconies for an extra charge. Others have large windows, though views vary between city panoramas and the rear of the neighboring building, and street-facing rooms aren’t well-insulated from noise. 

All rooms come with coffee-and-tea-making facilities, minibars, and free bottled water. LCD TVs and safes are also provided, and Wi-Fi is both free and fast. Ironing equipment is available upon request in Superior Rooms, but already provided in Deluxe and Signature Rooms. Universal power points by the beds and in the bathrooms are convenient touches for international travelers.

Bathrooms are also small, but modern and well-maintained. Except for Superior Rooms, which have shower/tub combos with handheld showerheads, all others come with glass door walk-in showers with handheld showerheads, though their design makes them easily leak during use. Hairdryers and free toiletries are provided.

Amenities here are scant, as there’s no restaurant, bar, pool, or fitness facilities. However, the smallish Ninety Nine Lounge functions as a dining room where free breakfast is served daily. The menu is decent but not extensive, with a simple buffet of bread, salads, and beverages, along with some hot items and made-to-order eggs.

The hotel’s 24-hour business center is a convenient feature, providing free use of a copy machine, printer, and fax machine along with office supplies. A meeting room is also open to guests and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.