PARKROYAL Saigon

Housed in a boxy tall white building, the PARKROYAL Saigon generally feels like your typical airport hotel (albeit an upscale one). Decor is contemporary but a little generic, and the crowd is mostly business travelers. The first thing that stands out upon entering the lobby is the huge wood-carved folding screen behind the front desk. A red carpet with a big geometric design contrasts with the white front desks placed at an angle to the main entrance. The lobby bar is a nice spot for an after-work drink while listening to one of the live performances. The space is appealing and stylish, with exposed wooden beams and colorful seating areas placed along floor-to-ceiling windows. Overall, the common areas are pleasant if a little corporate, and this style extends to the rooms.

Being located near the airport and the Tan Binh Exhibition and Convention Center, the property draws mostly business travelers, but its solid amenities and free shuttle to and from the city center also attract couples who want to stay away from the hustle and bustle of central Ho Chi Minh. For a few extra dollars, the Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel offers similar amenities in a central location within walking distance of most major tourist attractions.

The hotel is located on a busy street directly south of the airport. This neighborhood is convenient for those doing business in the area and for travelers with early flights out of Ho Chi Minh -- but there isn’t much to do here for tourists. The Tan Binh Exhibition and Conference Center is just a quick drive away, and there are a few shops and restaurants within a few blocks of the hotel. However, major District 1 attractions -- such as the Opera House, the Ben Thanh Market, the Fine Arts Museum, Huynh Thuc Khang street market, Notre Dame Basilica, the War Remnants Museum, and the Independence Palace -- are all a 15- to 30-minute drive away depending on driving conditions. The hotel offers free shuttle service to/from the city center.

PARKROYAL Saigon’s 186 rooms are divided into three main categories: Standard, Orchid Deluxe, and Suites. All units are spacious and modern with large double-glazed windows, either king beds or two twins, and up-to-date amenities, such as free Wi-Fi, LCD TVs, minibars, and electric kettles. Standard Rooms are the most generic of all units, featuring black wooden furniture and decor in a business-y gray palette. Bathrooms in these rooms are also the most basic and dated, although clean and overall nice. The rest of the rooms are more attractive, with pale pink accent walls, blonde wood furniture, cream-colored carpets, and deep pink bed runners with matching round pillows on armchairs. Deep soaking tubs and separate walk-in rain showers, glass walls overlooking the bedrooms (with curtains for privacy), dark floors, and light gray wall tiling make bathrooms in Orchid Rooms and Suites sleeker than those found in Standard units. Also, Orchid Rooms and Suites offer access to the Orchid Club, which features free breakfast, evening drinks, and hors d’oeuvres, among other perks. Some Premier Rooms have kitchenettes, and free bottled water is available in every room.

As a hotel that caters mostly to business travelers, the PARKROYAL Saigon offers nice perks for those in town for work, including free Wi-Fi, airport pick-up service, a fully equipped business center with secretarial services, and eight meeting rooms. The fitness center is small, but features a decent array of machines, and the spa offers a solid menu of treatments, including facials. Lined by padded loungers and local plants, the mid-sized pool is appealing and relaxing, and offers bar service complete with light bites. The hotel has a solid buffet restaurant serving up an international spread in an attractive space overlooking the pool. The staff will pack a few tasty breakfast items for those with an early flight. Lotus Bar, located off the lobby and offering live performances at night, is a nice spot for a nightcap. Free shuttle service to and from the city center is available, and outdoor parking is offered to all guests free of charge.