Rex Hotel

The Rex Hotel occupies a large five-story corner building in the center of Ho Chi Minh City, with several luxury boutiques located on the ground floor. The exterior of the building is unremarkable, but the interiors provide the sense of arrival expected of a luxury hotel. The lobby is spacious and light-filled, and decked out with white marble floors with red carpets. Guests check in at a long reception counter made of elegant black marble. A marble staircase lit by chandeliers adds to the Old World atmosphere, but some may find these regal interiors a bit old fashioned. The Rex is one of the city's landmark hotels, and has an exclusive feel to it with a luxury shopping arcade located on the ground floor featuring high-end boutiques such as Rolex and Chanel. The hotel's central location makes it a popular place to stay with leisure travelers and business travelers alike. 

The Rex Hotel is located in an upscale neighborhood right in the center of Ho Chi Minh City with many tourist attractions in walking distance. It's also the city's business district, making the hotel a convenient place to stay for business travelers.

• Two-minute walk to Union Square Shopping Mall
• Four-minute walk to Opera House
• Seven-minute walk to Saigon Central Post Office
• Seven-minute walk to Ben Trahn Market
• Eight-minute walk to Notre Dame Cathedral
• Nine-minute walk to Bitexco Financial Tower
• 10-minute walk to Independence Palace
• 10-minute drive to Pham Ngu Lao Street (Backpacker Street)
• 12-minute drive to War Remnant Museum
• 29-minute drive to Tan Son Nhat International Airport 
• 30-minute drive to Giac Lam Pagoda
• Two-hour drive to Cu Chi Tunnels

The spacious guest rooms and suites at The Rex are decorated in an elegant, classical style, with hardwood floors, furniture finished in warm mahogany tones, crisp white bedding, and a neutral color palette of beige, brown, and gray. The high ceilings and mirrors make the rooms feel spacious and bright, and the elegant lamps add soft mood lighting. All rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi access. Other handy extras include electronic safes, irons and ironing boards, and bathrobes and slippers. Windows are soundproofed against street noise as well. Suites are decorated with tasteful patterned wallpaper and colonial-style furniture with Chinese accents. These also have separate sitting areas, and some feature Juliet balconies. 

Clad in brown and beige marble, the large and comfortable bathrooms have separate bathtubs, and large walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads. Toiletries, hairdryers, and bathroom scales are also provided. Some past guests have complained of problems with low water pressure, and of signs of wear and tear, suggesting that some rooms are in need of refurbishment.

As a luxury hotel, the Rex has plenty of posh features. A buffet breakfast is included in the room rates and includes a large and varied spread of dishes, including Western breakfast foods, as well as Japanese and local Vietnamese specialties. The hotel's Rooftop Garden, with scenic views of the city, is one of the city's iconic restaurants, and it was from here that international correspondents would broadcast news reports during the Vietnam War. The hotel's other restaurants include Hoa Mai, and Cung Dinh, both serving Vietnamese cuisine. The Paradise Coffee Lounge on the ground floor features live piano music daily and is open throughout the day for coffee, drinks, and afternoon tea. The property's Vertical Garden is the country's biggest gravity-defying garden, made up of tropical plants and waterfalls. Drinks and light meals are served here during the day. Prices at all the hotel's restaurants and bars tend to be expensive and some might consider them overpriced compared to other local hotels.

The hotel has two outdoor pools on the rooftop: a smallish lap pool and a second larger pool, plus lounge chairs and umbrellas. There's also a rooftop tennis court. The fitness center has treadmills, stationary bikes, and weights, and trainers are available. However, past guests have complained that some of the fitness equipment is out of date and not well-maintained. The on-site spa includes a hot tub, and an area for massage treatments, and a variety of Vietnamese, Indian, and Chinese health and beauty treatments. 

The Executive Lounge is open throughout the day and accessible to guests staying in the Rex Executive Wing. Perks include welcome drinks, international newspapers, free breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails plus coffee, snacks, and business facilities. The hotel also has nine meeting and conference rooms available that can accommodate up to 800 guests. Other services available include concierge, laundry service, currency exchange, limousine service, and parking. Wi-Fi is free and available in all areas of the hotel.