Visiting Ho Chi Minh City after five years is always an adventure. We are staying in District 1 which is the centre of Saigon and this part of the clean city offers plenty of opportunities for luxury shopping and fine dining. Here at Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon, the view alone offers a relaxing environment in such a busy location. The hotel is a preferred destination for those wanting to visit Saigon for leisure or business.
For hotel guests, the river view has a mystique about it. So much is happening whilst peering at this river. The club suite lounge rooms offer an unobtrusive sunrise view. At night, the river transforms into a mirror that reflects the city’s glittering lights. During the day I took pleasure in watching the passing boats and the floating plants being carried by the current.
The location is in District 1’s financial and commercial hub. For guests near attractions like Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Opera House, and the National History Museum makes sightseeing in the city very accessible and convenient.
View over the Saigon river towards Vietnam’s tallets tower the 81 Landmark.
Saigon River, with the high-speed boat terminal offering fast connections to Vung Tau.
Reception
First impressions count for me when entering any hotel reception area. When entering the noticeable smell of the reception area was very relaxing. This reception area with its calming colour tones and clean, contemporary forms was intriguing. The 3D design throughout was very inviting and awoke my senses. The Feng shui was very inviting and visually an unexpected modern design here in Vietnam. The bar also was lovely to sit in whilst waiting for our R Club River View suite.
R Club River View
This large R Club river view and suites granted us exclusive Club privileges. The river view was stunning and so very entertaining to watch both day and night. In front of me was the most interesting entertainment of bikes and cars going around the roundabout. Both day and night observing the way city life operated were unique to the Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon. This unobtrusive view meant I could soak up being reminded I was in Ho Chi Minh City.
The guestrooms are contemporary and provide a variety of bedding options to ensure a relaxing stay. We are always working so the free high-speed internet access and a dedicated working desk with a river view are just two examples of thoughtful extras that made our stay productive and comfortable. The dedicated lounge area meant we could shut the door allowing my partner to sleep, without being disturbed.
I appreciated the kitchen sink and cupboards which meant no mess was made when drinking complimentary beer, tea, or coffee. The extra Japanese toilet in this room meant I did not have to disturb sleeping guests to access the toilet. There was also a dedicated round table for either eating on or in my case I used it as a working desk overlooking the river.
None of the rooms allow smoking so when I was sitting on the comfortable lounge overlooking the river view this enriched my stay.
Bathroom
The bathroom is comfortable with plenty of fluffy large towels. There was a nice big bath with a dedicated shower. I like how they have sustainably reusable and refilled large amenities bottles, this is something I am seeing more and more in hotels and this saves a lot on throw-away plastic bottles.
Club Lounge
We were staying on the 17th floor and the club lounge was on the 18th floor. The hotel has an Atrium that goes the full height of the hotel. So whilst waiting for the elevator I enjoyed the internal views the atrium offered.
The club lounge offers great views over the river enhancing the eating and drinking experience. The food on offer was fresh, plenty, and tasty. The presentation and variety of food for a club lounge were of a very high level. From Asian selections to Western cuisine, there was plenty of food for everyone’s taste buds.
Plenty of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages were available. A nice variety of French cheeses and warm fresh bread were lovely to indulge in. The staff service was very attentive and they made sure the tables were super clean during and after my stay. Lastly, the presentations and tastes of the desserts were divine. Time to hit that gym on the top floor.
Roof Top With A View
Here at Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon, there is always a place with a riverside view. The hotel’s dining options cover all bases for an indulgent vacation, from a pool bar and grill that serves western food such as burgers and chips. The expertly create cocktails to aroma all day cafe means my stay was fabulous. The gym, spa, and pool are open to guests from 6 am which means plenty of time to get your body into tip-top condition.
Breakfast
Located on the ground floor once again overlooking the river is an endless amount of food to get my day started. If this is your first time visiting Vietnam then indulge in the love spice. Spices heighten my eating experience while offering a myriad of health benefits to complement my diet. Don’t get confused as spices do not mean spicy and the famous Pho soup here in Vietnam is so tasty without being spicy.
I would highly recommend starting off with Vietnamese soups and indulging in a world of pure taste buds overload. There were plenty of pastries, omelettes, cereals, fresh bacon, and sausages to eat my morning away. The buffet presentation and freshness were to a very high standard. I tried Vietnamese coffee, for those that were not aware, Vietnam has there very own coffee plantations in the area around Đà Lạt. I have been there and it is worth a visit.
Conclusion
With so many exciting things to do in and around Ho Chi Minh City. My hotel stay really adds to that extra special travel experience. Here at Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon the staff, food, and comfort of staying in a very centrally located area, meant my overall stay in Vietnam was a memorable one. Thank you for a wonderful relaxing stay.
Details
- Room reviewed: R Club River View
- Website: www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sgnbr-renaissance-riverside-hotel-saigon/overview/
- Address: 15 Đ. Tôn Đức Thắng, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh City, Vietnam
- Phone: +84 028 3822 0033
