Apa Saigon Hotel

We had everything we needed in the superior double room, plus a kitchenette that made simple meals easy. It had a window, AC and a fan, and there was free laundry. The room and lobby were really clean, and having a lift was handy for the upper floors. Breakfast was free, cooked to order, different each morning, delicious, and filling. Staff were friendly and helpful. The hotel is tucked down an alley near a market, so it's quiet inside, though there's plenty of bustle just outside. The main tourist spots aren't right nearby, but they're about a 15-20 minute walk away. My phone died in the torrential rain, and they gave me a bowl of rice to try drying it. We arrived before check-in and paid 50% of the room rate to get into our room right away. There was also a 1% charge for paying by debit card. I'd definitely stay here again.

The bunk room I had was windowless, but clean and roomy enough for a few days. It had a small kitchenette with a fridge, though nowhere to sit. It's a nice little hotel in a fascinating neighborhood, and the staff are friendly and know enough English. I'd recommend it.

The one bright spot was the woman who cooked and served breakfast each day with a smile. Otherwise, the hotel wasn't worth it. Our room hadn't been cleaned, the charging point was loose, and there was no Wi-Fi in the room. Staff were hard to find, with no intercom or number to call for help. We arrived at 2pm after a delayed flight, and checking in was difficult because the guard didn't understand English. During our two-night stay, a woman came by only to collect payment on our last day and didn't help with anything else.

We could hear every sound from noisy guests during the night, and the security guard didn't seem to do anything about it. The room itself needs a serious makeover: the AC barely cools and mostly acts like a fan, and the kitchen doesn't have enough utensils to cook with. Breakfast was free but had no choices and was inedible. There wasn't even milk for coffee. I checked in yesterday, and my bad first impression turned out to be right. I've already paid for two nights, so I have to put up with another day. Don't rely on the fake reviews or make the same mistake.