Byla Studio

Byla seemed like a decent, reasonably priced place to me after I compared it with places across the central districts of HCMC. I stayed for two months, left, then came back for another month, three months total. The staff were nice, and the janitor cleaned the room very carefully. I really like the place.

I wouldn't recommend staying here. It's overpriced, and eight massage sex shops are right next door. People from them kept asking us to come in and have sex whenever we entered or left, which was really annoying. Cooking fish in the lobby made the place smell, and the family living there had been moved to a queen bed with four people. My five-day power bill was another problem: they tried to charge 2,400,000 Vnd, over $100 USD. They usually take meter photos when guests arrive and leave, but there was only a photo from when I left, not from when I started renting. It felt like they were trying to overcharge me and take my money. My stay itself was fine, but the experience left a bad impression.

The room was clean and artistic, and the owner was very friendly.