Dahlialand Saigon Hotel & Swimming Pool

Yen, our housekeeper, was so friendly, and the breakfast team were lovely too. Ellen made wonderful omelettes while keeping an eye on the dining room, and Rose quietly kept everything clean and fresh. The staff really are delightful. It’s an affordable place in a handy District 1 location, with plenty of bars and restaurants nearby. I’d happily come back.

Breakfast was amazing, with a huge spread and eggs made just how you like them. By evening I was hungry again, which says a lot. The top-floor restaurant was the letdown. The views weren’t like the pictures, it shared space with the pool so we had to dodge splashes, and the two pizzas cost 380 dong and tasted like frozen ones. It took 20 minutes to get a soda and beer, and other diners were still asking about their cocktails. The entrance felt welcoming, and the staff were professional and incredibly helpful. Our room wasn’t ready at 3 pm as promised. They offered either a 30-minute wait or a family-room upgrade, with a later move back to our booked room. We didn’t want to wait after a long journey. The room we got had a double bed instead of the twin we’d booked, and my wife and I were pleasantly surprised. The rooms were clean and tidy, so overall it was a very good hotel.

I developed a rash after sleeping on the bedding, which was extremely dirty and had dust mites on the bed. It also smelled strongly of Southeast Asian perfume. When I tried to check out because of this, the front desk staff acted as if they didn’t understand, refused to help, and even went to sleep. The hotel still hasn’t resolved the problem that the bedding was too unclean for me to check in, and I haven’t received a refund. The front desk was rude from the start. The brochure said cards were accepted, but they required cash at check-in, then pretended not to understand when I asked for change and refused to give it. This was the most outrageous experience I’ve had with any hotel I booked on Booking.com. Be cautious about booking here.

The staff made this a great stay, from reception and housekeeping to the restaurant. Sheryl at the front desk had an excellent attitude and was ready to help with anything. Thomas and Finn made sure food arrived on time and offered an umbrella when it was raining. Chef Angela made tasty Pho with a lovely smile, and the breakfast team kept tables available and the food stocked. Breakfast had lots of choices, and everything was very clean. Housekeeping was outstanding, the beds were comfortable, and the rooms spacious. The hotel is well located, with a short walk to shopping, the market, and plenty of places to eat. My only small inconvenience was that they couldn’t provide an iron. Laundry was available, but getting clothes back took a few hours. I’d definitely recommend it.