GARDEN PLAZA SAIGON Hotel

We spent two nights here, and the staff were kind, professional, and always ready to help. The rooms were good, and breakfast was a highlight, including the lovely service team. It's a bit far from the city, but there's a free shuttle. I'd highly recommend it if you're after somewhere near the airport.

The rooms were very clean, and the bathroom had a full set of amenities. You can also order food to the room. The water heater takes a while, so I let it run for five minutes before showering. Reception staff spoke English, the men at the entrance were very polite, and the hotel is close to the airport. It was easy to get a Grabcar to key places, and shuttles go to Saigon Centre and two other spots. I had no complaints during the stay, and they emptied the minibar when I asked because, as a Muslim, I didn't want beer or other alcohol in the mini fridge. I'd recommend the hotel to solo travelers and first-time visitors to HCM. Checkout itself was easy, but the end of the trip left a bad taste. My Grab app was slow to load when I tried to book a ride to the airport, a trip that should have cost about 30k VND, so staff arranged a taxi for 70k. I gave the door staff 100k to split with the receptionist who booked it, but he rushed me into the taxi and kept the whole tip. At the airport, the driver took my 100k and left without giving change. It was a small amount to me, but still an unpleasant end. Have small bills ready if dealing with staff, and book your own Grab rather than using their taxi service.

I was traveling with a group, and the way staff reacted to my laundry request was disappointing. They complained and made inappropriate comments because I sent laundry for friends staying with me in the same group. That felt judgmental and unprofessional. Laundry is on the price list, so guests should be able to use it respectfully and without being shamed. If staff are uncomfortable handling it, the hotel should remove the service instead of offering it with hostility. This left a very negative impression and harms the hotel's reputation.

I keep coming back to this hotel when I travel to Ho Chi Minh. It's in a prime spot close to the airport, and the service is good with well-maintained rooms. If you're vegetarian, though, there aren't many options, so I'd bring some ready-to-eat food.