La Vela Saigon Hotel

We sat by the pool and bar watching the sunset on a picturesque evening. The infinity edge pool and rooftop area were stunning. The hotel itself was visually impressive from the moment we arrived, with Christmas decorations in the foyer, including a huge gingerbread house. I stayed three weeks ago, just before Christmas. It’s in a clean part of the city, near some hidden dining gems. The resort also has a fabulous buffet, the biggest I’ve seen, and it was exciting to look at and tasty. Friendly staff and outstanding service topped it all off.

We tried the steak restaurant, but it wasn’t great. I ordered it medium and it came out cooked through, and the prices were pretty high for Vietnam. The rest of the stay was great. The hotel is very luxurious, with friendly, professional staff, spacious rooms, and comfortable beds. We were on the 23rd floor and didn’t hear much outside noise. The rooftop pool was amazing, with plenty of seating by the pool and bar, and great 360-degree views. I’d stay here again.

The bathroom is so tiny it feels like an afterthought, and the front lounge has guest bags scattered everywhere, giving the place a constant sense of disorder. Getting to the rooftop is a whole trek: go up to level 25, then wind upstairs and around corners. At the end, you find cracked pool tiles that have supposedly been under repair for over a year, plus lighting so bright it feels more like an interrogation than a place to relax. Breakfast coffee is another letdown. Even with a barista there, they serve it from an automated machine, and every cup tastes awful. The staff are friendly if you mean they talk back and have a charming lack of manners. If you’re after the lowest end of what gets called a five-star hotel, La Vela Hotel is highly recommended. Management could start with a complete overhaul. Until then, it’s a shining example of how not to run a so-called luxury hotel.

The hotel had clean, comfortable, well-equipped rooms and friendly staff who really wanted to help. The buffet breakfast was lovely if you went early in its four-hour service window, and the pool was beautiful, with great city views. Its location was convenient for the airport. But it cost a lot, and the organization didn’t match the price. I booked hoping to unwind by the pool after a busy holiday. There were only around 15-20 seats or loungers, despite plenty of deck space for more, at a hotel with hundreds of rooms and guests. The pool is beautiful, but don’t count on being able to use it during your stay.