M Village Hotel Ton That Dam

The biggest frustration was not the rate, but being unable to make a booking despite actively trying to give M Village my business. The website kept showing a “500 Error” while I tried to reserve a room at M Village Hotel Tôn Thất Đạm for the day before my stay. I tried both my Samsung phone and iPhone and got the same result. I called the hotel four times that night at the number listed online, with no answer. I also emailed screenshots of the error and details of the room I wanted, explaining that I was trying to secure the reservation. Nobody contacted me to help. When someone finally answered my call the next day, I explained what had happened, but the rate for the same dates had gone up. A direct booking shouldn’t take multiple calls, an email, screenshots, and follow-ups just to get basic assistance. I’ve stayed at many M Village properties in Vietnam, including Hanoi, Da Nang, and other places around Saigon, and this experience didn’t match those previous stays. I thought this was a 4-star hotel. I hope management fixes the website and the lack of response so others don’t run into the same problem.

The two things that worked for me were the helpful, friendly, proactive staff and the District 1 location. For what this 4-star hotel costs, that’s just the bare minimum. I found the stay deeply disappointing, and wouldn’t recommend it. The pool was more like a pond, with dead leaves floating in it. It seemed to have had no maintenance and wasn’t swimmable. Breakfast was miserable, too. Calling it a buffet felt like a joke when the choices were eggs and coffee. My first room had broken electrical outlets. On my first night, after checking in and showering, I was ready for bed but couldn’t charge any devices or use the hair dryer. I had to wait a long time for an electrician, who said it couldn’t be fixed. I asked to change rooms, and the replacement had no soundproofing. The hotel is on a street full of nightclubs, and loud noise carried on past midnight. I’m not a light sleeper, and even the earplugs I brought didn’t help. The shower screen also had no waterproof strip at the bottom, so water leaked out and left a large puddle, which is a safety hazard. These aren’t new complaints; previous travelers have mentioned them repeatedly. I’ve never stayed in a worse hotel.

Even in the middle of District 1, the greenery around the building made it feel peaceful. I liked the cozy, community-style atmosphere, which felt more like home than a hotel. My Premier room was clean and beautifully designed, with a comfortable bed and what I needed. The location is handy for cafes, restaurants, and main attractions, though it gets noisy at night. Staff were friendly and check-in was quick. I’d recommend it to anyone visiting Ho Chi Minh City.

There are plenty of local food stalls along the street, and Saigon Centre Mall is an easy walk away. It’s a big modern mall with upmarket shops and Takashimaya; Saigon Square is nearby too, with lots of knock-off clothing. My hotel stay could have been better, though, since I was given a room with a faulty air conditioner.