Mint Hotel

The central location was handy, with plenty of bars and places to eat nearby, and the hotel was nice enough. But it didn't feel like a four-star place, and there wasn't much else going for it. Several advertised items were missing from our room, including a fridge and hand soap. There was a kettle, but no cups, mugs, spoons, coffee, or tea, so we weren't sure what it was for. The bidet leaked and kept the bathroom floor wet. Staff did find a fridge from another room when we asked. The street music was very loud from 11pm to 3am, making it hard to sleep. We'd booked four nights, but after two days we asked to move to a quieter room. They agreed, for an extra 450k for a “suite” that had no TV or kitchen items, and a leaking basin we couldn't use. The floor and bedding were a little dirty, and cupboards, shelves, and walls showed visible wear. It was disappointing for a hotel that wasn't the cheapest by Vietnamese standards, and the staff didn't seem very interested in making us comfortable. Passable at best.

We wanted somewhere in district 1 that wasn't right on the street or just one shabby building. This place had a nice exterior and interior, and the cat has a great personality once you get to know them. We chose a balcony room for our four-night stay, and the balcony was unusually nice for the price. It's also fairly close to the airport. The hotel is a couple of blocks to the right of the walking street, close enough to reach easily but far enough that the sound stays away. It stays open all night, with breakfast and coffee available by 6-7. The noise didn't bother us much, though anyone bothered by even a little sound should bring earplugs. We did walk along the street at night after touring the city during the day. The woman at the counter kindly arranged early check-in for a nominal fee when we arrived at 4am. They also kept our luggage for a week while we went to Mekong delta and Phuquoc on a bike. They have secure bike parking, though once you have a bike, it's your responsibility.

We left because the conditions were unacceptable. The first room was full of bugs, dirty and poorly maintained, and had no toilet paper. It was advertised with a TV, but all we found was the wall bracket. We showed the receptionist the bugs and the state of the room. She was courteous and offered another room for one night, since it was booked for the rest of our stay. That room was just as dirty and buggy, so we asked for a refund. The receptionist said she needed to speak with her manager. After seeing the second room, she came back and said the manager had refused a refund. We could stay in the new room for the night or leave without getting our money back. She also said that if a refund were given, she would have to pay for it herself, which seemed unfair since the problems weren't under her control. When we asked to speak to the manager, we were told she was unavailable because she was in the United States. At check-in, the receptionist had asked whether we wanted to pay then or at the end of our stay. We paid upfront, which we regretted. This was the worst hotel experience I've ever had, and the worst part of our whole trip through Southeast Asia. I'd strongly recommend avoiding it unless you're comfortable with dirty, bug-infested rooms.

The lobby has a nice feel to it, and there's an outdoor cafe right outside with pleasant baristas. The room was satisfactory and the staff were friendly. I saw the negative Google reviews, but I found it to be a pretty decent hotel. I do wish there had been a small fridge in the room.