Sai Gon Hub Hostel & Bar

The staff did help carry our bags up to the 7th floor, and I appreciated that. But my room still wasn’t ready more than an hour after the official check-in time, despite my arriving early and leaving my luggage there. The bedsheet had old blood stains, the headboard was marked, and there were insects in the curtains. Privacy was a serious problem. Staff moved around in the same room area as guests, even if in separate compartments, and sometimes pulled back curtains to look inside without asking while guests were present. The shower in my bathroom was broken. I was told to use the neighboring room’s bathroom, but its water heater wasn’t working either, so I had to shower in cold water. Cleanliness needs a lot of work. Blankets, sheets, pillows, and mattresses need thorough cleaning and timely replacement, and floors should be vacuumed, swept, and mopped regularly. Staff and guest accommodation should be separate. Having them together is unacceptable and compromises guests’ privacy.

The owner was very nice, responsive, and accommodating, which I appreciated. Still, the online photos didn’t look like what we found when we arrived. It’s cheap and basic, and we might have managed that under different circumstances, but we were traveling with older people who struggled with the stairs and didn’t feel comfortable there. We left before finishing our stay and flew to our next stop the following morning, earlier than planned. This hostel seems better suited to friends or backpackers. We didn’t feel safe leaving our things, and had trouble locking the door. It wasn’t the worst hostel experience I’ve had, unfortunately.

The bed was comfortable and there was a fridge in the room. The price was low enough that we might consider coming back, since we expected a modest hostel and had a very good experience with the food, people, and culture. Still, if you want somewhere rated three stars or above, this isn’t a fit. We stayed during Halloween, and the hostel was just around the corner from the festivities. Open markets selling produce and prepared meals were nearby too. Expect torrential rain at that time of year. We chose the place for a hostel-like stay, and that’s what we got. After check-in, we were moved from our original room to one with a malfunctioning hot water heater. The bathroom mirror was streaky, there was no toilet paper until we asked, and the room hadn’t been cleaned. We also had to request towels, and the ones we got smelled of sweat.

Clean, comfortable rooms, friendly and helpful staff, and good value for the money. The location in Ho Chi Minh City is excellent, with everything I needed close by. I’d definitely stay here again.