Mercure Vung Tau

The bathroom had good ventilation and no smell, and we didn’t find any mosquitoes in the rooms. I liked that much better than the 5 star hotel the Apurva Kempinski where we stayed in Bali. The hotel sits beside a quiet public beach, with wide paths that felt safe for walks early in the morning and at night. It’s also close to attractions, restaurants, and coffee shops, and the sunset views are lovely. Breakfast and the restaurants had plenty of tasty vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. The restaurant and buffet staff were helpful, and the receptionist who checked me in was wonderful, though I was so tired I forgot her name. Mai at reception was superb too, helping me make a call and arrange transportation. Service could be better: many staff didn’t greet us as we passed, and some didn’t answer when we said hello. A dead lizard lay in the hallway outside room 203 for two days, which scared my kids. Still, it’s a lovely place to stay and relax.

The location is lovely, and the rooms on the non-hillside side are nice, but the price doesn’t match what you get from a Mercure. Staff seem poorly trained. More than once I had to open the taxi door and collect my luggage while they looked at their phones. It didn’t feel safe to me; there are guards, but the hotel’s security overall didn’t seem sufficient. Breakfast was disappointing too. I’ve had better selections at Ibis hotels in Vietnam. The hillside section creates another problem: guests have to cross a fairly substantial road, and I’m surprised there haven’t been accidents. Nobody from the staff helps customers cross, especially at night or after dinner, which is ridiculous. The hotel seems to sit in an odd classification tier for Southeast Asia, and it underperformed for the prices they charge.

The outdoor restaurant was quiet and relaxed, a nice setting for couples, and I enjoyed dinner there. I came in without a booking after noticing the place looked good and was well situated. At the front desk, " Khen" was especially friendly and helpful with my requests. They went out of their way to arrange a private ride back to Ho Chi Minh hotel for me. Thanks for sorting out the ride, "Khen". You were amazing, and I’ll definitely stay here next time I’m back.

There’s a lot for a family to enjoy here, from the infinity pool and breakfast to all the spots for photos. Having its own private beach is unusual for a resort in Vung Tau, and the French colonial style gives the place a nice feel. The service was top notch, as you’d expect at an Accor hotel, and I thought it was very good value. I’m not sure why it isn’t more popular.