Elios Hotel — Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Our Worst Hotel Experience – A Cautionary Tale: Elios Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Our stay at Elios Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam was nothing short of a nightmare. From the moment we arrived, we were met with rude, arrogant, and unwelcoming behavior from the reception staff — particularly MINH TY. Despite greeting them politely during check-in, we received no response — not even a simple smile or acknowledgment. Initially, we assumed it might be a language barrier, but even after using a translator, their attitude remained cold and indifferent. They seemed visibly unhappy and unwilling to help.

The problems escalated once we reached our room. The air conditioner was not working — it only functioned in fan mode even after 45 minutes. When we reported the issue, a technician came but merely switched modes randomly and left without fixing anything. When we returned to reception to request a room change, we were rudely told nothing could be done and were asked to stay in the same suffocating room — which had no windows and no ceiling fan.

Feeling helpless in a foreign country, we only received support after our local tour organizer intervened nearly an hour later, after which we were given a different room. Unfortunately, even the new room was just average and lacked any sense of comfort.

What truly shocked us was the theft of our Nikon DSLR camera, along with two lenses and its carrying bag, from our room on the second evening. Upon informing the receptionist MINH NHAN (HENRY), we were met with complete indifference. He refused to listen, even with a translator, and made no effort to investigate the situation, involve housekeeping, or check CCTV footage.

When we insisted on speaking to the hotel owner or manager, we were told it was "night time" and nobody could be contacted. He refused to provide any contact information and was blatantly uncooperative. His suspicious behavior made us feel that something was being hidden. Only when we mentioned calling the police and demanding CCTV footage, did he start to look nervous — yet he still refused to act.

Finally, with our tour organizer's help, we spoke to the hotel owner. After explaining everything, he assured us that CCTV footage would be reviewed and that he would respond within 90 minutes. Strangely, within just 75 minutes, the receptionist came to our room and returned the missing camera — with no explanation at all.

This clearly indicated that someone from the hotel staff was involved in the attempted theft, and the threat of involving the police forced them to return the camera. It was a deeply disturbing experience that exposed the serious lack of integrity, professionalism, and safety at this hotel.

Important Advice for Future Travelers Considering Elios Hotel:

Do not trust the photos on the booking websites — the rooms look far better online than in reality.

Thoroughly read recent reviews before booking.

Never leave valuables unattended — always lock them in your luggage or carry them with you.

Don’t expect support from the hotel staff — especially the male receptionists who are arrogant and unhelpful.

Be ready to escalate any issues — and don’t hesitate to threaten legal action if necessary.

You’re better off paying slightly more for a safer, more hospitable hotel experience.

Our stay at Elios Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City was extremely disappointing and distressing. We hope this review serves as a serious warning to fellow travelers. Please think twice before...

Allright, so the Elios doesn't feel as welcoming as some others in the area, but I still found it a great choice. The ladies at reception were particularly helpful, even making personal phone calls for me, as I don't speak Vietnamese. The breakfast buffet is really as good as at the more expensive Alagon, Sanouva, etc. in District 1. Excellent variety and helpful staff there again. My only wish for improvement would be a somewhat softer mattress – but it's really not a deal breaker. AC worked fine. Noise level acceptable. |The hotel has two elevators, and only one of them goes to the 12th floor for the rooftop breakfast – so interesting. When you want to go down, you can actually play both elevators against each other: press Down on both and see which one arrives first!|Right now, the whole pavement on busy Pham Ngu Lao street outside is being repaved: if you plan to walk to and from the hotel (as many people do), you will have to use the street edge (everyone does) most of the time; for some, this may be very uncomfortable if not hazardous, given the heavy traffic, including all the monster buses that stop there for long-distance destinations (a nice convenience though, if you're planning bus travel). Apparently every shopfront is responsible for refurbishing their own section of pavement. While the Elios finished its pavement a long time ago, some of the businesses haven't even started! The stretch between the hotel and the Do Quang Dao cross street on the left as you exit is especially problematic right now; going to the right to De Tham is not too bad. Dropoff and pickups by taxi are never a...

Awful, awful, awful, place - avoid like the PLAGUE. Arrived and the place smells awful, beds unclean. Then as I try to leave the room the door won't open. After being trapped in the room for a while, I realize I can contact reception. They are slow and unresponsive and ultimately can't fix the problem. After finally getting out they regretfully agree to allow me to change room. Later that evening, I realize I lost the room card. My problem, I know. When I go to the desk for help apparently there is a fee of 20 dollars for replacement (WHICH WAS NOT CLEARLY LISTED ANYWHERE), despite being able to see a large stack of available replacement cards. The lady insists upon being payed in cash (presumably so she could pocket it) and when I say I don't have enough she regretfully allows card. However, the exchange rate is awful and basically theft. I then have to leave the hotel and walk down the road to the cockroach infested ATM, to be charged an extra 60000 dong withdrawal fee, where I am unable to withdraw the right amount, leaving me stuck with a further 20 dollars of unusable currency as I am leaving the country the following day. All totaled up this awful hotel took hours of my day and imposed a hidden financial cost equal to that to staying in the hotel for two nights for a scrap of plastic. Again, DO...