HAPPY LIFE GRAND HOTEL& SKY BAR — Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

The Unfortunate Theft in a Beautiful Hotel

The hotel is located in a pleasant neighborhood, offering a mix of local charm and tourist-friendly amenities. There are cafes, modern coffee shops, restaurants, food stalls, and stores within walking distance, making it a great area for wandering and exploring. The hotel’s exterior is inviting, with a seating area in front where you can relax with a coffee or beer while enjoying the relatively quiet street.

The staff, particularly at the front desk and bell service, were generally helpful and polite. Breakfast, included in the stay, was simple yet flavorful, showcasing local dishes. The rooftop Sky Bar provides stunning views of the city, though we didn’t get to enjoy it due to cloudy weather during our stay.

Unfortunately, a serious issue marred our experience. After leaving the hotel for one night and returning around 1 a.m., I noticed a large bag containing approximately $400 worth of skincare products was missing. This bag, about the size of a cushion, contained a significant amount of face masks, expensive creams, and serums that I had purchased at a duty-free shop during my layover in Korea on the way to Vietnam. When I reported this to the front desk, I was told nothing could be done immediately as housekeeping was unavailable. Additionally, I was informed of a charge for "dirty towels" amounting to approximately 200,000 VND (around $8), which felt excessive for minor makeup stains.

The next morning, I raised the issue again and spoke with the manager, David. He reviewed the matter but twice accused me of making false claims about the missing items to avoid paying the towel fee. He stated that, between him and myself, he did not believe my accusations were truthful. He also showed me a video of the room after we had left, claiming it was "very messy" and suggesting this could explain why I "lost" my items. While I admitted the room might not have been tidy due to our busy travel schedule, his insinuations and dismissal of my concerns felt highly disrespectful.

I asked to file a police report, but the police dismissed my claim due to a lack of proof that the items were in my possession or that they had been stolen. This left me feeling powerless and frustrated, as I had no way to validate my claim despite knowing the items were in the room prior to my departure.

During our conversation, David mentioned in passing that similar situations had happened in the past, which is why they now take videos of rooms after guests leave. This left me wondering: Was he referring to past accusations of missing items, or actual instances of theft involving guest belongings? I didn’t ask follow-up questions, but the comment raised serious concerns about the hotel’s practices and guest safety.

Additionally, I question whether the practice of filming guests' rooms is legally permitted or ethical. Shouldn’t this be disclosed to guests at check-in, especially since it involves capturing footage of their private belongings? The lack of transparency on this matter was unsettling and added to my discomfort.

David repeatedly stated that he was "not afraid of bad reviews," which struck me as highly unprofessional. I wonder if this same attitude extends to his supervisors or the hotel’s higher management. Are they also confidently "not afraid of bad reviews," just as David seems to be? This indifference towards guest feedback and concerns reflects poorly on the overall management of the hotel.

Overall: Great location and decent amenities, but poor management and guest relations make it hard to recommend. The handling of guest belongings, the accusations, and the lack of disclosure about room filming raise ethical and legal questions. Proceed with caution, especially if you value...

I had the pleasure of staying at the Happy Life Grand Hotel & Rooftop Skybar in July for three unforgettable nights. From the moment I arrived, the warmth and hospitality of the staff made me feel not just like a guest, but like family.

The hotel itself is beautifully appointed—clean, comfortable, and ideally located with breathtaking rooftop views of Saigon’s vibrant skyline. But what truly made this stay exceptional was the staff. Every single person I encountered went above and beyond, and I’d like to highlight a few extraordinary individuals who made a lasting impression:

🌟 Jerry – Room Attendant Jerry is an absolute gem. He took meticulous care of my room each day, ensuring everything was spotless and perfectly arranged. But more than that, his cheerful smile and sincere attitude made every hallway encounter a bright moment in my day. He clearly takes great pride in his work and genuinely cares about guest comfort. Jerry, thank you for your kindness and professionalism!

🌟 Tai & Nguyen – Rooftop Skybar Staff The Skybar is reason enough to stay at this hotel—stunning views, delicious drinks, and a relaxing atmosphere—but Tai and Nguyen made every evening even more memorable. Tai is engaging, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the cocktail menu. Nguyen brings a warm and welcoming energy that makes you want to stay and chat long after your drink is done. Together, they made each visit to the rooftop feel like a VIP experience. Thank you both for your top-tier service!

🌟 Trixie – Receptionist Trixie greeted me with a smile and an upbeat attitude that instantly set the tone for my stay. Her attention to detail during check-in, helpful recommendations, and patient answers to my many questions were all deeply appreciated. She’s a star at the front desk and a wonderful ambassador for the hotel.

🌟 Laurent – Receptionist Laurent brings a professional elegance and calm confidence to the reception team. He handled my requests with grace and efficiency, always ensuring I felt taken care of. He’s clearly experienced and has a warm, understated charm that puts guests at ease.

🌟 Duyen – Receptionist Duyen was always courteous and quick to help, from arranging transportation to offering sightseeing tips. Her genuine care for guest satisfaction shone through in every interaction. Thank you for your hospitality and helpful spirit!

🌟 Suong – Receptionist Suong exudes warmth and hospitality. She helped me with my checkout and even followed up to ensure my departure was smooth. Her thoughtfulness and kindness left a lasting impression. What a lovely person!

Final Thoughts: Staying at the Happy Life Grand Hotel wasn’t just a place to sleep—it was a delightful experience thanks to the people who work there. I truly hope management recognizes what an exceptional team they have. I’ll absolutely return the next time I’m in Saigon, and I’ll be recommending this hotel to...

I'm a luxury hotel reviewer (unknown to the staff of the hotel), and I'm saddened to say I unfortunately had a negative stay with this hotel. I checked out after only one night and left for the Sedona Suites, my usual hotel while I'm in Ho Chi Minh City (highly recommend for those seeking a good hotel in the centre of town). I was wanting to try a new hotel with the intention of extending my stay for the following three weeks whilst I'm in town for business, so I started with the one-night booking as this is a hotel I haven't stayed at before—and boy, am I glad I did that!

I found the staff to be very kind; however, there were clear communication issues. Staff arrived at my room at all hours of the night, waking me, having been told incorrect information from reception staff about maintenance requests that were already addressed earlier that day at 2 pm. I found it very difficult to get a hold of reception via the phone in the room, often having to call 5–8 times repeatedly, waiting for the phone line to completely ring out before getting an answer. The wait time for my room service order was over an hour and a half, and half the meal was completely inedible.

They didn't have enough seating in their restaurant to cater for all guests—so guests were not given their own table as every seat was being filled. I was there in their last hour of service, so I can only guess how long guests had to wait for even just a seat to become available during the major rush of service. Whenever I visited ground floor to ask any general questions, there were always guests everywhere, with only 2 seats available at reception for service and staff appearing a little frantic as a result.

It seemed they had more guests than they were able to cater for, which visibly showed in how overworked and understaffed the team appeared—visibly looking stretched thin. This was confusing to me, however, as when I first arrived there appeared to be a lot of staff standing around looking for things to do, so maybe a mismanagement issue—I'm not sure.

I haven't booked my next three weeks in Ho Chi Minh yet, as I was really excited to give this hotel a go and remain optimistic in the back of my mind about maybe giving them a second chance. But overall, it was a negative first welcome to their venue, and I was unable to fall back asleep after being woken in the middle of the night by the maintenance employee. So, I'd advise erring on the side of caution if you're seeking a truly luxury experience. But who knows—maybe I'll be able to return here and amend this review to a glowing five-star one in the future? I truly hope so. Otherwise, I fear for future guests who book their entire vacation accomodation here expecting an experience that's advertised online, but not...