Holiday Inn & Suites Saigon Airport by IHG — Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

My second stay at the hotel. The first one was very good so I decided to stay another time, but this time was completely different. I approached several disappointment during my stay:

No greetings: when I came to the check-in counter, all 3 available staffs there just like glued down to the computer and not recognising my presence at all, I have to speak up so one of them can finally look up to me. No greetings, no welcomes, nothing.

Check-in session: I didn't know that if it was normal for the other guests or not, but personally I hate it when the staff attending my checking-in chit chatting with their colleagues. One other staff was talking on the phone with their guest, she was asked something about amenities. Usually, if you don't know, you should ask the other free colleagues, not the one attending guest's checking-in. That to me, was completely unprofessional.

Also, this is my second stay, and the last one was just 10 days before, so I expected a "welcome back" or "thank you for staying with us again", but NO. Just normal, and, quick greet " thank you for your loyalty". That's it. Maybe my expectation was high, but I think it the least you can do.

Member's welcome amenities: at the beginning of checking-in session, I was asked if I wanted points or complimentary drink for my amenity, and I ANSWERED that I wanted drink, and she also confirmed. And we went through all the process, finished, didn't give me my drink ticket. I had to ask TWICE "what's about my drink ticket?" until when she realized the issue. Not a very good way to start a stay, I would say.

Late checkout: I specifically stated that I wanted late checkout until 2.00 PM, and originally my stay was from 22nd-23rd Sept, and I extended one more night, so the Front Desk called me to come to receive my new key. And, I got a call around 1.00 PM on 24th asking if I wanted to extend more nights or extend checkout time. "Huh? I thought I said I wanted 2.00 PM checkout?" - I replied, to which the staff said "oh, ok. I got it". That's it, no apologies, no nothing. Totally hated it.

After that I went out for a smoke before coming back to pack up my stuff, and guess what, my key was invalid. I had to go back to the Front Desk to have them make a new key for me. Yet again, no apologies, no words at all.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, CHECK OUT!

When finished all the billing and stuff, the staff didn't have any words of "Thank you", or "How was your stay", or "We hope to see you again". Just "with this, your checkout is done", and then she went right back to the PC monitor. What a way to end it all.

Also, another thing is that, the body soap in my shower room was completely empty when I got the room, but I was so fed up with the staff, so I had to use the bottle handed on the bathtub.

To summarize, the education level is not near average with IHGs. Please consider...

Not a great hotel in my opinion, but manned with a superb and service oriented staff. Here are the pros and cons:

Pros: Service - The staff are impeccable , professional, very friendly and always smiling. Seeing the staff in action and their courtesy can make your problems go away 😊 The check-in and check-out process were a breeze. Even the housekeeping staff greeted me with enthusiasm as I was walking along the corridor.

Swimming pool - this could be probably one of the few hotels in HCMC with an (almost) 50 meter length pool. And a great attraction for Vietnamese "Staycationers" in HCMC.

Interior Design - though the rooms are small and not as spacious or luxurious as Caravelle and Sheraton, the rooms are smartly designed for its limited space by utilizing sliding walls to reveal the separated bathroom.

Cons: Construction and interior fit-out quality - laminated boards at the elevator vestibule are detaching from the walls, the carpeted floors of the room are uneven, the curtains are somewhat flimsy (look at the pictures I've taken, with holes) the furnishings are not "5 star" quality, the tiles beside the toilet seat are also detaching from the walls if you just push them slightly. Plus the ceiling height is quite low.

Breakfast Quality - just OK but not comparable with other 5 star hotels: protein options were not that great, pancakes and waffles were scarce and super dry (inedible), coffee quality is a bit subpar, the peanut butter (local) is too sweet, the pastries including croissants do not taste as good comparing with other hotel breakfasts, yogurt is the standard sugar-laden fare from Vinamilk and there is no non-sweetened option. Breakfast variety is not very diverse as well. In my opinion, it's better to order breakfast via Grab Food from local western restaurants for breakfast (like Melbourne Cafe or Black Sheep Restaurants) for proper delicious Western breakfast, sad to say.

Airconditioning: 2 hours after check-in, the room feels stuffy and hot even after adjusting the thermostat to 20 or 21 degrees, actual temp reading was 27 degrees from 14:00 to 18:00! I wasn't able to take an afternoon nap because of this.

Price to quality ratio - I have stayed in Eastin Hotel before which is just a kilometer or 2 away, and their price per night is more affordable. Plus everything in Eastin is better as I think Eastin is a real, proper 5 star hotel in terms of furnishings, decor or interior design, room quality, ambience (well, except for the swimming pool as Eastin has a laughable small pool).

Overall, just an OK hotel but the service is superb and impeccable. Personally, I will recommend guests who require a nearby luxury hotel from the airport (who have a one day layover) to...

I had the distinct pleasure of staying at the Holiday Inn & Suites Saigon Airport, and my experience was truly exceptional. The hotel is excellently located for those who desire immediate proximity to the airport - the quick 15-minute journey from the airport to the hotel is a major boon for weary travellers.

One should note, the hotel's location is approximately 20 minutes away from the heart of Saigon - the southern part of the city. Although it may seem a bit far from the bustling city life, the quality of service and tranquility of the hotel more than compensates for this.

Despite its location along a busy road, the hotel and its rooms offer an oasis of peace. The noise insulation is impressive; you won't hear a thing from the bustling city outside. The entire hotel, including the rooms, is quite new and kept impeccably clean. The corridors are adorned with lovely carpeting, providing an added layer of sound isolation.

One aspect that could be improved, though, is the construction of the toilets. The sliding door design may seem inconvenient to some. However, this is a minor drawback that pales in comparison to the overall experience.

One of the highlights of the hotel is its large, inviting pool - perfect for a swim after a long day of sightseeing or work. However, what sets the Holiday Inn & Suites Saigon Airport apart is its exemplary service. The hotel staff respond promptly to emails, and their attention to detail is impeccable. I would particularly like to commend Mr. Chuong Tran for his outstanding customer service, which significantly enriched my stay.

Based on my experience, I would happily return to the Holiday Inn & Suites Saigon Airport for short stays. However, for extended visits to Saigon, I might consider a hotel located in the southern part of the city for easier access to its vibrant social scene. Despite this, the exceptional service at the Holiday Inn & Suites Saigon Airport is unmatched, making it a top contender in any decision. For its location, quiet ambiance, exceptional service, and impressive amenities, I confidently award this hotel a well-deserved...