Renaissance Saigon Hotel*****
Our brief comments: 
The 21-storey Renaissance is in an excellent location facing the Saigon River, a few minutes stroll from Dong Khoi and the other attractions in District 1, generally regarded as the main tourist area.
Externally, it's a conventional tower block, but the centre of the building is a striking full-height atrium. It's one of the few hotels in Vietnam where there's a 'wow' factor - however, anyone with a tendency towards vertigo would be well-advised to avoid the upper floor!
The internal design is based upon French-colonial style architecture with clean lines and large area windows. Complemented by a carefully-planned colour scheme coordinated throughout the hotel, the Renaissance exudes class.
The hotel has 349 rooms, 60% of which overlook the Saigon River. They come with the usual modern conveniences as well as a speakerphone, voice mail and a dedicated data port.
An iron and ironing board are an unusual, but very welcome, addition. Four floors are designated as non-smoking and connecting rooms are designed to meet special requirements of guests.
Apart from the Suites, all rooms are a generous 32m2 of floor area and are well-equipped with modern facilities, a sofa area, writing desk, and bathrooms with a larger than average vanity area.
Club floor rooms are similar, but located on the higher floors, from the 18th to the 21st.
The Deluxe Suites consist of a separate living room with sofa, TV, dining table for four people, a working desk and powder room. The master bedroom has luxurious silk panel bed board, a vanity area and a spacious en-suite bathroom with separate shower stall and bathtub.
The Riverside Café offers international dishes and a la carte menu while the Kabin Chinese Restaurant features spicy Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine. The Lobby Lounge and Poolside serves light snacks and cool beverages and the 5th floor Atrium offers tranquil place to simply sit and relax or read.
The hotel's pool is located on the top of the building - the views of the city and the Saigon River are spectacular. Underneath, on the 21st floor, are well-equipped fitness and health facilities, also benefitting from panoramic views.
The Renaissance recognises the value of understatement. Its service is calm, efficient and unobtrusive, and decor is restrained - quality is the watchword. It's a hotel for the discerning customer!
(Last inspected in September, 2003 - comments welcomed if you've visited more recently!)
Room facilities (?= awaiting updated information from the hotel):
Room Categories |
Deluxe
Cityview |
Deluxe Riverview |
Club Cityview |
Club Riverview |
Deluxe Suite |
| Number of rooms |
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Air-conditioner |
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Satellite television |
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Bath or shower only |
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Bath with shower |
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| Bath + separate shower |
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Personal safety box |
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Coffee and tea facilities |
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| Laptop connection |
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| Free broadband access |
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Extra bed available? |
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Child's cot available? |
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Room size (m2) |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
65 |
View |
city |
river |
city |
river |
city/river |
Additional room facilities: iron and ironing board, welcome fruit basket, daily newspapers in English, evening turndown service
Additional benefits for Club rooms:
- express check in and out on the 18th floor
- an enhanced continental buffet breakfast, evening cocktails and canapés, all day tea, coffee and soft drinks
- 24-hrs news channel viewing
- free local telephone callscredit card access dialing charges waived
- free use of Club's boardroom for 2 hours
Hotel facilities:
Outdoor pool |
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Non-smoking floor(s) |
4 |
Pool bar |
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Non-smoking rooms only |
n/a |
Fitness/health centre |
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Vietnamese/Asian restaurant |
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Sauna |
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International restaurant |
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Massage |
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Patisserie/coffee shop/cafe |
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Jacuzzi |
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Business centre |
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Additional hotel facilities: gift shop, news stand, child care services.
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