Booking

Since Ho Chi Minh City was the last stop on my trip and my flight back to Europe was already fixed, I booked the hotel relatively early. At the time of booking, I hadn’t yet decided on InterContinental Ambassador status, so I chose the rate that included complimentary breakfast. Pricewise, the hotel seemed quite reasonable to me.

InterContinental sign in front of well-maintained greenery

Location

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is a city shaped by a variety of cultural influences. I could feel this during the roughly 10-kilometer drive from SGN airport to the hotel, which took well over half an hour. The hotel itself is, in my opinion, quite well situated — various attractions are within walking distance, including the Hop-On Hop-Off bus.

Entrance of Intercontinental Hotel with glass front

Tall building with palm trees and sign by street

Check-In

Check-in went smoothly as usual; I arrived in the evening. Rather than the base room category, I received an upgrade thanks to my Ambassador status.

Hotel entrance with wooden walls and modern furnishings

Room

The room makes a pleasant and welcoming impression. The entryway and the entire room are relatively well lit by hotel standards. On the right side is the bathroom, complete with bathtub, shower, and toilet. I was pleasantly surprised by how bright the bathroom was. As is standard at InterContinental hotels, the usual toiletries were provided.

The room itself features comfortable armchairs beside the bed, a small coffee table, and a proper work/writing desk.

The generously sized TV is easily visible from the bed. In the room’s entryway you’ll find the wardrobe, safe, and ironing board built into the wall closet.

Power outlets are conveniently placed throughout the room, and the desk also has international sockets.

Hotel remote control in leather case on wooden table

Hotel room with glasses and snacks in a drawer

Mini-fridge stocked with beverages including Coca-Cola, Schweppes, and S.Pellegrino

Hotel room with flat-screen TV and sideboard

Hotel room with double bed and bedside table

Hotel room with double bed and grey duvet cover

Hotel bedside table with clock, phone, and water bottle

Black lounge chair with ottoman in hotel room

Wall-mounted towel rack with towels in the bathroom

Hotel bathroom with sink, mirror, and towel rack

Hotel amenity kit with items such as toothbrush and toothpaste

Shower area with rainfall showerhead and handheld shower

Byredo hand soap and body lotion in the hotel corner

Free-standing bathtub in luxurious bathroom

Amenities

The fitness room is generously equipped and, thanks to the mirrored walls, feels impressively spacious. Accessible via a key-card-operated elevator, the gym is available at any time. The pool on the same floor is equally generous in size and comes with a sun deck. What makes the pool special is its infinity-style design and the view over the bustling streets below.

Hotel outdoor pool with plants and skyscraper in background

Roof terrace with pool and palm trees in foreground

Hotel pool with lounge chairs and palm trees in the foreground

Outdoor area with pool and lounge chairs at the hotel

Gym with various exercise machines and mirrors

Gym with treadmills, ellipticals, and weights

Restaurant

Breakfast is served in the restaurant as a generous buffet. The ground floor offers plenty of comfortable seating, housing both the café and the bar. The bar is well stocked, and prices are in an acceptable range.