Review: PARKROYAL Saigon
PARKROYAL Saigon Junior Suite (Entrance)
A decent stay at Parkroyal Saigon, with commendable service and food. The convenience of the shuttle service proved valuable in compensating for the hotel's less-than-ideal location for exploring Ho Chi Minh.
Pros: Cheap price point, great breakfast, ATM near the hotel to withdraw local currency.
Cons: Location is not ideal, not at the heart of the city centre. Although comfortable, hotel rooms could do with some refurbishment.
PARKROYAL Saigon
SGN-SIN A320 Scoot Economy Class
Arriving at night on my Singapore Airlines Business Class flight, I decided to avoid the hustle and bustle of the arrival area and decided against hailing a Grab. Uncertain about where the designated waiting area for Grab drivers was, and aware of unpleasant incidents related to it, I opted for the hotel shuttle, which was available at a reasonable cost (about 16 USD++ for both ways). The journey to the hotel took approximately 30 minutes, mostly due to the congestion during Ho Chi Minh's peak hours.
Situated in the Tan Binh District, Parkroyal Saigon offers direct access to the airport and offers convenient proximity to attractions such as Ben Thanh Market, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta, and Reunification Palace (although quite some distance away).
Damage: USD79 per night for a Deluxe King room, upgraded to Junior Suite, additional USD9 x 2 nights breakfast added on during check-in (all paid using Discovery Dollars).
Check In
I sent an email to request for a room upgrade to the junior suite beforehand, half hoping that I will be able to get the club benefits. However, I discovered that such privileges were not applicable to the upgrade, which left me somewhat disappointed.
Nevertheless, it wasn't a significant concern as I opted to have lunch and dinner mostly in Ho Chi Minh City or using Grabfood (yes it is available in Vietnam, and is super cheap!) rather than at the hotel. Additionally, there were drink vouchers at the hotel bar, satisfying my need for some alcoholic indulgence 😎
The hotel's lobby seems to reflect its considerable age, appearing as if it belongs to a bygone era and could benefit from a refurbishment. Nevertheless, it didn't bother me, and overall, it was perfectly acceptable for my stay!
Room
I was assigned to the Orchid Club level, and the 45sqm Junior Suite was located near the lobby, was undeniably spacious. However, the furnishings were definitely showing signs of wear and in need of a refurbishment.
Upon entering, you will first encounter a generously sized wardrobe, with the mini bar beside. It featured a coffee machine (which I opted to skip), and of course G7 coffee (a favourite Vietnamese Coffee brand of mine) and Lipton tea bags. The fridge was stocked with non-alcoholic beverages and a Snickers bar, which were expectedly chargeable.
The corridor led to the main living room area, with the bed positioned directly opposite. Comfortable sofas adorned the space, and GHA Discovery amenities were placed on the coffee table, proving quite delightful! Although I didn't get to try the dragon fruit, as I typically don't indulge in provided fruits as amenities. What's your preference as an amenity – fruits or sweet treats? Share your thoughts below.
I appreciated the thoughtful placement of the sofa facing the TV, although I barely watched it much and it offered basic functions and primarily featured Vietnamese channels. I found myself tuned into their Sports channels for the majority of my stay.
There is also a functional worktable, equipped with sufficient power sockets (although lacking USB charging points, which was another sign of refurbishment needed). It was positioned near the window, which had views that weren't particularly noteworthy, but did provided excellent sunset views.
The bed was notably comfortable, and I liked the convenience of charging sockets on both sides. Complimentary water was also thoughtfully placed on the side tables.
Bathroom
The bathroom boasted generous space, featuring a bathtub and a separate shower area, with the toilet area positioned opposite and avoiding any dampness from the shower. It was well-designed, and it struck me as surprising that some hotels overlook this fundamental design for the bathrooms.
However, the walk-in showers lacked a rain shower feature 😔, and the water pressure was sporadic, although the temperature was great.
Bathroom amenities were supplied by Appelles, an Australian-owned brand that I've previously encountered in Parkroyal hotels and Ascott Raffles Place.
Bar and Dining Experience
Although I did not have lounge access, I received two drink vouchers that covered alcoholic beverages. Needless to say that I decided to use them at the Lotus Bar, the primary hotel bar situated at the lobby. Opting for a local draught beer, I was delighted to find that it was served with complimentary roasted nuts and snacks. Coupled with the relatively uncrowded atmosphere, it resulted in a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Breakfast took place at the hotel’s main restaurant, Garden Brasserie. I made an early visit on both days and chose to sit at tables near the window, overlooking the spa area and swimming pool.
I was greeted by a nice spread of food. The hot dishes, including freshly served pho, added a nice touch. While the pho didn't quite match up to the one I tried outside the hotel, I concluded that Vietnam's pho standard remains top-notch. Home advantage, perhaps!
Another highlight was the liver pate (possibly due to the French influence?), which offered a rich and flavorful taste.
A special note to my Grab food delivery on one of the evenings, featuring the incredibly cheap (not even S$3?) and delicious bun cha. It was a superb meal!
Facilities
As mentioned, the spa area is situated adjacent to Garden Brasserie, and features a lap-worthy swimming pool, a well-equipped gym, and St Gregory Spa. the gym proved to be highly functional and pleasantly uncrowded. During my visit, I did a cardio session on the treadmill and had an excellent workout.
Hotel Shuttle Service and Exploration
It's convenient that the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service to the city centre, and I took advantage of it to explore Ho Chi Minh City. The shuttle conveniently drops off at the city's shopping district, specifically at Takashimaya Shopping Centre (yes, I felt a bit unusual to be in a Singapore shopping mall that is not in Singapore 😆).
During my visit, I explored the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. However, a word of caution: the exhibits in the War Remnants Museum are quite graphic, vividly portraying the events that transpired during the Vietnam War. Nevertheless being a history buff, I found it very interesting and stayed for about 2 hours looking through the exhibits. Highly recommended!
Conclusion
I was pleased to utilize my remaining Discovery Dollars, and my stay at Parkroyal Saigon was considered a decent one, although you might contemplate opting for newer hotels or ones situated closer to the city centre.
