123 117, Dong Khoi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | (888) 223-6949
Centrally located in District 1, within walking distance of sights, shops, and restaurants
Clean rooms with flat-screen TVs and minibars; some have a balcony
Three restaurants, including a popular buffet serving regional cuisine
Small spa offering massages and a hydrotherapy area
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Free, tasty buffet breakfast
Free bottled water replenished daily
Many rooms don’t have windows, or have views of a wall
Some rooms have dated decor
Fitness center is tiny
Bong Sen Hotel Saigon is a mid-range property smack-bang in the middle of District 1, within walking distance of many major attractions. This 129-room hotel is known among tourists for its good value, clean rooms, and great freebies, and among locals for its buffet restaurant, which serves tasty regional cuisine. Most rooms have been renovated and feature modern decor and amenities, but others are a little dated and plain, and a few don’t have windows. The hotel is not fancy, but rates are reasonable and the location ideal for exploring the main sights.
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Scene
A solid mid-range hotel offering good value in a central location
The quiet and small Bong Sen Hotel Saigon may not be luxurious, but it does offer clean, comfortable rooms with nice bathrooms, and a number of great amenities, including a small spa, a restaurant with veranda seating and views, and nice freebies. The lobby is attractive, with a curved wooden front desk, Vietnamese artwork displayed under bright red arches, and a couple of red and purple sofas. The property received a facelift in 2010, but not all areas were extensively renovated. While most rooms have stylish, contemporary decor, others feature basic wooden furniture and somewhat dated carpeting. Still, everything is kept clean and well maintained.
Location
Within walking distance of several major attractions
Bong Sen Hotel Saigon is centrally located in District 1, where most major attractions can be found. The area is always lively and busy, with hotels, shops, restaurants, and bars drawing tourists and locals alike. Some of the city’s most popular attractions -- including Ben Thanh Market, the Fine Arts Museum, Huynh Thuc Khang street market, Ho Chi Minh City Museum, Notre Dame Basilica, the War Remnants Museum, and the Independence Palace are all within walking distance. Xa Loi, the largest pagoda in HCM, is a five-minute drive away. District 3 attractions and restaurants are about a 10-minute cyclo taxi ride away, and the airport can be reached by car in 20 minutes.
Rooms
Spacious and comfortable -- but most have views of a wall, and a few are dated
The best features of the rooms at the Bong Sen Hotel Saigon are their size, cleanliness, and functional amenities. Rooms may not be luxurious, but they feature all the basics, including flat-screen TVs, free bottled water (replenished daily), free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. Most have been refurbished and feature fairly stylish, contemporary decor in earth tones -- but others have basic, generic decor that feels dated. Bathrooms have shower/tub combos and are spotless, and some rooms have balconies overlooking the street. However, most have views of the building next door, and a handful don’t have windows. Family Deluxe Rooms can sleep up to three adults, and all Deluxe category units have living and dining areas.
Features
Three restaurants, a small spa, and free breakfast -- but the fitness center is tiny
For a hotel this size, the array of dining options is surprisingly varied. The Green Leaf Café on the lobby level serves coffee, drinks, afternoon tea, and a few entrees. Lotus Center is located on the seventh floor, and serves an international buffet with a la carte options in a pleasant dining room with veranda seating. Buffet Ganh offers delicious Vietnamese cuisine and is a popular among locals. The spa offers body treatments and salon services, and a small wellness area with a whirlpool and showers. The hotel features a fitness center, but it is tiny and is equipped with only a handful of machines. The hotel also offers four meeting rooms, a business center with secretarial services, and free Wi-Fi. Free breakfast buffet is offered to all guests daily.
