Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City

With its pale cream-colored façade, vaguely colonial-style architecture, and bright yellow neon light topping the building, the Equatorial doesn’t look much different from many other hotels in town. Inside, however, the lobby is contemporary, attractive, and pleasantly spacious with gleaming white floors, blonde wood paneling on walls, and wide hallways with plush carpeting, laminate floors, and accent walls. Off the lobby is a coffee lounge with a few computers, and another cafe with a stained glass skylight and couches and armchairs in deep orange and grey. A few floors up from the lobby is the pool deck, complete with a swim-up bar, and a popular spot for a quiet afternoon. The hotel is known among well-off locals for its seafood restaurant, which also offers cooking classes regularly. Modern and elegant, this property is a classically refined pick. 

The hotel is located on a side street off Hung Vuong, one of District 5’s main drags. There are small restaurants and local shops around, and the area is always busy with motorcycles, cyclos (three-wheeled bicycle taxis), and cars, but few tourists venture this far out. Cholon, known as Ho Chi Minh’s Chinatown and home to dozens of pagodas, is just a few minutes’ walk away. However, District 1, which is where most major tourist attractions can be found, is a 15-minute drive away. Taxis are inexpensive and the hotel offers free shuttle service several times a day to central District 1. The airport can be reached in about 30 minutes in normal driving conditions.

The hotel features 333 rooms, including Superior, Deluxe, Club, and suites. They’re all large and bright, with big windows overlooking the pool and/or the street, and at least a small sitting area with a couple of chairs and a table. Decor in earth tones is appealing and contemporary, if a bit generic, but some guests have complained of tired carpets and dated furnishings in a few units. Club Rooms and suites have partially glass-enclosed bathrooms (with shades for privacy) featuring a walk-in shower and a tub with a window opening onto the room, adding some style to the space. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi,  electronic bedside controls, minibars, electric kettles (espresso makers in some rooms), and king beds. Club Rooms and suites offer a few extra perks, such as pillow menus, DVD players, and iPod docks.

Orientica is the hotel’s most acclaimed restaurant, serving a great menu of mostly seafood in an attractive space with red and black decor. The other on-site dining options include a buffet with an a la carte menu; a lounge serving drinks, coffee, and afternoon tea; and a coffee spot with a few computers. The outdoor pool features a small shallow area for kids, towel service, and a swim-up bar, making it a relaxing spot for a swim or sunbathing after a day of sightseeing. The fitness center features a variety of cardio and strength-training machines, and the spa offers a sauna, a steam room, a whirlpool, salon services, and treatments -- but both are a little basic for a luxury hotel. Free Wi-Fi and free shuttle service to/from the airport and District 1 are great perks. The hotel also has meeting rooms, on-site parking, and a casino with slot machines, a bar, and karaoke rooms.