Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon

Housed in a tall, pale-colored building with a small manicured front garden, the Lotte Legend looks a lot plainer on the outside than it actually is on the inside. The lobby is large and overall appealing, with gleaming floors, paneled walls, and a few seating areas with couches and coffee tables. The lobby lounge -- where guests gather for afternoon tea or for a quiet night of live piano music and drinks -- is classic and grand. Columns, huge horse statues, a striking stained glass ceiling, hanging lamps, golden accents, and marble in different colors give the space a monumental feel -- but it may seem a little overdone to some. Although guest rooms are similar in style to the lobby, decor here is more understated and perhaps dated (especially in standard rooms), with simpler wooden furniture, and few ornaments on walls. 

The hotel draws mostly business travelers, couples and families with its wide array of on-site amenities and classic style -- but for those looking to stay in a more modern hotel in the same area, the Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel is a good alternative.

The property is located in northern District 1, overlooking the Saigon River. There are dozens of restaurants, bars, and shops nearby, and most major attractions are within walking distance of the property. The Opera House is a five-minute walk away, and Ben Thanh markets, the Fine Arts Museum, Huynh Thuc Khang street market, Notre Dame Basilica, the War Remnants Museum, and the Independence Palace are all within a 20-minute walk. Xa Loi, the largest pagoda in HCM, is a 15-minute drive away, and the airport can be reached by car in about 25 minutes. For the easiest and fastest access to the city center, guests may want to take the hotel’s rear entrance. The property offers a free shuttle to some of the city’s main sights.

The hotel’s 283 rooms are decorated in classic style with dark wood furniture, padded headboards, and gold-rimmed mirrors. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in lots of natural light (and many offer panoramic river views), and cream-colored walls make spaces bright. However, the blue carpeting and the lack of ornaments make rooms feel somewhat dated and bland. Marble bathrooms feature shower/tub combos (suites have separate walk-in showers and soaking tubs) and black countertops, but are just average for a luxury hotel. Standard amenities include one king or two twin beds, LCD TVs, well-stocked minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Executive rooms are located on floors 14 to 17 and offer the best views, as well as access to the Executive Lounge. 

Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon has four restaurants on-site, including Cantonese, Japanese, American-Australian, and an international buffet with a wonderful breakfast spread. Afternoon tea is served in the lobby lounge, which features a striking stained glass ceiling and live piano in the evenings. The pool deck features a large round pool, a whirlpool, a kiddy section, and a bar. Those traveling with children may find the large kids’ club convenient. The fitness center is a large space with natural light and a wide range of modern equipment, including cardio, strength training machines, and free weights. The hotel also offers several fully equipped meeting rooms, free Wi-Fi, and a free shuttle to some of HCM’s main attractions. The Executive Lounge is open only to those staying in Executive rooms or suites, and offers freebies such as breakfast, snacks throughout the day, happy hour with hors d’oeuvres, and afternoon tea. There is a sauna in the fitness center, but the hotel lacks a spa.