The Alcove Library Hotel

The Alcove Library Hotel has a distinctly boutique atmosphere, and modern decor is mixed with a literary theme that runs throughout the property. It’s a smart five-story building with an impressive white facade. The elegant courtyard has outdoor seating, and there are large windows and doors that lead out onto the bright and beautiful lobby. Floor-to-ceiling dark-wood bookshelves house the hotel’s extensive library. Colonial-style tiled flooring, beautiful chandeliers, and comfy brown vintage leather armchairs complete the look. The fifth-floor Bookmark restaurant is likewise bright, airy, and spacious, with high ceilings that create a warehouse-like ambience. The long wooden bar has a brickwork splashback wall, and there’s modern downlighting and more framed wall prints to highlight the wooden tables and black padded chairs. The small wraparound rooftop terrace has terra-cotta floor tiling, dangling ferns, and attractive chunky wooden tables -- and there are great views of the surrounding neighborhood. This is a popular spot for tourists, both families and couples. 

The hotel is set on a quiet street in a non-touristy neighborhood, just off the main road that leads to Tan Son Nhat International Airport. A number of restaurants and street food stalls are within walking distance. It’s about halfway between the airport and the downtown District 1 area that’s home to most of Saigon’s popular attractions. The airport can be reached in under 15 minutes by taxi, and Saigon Railway Station is an eight-minute cab ride away. It takes 15 minutes to reach Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office by taxi. It's nine minutes to the War Remnants Museum and 11 minutes to the Reunification Palace. The Ho Chi Minh Museum, City Hall, and the upmarket shopping area around Dong Khoi Street are farther away, but all are about a 20-minute taxi ride from the hotel. The hotel offers free daily shuttle bus service to District 1 attractions.

The Alcove’s rooms are elegantly decorated, though some are on the small side. Large, comfortable beds are placed against accent walls half in brown and half in white, set on wooden flooring. Chic bedside tables are topped with modern lamps, and there’s writing desks as well. Alcove King Rooms are more spacious than entry-level Alcove Queen Rooms, and add elegant gray padded armchairs to the room. One-room Alcove Suites have small sofas and coffee tables. Suites also come with impressive kitchenettes complete with sinks, stovetops, fridge/freezers, and microwaves, as well as plenty of storage space. Large windows offer pleasant neighborhood views -- though some rooms have smaller windows, and cheaper rooms lack views altogether. Standard amenities include individual air-conditioning, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs with cable, free Wi-Fi, small minibars, and safes. And turndown service is provided.

Attractive but compact wet-room-style bathrooms have large built-in sinks, rainfall and power showerheads behind shower curtains, and large mirrors. There’s white subway tiling on the walls and attractive gray tiling on the floors. Hairdryers, bathrobes, and slippers are also provided. 

This small boutique property is missing some of the features expected from other four-pearl properties in Vietnam; there's no gym, pool, or spa. Instead, the Alcove’s amenities include a library collection that's available for guests to browse, and a small selection of arty souvenirs sold in the lobby. An excellent breakfast on the rooftop terrace is included in all room rates. It’s served a la carte rather than as a buffet, but guests can order as many of the Asian and Western dishes as they like. The Bookmark, open all day, offers quality meals for lunch and dinner, and is a pleasant spot for drinks in the evening. Asian and Western room service is efficient and good quality, too. There’s free and fast Wi-Fi throughout. Airport transfers, valet parking, and laundry service are also available, but note that some guests complain these services are on the pricey side.